Where Do I Find the Best Car Rental Deals in the US in 2026?

Published: 8 October 2026 · Author: Trang Do, Editor, ShopBack US

In the US in 2026, the best car rental deals usually come from comparing a few rental companies direct, checking a neighborhood branch as well as the airport, joining the free loyalty programme, and going through ShopBack before you book. Enterprise says its promotions, such as weekend specials, are often available at non-airport branches, and its Enterprise Plus members can redeem free rental days from as few as 600 points with no blackout dates.

The fees decide the real price as much as the daily rate. According to Enterprise's US help pages at the time of writing, an additional driver costs $15 a day in most states (a spouse or domestic partner drives free), renters under 25 pay a young renter fee of about $25 a day on average, and fuel you do not replace is charged at a local rate that is typically above the pump price.

ShopBack US is a free app and website that returns part of what you spend at partner stores and travel sites as cash you can withdraw. You go through ShopBack's Enterprise page before you book, and after the rental is completed and confirmed, cash comes back to your account. Join ShopBack US for free.

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Where do I find the best car rental deals?

Start with the rental companies' own sites, then compare a neighborhood branch with the airport, then add the fees you will actually pay. That order catches most of the savings for US drivers.

1. Price two or three companies direct. Enterprise, Hertz, Avis and Budget all take bookings on their own sites and apps, and booking sites such as Expedia show several companies side by side. National, Alamo and Sixt are other names in the same category.
2. Check a neighborhood branch. Enterprise says its promotions are often available at its non-airport rental branches. If a branch is a short ride from your hotel or home, compare its price with the airport.
3. Match the dates to a deal. Enterprise lists weekend specials among its most popular promotions, and Enterprise says unlimited mileage is offered on weekend rentals for most car classes.
4. Add the fees. Young renter fees, additional drivers, fuel and one-way drop charges can change which quote is cheapest.
5. Go through ShopBack before you book, so part of what you pay comes back as cash.

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Car rental deals: where the real savings come from

The cheapest car rental is the lowest total at drop-off, not the lowest daily rate on the search page. Enterprise's own US help page lists what moves the price: how long you rent, the car class, the rental location, added protection products, other optional products, and any change to the reservation, extension or drop-off location.

Here are the fees Enterprise publishes for US rentals, at the time of writing:

Cost	What Enterprise says
Additional driver	$15 a day in most of the US; $5 a day in New York state; a spouse or domestic partner who meets the same rules drives free
Young renter fee	About $25 a day on average for renters under 25, varying by location
Young renter fee, Michigan	$34 a day for ages 18 to 20; $15.50 a day for ages 21 to 24
Young renter fee, New York	$68.75 a day for ages 18 to 20; $33.25 a day for ages 21 to 24
Fuel not replaced	Charged at the local Enterprise rate, typically above the local pump price
Mileage	Unlimited for most car classes; large and specialty vehicles pay $0.10 to $0.25 a mile over the limit

Two easy wins follow from this. If you travel as a couple, name your spouse or domestic partner as the second driver rather than a friend. If you can refill before you return the car, do it; Enterprise sells prepaid fuel at airports only in full tanks, and it is not refundable.

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Car rental deals in 2026: when to book

For 2026 trips, book as soon as your dates are firm, then keep an eye on the price. Rental demand is usually highest around school holidays and long weekends, and Enterprise notes that certain times of year carry blackout dates and limited availability for specials.

Key US travel dates in late 2026: Thanksgiving is Thursday, November 26, Christmas Day falls on a Friday, and New Year's Day 2027 is a Friday. Those long weekends are when neighborhood branches and airports both fill up.

If your plans are fixed, compare a pay-now price with a pay-later price where both are offered, and read the cancellation terms before you pick the cheaper one. Our road trip vs flying guide helps if you are still deciding whether to rent a car at all.

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Enterprise cheapest way to save money: tips for US renters in 2026

The cheapest way to rent from Enterprise is usually a direct booking at a branch running a weekend special, with your Enterprise Plus number on the reservation and no optional products you do not need, made after you go through ShopBack.

