10 Car Rentals with Military Discounts (& Benefits)

ByWinston Davis

Retired veterans and personnel on tour-of-duty and leisure travels benefit from special discounts and perks from these car rentals.

car rental military discount

Car Rentals with Veteran Discounts

#1 Alamo

Aside from the three leading car rentals in North America – Avis, Hertz, and Enterprise – Alamo probably strikes the best balance of fleet size, rental locations, and rental rates.

As part of Enterprise Holdings, the corporate parent that runs Enterprise and National, Alamo offers reliable vehicles and good-quality service that give Budget and Dollar a run for their money.

Military personnel on active-duty travels that book Alamo rental cars can expect:

  • Discounted rates are available at the time of booking.
  • 18 is the minimum renter’s age in the US and Canada.
  • No cash deposit.
  • No additional driver fee.
  • No under-25 driver fee.
  • Collision damage waiver (CDW) included.
  • Official travel orders or a government-issued credit card are required for reservation.
  • Available at airport-serving locations.

These requirements apply for those on off-duty travels:

  • 21 is the minimum renter’s age.
  • Cash or credit card deposit.
  • Must meet normal rental requirements.
  • Must show military ID for the discounted rate.
  • Family members with dependent IDs can enjoy leisure travel rates.

#2 Avis

Avis car rental is a familiar sight in popular destinations, with thousands of locations across the country.

Veterans and active-duty military personnel who have signed up for a Veterans Advantage membership will enjoy 25% off base rates, plus:

  • Free $50,000 medical travel insurance.
  • Free $5,000 AD&D insurance coverage.
  • Free global travel protection services.
  • Also enjoy membership discounts from other brands like United Airlines, Amtrak, and more.
  • Spouses, mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, sons, and daughters of veterans or service persons can also enroll and receive the benefits.

Restrictions apply, though:

  • Some vehicle classes aren’t eligible for military discounts.
  • Blackout dates and non-participating locations may apply.
  • The discount does not apply to taxes and fees.

#3 Budget

Budget is part of Avis, so members of Veterans Advantage (described in #2 above) can take advantage of discounts and other benefits.

Once enrolled in Veterans Advantage, veterans, active-duty military, National Guard, reservists, and their family members can save up to 25% off base car rental rates.

Some blackout dates and non-participating locations may make military rental deals unavailable, and the same applies to special car classes.

Budget Truck offers a 20% discount for US military personnel renting a truck with the USMIO discount code.

#4 Dollar

Veterans and military personnel can enroll in the VetRewards program when they become a member of Veterans Advantage to receive a 5% discount, plus:

The discounts are available for official and off-duty travel.

#5 Enterprise

Enterprise is the most reputable car rental in North America.

Current and retired personnel of the following military branches are eligible for discounted rates when booking rental cars with Enterprise for leisure or official travels:

  • Air force, and air force reserves.
  • Army, and army reserves.
  • Coast guard, and coast guard reserves.
  • Marine corps, and marine corps reserves.
  • National Guard.
  • Navy, and navy reserves.

Unlike some car rentals, all Enterprise locations worldwide accept military discounts.

The following benefits and conditions apply for military personnel renting from Enterprise:

  • Leisure travelers get a 5% discount on base rates.
  • Official travels enjoy specific contracted rates.
  • No underage fee for drivers aged 18 to 24.
  • Must be 21 or older to book leisure travels.

#6 Fox Rent a Car

Fox Rent a Car may be one of the smaller car rentals, but military discounts are available for all US military branches.

All active-duty and reserve military personnel get a 5% discount off base rates, although Fox may raise the discount to 10% from time to time.

Check the link at the bottom of this page for the latest deals.

#7 Hertz

Hertz has thousands of locations across the country, so enjoying the Hertz military and veterans discount is easy wherever you travel.

Hertz offers active-duty personnel, retirees, reservists, and their family members who are members of Veterans Advantage up to 10% off base rates.

Besides the discount, Veterans Advantage members also enjoy the following:

  • Immediate online and phone access, year-round.
  • $55,000 in travel and accident insurance.
  • Savings from top retailers and travel companies.
  • Low-cost MedEvac travel insurance.

#8 National

National’s rental rates are among the highest in the industry, but their service is also one of the best.

The following branches of the US military get a discount when renting from National:

  • Air force.
  • Army.
  • Coast guard.
  • Navy.
  • Marines.

National’s discount rates for military personnel vary by travel status:

  • 7-20% for official travels, depending on the vehicle type.
  • 5 for leisure travel.

Check the link at the bottom of this page for the latest rental rates from National car rental.

#9 Sixt

Sixt isn’t part of the leading three car rental groups – Avis, Hertz, and Enterprise – but it has an extensive fleet with attractive rental rates.

Sixt makes the veterans and military discount simple by offering a flat 5% off base rates for US rentals.

The discount automatically applies when you book online with a valid active military or veteran ID.

#10 Thrifty

Thrifty car rental does not enjoy as high a reputation as the others on this list.

Still, the discounts and perks are a bonus to Thrifty’s low rental rates.

Veterans Advantage members get a 5% discount car rental discount; veterans, active-duty military, National Guard, and their families can apply to join.

Without that membership, the following benefits are still attainable:

  • Free one vehicle-class upgrade for official travel.
  • No fee to join Thrifty’s Blue Chip Rewards program.

See the link below for Veterans Advantage membership signup.

References:

https://www.foxrentacar.com/en/deals.html

https://www.nationalcar.com/en/car-rental/navy-exchange.html

https://www.veteransadvantage.com/