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If you’re a federal government employee renting a car for official business or personal travel, you’re entitled to special discounted rates. For official travel, the rental agreement includes add-ons like free liability insurance. Some car rental companies throw in additional perks like free upgrades for both leisure and official business rentals.
We’ve included information below about which companies offer the best discounts and add-ons. We’ll also explain how to include a discount offer when making a reservation.
Leisure Travel Government Car Rental Discounts
A number of companies offer government car rental rates for leisure or other personal, non-business travel. Valid government ID will be required when you pick up the vehicle. Leisure rentals aren’t subject to the terms of the US Government Car Rental Agreement, meaning that the renter is responsible for any additional fees unless otherwise specified in the offer.
Most major rental companies special rates for government personnel. So who has the best government car rental discount? Here are our picks:
- The government rates offered by Alamo and National tend to be cheaper than those from competitors. Both companies also extend the discount to the government employee’s family.
- Dollar, Hertz, and Thrifty include a free upgrade when a vehicle is reserved at government rates.
- Avis and Budget offer government discounts up to 25% off regular rates, but require an additional paid membership to access.
Alamo
Alamo’s government employee discount for personal travel is also valid for family members. Get the discount by booking your rental on this page on the Alamo website.
Avis
Avis offers a government discount for leisure travel of up to 25% off regular internet rates. To get the discount, use AWD number A555084 in the Discount Codes section when booking your vehicle.
Budget
Budget gives government leisure travelers a discount of up to 25% off. Use BCD code V053900 to get the discount.
Dollar
Dollar’s government discount for leisure travel includes a free single upgrade. Use CDP# 3131396 when booking.
Enterprise
Enterprise discounts government leisure rentals at least 5%. To get the deal, reserve your vehicle on this page on the Enterprise website.
Fox
Fox Rent-A-Car has a first responders discount of 5% off regular rates. Use discount code RESPONDER1.
Hertz
Get a free upgrade in addition to discounted rates when you use the government leisure travel discount from Hertz. To get the deal, visit this page on the Hertz website and click “Book a leisure government car rental”.
National
National extends their government personal travel discount to the employee’s family members. Reserve your vehicle on this page on the National website to receive the discount.
Sixt
Sixt offers a 5% discount to first responders as well as teachers and school staff.
Thrifty
Thrifty throws in a free upgrade with their government leisure travel discount. Use PC# 100371 when booking to claim the deal.
Official Travel Government Car Rental Discounts
US government employees renting a car for official business can get a discount from most car rental companies. Rentals are covered by the US Government Rental Car Agreement, and include extras like free additional drivers, free underage drivers, free liability insurance, and unlimited mileage.
Thrifty includes a free upgrade with official travel government car rentals. Sixt waives the fee on one-way rentals.
You can check to see if your rental includes the US government discounted rate and other benefits by looking for a Government Administrative Rate Supplement (GARS) fee of $5.00 per day on the rental agreement. If this fee appears, you’re covered. If not, ask the counter agent about it.
Alamo
- Alamo government discount for official travel
- No additional driver fees
- No underage renter or young renter fees
- Collision damage waiver (CDW) included
Dollar
- Dollar Rent-A-Car government discount for official travel
- Free LDW and CDW
- Free underage driver and additional driver
Enterprise
- Enterprise government car rental discount for official travel
- Click “Official Gov Travel” just under the Reserve a Vehicle search box.
Hertz
- Hertz government car rental discount for official travel
- Click “Book an Official Government car rental”.
Sixt
- Sixt government car rental discount for official travel
- Free additional driver
- Free underage driver
- Free LDW
- No one-way fee
Thrifty
- Thrifty Rent-A-Car government discount for official travel
- Free upgrade for official and leisure travel
Other rental companies
- For the following car rental companies not shown above, you may be able to make a US government official travel reservation using the E-Gov Travel Service (ETS)
- Avis Rent-A-Car
- Budget Rent-A-Car
- Fox Rent-A-Car
- National Car Rental
- Payless Rent-A-Car
US Government Car Rental Discount Program FAQ
No, not all locations of approved car rental company participate in the US government’s car rental discount program.
Using a Government Travel Charge Card (GTCC) or showing official travel orders does not guarantee you’re renting under the program. Make sure that the GARS fee appears in the rental agreement as described above and you’ll be covered.
Roadside assistance is provided at no additional cost for any mechanical defect with the vehicle. Flat tires, jump starts, and fuel service are not covered unless they are mechanically related.
US government car rentals include a collision damage waiver and / or a loss damage waiver that indemnifies the renter in case of accident or other loss.
Unauthorized vehicle use is not covered and travelers are responsible for any loss or damage incurred. Unauthorized use is pretty much limited to things you shouldn’t be doing in a rental car anyway, and includes things like illegal use of the vehicle, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, operating the vehicle off-road, pushing another vehicle, using incorrect fuel, etc.
Only fellow employees, your employer, or sometimes government contractors. Friends and family aren’t permitted as passengers in US government rental cars.
No, fuel must be paid for separately by the renter and reimbursed by the employer if necessary.
When you rent a car under the program, the rental company can’t automatically charge you for fuel upon the return of the vehicle without your written consent. You must return the vehicle full of gas; use your judgment as to whether you should pre-purchase the fuel when you pick up the vehicle (usually more expensive than the price per gallon at a gas station).
The Department of Defense manages the US government car rental program. The terms for US government official business car rental are governed by the US Government Rental Car Agreement.
US government car rental rates can’t exceed the rates listed here.
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