Do you shop at BJ’s Wholesale Club? You already know that membership can help you save bucks when stocking the fridge and pantry, but did you know it can also be your ticket to great rental car deals? Here’s how you can score discounts on your next reservation.
At AutoSlash, we know a thing or two about finding car rental deals. We compare rates, factor in your memberships and crunch the numbers on discounts to locate the best possible rates. A no-brainer rule of thumb is that membership comes with perks. Just like Costco offers discounts to major rental car companies, BJ’s also brings travel savings to its members.
A basic BJ’s membership starts at $55 per year. You can often recoup this fee after a single car rental, and if you rent a car a few times a year, you’re guaranteed to save money with your membershiop—and that’s in addition to all the other discounts and benefits on everyday services offered through BJ’s.
Rental Car Companies with BJ’s Discounts
BJ’s has a deserved reputation for offering some of the lowest deals in town on everyday items like food, cleaning supplies and electronics at its warehouses. But don’t forget that it also has a travel division that provides members with incredible deals on cruises, hotels, vacation packages and, yes, car rentals.
BJ’s partners with eight major rental car brands: Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National and Payless. Some rental car brands offer BJ’s member discounts, others offer free upgrades, and some brands offer both.
BJ’s Discount with Avis and Budget
Two standout partners for BJ’s discounts are Avis and Budget, which offer an identical discount of 25% for all BJ’s members and up to 35% at select locations.
BJ’s Discount with Dollar
Save up to 25% off base rates at some Dollar locations.
BJ’s Discount with Hertz
Save up to 25% off base rates with Hertz.
BJ’s Discount with Payless
There are also discounts with the budget rental brand Payless, which already has low prices to begin with. The discount isn’t as deep as offered by some other brands; Payless only offers 5% off for BJ’s members—but it still adds up when considering the total rental cost.
Tips for Booking a BJ’s Discount on a Rental Car
The only way to know for sure if a BJ’s discount is in fact the best possible deal is to do your due diligence and comparison shop. You can do this research yourself, or let AutoSlash crunch the numbers for you. We scour the internet for discounts and coupons and factor in your memberships to groups such as Costco, AAA and AARP, so you always know all the bases were covered. Best of all, our service is free.
Book the “Pay Later” rate.
BJ’s does not support prepaid rates, which can sometimes be significantly lower than the “Pay Later” rates offered.
Remember, we factor in your BJ’s membership plus all other available deals and promotional rates so you always know you’re getting the lowest price. Even though BJ’s often has excellent deals with the companies they partner with, the best deal may actually be with a company they don’t partner with.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it possible to rent a car in Germany, and then return it to Switzerland?
The answer depends on many factors. These include the vehicle you rent, the length of your driving time, and if you have any special needs for your rental car (e.g., child seats).
You don’t have to rent a car if you drive from Munich to Zurich. You might consider renting a car if you plan to drive from Munich to Barcelona during your holiday.
Which is the biggest car rental company worldwide?
Hertz Corporation is America’s biggest car rental company. Harry Hertz founded Hertz Corporation in 1919.
Hertz Corporation has more than 6,000 locations around North America and Europe. In addition, the company owns other businesses, including hotels, real estate holdings, financial services, and automotive parts manufacturing.
Today, the company employs more than 4 million people in all over the world.
How can I document damage done to my car before it is rented?
Make sure you have all available documentation, including photos of the damage. If you don’t know the damage, ask for help from the agent when you are getting the vehicle inspected. If you find any damage, you might need to pay more for an inspection.
Can I rent car in the US from another country?
You can’t rent an American vehicle if your are not a citizen of the United States. This could include a waiver of visa requirements for certain countries. In addition, you must also meet several requirements, including having valid documentation such as a passport and proof of insurance. The DHS website provides additional information on this topic.
Is it possible to rent a car so that I can drive all over Europe.
Yes, you can. You will need to make a reservation for an organized tour, and then pay for each day separately. These types of tours can be booked by many companies.
If you’re looking for greater flexibility, consider renting a car through one the main travel agencies. These agencies provide a range of services, including car rental and city transfer.
They often work closely with local suppliers, who can provide quality vehicles at affordable prices.
Do rental cars in Europe have automatic transmissions?
Yes. Renting vehicles without automatic transmissions is not allowed by rental agencies because they are costly to replace if they are damaged while being driven around. It would be expensive to replace all those parts every time you cause damage to the vehicle’s bodywork.
Ask for an automatic transmission if you are looking to rent a car in Europe.
Chase Sapphire covers car rental insurance in Ireland
Yes, you can purchase additional EUR15 per day to insure your vehicle. You have access to a range of optional additionals including breakdown assistance, theft and personal accident.
Statistics
- The perks vary from partner to partner, but you can expect discounts of up to 35 percent on some rentals and the ability to earn anywhere from 50 bonus American AAdvantage miles per day or 500 per rental. (afar.com)
- Save up to 30% on your rental car in Europe when you book with us today. (autoeurope.com)
- For example, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express earns 3 percent cash back on purchases at U.S. gas stations (terms apply), and the Citi Premier® Card earns three points per dollar at gas stations, too. (afar.com)
- American Airlines, for example, offers AAdvantage members 35% off Budget and Avis — but you need to rent from an airport. (nerdwallet.com)
- Automatics are more expensive (usually about 50 percent more) and may only be available if you upgrade to a bigger, pricier car. (ricksteves.com)
External Links
autoslash.com
jdpower.com
alamo.com
sixt.com
How To
Here are 12 things you need to know about renting a car in Europe
What are the basics of renting a car abroad?
Before you rent a car in Europe there are some things you need to know. The type of rental car that you choose will have a huge impact on your experience. These are some must-know tips that will ensure your trip is smooth.
- Your insurance policy. Before you travel, make sure that your auto policy covers foreign travel. Our guide will help you find affordable car insurance abroad.
- The right documents. A driver’s licence from your country and several identification cards (passports, visas, etc.) are required. to prove where you’re going and why. You should have these documents in hand so that you don’t miss deadlines.
- Road Rules. Traffic laws in your area. Be sure to pay attention for signs warning of speed limits, one -way streets, pedestrian crossings, etc. Driving in an unspecified country can result in accidents and fines.
- Parking rules. Most cities require drivers to only park in designated areas. Make sure to read up on parking regulations before arriving in town.
- Gasoline. Gasoline. Although gas prices are subject to change depending on the country and location, they are generally three times higher than those back home.
- Insurance requirements. For rentals older than three years, some countries require additional liability coverage. Talk to your rental company for details.
- GPS navigation systems. The popularity of GPS navigation systems is growing. You should bring a map along and ask for directions if you aren’t familiar with the use of these GPS navigation systems.
- Radio stations. The radio station you are visiting may play music that is unfamiliar to you. Do not worry, just press “0” and the frequency will change to English.
- Seatbelts. European countries have a mandatory requirement for seat belts.
- Road tolls Road tolls can be found all over Europe. Most are payable at meters located at major intersections.
- Speeding tickets. Speeding is prohibited in large areas of Europe, such as Germany, Austria and Switzerland, Italy, France and Spain.
- Tipping. Tipping isn’t as expected in Europe as in North America. Tipping is not customary in all parts of the world. Try giving a round number, such as 10% or 15%.
