When it comes to renting a car for a few days or for a few weeks, you may want to bring your pet with you and ensure that they can accompany you wherever the road takes you. However, some rental car companies may not allow pets due to the potential for damage and destruction to their cars, while others have more pet friendly policies.
Our article gives you details on the most pet friendly rental car chains, so you know which company to book a car with when you and your pet have places to be.
Are Pets Allowed in Rental Cars?
Pets are allowed in some rental cars, though this does depend on the policies at each specific car rental company. Some companies can be more flexible, while others may charge fees or ban pets from their cars altogether.
It’s essential to always do your research on a rental car company before booking with them if you need to bring your pet to ensure that you don’t end up in a situation where you are charged extra fees, or your pet is not allowed into the car you have rented.
It is important to note that if you are traveling with a service animal, you will be able to bring your service animal with you into any rental car from any company – you will not need to adhere to specific pet policies or rules. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, your service animal must be accommodated and allowed to accompany you.
The Most Pet Friendly Rental Car Chains
If you are planning on taking your pet with you next time you rent a car, you may want to use one of the following chains. These companies all have pet friendly policies, though you may need to adhere to specific restrictions.
Always check directly with the rental company you wish to rent from about their pet policies and restrictions before you book your car to avoid any unexpected surprises.
Alamo Rent A Car
Alamo Rent A Car offers skip-the-counter service at select locations where you can directly pick up your car with your pet, avoiding long lines and stress for your pet.
You will need to keep your pet in a carrier while using a rental car from this chain, and you will need to make sure that the car is clean and free of pet hair upon returning it if you want to avoid any detailing and cleaning fees.
If you are traveling with a service animal in an Alamo Rent A Car, they do not need to be in a carrier.
Avis Car Rental
One of the most popular rental car companies around, Avis Car Rental has an unlimited miles offer with each of their rental cars and a pet friendly policy.
Avis Car Rental doesn’t specifically state that you will need to have your pet in a crate or carrier throughout your trip, but you will need to make sure that the vehicle is clean, free of pet hair, and free of smells to avoid a $250 cleaning fee upon return.
Pet policies at Avis Car Rental can vary by location, so make sure you check with your pickup location about your pet before booking your car.
Budget Car Rental
Budget Car Rental is an economical option for car rental, and this company provides some of the cheapest rental cars around the United States. Budget Car Rental does have a pet friendly policy and you won’t need to crate your pet or place them in a carrier, but you may need to pay a cleaning fee if there is lots of pet hair or smells left by your pet upon return.
Like with a few other rental car chains, the pet policies of Budget Car Rental can vary by location, and you may need to double-check with your pickup location about bringing your pet before reserving your rental car.
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
With more than 8,000 locations across the globe, Enterprise Rent-A-Car is a notable rental car chain. This company does allow pets in their rental car, but they are required to be in a crate or carrier if you wish to bring them with you. Enterprise Rent-A-Car cleaning fees can add up to over $250 if there is any pet hair or damage left in the vehicle when you return it.
Enterprise does state that service animals are not required to be in a crate or carrier in any of their vehicles.
Hertz Rentals
Hertz Rentals stands apart for its pet policy, as this chain will provide individuals with a protection grate that allows your pet to safely stay in the backseat of the car without the use of a crate or carrier.
Keep in mind that if you wish to utilize the protection grates from Hertz, you will need to notify your pickup location at least 24 hours before you are scheduled to pick up your rental car.
There is a cleaning fee at Hertz Rentals if your vehicle has pet hair and damage upon return.
National Car Rental
National Car Rental has a pet friendly policy and pets are allowed in any of the chain’s rental vehicles, though you will need to keep your pet in a crate or carrier throughout your property. Like most other rental car chains, you will be given a cleaning or detailing fee if there is any damage to the vehicle or pet hair left over in the car upon return.
SIXT Rent A Car
SIXT Rent A Car is a global car rental chain, and this company is becoming increasingly popular in the United States. You can take your pet into any rental vehicle belonging to this chain, and you don’t need to place your pet in a crate or carrier while utilizing a SIXT Rental Car. However, make sure to clean the vehicle before returning it to avoid any extra fees.
