Sam’s Club, the membership-based retail warehouse club owned by Walmart, is well-known for providing significant savings on bulk groceries, household essentials, and a variety of other products. Members flock to Sam’s Club for deals on everything from paper towels to electronics. But beyond bulk buying, many Sam’s Club members wonder, “Does Sam’s Club have a car rental program?” The answer is yes! Sam’s Club members can access exclusive discounts on car rentals through partnerships with select rental car companies. If you’re a Sam’s Club member looking to save on your next car rental, you’re in the right place.
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Sam’s Club has teamed up with Hertz, Dollar, and Thrifty to offer its members discounted rates on car rentals. These partnerships allow members to unlock savings that can often beat publicly available prices. However, it’s important to note that Sam’s Club’s car rental program is not as extensive as some other membership-based retailers. Notably, unlike Costco, Sam’s Club does not have partnerships with major rental companies like Avis, Budget, Enterprise, or Alamo. Similarly, you won’t find Sam’s Club discounts with other brands such as National, Payless, Fox, Sixt, or Advantage.
Understanding Sam’s Club Car Rental Discounts
While Sam’s Club doesn’t heavily advertise the specific discount percentages, members can generally expect to find savings of up to 25% off standard rates with Hertz, Dollar, and Thrifty. To access these deals, you’ll need to navigate to the Sam’s Club Travel & Services portal on their website and look for the “rental cars” section. It’s within this portal that you can explore the available discounts and initiate your booking process.
To make the most of your Sam’s Club membership for car rentals, it’s wise to remain flexible with your rental car brand preferences. Focus on securing the best overall deal from the three partner companies rather than sticking to a specific brand.
For those seeking to ensure they’re truly getting the lowest possible price, utilizing a car rental search engine like AutoSlash can be incredibly beneficial. AutoSlash specializes in comparing car rental rates and factoring in membership discounts, including Sam’s Club, to find the absolute best deals available. When using AutoSlash, be sure to indicate your Sam’s Club membership in your profile to ensure the system considers these potential discounts in its search.
Maximize Your Savings: Tips for Booking with Sam’s Club Discounts
Securing the best car rental deal through Sam’s Club involves a few key strategies:
1. Leverage AutoSlash for Rate Comparisons: While Sam’s Club offers discounts, it’s crucial to compare these rates against all other available options. AutoSlash excels at this, searching across the web for coupons, discounts, and membership benefits to present you with the lowest possible price. It’s a free service that does the legwork of comparison shopping for you, ensuring you don’t miss out on potential savings.
2. Opt for “Pay Later” Rates: Sam’s Club’s discount program typically works with “Pay Later” rates, which offer flexibility. Prepaid rates, while sometimes cheaper, are generally not supported through the Sam’s Club portal. “Pay Later” options allow for changes and cancellations if your plans shift, providing peace of mind.
3. Track Your Reservation for Price Drops: Car rental prices are dynamic and can fluctuate frequently. Utilize AutoSlash’s tracking feature to monitor your reservation for price drops after booking. If a lower price becomes available, AutoSlash will notify you, allowing you to rebook and save even more. On average, users who track their reservations with AutoSlash save an additional 30%.
4. Don’t Assume Sam’s Club is Always Cheapest: While Sam’s Club provides valuable discounts, the absolute cheapest option might sometimes be with a rental company outside of their partner network. By using AutoSlash and comparing all available rates, including those from companies Sam’s Club doesn’t partner with, you can be confident you’re getting the best possible deal for your specific rental needs.
Sam’s Club Car Rental: Is It Worth It?
A basic Sam’s Club membership costs around $45 per year, while the premium “Plus” membership is priced higher. For frequent travelers or even those renting a car just once or twice a year, the savings on car rentals alone, combined with the other benefits of a Sam’s Club membership, can easily justify the annual fee. The discounts on groceries, household items, and other services further enhance the value proposition of a Sam’s Club membership.
In conclusion, if you’re a Sam’s Club member, exploring their car rental program is definitely worthwhile. While their partnerships are limited to Hertz, Dollar, and Thrifty, the potential savings can be significant. By utilizing comparison tools like AutoSlash and following smart booking strategies, you can maximize your Sam’s Club membership benefits and drive away with a great deal on your next car rental.
