Hi there! Today we will be discussing the pros and cons of Enterprise car rentals.

Not only is Enterprise on the cheaper side, but it also offers a wide range of luxury vehicle options.

But cheaper isn’t always better. That’s why I am going to give you a complete breakdown of the advantages and drawbacks of choosing Enterprise.

 

Without further ado, let’s jump into the article!

 

 

 

For more information on Enterprise car rentals, you can download the app on your smartphone, or you can find them here.

 

 

 

 

Enterprise Car Rentals: The Pros

 

 

First things first.

 

Embarking on your first car rental journey can be both exhilarating and a bit daunting. It’s an adventure that promises freedom and flexibility, especially for travelers eager to explore at their own pace. However, for beginners, navigating the world of car rentals can seem overwhelming.

 

That’s why we are going to talk about just one of those companies today.

 

Enterprise.

 

I have had good experiences with Enterprise and some that were flat out mediocre.

 

I have elected to not be a negative Nancy today, but I want to give you a realistic expectation before you spend your money.

 

But first, let’s get into the Pros.

 

Not only is Enterprise on the cheaper side, but it also offers a wide range of luxury vehicle options.

With more than one dozen classes to choose from, some of the options include the Audi A5 Sportback, Porsche 911, and Mercedes Benz E-Class vehicles.

But so many choices can be overwhelming, which is why Enterprise has a “car finder” option to help you narrow them down.

 

I will say this, this is the best company in the car rental world when it comes to finding a luxury vehicle.

And not only that, but they also have a great app for your smartphone that makes this process seamless.

 

Here are a few things to keep in mind when renting from Enterprise.

 

• Thousands of locations
• Great loyalty program
• Wide range of vehicles in the fleet

 

Enterprise ranked the highest overall in customer satisfaction, with a score above the industry average. It has over 7,600 locations and a solid loyalty and rewards program.

I am a big customer service guy. For me, I would rather spend a little bit more money and get the service I deserve.

It also has a four-tiered loyalty program, called Enterprise Plus, which allows members to earn upgrades on rentals each year. You can also earn and redeem points for free rental days, receive faster members-only check-ins, and use a dedicated phone number for customer service.

 

The Drawbacks

I don’t have a ton of negative things to say about Enterprise car rentals. However, I want to be transparent with you before you consider renting.

Here are a couple of nuggets to keep in mind.

 

Enterprise isn’t a company that offers many insurance coverage options. You are limited here so please beware of this if you like several options for insurance.

Enterprise doesn’t offer a price-match guarantee like some other companies, but it does regularly offer discounts online and through its newsletter.

They can also be expensive. Let’s discuss this really quick.

Enterprise doesn’t offer any discounts for paying when you book. They should, but they don’t.

If you’re anything like me, the first thing you want to know is how much a rental car is going to cost. For example, I compared rates for standard sedans and SUVs from three popular U.S. airports: Dallas/Fort Worth, Chicago and San Fransisco. Enterprise rentals cost about $90 per day or $656 per week on average (including taxes and fees). This is about 18% higher than the industry average of $77 per day or $539 per week.

You can also sign up for the Enterprise Plus loyalty program for free to earn one point for every dollar spent on a rental base price.

That does help relieve some of the pressure, but not all of it.

Rentals made through National, an Enterprise brand, also qualify for reward points. Members can redeem points for free rental days, though you must still pay taxes and standard fees. There are no blackout dates, but points do expire after three months of account inactivity.

One thing I do like is Enterprise will pick up renters and bring them to their rental car at no charge, so long as they’re within 10 miles of a local office.

You can request this service by contacting the branch in question. (Note that this service does not apply to airport offices.)

 

Security Deposits

 

So, let’s talk about the elephant in the room shall we.

The Security deposits.

The exact amount depends on the location and type of vehicle you rent. For example, DFW Airport charges a $400 deposit for any reservation without a ticketed return itinerary, and a neighborhood Dallas Enterprise location charges a $300 deposit on all rentals. Both locations bump the deposit up to $850 for luxury vehicles.

Enterprise accepts debit cards if the address on the card matches the address on your license. Airport locations only accept debit cards with a ticketed return itinerary.

 

Other Services

In Addition, Enterprise Car Rentals offers an array of services. Let’s check them out.

• Long-term rental: Enterprise offers long-term rental discounts that start at 28 days.
• One-way rental: You can get one-way rentals from many Enterprise locations, though you’ll pay a fee. One-way rentals may not be available at every location.
• Moving truck rental: In addition to rental cars, Enterprise offers moving truck, moving van and pickup truck rentals through Enterprise Truck Rental.
• Enterprise subscription: You can subscribe to Enterprise to rent a car on a monthly basis. The program includes 3,000 miles per month and allows you to swap cars up to four times each month.

If you’re having an event like a wedding or family reunion, Enterprise may be able to offer group rental rates. You’ll have to call the company to arrange this, though, as it’s not an option online.

Vehicle Selection

As far as rental fleets go, Enterprise has the best car selection out there. Enterprise offers a full range of vehicles from economy cars to SUVs, minivans, pickup trucks and luxury cars. Enterprise also offers exotic car rentals such as Bentleys, Lamborghinis and Aston Martins at some of its locations. Look for locations that mention exotics in the title as you search on Enterprise’s website.

 

 

 

Thoughts & Takeaways

And that will wrap things up for today. I hope you found this article to be helpful. Enterprise car rentals can definitely be a great option. Just understand you will pay a little bit more for having better customer service and a lot more locations to choose from. If you plan on being a long-time customer, you can also build points to spend on free rental days through its Enterprise Plus rewards program. I encourage you to compare rental rates from different providers to find the best option for your trip. Please share your experiences with Enterprise car rentals in the comment section below.

 

 

 

-CT