Dollar Car Rental
Dollar Car Rental is located throughout the United States and Canada, and pets are allowed in any of these rental cars; crates or a carrier is not required. However, the chain recommends crates and carriers to reduce the amount of potential pet hair and damage. There is a cleaning fee of up to $250 if the car is dirty or damaged upon return.
Payless Car Rental
Payless Car Rental has an entire fleet of pet friendly vehicles, and there are no fees for bringing your pet with you into the car. You won’t need to use a crate or carrier with Payless Car Rental, though there are cleaning and detailing fees if you return the vehicle full of odors or pet hair.
U-Haul
U-Haul is most commonly known for its rental cars, and you can bring your pet into any of the U-Haul rental trucks or vans.
However, your pet must ride in the cabin with you, and they cannot be put in the back of a van, as there is no ventilation, and this can be dangerous for your animal. If needed, you can crate your pet or place them in a carrier to transport them in the cabin of your U-Haul rental vehicle.
Are There Fees for Taking My Pet in a Rental Car?
Whether or not you need to pay a fee for taking your pet with you in a rental car depends on the specific company you are booking your vehicle with.
Many rental car companies will charge a basic pet fee or a security deposit, and a security deposit might be returned to you as you hand back the car without damage. In some cases, a rental car chain may not charge you at all for your pet unless they cause damage, or the vehicle needs to be cleaned upon return.
Check directly with the rental car company you wish to use to learn about their specific rules and pet policies, and to avoid any unexpected charges or surprises when it comes to taking your pet with you in a rental vehicle.
How Can I Avoid Rental Car Fees With My Pet?
If you want to avoid rental car fees with your pet, you should make an effort to clean up after your pet and ensure the rental vehicle stays as clean as possible.
This can be done by placing travel blankets in the backseat of your rental car, keeping your pet in a crate or carrier to limit potential damages and pet hair spread, and cleaning thoroughly before returning your rental car. Lint rolling and vacuuming the car out after your pet has left the car is also a great idea to remove any excess pet hair that may result in a heft cleaning fee.
Do I Need to Pay Fees for Renting a Car With a Service Animal?
You will not need to pay a fee for renting a car with your service animal, as fees for service animals violate the Americans with Disabilities Act.
However, if your service animal leaves excessive hair, destruction, or odors in your rental vehicle, you may need to pay a cleaning fee as you return your car. You can avoid this by keeping traveling blankets in your rental vehicle for your service animal and cleaning up after them before returning your rental vehicle.
Tips for Traveling With Your Pet
Traveling with your pet can be a stressful experience for both you and your furry friend, and the following tips can help make your road trip and time in a rental car as stress-free as possible.
- Prepare your pet for travel by allowing them to use the bathroom beforehand, and by traveling on a mostly empty stomach. This avoids the risk of accidents in the car that may result in excessive cleaning fees.
- If needed, give your pet medication to help them maintain their stress or anxiety while traveling. A veterinarian can prescribe this for you.
- Take rest stops often and provide your pet with water as necessary to ensure they stay hydrated, and they are able to use the bathroom as needed.
- Always keep your pet restrained while driving your rental car, as this is what is safest for you and your pet.
If you have concerns about taking your pet in a rental car with you, don’t hesitate to contact your veterinarian to figure out how you can make the journey less stressful for your pet. You should also understand the exact pet policies of the rental car chain you are booking with to ensure your pet travels safely at your side and you avoid unexpected fees.
Making Your Rental Car Experience Stress-Free
Renting a car with your pet can be somewhat stressful as you try to figure out which chain has a pet friendly policy and how you can travel with your pet. The companies on our list are some of the most pet friendly car rental chains, though you should always check with your rental car pickup location directly to learn about specific policies and pet regulations that might apply.
Take the time to prepare your pet for travel and always clean up your rental vehicle before returning it to make your rental car experience as smooth and stress-free for you and your pet as possible.