• Use one code, not five. Enterprise says typically only one discount or coupon code can be used at a time, so pick the best one before you book. It also says a discount cannot be added once you are already in the car.
• Ask about corporate partnerships. Enterprise lists special coupons through some corporate partnerships among its promotions. If your employer or a group you belong to has a code, try it.
• Pick the right class. Unlimited mileage is standard on most classes, but large vans, large SUVs and exotic cars carry a mileage limit and a per mile charge, according to Enterprise.
• Return on time and full. Changing or extending a reservation, or changing the drop-off location, can change the price, Enterprise says.
• Check your own cover first. Protection products add to the total. Check what your personal auto policy and your card already cover before you buy extra at the counter.

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Enterprise official deals and the Enterprise Plus programme

Enterprise Plus is Enterprise's free loyalty programme, and it is the official way to turn rentals into free rental days. According to Enterprise at the time of writing:

• Free days from 600 points. You can redeem points for free rental days with as few as 600 points and no blackout dates at participating Enterprise Rent-A-Car locations. The number of points needed varies with the rental.
• Earn at Enterprise and National. Points can be earned at participating Enterprise Rent-A-Car and National Car Rental locations in the US, Canada and many other countries.
• What counts. Qualifying rentals are paid rentals with your member number on the reservation. Prepaid rentals booked through a third party, including online travel agents, and rentals in a tour or travel package do not count.
• Tiers. Tier levels are adjusted through each calendar year based on qualifying rentals and rental days, Enterprise says.
• Member specials. Enterprise says Enterprise Plus members receive email specials, and anyone can sign up for its email extras.
• Airline miles instead. Enterprise says you can earn rewards or frequent flyer miles on qualifying US rentals, and miles usually post within 12 weeks after you return the car.

The practical takeaway: if you rent from Enterprise even once or twice a year, join Enterprise Plus and book direct so the rental counts.

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Enterprise cashback, credit card rewards and offers in 2026

Going through ShopBack is an essential step before you book Enterprise, just like putting your Enterprise Plus number on the reservation. The points come from Enterprise's programme and the cash comes from ShopBack.

ShopBack lowers the effective price of flights, hotels and online orders after you pay. Cashback lowers what you actually pay for an order. It comes back as cash, so it works like a discount on the price, not like points or miles. On a $300 rental at an illustrative 2%, $6 comes back, so the effective price is $294. The real rate and terms change, so check the live rate on ShopBack's Enterprise page on the day you book.

Using your credit card and ShopBack on the same rental

You can usually pay with your travel credit card and still go through ShopBack on the same booking, because card rewards come from your card issuer and ShopBack's cash comes from ShopBack. Many travel cards also include some rental car coverage, but the rules differ by card, so read your card's benefit guide before you decline the counter's protection. Some rate types, codes or payment methods can affect eligibility, so check the merchant's terms on ShopBack's Enterprise page before you book. Our guide to US travel credit cards compares the main card types.

Which cashback sites list Enterprise?

Many US cashback sites list Enterprise, Hertz, Avis and Budget, and their rates and terms differ and change often. On ShopBack US, the live rate and terms for each are on one page per company, so check it on the day you book rather than relying on an old list.

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How to book an Enterprise rental through ShopBack

Here is the routine, start to finish, for a rental booked on Enterprise's own site.

1. Sign in to ShopBack US on the app or website.
2. Open ShopBack's Enterprise page and read the terms.
3. Tap through to Enterprise and book in the same session, with your Enterprise Plus number on the reservation.
4. Pick up and return the car as booked.
5. After the rental is completed and confirmed, cash comes back to your ShopBack account, ready to withdraw.

A car is rarely the only thing you book for a trip. Save on your trip by booking flights, hotels and activities through ShopBack: the ShopBack Travel Planner puts flights and hotels in one place, so the whole trip goes through the same step.

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Frequently asked questions

Where do I find the best car rental deals?

In the US, the best car rental deals usually come from comparing a few rental companies direct, checking neighborhood branches as well as the airport, and joining the company's free loyalty programme. Enterprise says its promotions, such as weekend specials, are often available at non-airport branches. Before you book, go through ShopBack so part of what you pay comes back as cash.

Are car rentals cheaper away from the airport?

It can be. Enterprise says its promotions, including weekend specials, are often available at its non-airport rental branches, and not all cities and locations take part. Compare the airport price with a nearby neighborhood branch, and add the cost of getting there.

