The Ultimate Rental Car Guide: Best Companies, Best Deals, and How to Not Get Ripped Off on Insurance
Everything you need to know about renting a car in Miami, New York, Boston, Los Angeles, and Chicago — from which company to pick to the insurance game they play at the counter.
Quick Stat: Rental car prices are up about 35% since 2019. The average daily rate in 2025 was around $86/day. But with the right strategy — booking early, using loyalty programs, and skipping overpriced insurance — you can easily save 30–50% on every rental.
Renting a car should be simple: pick a car, drive it, bring it back. But anyone who's stood at a rental counter at midnight after a long flight knows the reality — confusing insurance options, hidden fees, surprise charges, and the nagging feeling that you're overpaying for everything.
This guide is your cheat code. We'll cover which rental companies are actually worth using, how to handle the insurance question without getting fleeced, and city-specific tips for the most popular rental destinations in the U.S.
🏆 The Best Rental Car Companies, Ranked
There are really only three parent companies that control most of the market: Enterprise Holdings (Enterprise, National, Alamo), Avis Budget Group (Avis, Budget), and Hertz (Hertz, Dollar, Thrifty). Here's how the individual brands stack up based on J.D. Power's 2025 satisfaction study, Consumer Reports data, and real-world feedback.
Tier 1: The Best Overall
Enterprise — Best for Most People
J.D. Power's #1 ranked company for 2025 with a score of 734/1,000. Enterprise has over 6,000 locations across the U.S. — more than any competitor — including tons of off-airport neighborhood locations. Their customer service consistently ranks at the top because they hire almost exclusively college grads and train them aggressively.
- Best for: Everyday rentals, local pickups, insurance replacement vehicles
- Watch out for: Off-airport locations sometimes have limited selection and cars with higher mileage
- Loyalty program: Enterprise Plus — 1 point per dollar, free rental day at 400 points
National — Best for Frequent Travelers
Ranked #2 with a score of 721/1,000. National's Emerald Club is the gold standard of rental car loyalty programs. Members walk straight past the counter to the Emerald Aisle and pick any midsize-or-larger car on the lot — no waiting, no upsell pitch, no hassle. If you rent more than 3–4 times a year, this is your company.
- Best for: Business travelers, frequent renters, people who hate lines
- Watch out for: Smaller footprint than Enterprise (~300 locations), mostly airport-focused
- Loyalty program: Emerald Club — choose your own car, earn free days
Sixt — Best for Premium Experience
This German company has been rapidly expanding in the U.S. and tied for #3 in J.D. Power's 2025 study (711/1,000). Their fleet skews newer and more premium than most competitors, and they've been winning awards for customer service. If you want a nicer car and don't mind paying a bit more, Sixt is worth checking out.
- Best for: Travelers who want a newer/nicer vehicle, premium experience
- Watch out for: Fewer U.S. locations than the big three, can be pricier
- Loyalty program: Sixt Plus — competitive points earning with status tiers
Tier 2: Solid Options
Hertz
The legacy giant. Solid fleet, good loyalty program (Gold Plus Rewards), and a wide airport presence. Rates are mid-range. They emerged from bankruptcy in 2021 and have been steadily improving. Their EV rental program is worth noting if you want to try an electric car.
Avg daily rate: ~$78/day
Alamo
Enterprise's airport-focused brand. Great for families and international travelers. Their self-serve kiosks and online check-in let you skip the counter and go straight to the lot to choose your car. Quick and painless process.
Best for: Families, vacations, airport pickups
Avis
Solid mid-tier option with a good loyalty program (Avis Preferred) that offers 2 points per dollar on accessories — the best earning rate in the industry for add-ons. Connected car features let you unlock and manage your rental via the app.
Best for: Business travelers, tech-savvy renters
Budget
If price is your #1 factor, Budget is consistently 15–20% cheaper than the industry average (~$61/day). They made the biggest satisfaction improvement among major companies in 2025. Prepay and save up to 35%.
Best for: Budget-conscious travelers willing to trade some frills for savings
Tier 3: Proceed With Caution
Dollar, Thrifty, Fox, Payless — These discount brands offer lower base rates but frequently come with older vehicles, longer lines, off-site airport locations requiring shuttle buses, aggressive upselling at the counter, and stricter damage inspection policies. You might save $10–$20/day on the base rate but lose it in time, hassle, and surprise fees.
Our take: unless you're extremely budget-constrained, the few extra dollars for a Tier 1 or 2 company are worth it in experience alone.
