Comments on: Reader mail: If you’re under 25, how do you rent a car without huge surcharges?

By: Philip

Philip — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 04:57:42 +0000

Also, I found that UC Berkeley alum can use the Corporate Discount (UCBALUM) then type in (Cal) for the confirmation, and the Cal Alumni discount (which waives under-25 fee as well applying a 10% discount!) will be applied.

For those who have actually graduated from another college, check with your alumni association to see if they have similar discounts. If the location actually checks for ID, using your own alma mater’s discount code is probably better.

Go Bears!

By: Philip

Philip — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 03:01:42 +0000

Updated to my earlier post…I called Budget and they verified that they have a partnership with Costco Executive Membership that allows the under-25 fee to be waived, but only at corporate locations (San Diego is private). She even read me the actual policy. So there you go..it’s confirmed!

Good luck!

By: Philip

Philip — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 01:42:24 +0000

I called Budget in San Diego as well as their national reservation number. The national number told me that there was no such discount, and San Diego told me I had to call the national number to make a reservation and see if it was possible.

Can whoever successfully rented a Budget car using the Costco Executive membership to waive the under-25 surcharge please post a detailed explanation of what he or she did? And where? Thanks!

By: Hannah Skyler

Hannah Skyler — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 07:40:38 +0000

I’m 21 and I used the corporate code for Ticket Attack Consulting with Dollar and it waived the underagee fee and the additional driver fee.

The code is BR0706. They don’t ask for ID, I’ve used it a bunch of times. Also, it takes 5% off the lowest rate they have on the website.

By: Helen

Helen — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 22:55:19 +0000

Hi!
I wanted to ask about the costco/budget deal.
What would I exactly have to do in order to waive the underage surcharge with a costco membership?
That would be a huge help, as I could not find any information online.

Thanks,
Helen

By: Alex Jochheim

Alex Jochheim — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 09:33:47 +0000

Hi my name is Alex and I would like to share with you that I have created a special product for car hire South Africa,for not only under 25 but for under 19 under 20 or under 21 car hire South Africa. There are no strings attached and the car can be taken to the following Southern Africa countries Namibia, Zambia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Swaziland and Mozambique and of course throughout South Africa. The cross border letter costs you only 10$ and the insurance is full comprehensive with no excess to pay. The only rule that applies is that you need to have had a valid drivers licence for two years. Visit www.driveafrica.co.za for all the details.

By: Rick

Rick — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 14:16:39 +0000

Also is there a military code waiver for any rental companies

By: Rick

Rick — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 14:13:23 +0000

I just saw a discount code from sandy, it does waive the under 25 fees but do you have to show prove that you worked for hawaiian vacation rentals or is it fine doing it online. If anyone could reply to my message that would be great.

By: Elon

Elon — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 15:21:11 +0000

Thanks for the suggestion about the Costco membership. Just saved me $122!!! Love this site!

By: Chris

Chris — Thu, 08 May 2008 03:58:11 +0000

Are there any considerations for CDL holders under 25? I can drive a 75′ long, 40 ton truck through any major city and average 120k miles a year accident free, but still can’t rent a tiny car without a surcharge? I’ve wondered about that for a couple years now.

By: Sandy

Sandy — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 16:48:10 +0000

Thrifty has a discount code - HT14004112 - that waives the additional charge for under 25 drivers or additional drivers. It worked for my son.

Good luck!

By: Mark Ashley

Mark Ashley — Sun, 20 May 2007 02:03:47 +0000

FYI, an update from a reader:

I called Costco Travel and Budget and both said no dice. I might end up trying it anyway for lack of better options and if it is sucessful, I’ll let people know. For the record, I only spoke to front-line customer service reps at Costco Travel and at Budget — no management level types.