Terminal Updated on Baronial 19, 2022 by Chris

zipcar-rental-car

Just similar Airbnb hasn't killed off hotels, Zipcar hasn't squashed the major rental automobile companies. But does using this car-sharing service over a traditional car rental always brand sense? Sometimes.

Zipcar was conceived for city dwellers who don't ain cars. Its model works all-time for brusque trips of an hour or two, but not if you need a auto for at to the lowest degree a twenty-four hour period and volition be traveling more than than 180 miles in total.

Where Is Zipcar Available?

Zipcar operates in over 500 cities around the world. That sounds like a lot, but many markets are suburbs of major metro areas. Zipcar lists 54 cities served in California, but that represents only about x different metro areas. Five of the seven cities listed in Illinois are office of the greater Chicago expanse.

Zipcar is now operational on hundreds of college campuses in the U.S. and Canada, and beyond. With a depression minimum renter age (18 years), Zipcar is a solid choice for students who demand to an off-campus errand or take a daytrip.

While a few small, rural towns are served past Zipcar (such as Suwanee, Tenn., pop. 2,311), Zipcar mostly serves larger urban areas and bustling college towns, and you won't find much of a Zipcar presence in less-populated areas. That goes forth with Zipcar's cadre mission, which really is providing an alternative to owning a machine in places where a car-free lifestyle is applied.

Ask AutoSlash for a Quote on a Inexpensive Car Rental

While Zipcar has a presence at some airports at present (thanks to its purchase several years ago by Avis Budget Group), most Zipcars alive in dedicated spots on city streets likewise as in parking lots and garages scattered effectually town. These can oftentimes be quite convenient for urban apartment dwellers and downtown hotel guests—in some cities, there's a Zipcar spot every few blocks, compared with a handful of traditional rental motorcar offices that serve an unabridged city.

In other words, Zipcar isn't a better pick than a traditional car rental if y'all're flying into Louisville or Sioux Falls. Only staying in San Francisco? Living information technology up in Chicago's Loop? Zipcar might work out for yous.

How Zipcar Compares to Traditional Rental Motorcar Companies

To sign upwardly with Zipcar, you need to be 21 years sometime—or eighteen and older if you're a student. You'll also need a valid commuter'due south license and either a debit or credit card.

You'll pay a $25 application fee plus a monthly membership of $7. Rental rates themselves start at $9.l per hour, but if you lot want to keep it for longer periods, similar a regular rental car, the daily rate starts at $77. Even though that includes gas, insurance, and up to 180 miles of driving per day, that's not usually competitive with traditional rental motorcar rates, especially if you lot let AutoSlash aid you find discounts.

For example, a regular rental at LAX airport for an upcoming weekend runs around $25 a day retail and AutoSlash found rates as low every bit $18 a twenty-four hours. Even after total standoff and liability coverage (about $25) and 5 gallons of gas (some other $20), it still comes out under Zipcar's $74 daily rate. And if y'all don't need that insurance coverage, Zipcar's value proposition looks even worse. Even if rental rates are as high as $50 per day, 5 days in a traditional motorcar rental would salvage you $100 over Zipcar.

Planning on a route trip? Careful—Zipcar caps mileage, and the fees are a hefty 55 cents per mile if yous go over.

Zipcar's model really works best for brusk trips of an hour or two—where it doesn't brand sense to pay $35 or and then for a car simply to run errands. At less than $10 an hour (and without the hassle of dealing with gas), Zipcar's a better pick for a quick outing—and even compares favorably to Uber and Lyft.

Just exist careful of belatedly-render penalties, which start at $50 per 30 minutes.

How to Choice Upward a Zipcar

The Zipcar reservation process is definitely faster and easier than booking with a traditional rental company. Once you're signed upwards to the program, it'due south just a few taps to locate the closest available vehicle and choose your pick-up and return times. Then y'all're all gear up—you don't have to review several pages of fine print and enter all your contact information.

All you lot need to pick upwardly the auto is your smartphone or an RFID-enabled wallet-sized "Zipcard." Merely tap your phone or Zipcard on the car's reader to unlock the door; the key is already in the machine. (You should have a quick look at the machine for damage; if you lot spot whatever, you can upload a photograph from the app.)

Allow AutoSlash Track Your Car Rental for Price Drops

The rental companies could definitely larn a thing or two from Zipcar—waiting in line at the rental office and enduring the hard-sell for insurance is a drag.

The Verdict: Zipcar vs. Traditional Rental Car

While Zipcar is really intended for the urban dweller who wants to avoid the hassle and expense of owning a car, Zipcar can piece of work for travelers in some instances. Flying in and need a rental for a week? AutoSlash tin help y'all observe discounted rates on a normal daily rental. Aforementioned goes for loading upwards the kids in the rental Camry for the holiday road trip to Grandma'south. Merely if y'all're staying at a downtown hotel in i of Zipcar's markets and need a car for just an hour or two to grab dinner with a client? Zipcar might brand sense.

In that location's one other fourth dimension to consider Zipcar for a daily rental. If traditional rental rates are sky loftier, Zipcar'southward $77 daily charge per unit could be a workaround—as long as you're non driving more than 180 miles. A chip of advanced planning is required, though, since you lot'll need to fill out the application and wait for it to exist canonical.

Related:

  • The All-time Machine Rental Deals for College Students