Costco members can access exclusive rental-car pricing through Costco Travel, giving the membership program another travel benefit beyond hotels, cruises, and vacation packages. Instead of operating its own rental-car fleet, Costco Travel works with major rental companies and uses its Low Price Finder to compare qualifying rates and discounts.
The main attraction is not a single nationwide rental price. Rental rates change according to the pickup location, travel dates, vehicle category, rental length, demand, and other market conditions. Costco Travel states that its Low Price Finder automatically applies applicable Costco member discounts and qualifying coupons when calculating the rental price.
For 2026, the Costco rental-car program includes member rates, a waived additional-driver fee at participating locations, no cancellation fees for online rental-car reservations, and a 2% annual reward for qualifying Executive Members.
Costco Travel's rental-car service is designed around a comparison-shopping model.
A member enters:
The Low Price Finder then displays rental vehicles and pricing from participating rental companies.
The companies offered can vary according to the location and travel dates. Costco Travel's rental-car partners include Alamo, Avis, Budget, and Enterprise.
The displayed price reflects applicable Costco member discounts and qualifying coupons. This is important because the cheapest-looking rate at another rental company may not ultimately have the same taxes, fees, coupon restrictions, or additional-driver benefits.
No.
There is no universal Costco rental-car price such as $30, $40, or $50 per day that applies to every member.
Costco Travel says rental rates fluctuate according to demand, vehicle inventory, location, rental duration, and other marketplace conditions. Rates can also change when pickup or drop-off dates and times are changed.
For example, a compact car in one city could cost substantially more than a full-size vehicle in another city if local demand for compact cars is higher.
Rental duration can also affect pricing. Costco Travel generally groups rental pricing around daily, weekend, weekly, and monthly periods rather than simply multiplying a single daily rate by the number of days.
The rental price is only one part of the Costco Travel program.
One of the most notable Costco benefits is a waived fee for one additional driver at participating locations.
According to Costco Travel, the benefit applies to Alamo and Enterprise in the U.S., Canada, U.K., Puerto Rico, France, Germany, Ireland, and Spain. For Avis and Budget, the benefit applies in the U.S. and Canada.
The additional driver still needs to meet the rental company's requirements.
This benefit can make a meaningful difference for couples or families who want two people authorized to drive.
Without a fee waiver, an additional driver charge can increase the total rental cost, particularly for longer trips.
Costco Travel generally does not require payment information to reserve a rental car online.
The renter pays at the counter when the vehicle is picked up, subject to the rental company's requirements. A major credit card is generally required at pickup, although some locations accept debit cards under specific conditions.
This structure can also provide flexibility because travelers can compare prices and reserve a vehicle without paying the full rental amount upfront.
Costco Travel states that online rental-car reservations can be canceled without a cancellation charge.
The standard process is to log into the Costco Travel account, select the current reservation, and cancel it.
There are exceptions for certain reservations made by phone or prepaid arrangements, so the terms attached to a particular booking should be reviewed before cancellation.
Costco Executive Members can receive an annual 2% reward on qualifying Costco Travel purchases.
Costco's terms state that the Executive reward is subject to applicable exclusions and is capped at $1,250 during a 12-month period.
This means a qualifying rental-car purchase can potentially contribute to the Executive reward.
The 2% reward should not be confused with an immediate 2% discount at the rental counter. It is part of the Executive Membership reward structure and follows Costco's applicable terms.
Rental-car pricing can change significantly depending on when the vehicle is needed.
Holiday periods, major events, summer travel, weekends, and airport demand can push rental prices higher.
For that reason, travelers comparing Costco rates may want to check different pickup and return times when travel plans permit.
Costco Travel specifically notes that changing pickup or drop-off dates and times can affect the rental price.
Even a small adjustment in the rental period can sometimes change the pricing category.
Airport rental locations are often convenient because they are close to arriving flights, but airport-related fees and local market conditions can influence the total price.
Neighborhood locations can sometimes have different pricing.
Costco Travel's website has restrictions around certain neighborhood-to-neighborhood one-way rentals. Travelers requiring a more unusual pickup and drop-off arrangement may need to contact Costco Travel or the rental company directly.
The displayed rental price can include applicable taxes and fees, depending on the booking structure and location.
Costco Travel states that applicable Costco member discounts and coupons are automatically calculated through the Low Price Finder. However, rental rates can still have taxes, fuel costs, insurance, equipment charges, and other expenses depending on the reservation.
The rental agreement at the counter remains important because additional charges can apply for items such as:
Costco Travel recommends reviewing the rental agreement and asking about charges that are not understood before signing.
A Costco rental-car rate does not automatically mean that rental insurance is included.
Costco Travel says renters can consider rental-company insurance, personal auto insurance, or qualifying credit-card coverage.
The Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi may have rental-car insurance benefits subject to the card's terms and conditions, but coverage should be verified before relying on a credit card for protection.
This is particularly important because a low advertised rental rate can become substantially more expensive if several insurance products are added at the counter.
Drivers under 25 can still receive the Costco member discount, but additional restrictions or fees may apply.
Costco Travel states that younger drivers may need to book directly through the rental company by telephone, and an underage-driver fee can vary according to the rental company and location.
Age requirements should therefore be checked before making travel arrangements.
Many Costco rental locations provide unlimited mileage, but this is not universal.
Mileage rules depend on the rental company and specific location.
Costco Travel advises checking the mileage or geographic restrictions shown with the selected vehicle before completing a reservation.
This can be especially important for road trips involving several states or long-distance travel.
Yes, under Costco Travel's rules, a member can make the reservation for another person.
However, the primary driver must have a valid Costco membership card to present at pickup.
The primary driver does not necessarily have to be the member who logged into Costco Travel and made the reservation.
This can be useful when arranging a rental for a spouse or another family member who has a separate household Costco membership card.
Costco Travel's rental-car program currently works with major companies including:
The exact companies and vehicle categories displayed depend on the location and travel dates.
Costco Travel does not necessarily show every rental company operating in a particular market.
The purpose of the Low Price Finder is to compare participating Costco rental rates rather than provide a complete inventory of every rental agency.
In addition to member pricing, Costco Travel sometimes runs promotional offers involving Digital Costco Shop Cards.
For example, a recent 2026 Costco Travel promotion offered a $25 Digital Costco Shop Card for qualifying Alamo and Enterprise rentals meeting specified booking dates, travel dates, rental length, and vehicle-category requirements. The promotion had a booking deadline of September 10, 2026, so that particular offer is no longer a current booking opportunity.
This illustrates why promotional rental benefits should always be checked for the exact travel dates rather than assuming that a previously advertised Shop Card offer remains active.