Rental Policy

Credit Cards
Debit Cards
Credit Card Guarantee
Age Requirements (US Only)
Additional Drivers
License Requirements
Global Driving Qualifications
Geographic Driving Parameters
Mexico, Traveling To and From
Unlimited Mileage Definition
One Way Rentals
Rates/Specialty Rates
Taxes Fees/Reservation Estimates
Vehicle Early Arrival/Hold Policy
Fuel Options
Special Assistance and Services
Impaired/Disabled Drivers

Credit Cards
Advantage Rent A Car accepts credit cards with the following logos as a form of financial responsibility at the beginning of the rental:

  • American Express 
  • Carte Blanche
  • Diners Club
  • Discover
  • MasterCard
  • Visa

Credit cards presented must meet the following parameters:

  • Any credit card used must be in the name of the renter.
  • Prepaid credit cards are not valid credit cards and will not be accepted as a form of payment.
  • For all non-airport, in-town location rentals, the customer’s credit card must have available sufficient funds to cover the cost of the rental plus a security deposit of $300 in order to secure the rental ($50 on replacement rentals).  This amount will be AUTHORIZED only at the beginning of the rental process.  The authorization will be released on the account upon return of the vehicle and satisfactory settlement of the charges within ten (10) business days.
  • Upon returning the vehicle and an audit of fuel and vehicle damages, Advantage Rent A Car will release the unused portion of the authorization subject to the renter’s bank procedures.  This credit may take up to 2 weeks to be processed by the renter’s bank.

Debit Cards
Advantage Rent A Car accepts debit cards with a Visa/MasterCard logo as a form of financial responsibility at the beginning of the rental.

  • Debit cards may only be used for rentals of economy through full-size cars and mini-vans.
  • Customer’s debit card must have available sufficient funds to cover the cost of the rental plus a security deposit of $300 in order to secure the rental.  This will be charged (not just authorized) at the beginning of the rental process.  The deposit will be credited back to the account upon return of the vehicle and satisfactory settlement of the charges within ten (10) business days.
  • Upon returning the vehicle and an audit of fuel and vehicle damages, Advantage Rent A Car will credit the unused portion of the deposit subject to the renter’s bank procedures.  This credit may take up to 2 weeks to be processed by the renter’s bank.  Advantage Rent A Car is not responsible for any returned checks or over-drafts based on this policy.

Debit card users must meet the following requirements:

  • Airport location renters must present:
  • A round-trip airline ticket, e-ticket, or travel itinerary from the airport of rental that shows a return date and the renter’s name.  The name must match the renter’s driver’s license
    Non-airport/in-town location renters must provide 1, 2 or 3 in order to rent:
  • A current copy (within the last 60 days) of the renter’s cellular phone bill, home telephone bill, bank statement or utility bill that shows the renter’s name and current address.  The name and address must match the driver’s license;
  • OR, additional contact person and two verifiable contact phone numbers (including work phone);
  • OR, renter’s owned vehicle information including state and number of license plate, make, model and year of vehicle; and, proof of liability insurance that lists the renter’s name and current address.  The name and address must match the driver’s license.

Credit Card Guarantee
A credit card may be required to reserve a specific vehicle class or all vehicle classes during certain times of the year based on vehicle or seasonal peaks. Please be advised that there is a 48-hour cancellation policy for all reservations with a credit card guarantee. If you do not cancel guaranteed reservations at least 48 hours prior to the reserved rental time, you will be charged for one day of rental.

Age Requirements (U.S. Locations only)

  • Renter must be at least 21 years of age. Renters 21-24 may be subject to a young driver fee of $25.00 per day.
  • Renters under age 25 may not be eligible to rent the following:
    • Convertible
    • Pick-up truck
    • 15-passenger van
    • Luxury car
    • Sport utility vehicles

Additional Drivers
Additional drivers may be added to the rental contract. An additional fee of $10.00 for each driver per day may be applicable, except in states where prohibited by law. Contact your local Advantage office for more details.

License Requirements
Any driving restrictions also apply to additional drivers. Rental requirements for a US citizen include a valid driver’s license and major credit card in own name. For non-U.S. citizens, the renter must have passport, international driver’s license and major credit card in own name.

Global Driving Qualifications
For non-US citizens, the renter must have a passport, international driver’s license and major credit card in his/her own name.

Geographic Driving Parameters
Advantage Rent A Car restricts the driving of our vehicles to the continental U.S. Travel into Mexico or Canada may be allowed upon renter meeting coverage and governmental requirements (see policies on Canada and Mexico for details). Travel with unlimited mileage throughout the continental U.S. allowed unless mileage restrictions apply under a rental rate or program.

Mexico, Traveling To and From
Renters traveling from the U.S. to our Mexico affiliate locations:

  • Renters must have a valid driver’s license and credit card in the renter’s name
  • Minimum rental age is 23
  • Infant seats are not available for rental
  • Vehicles are not allowed to travel into the US from Mexico

Please see individual city policies for more information on mandatory taxes, fees and coverage.
 
Renters traveling into Mexico from our US locations.

  • Purchase of Mexico entry surcharge ($26/day) is mandatory.
  • Renters may not travel past the first checkpoint.
  • Coverage includes 24-hour roadside assistance.