What are Enterprise's official deals?

According to Enterprise, its popular promotions include weekend specials, drive out programmes, special coupons through some corporate partnerships, and email specials for Enterprise Plus members and email subscribers. Enterprise says usually only one discount or coupon code can be used at a time, and some times of year have blackout dates.

How many Enterprise Plus points do I need for a free rental day?

Enterprise says you can redeem points for free rental days with as few as 600 points, with no blackout dates at participating Enterprise Rent-A-Car locations. The number of points needed varies with the rental details.

Do I earn Enterprise Plus points if I book through a travel site?

Usually not for prepaid bookings. Enterprise says qualifying rentals do not include prepaid rentals booked through a third party, including online travel agents, or rentals included in a tour or travel package. Book direct with your member number on the reservation to earn points.

How much is the young renter fee at Enterprise?

Enterprise says the minimum age to rent is 21 in most of the US, and 18 in Michigan and New York. Renters under 25 pay a young renter fee that Enterprise puts at about $25 a day on average, varying by location; Michigan and New York have their own set fees.

How much does an additional driver cost at Enterprise?

According to Enterprise, an additional authorized driver costs $15 a day in most of the US and $5 a day in New York state, unless other contract terms apply. A spouse or domestic partner who meets the same age and license rules can drive at no extra charge.

Should I prepay for fuel on a rental car?

Usually only if you will return the car nearly empty. Enterprise says if you do not refuel to the same level, you pay its local rate, which is typically above the local pump price. At airport locations it sells prepaid fuel in full tanks at a discounted per gallon price, and prepaid fuel is not refundable.

Do Enterprise rentals come with unlimited mileage?

For most car classes in the US, yes, according to Enterprise. Larger and specialty vehicles, such as large passenger vans, large SUVs and exotic cars, come with limited mileage and a charge of $0.10 to $0.25 for each extra mile.

How does ShopBack lower the price of a car rental?

ShopBack lowers the effective price of flights, hotels and online orders after you pay. Go through ShopBack's Enterprise page before you book on Enterprise's site. On a $300 rental at an illustrative 2%, $6 comes back, so the effective price is $294; check the live rate and terms on the ShopBack page.

Which cashback sites list Enterprise?

Many US cashback sites list Enterprise, and their rates and terms differ and change often. On ShopBack US, the live rate and terms for Enterprise are on ShopBack's Enterprise page, so check it on the day you book rather than relying on an old list.

Is cashback the same as Enterprise Plus points?

They work differently. Cashback lowers what you actually pay for an order. It comes back as cash, so it works like a discount on the price, not like points or miles. Enterprise Plus points are redeemed for free rental days under Enterprise's own programme terms.

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Key takeaways

• The best US car rental deals usually come from comparing companies direct, checking a neighborhood branch, and adding the fees before you compare.
• Enterprise says its weekend specials and other promotions are often at non-airport branches, and usually only one code applies per rental.
• Enterprise Plus is free; free rental days start at 600 points with no blackout dates, and prepaid third-party bookings do not earn points.
• Watch the fees Enterprise publishes: $15 a day per additional driver in most states, about $25 a day for renters under 25, and fuel above pump price if you do not refill.
• Go through ShopBack's Enterprise page before you book, and plan flights and hotels in the ShopBack Travel Planner.

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Related reads

• Road trip vs flying
• Booking.com vs Priceline for US road trips in 2026
• Best US travel credit cards in 2026
• Carry-on vs checked bags

Go through ShopBack before you book: Enterprise · Hertz · Avis · Budget · Expedia · Travel Planner

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About this article

Fees, programme rules and promotions come from Enterprise's own US help pages on rental costs, discounts and promotions, additional drivers, young renters, fuel, mileage and the Enterprise Plus programme. Codes and cashback rates change often, so this article points to the live rate and terms on ShopBack's Enterprise page instead of quoting them.

Disclaimer

The views and recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author. Rental rates, fees, promotions, loyalty programme terms, credit card benefits and cashback eligibility vary by company, location, card issuer and time and are subject to change. Check the terms on Enterprise's site and on ShopBack's Enterprise page before you book. This article is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be considered professional, insurance or financial advice.