Renting a car can be a hassle, but for USAA members, it's often a much smoother and more affordable experience thanks to exclusive benefits and partnerships. Whether you're planning a vacation, need a temporary vehicle while yours is in the shop, or require transportation for business, understanding how to leverage your USAA membership can save you time, money, and stress.
Ready to hit the road with fantastic savings? Let's dive into a step-by-step guide on how to rent a car through USAA!
Step 1: Confirm Your USAA Eligibility and Membership
Before you even start thinking about what kind of car you want, the very first and most crucial step is to confirm your eligibility for USAA membership. Are you or a family member a current or former military service member? USAA's services, including car rental benefits, are specifically tailored for:
- Active-duty military personnel
- Veterans who have honorably served
- Spouses and children (including eligible adult children) of USAA members
If you're not already a USAA member, joining is typically free and straightforward. You'll usually need to create an account on their website and provide proof of military service. This unlocks a world of savings and protection, not just for car rentals but across various financial services.
- Why this is important: USAA's car rental discounts and benefits are exclusive to its members. Without a valid membership, you won't be able to access the special rates, fee waivers, or insurance advantages.
Step 2: Access the USAA Car Rental Portal
Once you've confirmed your USAA membership, it's time to find where to book your rental. USAA makes it convenient to access their car rental services:
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Through the USAA Website: This is often the most direct route. Log in to your USAA account on
www.usaa.com. Navigate to the "Member Perks" or "Discounts" section, and then look for "Rental Cars" or similar. USAA often has a dedicated portal for car rentals powered by MemberDeals. -
Via the USAA Mobile App: If you prefer using your smartphone or tablet, download the USAA Mobile App. Log in, and look for "Shopping & Discounts" or "Perks," then select "Rental Car Discounts."
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Directly through Partner Websites (with USAA codes): USAA partners with several major car rental companies. You can visit their individual websites directly (e.g., Hertz, Enterprise, Avis, Budget, National, Alamo) and ensure you use the specific USAA discount codes (CDP numbers) during your reservation. These codes automatically apply the USAA benefits.
- For example: Hertz's USAA CDP number is often 77694, and Budget's BCD number is typically Y126500 (for phone) or Y126501 (for online). These codes are usually automatically populated if you access the rental company's site through the USAA portal.
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Pro Tip: Always start your search through the USAA website or app if possible, as it often pre-fills discount codes and highlights the specific benefits you're eligible for.
Step 3: Enter Your Rental Details
Now for the fun part – finding your ride! On the USAA car rental portal or your chosen partner's website, you'll need to input your rental criteria:
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Pick-Up Location: Enter the city, airport, or specific address where you want to pick up the vehicle.
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Pick-Up Date and Time: Select the exact date and time for your rental to begin.
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Drop-Off Location (if different): If you plan a one-way rental, specify your desired drop-off location. Be aware that one-way rentals often incur additional fees, though some USAA benefits might mitigate these.
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Drop-Off Date and Time: Choose the date and time you intend to return the vehicle.
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Age of Driver: This is a critical field. USAA offers significant benefits for young drivers (typically ages 18-24), often waiving the substantial underage driver fees that most rental companies charge. Make sure to accurately input the primary driver's age.
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Key Consideration: It's generally advisable to book your rental car in advance, especially during peak travel seasons or holidays. This helps secure better rates and ensures vehicle availability.
Step 4: Compare Options and Select Your Vehicle
After entering your details, the system will display available vehicles from USAA's partner companies. This is where you can compare different options based on:
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Vehicle Type: Sedans, SUVs, trucks, vans, luxury cars – choose what best suits your needs and group size.
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Price: Compare the rates across different companies. Remember that the USAA discounts will already be applied, making the pricing competitive.
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Specific Benefits: Pay attention to any additional benefits offered by each partner for USAA members, such as:
- Waived Young Driver Fees: A huge advantage for members aged 18-24.
