Although it is relatively easy for young travelers to take advantage of cheap airplane tickets and cheap vacation packages, often it is difficult, if not impossible, for drivers under the age of 21 to rent vehicles, much less find cheap auto rentals.
Fox Rent a Car, a discount rental company, has decided that drivers as young as 20 can rent any vehicle that it offers, including SUVs, convertibles, Jeeps and sports cars. This company offers car rentals at 13 major U.S. airports, including Denver, Las Vegas, LAX, and Seattle.
Major car rental companies, including Alamo, Avis, Budget and Thrifty usually require drivers to be at least 21 to rent. Exceptions are made for on duty military personnel, who are usually able to rent at age 18, and a few states (Michigan and New York) where state law requires rental agencies rent to drivers as young as 18.
In almost all instances drivers under the age of 25 must pay young driver surcharges, which can increase the daily rental charge by as much as $52. When permitted to rent, drivers between the ages of 18 to 20 typically must pay significantly higher daily surcharges (often $40 to $50) over what drivers in the 21 to 24 year range pay ($20 to $25).
Fox Rent A Car is making itself particularly attractive to young drivers, by charging renters aged 20 to 24 a flat $14 per day surcharge.
Hertz is another of only a few rental agencies who will regularly rent to 20 year old drivers. Hertz is currently waving its young drive surcharge for renters age 20 to 24 who use the promotional code 144314 when making a car reservation. This is saving young drivers Hertz $25 daily surcharge on rentals driven now through September 30th.
Hertz rates are often significantly higher than other rental car companies, particularly discounters such as Fox. In some instances, agencies other than Hertz may ultimately be cheaper to rent from even if those agencies are charging a young renter surcharge. www.cheapfares.com