New Requirements for Traveling from Canada, Mexico and Bermuda

Beginning January 31, 2008, U.S. and Canadian citizens ages 19 and over will need to present a government-issued photo ID such as a driver’s license, and proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate, naturalization certificate or passport to enter the U.S. by land or sea.

A passport or NEXUS, SENTRI or FAST card will be accepted as ID and citizenship requirements. Border Crossing Cards will continue to be accepted documents for Mexican citizens to meet both requirements.

As early as summer 2008, all travelers who enter or depart the U.S. by any means (land, sea or air) will be required to have a valid passport, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST, Border Crossing Card or other acceptable document.

The State Department also intends to make available in spring 2008 a limited-use Passport Card, specifically for land and sea travel from these neighboring countries. In addition, several states including Washington, Vermont and New York are creating an Enhanced Driver’s License that will fulfill these new identification requirements. Ample notice of the exact date of implementation will be provided to ensure travelers can obtain the appropriate documents.

Unlimited Mileage Definition
Advantage offers unlimited mileage on most vehicle classes.  Check with your counter agent at pickup to verify any mileage requirements.

One-Way Rentals
Starting at only $60 per day, with no drop fee and free mileage of 500 miles per day, our one way program lets you pick up the car and return between any two Advantage U.S. locations. Advantage has many locations throughout the U.S.  Advantage does not monitor renter's driving route; therefore, if renter drives to a destination in excess of 500 miles from point of origin during one 24-hour period, mileage fees will be applicable.  Vehicles have limited availability and special one way rate may not be available during holidays or peak periods. 14-day maximum rental. Offer valid at all U.S. locations.

Rates/Specialty Rates
Some discount rate plans may have special terms and conditions related to car class, date/time of pickup, date/time of return or location. Renters should carefully review reservation information, rate calculations and any rate terms and conditions before renting the vehicle. If a change is made in the reservation, renter should get a new estimated total based on changes.

Taxes and Fees / Reservation Estimates
In addition to time and mileage for the rental vehicle, taxes and fees are to be paid by the renter. Taxes and fees vary by location and may or may not be included in the estimated total, depending on the reservation system being used. Totals provided at the time of reservation are estimates only. For a breakdown of rental charges, call 1-800-777-5500 and speak to one of our reservation team members.

Vehicle Early Arrival / Hold Policy
We honor all reservations past the scheduled arrival time as long as it is the same reservation date. This means the customer may show up at anytime from their scheduled arrival time through the end of business that day and be guaranteed their reserved rate. If we have noticed that a customer will be arriving late due to a flight delay, we will remain open past normal business hours for 1 hour. If a customer arrives prior to their scheduled arrival time, we will honor the reservation if a vehicle is available. Early availability is not guaranteed.  Advantage Rent A Car observes a 59 minute grace period on all rental returns.  Once this period of time elapses, additional charges will be incurred.

Fuel Options
Choose from three different refueling options:

  • Discounted pre-pay. Tell us you wish to purchase a full tank. When you rent the car, you pay a discounted per-gallon charge.
  • Self-service. Fill up before you return the car. Present your receipt for the full tank of gas to avoid a refueling charge.
  • Time-saver. Let us refuel the vehicle. This time-saving option has a per-gallon charge with a small premium for convenience.
  • The following is in addition to the rental rate: USD $1.00/day Energy Recovery Fee (ERF).  The following states are excluded from the ERF: CA, HI, IL, NV, PA, and TN.

If you have any questions, please ask any of our helpful Rental Agents. Prices subject to change.

Special Assistance and Services
Do you require special assistance when renting or traveling? Advantage is doing our best to make it easy for you, too - whether you're physically or visually impaired.  At Advantage:

  • All of our vehicles are available for rental to visually and hearing impaired travelers.
  • All major airport locations are equipped with hand control devices.
  • Disabled parking permits are not available. You must provide your own.

Impaired / Disabled Drivers
Advantage Rent A Car welcomes its impaired/disabled travelers and is pleased to offer the following accommodations and information for their safe, enjoyable rental car experience.
Any vehicles available to the general public will be available for rental to visually impaired and hearing impaired travelers.

For visually impaired renters:

  • All normal rental requirements apply with the exception of driver’s license; however, renter must present identification
  • There will be no charge for additional assigned drivers (all drivers must be at least 21 years of age and have a valid driver’s license)
  • Please advise at the time of reservation if the renter is physically impaired and needs additional assistance or will have an additional assigned driver. The impaired renter and any additional drivers must all be present at the time of rental.

For physically impaired/disabled renters:

  • Disabled parking permits are not furnished, but may be provided by the individual renter.
  • All major airport locations are equipped with hand control devices.
  • Hand controls are available for most vehicle classes; however, the most requested classes are standard size and full size cars.
  • Hand controls must be reserved 72 hours in advance (48 hours for State of Texas employees) and the request should include the designation of right-hand (HCR) or left-hand (HCL) controls in the OSI field. There is no additional charge for hand controls.

For more information or to confirm receipt of request for special assistance, call our reservations department at 1-800-777-5500 or e-mail us at reservations@advantage.com.