13 Car Rentals That Allow Pets & Dogs (+Conditions & Fees)
Most car rentals allow pets in their vehicles, subject to conditions, and cleaning fees apply if the renter doesn’t return the car in a clean condition.
The 13 Pet-Friendly Car Rental Companies
Allowing housebroken pets like cats and dogs in rental cars is now a standard industry provision, albeit some with special conditions to avoid fees for general cleaning, removing pet hair, and other pet-related damages.
These car rental companies allow pets to travel in their vehicles and have stated as such in their policies:
- Advantage.
- Alamo.
- Avis.
- Budget.
- Dollar.
- Enterprise.
- Fox.
- Hertz.
- National.
- Payless
- Sixt.
- Thrifty.
- Turo.
Some car rentals require renters to crate the cat or dog, except for service animals:
- Alamo.
- Dollar.
- Enterprise.
- National.
Of the service providers above, only Hertz requires its renters to notify them in advance during the reservation process if a pet is traveling together.
Comparison Table (with Conditions & Fees)
Some rental companies did not state in their policies or FAQs if they allow pets, the conditions (if any), or the amount they will charge for cleaning the cabin of pet hair and stains.
Still, it’s best to ask the specific rental locations to understand their allowances and requirements before parting with your money.
Table Guide:
- NA – not available or not published by the car rental.
| Allow Pets? | Requirement(s) | Cleaning Fee | |
| Ace | NA. | NA. | NA. |
| Advantage | Yes. | Return the car in clean condition & w/o damage. | NA. Customer reported up to $350. |
| Alamo | Yes. | Keep pets crated, except for service animals. | NA. |
| Avis | Yes; most locations. | Return the car in clean condition & w/o damage. | $450 max. |
| Budget | Yes. | Return the car in clean condition & w/o damage. | $450 max. |
| Dollar | Yes. | Keep pets crated, or use a seat cover. | $50-$250 |
| Enterprise | Yes. | Keep pets crated, except for service animals. | NA. |
| Fox | Yes. | Return the car in clean condition & w/o damage. | NA. Customer reported up to $300. |
| Hertz | Yes, but w/ advance notice. | Must state at the time of reservation. | $400 |
| National | Yes. | Keep pets crated, except for service animals. | NA. |
| Payless | Yes. | Return the car in clean condition & w/o damage. | $250 |
| Sixt | Yes. | Cleaning fee applies if returned unclean; no cleaning fee for rental w/ service animal. | NA. |
| Thrifty | Yes. | Return the car in clean condition & w/o damage. | $50-$250 |
| Turo | Yes; cars labeled “pet-friendly.” | Pets only in cars with a “pet-friendly” label. Service animals OK in all vehicles. | $150 + 3% processing fee. |
Most car rentals allow pets, albeit some with additional conditions that require extra care on your part to avoid additional fees.
Still, some dishonest agents at less reputable service providers and rental locations impose questionable cleaning fees.
Read the posts below for each car rental’s common complaints and questions:
Tips on Avoiding Cleaning Fees
Handy tips to avoid extra charges for cleaning and pet-related damages include:
- Photograph and video-document the car’s interior (and the exterior for pre-existing damages).
- Use a pet seat cover.
- Crate your pet.
- Plan potty breaks.
- Clean the car before returning it; keep the receipt if paying for cleaning services.
- Document the car’s interior (and exterior) again via photos and videos when dropping off the vehicle.
- Inspect the car with the agent, and if all is fine, note as such on the check-out paperwork to signify the agent’s acceptance.
Remember, verbal acceptance may not be sufficient to protect yourself against unexpected charges for damages you didn’t cause.
References:
https://www.avis.com/en/help/usa-faqs/pet-policy
https://www.enterprise.com/en/help/faqs/car-rental-pet-friendly-policy.html