Discount Car Rental Deals

Car rental tips

How many miles should you plan on driving your rental car in a single day?
Under optimum driving conditions, the maximum number of miles you should drive is about 350 miles per day. Many things can affect the road travel - including weather, traffic, road conditions, terrain (hilly or flat) and driver fatigue. Take these factors into account when planning your trip.

Share your flight information with your rental car company. For airport car rentals, be sure to give the car rental customer service representative your flight number and scheduled arrival time. This will usually protect your reservation if the flight is delayed.

If you have personal auto insurance or charge the rental to a major credit card, you will probably be covered at least for collision damage -- so you shouldn't have to purchase the car rental company's collision or loss damage waiver (CDW or LDW) insurance. If in doubt, ask your insurance agent or credit card issuer.  NOTE: The Union Plus Auto Insurance offers coverage for rental car collision damage for personal travel (not business travel).

Before you drive away from the rental car pick-up station, inspect the car carefully for body damage. Be sure the lights and turn signals are working properly, and check the mileage odometer. Report any defects immediately.

Be wary of prepaid gasoline plans. Always fill the tank yourself before returning the vehicle so that you're only paying for the amount of gas you actually used. Try to avoid the gas stations right near the airport where you're dropping off your car -- the prices tend to be highest there. Instead, fill up a few miles away. Even better: Check GasBuddy.com before your trip to find out where the cheapest gas stations are in your area.

Time your car rental return to get the best discount car rental rates. It may seem counterintuitive, but returning your car too early may actually cost you money. You'll sometimes pay an early return fee, but even worse, your rate structure will most likely change and you'll be responsible for the difference. Of course, returning the car late could cost you too -- many car rental companies only give you a 30-minute grace period before beginning to charge late fees.

What’s the cell phone usage law in the states you’ll be driving in?  Here's a handy chart of cell phone laws by state (keep in mind that this information can change at any time). Remember that even if it's legal to talk on a cell phone, it's usually safest to use a hands-free device. 
 

Eligibility

The Union Plus Rental Car Discounts are available in participating locations in the Unites States and Canada.  The program is not available in Guam, Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands.

Who is eligible?

• Dues-paying labor union members of participating unions
• Retired union members
• Spouse, domestic partners, and children of union members
• Widows/widowers of union members
• Union Plus credit cardholders

Customer Service

• Avis Car Rental
  
  Get discount rental car quotes and make reservations online for Avis rental cars with your Union Plus discount
  
  By phone: 1-800-698-5685
  (reference union I.D. # B723700)
  Avis customer service information
   
• Budget Car Rental
  
  Get discount rental car quotes and make reservations online for Budget rental cars with your Union Plus discount
  
  By phone: 1-800-455-2848
  (reference union I.D. # V816100)
  Budget customer service information
   
• Hertz Car Rental
  
  Get discount rental car quotes and make reservations online for Hertz rental cars with your Union Plus discount
  
  By phone: 1-800-654-2200
  (reference union I.D. # 205666)
  Hertz customer service information
  Request a receipt
  
  

  We realize that sometimes you may need help with a concern about using a Union Plus program. The Union Plus Member Advocacy Program, staffed by OPEIU Local 2 members, is here to help you resolve any problems. Contact us at 1-800-472-2005 (8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. ET, weekdays) or online at UnionPlus.org/Customer.