🛡️ Rental Car Insurance: The Complete Breakdown
This is where rental companies make a killing — and where you can save the most money. The agent at the counter will offer you multiple types of coverage, and they're trained to make you feel like you'd be insane to decline. Here's what's actually going on.
The Four Types of Rental Insurance
CDW / LDW (Collision/Loss Damage Waiver)
Cost: $10–$30/day | What it covers: Damage to or theft of the rental car
This is the big one they push hardest. It's technically not insurance — it's a waiver where the rental company agrees not to charge you for damage. The thing is, your credit card probably already covers this for free (more on that below).
SLI (Supplemental Liability Insurance)
Cost: $8–$25/day | What it covers: Damage you cause to other people/property
This is the one that actually matters and is often overlooked. Your credit card CDW does NOT cover liability. Check whether your personal auto insurance extends to rentals — most policies do, but confirm with your agent before declining this one.
PAI (Personal Accident Insurance)
Cost: $5–$10/day | What it covers: Medical costs for you and passengers
If you have health insurance, you almost certainly don't need this. Skip it.
PEC (Personal Effects Coverage)
Cost: $3–$5/day | What it covers: Stolen personal items
Your homeowner's or renter's insurance typically covers this. Skip it.
The math: If you accept all four coverages on a 7-day rental, you're adding $180–$490 to your bill. On a $400 rental, that could more than double your total cost. Most of it is coverage you already have through other sources.
The Credit Card CDW Trick (This Saves Serious Money)
Most Visa, Mastercard, and American Express cards include some form of rental car collision/damage coverage as a free benefit. Here's how to use it:
- Call your card issuer before your trip and confirm they offer CDW/LDW coverage. Ask whether it's primary (covers you first) or secondary (only kicks in after your personal auto insurance).
- Pay for the entire rental with that card. This is usually the only requirement to activate the benefit.
- Decline the rental company's CDW at the counter. If you accept theirs, your credit card coverage is voided.
- Request a Letter of Coverage from your card issuer if you want documentation to show the rental agent. Some agents push back when you decline — having this letter shuts it down.
The best cards for rental coverage: Chase Sapphire Preferred and Reserve offer primary coverage (meaning they pay first, your personal insurance isn't involved at all). Capital One Venture X and most Amex cards also offer strong coverage. Even basic cards from Visa and Mastercard usually include secondary coverage.
Important exceptions: Credit card CDW typically does NOT cover luxury/exotic vehicles, passenger vans, trucks, or rentals longer than 30 days. Certain countries may also be excluded. And it never covers liability — only damage to the rental car itself. Always read the fine print.
📍 City-by-City Rental Guide
Rental prices, availability, and logistics vary wildly by location. Here's what to know for five of the most popular rental destinations.
Miami, FL
Miami is one of the most popular (and expensive) rental markets in the country, especially during winter and spring break. Prices spike December through April when snowbirds flood South Florida.
- Pro tip: Rent from Fort Lauderdale (FLL) instead of Miami (MIA). It's only 30 miles north but rates are often 20–30% cheaper.
- Toll roads: Miami has aggressive toll enforcement. Most rentals include a toll transponder option ($10–$15/day) or you can set up your own SunPass in advance for $5.
- Best companies here: Enterprise and National have strong MIA presence. Sixt has a big operation at MIA with newer European vehicles.
- Watch out for: Toll pass charges can pile up. Set a daily cap or bring your own transponder.
New York City, NY
Renting in Manhattan is almost always a bad idea — parking alone can cost $40–$80/day. If you're staying in the city, use public transit. But if you need a car for a day trip to the Hudson Valley, Long Island, or upstate, renting smart can save you a lot.
- Pro tip: Rent from Newark (EWR) instead of JFK or LaGuardia. Rates are typically 15–25% lower, and you avoid NYC's extra taxes and surcharges.
- Congestion pricing: As of 2025, Manhattan below 60th Street charges a congestion toll ($9+ during peak hours). Factor this into your budget if you're driving into Midtown.
- Best companies here: National and Enterprise for the airport experience. Budget for the lowest rates.
- Watch out for: NYC adds multiple surcharges and taxes that can increase your rate by 30–40% beyond the quoted base price.
Boston, MA
Boston's rental car center at Logan Airport is a modern, centralized facility that makes pickup easy. But driving in Boston itself is... an adventure. Narrow colonial-era streets, aggressive drivers, and limited parking make it rough for visitors.