- Waived Additional Driver Fees: Often applies to spouses or other USAA members in the same household.
- Primary Liability Coverage: Some partners, like Enterprise and Hertz, offer primary liability protection up to certain limits when booking through the USAA program.
- Limited Damage Responsibility: In some cases, your responsibility for damage to the rental car might be limited (e.g., to the first $5,000 for collision damage with Hertz, without purchasing a separate loss damage waiver).
- Loss of Use Fee Waivers: This is a fantastic benefit, as rental companies often charge for the income lost while a damaged vehicle is out of service.
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Expert Tip: Don't just look at the lowest base rate. Factor in the waived fees and potential insurance benefits, as these can significantly reduce your overall cost and provide greater peace of mind.
Step 5: Understand Insurance and Coverage Options
This is one of the most confusing, yet most important, aspects of renting a car. USAA members have several layers of potential coverage:
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Your Existing USAA Auto Insurance Policy: In most cases, your personal USAA auto insurance policy extends limited coverage to rental vehicles in the U.S. This typically includes collision and comprehensive coverage for damage to the rental car, as well as liability coverage for damages you cause to others.
- Always verify this with USAA directly or review your policy details.
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USAA Credit Card Benefits: If you use a USAA-issued credit card to reserve and pay for the entire rental, many of these cards offer secondary auto rental collision damage waiver (CDW) benefits. This means it kicks in after your primary insurance (like your USAA auto policy). Some cards might even offer primary CDW coverage, so it's essential to check your specific credit card's guide to benefits.
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Rental Company's Offered Coverage (LDW/CDW, SLI, PAI): Rental companies will always offer their own insurance products:
- Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) or Collision Damage Waiver (CDW): Waives your financial responsibility for damage or theft of the rental car.
- Supplemental Liability Insurance (SLI): Provides additional liability coverage beyond the state minimums.
- Personal Accident Insurance (PAI): Covers medical expenses for you and your passengers in case of an accident.
- For USAA members, you often do not need to purchase the rental company's LDW/CDW if your USAA auto policy or credit card provides sufficient coverage, or if the USAA program with the specific rental company offers limited damage responsibility. However, you might consider SLI if you want higher liability limits.
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Crucial Advice: Before you finalize your rental, call USAA directly or review your policy online to understand what your existing auto insurance covers for rentals. Also, check the benefits of the credit card you plan to use. This will help you make an informed decision and avoid purchasing unnecessary coverage from the rental company.
Step 6: Review and Confirm Your Reservation
Once you've selected your vehicle and considered your insurance options, carefully review all the details of your reservation:
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Rental Dates and Times: Double-check these to avoid late return fees.
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Pick-Up and Drop-Off Locations: Ensure they are correct.
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Vehicle Type and Rate: Confirm the car class and the total estimated cost, including any applicable taxes and fees.
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Included Benefits: Verify that the USAA discounts and waivers (like underage fees, additional driver fees) are applied.
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Payment Information: Provide your payment details. Most rental companies require a credit card for the deposit, even if you plan to pay with a debit card at the end of the rental.
- If using a debit card, be aware that some rental companies have stricter policies (e.g., requiring a flight itinerary, holding a larger deposit) and it's best to confirm with the specific location.
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Cancellation Policy: Understand the cancellation policy in case your plans change.
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Important Note: Make sure the name on your driver's license matches the name on the credit/debit card you're using for the rental.
Step 7: Picking Up Your Rental Car
On the day of your rental, head to the pick-up location with the following documents:
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Valid Driver's License: Must be in the primary renter's name.
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USAA Membership Proof (if requested): While often not explicitly asked for if you booked through the USAA portal, it's good to have your military ID or USAA affiliation card ready, especially if you're taking advantage of underage fee waivers or other specific USAA benefits.
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Credit Card (or Debit Card, based on policy): The card used for the reservation and/or for the deposit.
