Save more with car rental discount codes and deals
Car rentals are one of those things that always seem to cause stress and irritation, with fluctuating pricing, hidden extras and fees, the stress of driving in a foreign country and the list goes on. To help ease the pain, we’ve curated a list of car rental discount codes for travellers looking to reduce their costs while enjoying a great holiday (and hopefully not getting into a bingle).
Browse Car Rental Companies with Active Deals
Every major car rental company we compare for Australian travellers, with current discount codes and offers tracked and verified daily.
Apex Car Rentals
APX
Convenient locations across Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and Hobart, with free airport shuttles and no hidden costs in their pricing.
Avis
AV
A household name at every major airport and city, with compact cars through to SUVs and luxury vehicles, plus the Avis Preferred loyalty program.
Hertz
HZ
A major Avis competitor with an extensive network across Australia, spanning compact cars to SUVs, luxury and eco-friendly options.
Europcar
EC
Operating across 140 countries, with economy through to luxury vehicles plus long-term rentals, chauffeur services and car-sharing options.
Budget
BG
Competitive pricing and regular promotions at major airports and city locations, with Budget Fastbreak letting you skip the line entirely.
Discover Cars
DC
Search once and compare rates from over 1,000 suppliers worldwide, with free cancellation on most bookings and transparent, all-inclusive pricing.
Qeeq
QQ
Compare real-time quotes from 1,000+ suppliers across 200+ countries, with a handy Price Drop Protector and $1 rate freeze for extra flexibility.
Sixt
SXT
Australia’s official car and truck rental partner for every state Auto Club, NRMA, RACV, RACQ and RAA members save 20% on passenger vehicles, plus a broad EV, ute and van fleet.
Snap Rentals
SR
A straightforward, no-hidden-fees rental experience across NZ, with free shuttles from Auckland, Christchurch and Queenstown airports.
Benefits of using rental car discount codes
Cost Savings – Promo codes can involve a percentage discount off the total price, a fixed amount off, or a reduced daily rate.
Added Perks – Some promo codes include free upgrades, such as a larger car category, free GPS rental, or additional driver privileges at no extra cost.
Special Offers for Longer Rentals – Many promo codes are tailored for extended rentals, offering discounts for renting a vehicle for a week or more.
Seasonal Discounts – Promo codes may coincide with holiday or seasonal promotions, helping you save money during peak travel times when rental rates are usually higher.
Exclusive Deals for Members or Partners – Promo codes provided through memberships, credit cards, or partnerships (e.g., AAA, AARP, or airline loyalty programs) can include unique benefits or better deals than standard pricing.
Customizable Options – Some promo codes deliver a real cost savings, albeit not on your daily rate – these include reduced fees for insurance coverage, unlimited mileage, or flexible return times.
Ease of Comparison – Using promo codes lets you quickly compare final prices across different rental companies, ensuring you get the best deal.
Budget Planning – By reducing your rental costs upfront, promo codes can help you allocate more of your travel budget to other expenses, such as accommodations or activities.
Which Car Rental Deal Is Right for You?
A quick-reference guide before you scroll further, matched to what most travellers are actually trying to solve.
| Best For | Our Pick | Why | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cheapest overall | Budget | Competitive daily rates and frequent promo codes at major airports and city locations, plus Fastbreak to skip the counter queue. | View deals |
| Road trips | Hertz | The broadest fleet variety across Australia, from compact cars to SUVs and eco-friendly options, for longer multi-stop drives. | View deals |
| Relocation deals | Apex Car Rentals | Relocation rates from as little as $8 per day, with free airport shuttles across Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and Hobart. | View deals |
| Comparing every option | DiscoverCars | Search once to compare rates from over 1,000 suppliers worldwide, with free cancellation on most bookings. | View deals |
| Loyalty perks | Avis | A trusted name at every major airport, with the Avis Preferred program and a fleet running from compacts through to SUVs and luxury vehicles. | View deals |
| International or long-term hire | Europcar | A global network across 140 countries, with long-term rentals, chauffeur services and car-sharing options alongside standard hire. | View deals |
Tips for Maximizing Promo Code Benefits:
- Combine a promo code with a loyalty programs to earn rewards points.
- Check terms and conditions for restrictions, such as blackout dates or eligibility requirements.
- Book directly through the rental company’s own site or app rather than a third-party OTA, since some promo codes only validate on direct bookings and get silently dropped at checkout on aggregator platforms.
- Apply the code before entering payment details, not after, as many booking engines only recalculate the total at an earlier step and won’t retroactively apply a discount once you’ve reached the final confirmation page.
- Screenshot the deal page and your confirmation email showing the discounted rate, so you’ve got evidence to point to if the counter staff or final invoice doesn’t reflect the price you booked at.
Other useful car rental links
The Car Rental Code of Practice is a good place to start if you have a dispute or are unsure of the obligations surrounding a rental car.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a car rental discount code on prepaid and pay-later bookings?
It will depend on the rental company. Many discount codes will only apply to prepaid bookings made online, while others also work with pay-later options. You must always check the terms before finalising your reservation.
Why isn’t my car rental discount code reducing the total price?
Discount codes may exclude taxes, airport surcharges, insurance add-ons, or premium vehicles. Ensure the code is correctly entered and that your booking meets the minimum spend, location, and travel date requirements.
Can I combine car rental discount codes with loyalty or membership discounts?
Usually not. Car rental companies usually allow only one promotion per booking, so you’ll need to choose between a discount code or a loyalty/member rate – whichever offers the better saving.
Do I need a credit card to use a car rental discount code?
In most cases, yes. Rental companies generally require a credit card (not a debit card) in the lead driver’s name to secure the deposit, even when a promo code is applied to the base rate. Some providers do accept debit cards, but often with a higher deposit or additional documentation.
Can I use a car rental discount code for a one-way rental?
It depends on the provider. Many discount codes are valid on one-way rentals, but you should expect a separate one-way or relocation fee to apply on top, since this covers the cost of returning the vehicle to its original location.
Will a car rental discount code work for drivers under 25?
Usually, but the saving may be reduced. Young driver surcharges are typically calculated separately from any promo code discount, so you’ll still see an additional fee added at the counter even if the code is successfully applied to the base rate.
Michael has been publishing deals and travel content for Australians for more than 10 years and runs the deals section of The Champagne Mile. With a Bachelor of Commerce and a background in commercial law, he reads the fine print so you don’t have to, from insurance PDSs to promo code terms. Every deal on the site is checked before it goes live and updated when offers change. When he’s not testing codes, he’s planning his next overseas trip or out on his dirt bike.
Last Updated on 19 September 2026 by michael