Renting a car through Costco Travel offers fantastic value with member discounts and benefits. But did you know you can amplify those perks by adding your existing car rental loyalty program to your booking? This guide will walk you through how to seamlessly combine Costco’s deals with your preferred rental car loyalty program to earn points, enjoy status benefits, and get even more from your rental experience.
Why Add Your Loyalty Program to Your Costco Rental Car?
Before diving into the “how,” let’s understand the “why.” Enrolling in car rental loyalty programs offers several advantages, and linking them to your Costco Travel rentals lets you enjoy the best of both worlds:
- Earn Loyalty Points: Most major car rental companies have loyalty programs that reward frequent renters with points for every dollar spent. These points can be redeemed for free rental days, upgrades, and other perks. By adding your loyalty number to your Costco rental, you ensure you’re not missing out on these valuable points.
- Status and Benefits: Loyalty programs often have different membership tiers. As you rent more, you climb the tiers and unlock increasingly valuable benefits such as:
- Free upgrades: Get bumped up to a nicer car for free (subject to availability).
- Expedited service: Skip the lines at the rental counter and get on the road faster.
- Bonus points: Earn points faster as you achieve higher status.
- Special discounts: Access exclusive discounts and offers for loyalty members.
- Maximize Value: Costco Travel already provides competitive pricing and member discounts. Adding your loyalty program on top allows you to stack savings and rewards, ensuring you get the absolute most value from your car rental.
How to Add Your Loyalty Program Number to Your Costco Car Rental
Costco Travel makes it straightforward to add your loyalty program number during the booking process for select rental car companies. Here’s how:
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Book Your Rental Through Costco Travel: Start by navigating to the Costco Travel website and searching for rental cars as you normally would.
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Select Your Rental Car: Choose your desired car type and rental dates from the available options.
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Enter Your Membership Information: As part of the booking process, you will be prompted to enter your Costco membership details.
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Look for the “Loyalty Programs” Section: On the booking page, typically before the final confirmation, you’ll find a section where you can enter loyalty program information. This is usually labeled as “Loyalty Programs” or similar.
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Choose Your Rental Car Company and Enter Your Number: From the dropdown menu, select the rental car company you have a loyalty program with (e.g., Avis, Budget, or Enterprise). Then, enter your loyalty program membership number in the designated field.
Alt text: Screenshot of the Costco Travel car rental booking page highlighting the section where customers can add their loyalty program numbers for Avis, Budget, and Enterprise.
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Complete Your Booking: Continue through the booking process and finalize your reservation. Your loyalty number will be associated with your rental.
Important Note: Currently, Costco Travel’s website allows you to directly add loyalty numbers for Avis, Budget, and Enterprise rentals. While direct integration might not be available for all rental companies through the Costco Travel website, it’s still worth exploring options for other programs (like Alamo) directly with the rental car company or at the rental counter.
Loyalty Programs for Rental Companies Offered Through Costco Travel
Here’s a quick overview of the loyalty programs for the major rental car companies you can book through Costco Travel:
- Avis Preferred: Avis Preferred allows you to bypass lines, earn points towards free rentals and upgrades, and manage your rentals easily online.
- Budget Fastbreak: Budget Fastbreak offers similar benefits to Avis Preferred, including faster service, earning points, and exclusive offers.
- Enterprise Plus: Enterprise Plus rewards you with points for every qualifying rental dollar spent, which can be redeemed for free rental days. Members also receive expedited service and exclusive check-in.
While Alamo Insiders is Alamo’s loyalty program, direct integration to add your Alamo Insiders number during Costco Travel booking might be limited on the website itself. However, you may still be able to inquire about adding it at the rental counter when you pick up your car. Being an Alamo Insider can still provide benefits for your overall rentals with Alamo, even if not directly linked through the Costco Travel booking process.
Tips for Successfully Adding Your Loyalty Program
- Double-Check Your Loyalty Number: Ensure you enter your loyalty program membership number correctly to avoid any issues with earning points or receiving benefits.
- Add Your Number During Booking: It’s best to add your loyalty number during the online booking process on Costco Travel. While you might be able to add it at the rental counter, it’s not always guaranteed to be processed seamlessly.
- Keep Your Confirmation Handy: After booking, review your confirmation to ensure your loyalty number is correctly included.
- Check Your Loyalty Account After Rental: After your rental is complete, log in to your car rental loyalty program account to verify that the points have been credited to your account. It might take a few days for points to appear.
- Inquire at the Rental Counter if Needed: If you have any issues or forgot to add your loyalty number during booking, don’t hesitate to ask the rental car representative at the counter for assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions about Loyalty Programs and Costco Car Rentals
Q: Can I add a loyalty number to my Costco rental car reservation?
Yes, for Avis, Budget, and Enterprise rentals booked through Costco Travel, you can directly add your loyalty program number during the online booking process.
Q: Which loyalty programs can I use when booking through Costco Travel?
Currently, you can directly add loyalty numbers for Avis Preferred, Budget Fastbreak, and Enterprise Plus programs on the Costco Travel website.
Q: What if I forget to add my loyalty number when booking online?
While it’s recommended to add it during booking, you can try to add your loyalty number at the rental counter when you pick up your car. However, this is not always guaranteed, so adding it online is preferable.
Q: Will I automatically receive loyalty points and benefits by adding my number to my Costco rental?
Yes, you should receive points and be eligible for benefits associated with your loyalty program when you add your number to your Costco rental, provided that the rental qualifies under the terms and conditions of the specific loyalty program. Always check the program details for any exclusions or requirements.
Q: Can I combine Costco member discounts and car rental loyalty rewards?
Absolutely! This is one of the biggest advantages. You get to enjoy Costco’s discounted rates and member benefits while simultaneously earning points and status with your car rental loyalty program. It’s a win-win situation for maximizing value.
Conclusion
Adding your car rental loyalty program to your Costco Travel booking is a smart way to enhance your rental experience. By taking a few extra moments during the reservation process, you can unlock a world of rewards, points, and status benefits, all while enjoying the great value and convenience of Costco car rentals. Make the most of every mile – book your next rental through Costco Travel and don’t forget to add your loyalty number to start earning today!