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Rental Confirmation: Have your reservation number or confirmation email readily available.
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Inspect the Vehicle: Before you drive off, thoroughly inspect the car for any existing damage (scratches, dents, dings, cracked windshield). Take photos or videos as proof. Report any damage to the rental agency staff before you leave the lot and ensure it's noted on your rental agreement. This prevents you from being charged for pre-existing damage.
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Familiarize Yourself: Take a moment to adjust mirrors, understand basic controls, and note the fuel level.
Step 8: Returning Your Rental Car
When your rental period is over, return the car according to the agreement:
- Fuel Policy: Adhere to the fuel policy (e.g., return with a full tank, or pay for pre-purchased fuel). Failure to do so will result in higher refueling charges from the rental company.
- On Time: Return the car by the agreed-upon date and time to avoid late fees.
- Inspect Again: Before handing over the keys, do a quick check to ensure you haven't left any personal belongings behind. Also, quickly re-inspect the car for any new damage that might have occurred during your rental.
- Get a Receipt: Always request a final receipt that clearly shows all charges and confirms the vehicle return. Review it carefully for any discrepancies.
By following these steps, USAA members can confidently navigate the car rental process, maximizing their benefits and enjoying a smooth, cost-effective experience.
10 Related FAQ Questions
Here are 10 "How to" FAQ questions with quick answers related to renting a car through USAA:
1. How to find USAA car rental discount codes? You typically don't need to manually find codes if you book through the USAA website or app's car rental portal; they are automatically applied. If booking directly with a partner, common codes like Hertz's CDP 77694 or Budget's BCD Y126501 are often listed on the USAA perks section.
2. How to avoid young driver fees with USAA? USAA members aged 18-24 are often exempt from underage surcharges at participating rental companies (like Enterprise, Budget, and Avis) when booking through the USAA program. Ensure you accurately enter your age during the reservation process.
3. How to add an additional driver without extra fees through USAA? Many USAA car rental partners waive additional driver fees for spouses or other USAA members in the same household when you book through the USAA program. Confirm this benefit with the specific rental company during booking or pickup.
4. How to know if my USAA auto insurance covers rental cars? In most states, your personal USAA auto insurance policy provides limited coverage for rental vehicles. It's best to review your policy details on the USAA website/app or call USAA directly to confirm your specific coverage for rentals (collision, comprehensive, and liability).
5. How to use a USAA credit card for rental car insurance? If you have a USAA-issued credit card, many offer secondary auto rental collision damage waiver (CDW) benefits when you use that card to reserve and pay for the entire rental. Check your specific credit card's "Guide to Benefits" to understand its coverage. You usually need to decline the rental company's CDW for the credit card benefit to apply.
6. How to book a one-way rental through USAA partners? You can book one-way rentals through USAA's partner sites by selecting different pick-up and drop-off locations during the reservation process. Be aware that one-way fees may apply, though USAA benefits might sometimes reduce these.
7. How to get a receipt for a past USAA car rental? You can typically get a copy of your receipt directly from the rental company's website (e.g., Hertz, Budget, Enterprise) by entering your rental details. Some companies also offer email or automated phone systems for receipt retrieval.
8. How to extend a USAA car rental reservation? Contact the rental company directly as soon as possible if you need to extend your rental. They will advise on availability and any additional costs. If your rental is related to an auto claim with USAA, the repair facility usually coordinates extensions with USAA directly.
9. How to ensure the best rate when renting a car through USAA? Book in advance, compare rates across different USAA partner companies, and always ensure the USAA discount codes/CDP numbers are applied. Also, factor in any waived fees (underage, additional driver) and existing insurance coverage, as these contribute to the overall savings.
10. How to handle an accident with a USAA rental car? Immediately report the accident to the rental car company and, if necessary, to local authorities. Then, contact USAA to report the claim. Provide them with all details and any documentation from the rental company or police. Your USAA auto insurance or credit card benefits can help cover damages.