Best car rental companies for business travelers

Choosing a car rental company for your business trips can be quite a hassle, considering all the excellent options available. Think about what you’re looking for exactly: a better price, or top-quality service and extras? If time is a priority, consider which companies will offer you to go through the pickup and drop-off as smoothly as possible.These are some of the most important factors to take into account when choosing a

car rental

company:

Avis may be one of the most expensive brands on the market, but quality does come at a price. It’s actually one of oldest car rental companies, and among the first to open airport offices. Throughout the decades, it has expanded to over 1,400 locations in the US only.Some of the pros about Avis include interesting discounts for small businesses, a best price guarantee plus a 10% discount, and e-tolls for car rentals in the North-East.

While Enterprise’s daily rates are higher than average, on the flip side that means less additional charges and hidden costs. We're talking about the largest North American car rental company, with over 6,000 locations across the US—making it very likely you’ll find one wherever you’re traveling for work!Enterprise is a great choice for businesses as their fees for extras and tolls are very convenient, and they even offer a pickup service that brings customers to their rental offices. Other pros of choosing Enterprise are their special rates for long rentals, and the wide range of cars offered—including an exclusive premium collection with brands such as Ferrari and Maserati. Their outstanding service has received many awards throughout the years, including the Travvy Awards in 2020.

Europcar has over 2,400 locations in over 140 countries, making it a top choice for international business travelers. The brand is also renowned for its wide variety of vehicles, including premium, luxurious, and hybrid cars in their Prestige class.Their car rental rates can be very attractive in comparison to the main competitors, offering also special daily, weekly, and monthly rates for businesses.

Small and medium businesses can also benefit from lower rates and discounts

, a dedicated team, and express pickup, as well as a delivery and collect service.

Considered the founder of the car rental business, Hertz has over 3,000 offices, out of which 1,600 are airport locations in the US. Always ranked among the top car rental companies, Hertz has won numerous awards throughout the years for customer service and rental car satisfaction. Rates are on the high side, but you do get what you pay for.Apart from a good range of vehicles to rent, Hertz offers a best price guarantee plus a 10% discount, fast pickup options, and interesting extras. Some of these extras include an online trip planner, guides, and a concierge trip planning service.

National belongs to the same parent company as Alamo and Enterprise, which means customers can enjoy some benefits between the three companies. It’s known for its outstanding customer service and a wide variety of vehicles to choose from.However, the main pro about National Car Rental is the range of options available for corporate customers—their biggest customer group. Some of the benefits for businesses are special programs, contracted rates, a “drop and go” option, and an interesting loyalty program.

With 2,200 locations around the world, including many airport locations, Sixt is another big favorite. The company is said to offer the widest selection of vehicles available, including high-end brands such as Mercedes Benz, Porsche, or Tesla.Sixt’s fleet is also one of the newest on the market, with a three-month average. Sixt is also a great option for long-term rentals, offering interesting savings on rentals of 28 days or longer.

Dollar is part of the Hertz group, and it’s known for being among the cheapest car rental companies on the market. The company offers low rates and frequent promotions, making it a great option for those looking to save a dollar on their rental.On the other hand, Dollar doesn’t score that well when it comes to customer service. The return process is also not as easy and smooth as it is with other companies. However, the rates can be very attractive, and they also have a special program available for business travelers. Some of the perks of this program are shorter lines and an easier booking process.

Budget is a subsidiary of Avis, and it offers some of the cheapest rates of all car rental companies. The company has over 2,900 locations in the US and another 2,200 worldwide, making it a great option both for national and international rentals.To make the best out of Budget’s rates, customers should go for prepaid reservations—eligible for discounts of up to 35%. The company also offers a business program, which saves corporate renters up to 30% off their costs. On the downside, be weary of the extra fees that might be applied. One of them is an e-toll fee, which is applied for every rental day regardless of whether you use the e-toll or not.

When it comes to long-distance trips, the key feature you want to look for is unlimited mileage. Watch out for companies which don’t offer this option, as their strategy is to make up for the great deals with extra mileage fees. It makes sense, right? But there are also two other features that will make your long-distance road trip a success: long-term rental discounts and the right insurance.