- Pro tip: If you're exploring the city, don't rent until the day you're heading out (Cape Cod, Salem, New Hampshire). Use the T around town.
- Fall foliage season: September–October rates jump significantly. Book 4–6 weeks in advance for leaf-peeping road trips.
- Best companies here: Enterprise and Hertz have good Logan presence. Alamo works well for families heading to Cape Cod.
- Watch out for: Toll roads are everywhere in New England. Make sure you understand the rental's toll policy before you drive.
Los Angeles, CA
You basically need a car in LA — public transit covers some areas but the city is spread out over a massive area. The good news: rates are surprisingly reasonable compared to East Coast cities, and competition keeps prices in check.
- Pro tip: Rent from Burbank (BUR) or Santa Ana/John Wayne (SNA) instead of LAX. Smaller airports = faster pickup, lower rates, less chaos.
- Gas prices: California gas is $1–$2 more per gallon than the national average. Consider renting a hybrid if available to save on fuel.
- Best companies here: Enterprise and Sixt are strong at LAX. Budget is great for price-conscious renters.
- Watch out for: LAX rental car pickup involves a shuttle to the consolidated rental center, which can add 30+ minutes. Factor this into your schedule.
Chicago, IL
Chicago has one of the highest rental car tax rates in the country — airport rentals at O'Hare can come with 30%+ in taxes and fees on top of the base rate. If you're staying downtown, the L train system is excellent and parking is expensive ($40–$60/day).
- Pro tip: Rent from Midway (MDW) instead of O'Hare (ORD). Lower airport fees and generally cheaper rates. Or rent from a neighborhood Enterprise location to avoid airport surcharges entirely.
- Winter driving: If you're renting November through March, ask about the vehicle's tires and whether AWD options are available.
- Best companies here: Enterprise (strong neighborhood network), National for O'Hare speed.
- Watch out for: The Chicago Skyway toll, I-Pass charges, and downtown parking fees can add up fast.
💡 The Money-Saving Playbook
These tips work every single time, everywhere:
Book early, but keep checking
Most rental car reservations are fully refundable with free cancellation. Book as soon as you know your dates, then check back every week or two. If the rate drops, cancel and rebook. Tools like AutoSlash will even track prices for you automatically and alert you when rates drop.
Book directly with the rental company
Third-party sites like Expedia and Priceline sometimes offer lower rates, but you lose flexibility. If you need to change or cancel, you're dealing with the third party — not the rental company. Consumer Reports recommends booking direct for this reason.
Skip the airport when possible
Airport rentals include facility charges, concession fees, and higher taxes. Renting from a neighborhood location (Enterprise has thousands of these) can save 20–40%. Take an Uber from the airport to a nearby Enterprise — the savings often more than cover the ride.
Join every loyalty program (they're free)
Even if you rarely rent, loyalty members get faster pickup, skip the counter in many cases, and earn toward free rental days. It costs nothing and saves time every single rental. Sign up for Enterprise Plus, National Emerald Club, and Hertz Gold at minimum.
Use discount codes and memberships
AAA, AARP, Costco, USAA, and corporate discount codes can stack serious savings. Three-quarters of Consumer Reports survey respondents used some form of discount. Always check what memberships you have before booking.
Skip the counter — use digital check-in
J.D. Power found that customers who bypass the counter save about 8 minutes on average and report significantly higher satisfaction. Most major companies now offer app-based check-in. Yet 80% of people still go to the counter — don't be one of them.
Return with a full tank
Rental companies charge a premium (often $8–$12/gallon) to refuel for you. Fill up at a gas station near the airport before you return. Google Maps will show you the cheapest station within a mile or two of the rental return.
Bottom line: Use credit card CDW coverage, skip the airport location when practical, join loyalty programs, and book early with free cancellation. On a typical week-long rental, these moves alone can save you $200–$400.
🚗 The Alternative: Turo and Peer-to-Peer Rentals
Turo is basically Airbnb for cars — you rent from individual car owners instead of a company. It's worth considering in some situations:
- Pros: Unique vehicle selection (want to rent a Porsche 911 for a weekend? You can), flexible pickup locations (some hosts deliver to your hotel), sometimes cheaper than traditional rentals for longer trips
- Cons: Variable quality since you're renting from individuals, your credit card CDW usually does NOT cover peer-to-peer rentals, hosts can cancel last-minute, and trip fees (2.5–100%) plus young driver fees add up
Turo is great when you want a specific car or flexible logistics. Stick with traditional companies when you need reliability and insurance simplicity.
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