Luxury Car Rental
Compare premium and luxury classes across suppliers. Check the age, deposit and insurance rules below before you book — they're stricter than for standard cars.
What do you need to rent a luxury car?
Expect a higher minimum age (often 25), a major credit card in the renter's name, and a larger security deposit hold than for a standard car. Most major companies book luxury cars by class — 'BMW 5 Series or similar' — so you're guaranteed the category, not the exact model, unless the booking says so.
Last reviewed . Rules vary by rental company — check your rental terms before you book.
Premium vs. luxury classes
Major rental companies generally sell a 'premium' class (entry-level luxury sedans and SUVs) and a 'luxury' class above it (larger executive sedans and full-size luxury SUVs). Some also run collections with a guaranteed make and model at a higher price.
True exotics — supercars and high-end sports cars — are usually rented through specialty agencies with their own rules, deposits and mileage limits.
Insurance gaps to check
Many credit card rental benefits exclude expensive, exotic or antique vehicles, and some personal auto policies cap the value of a rental car they'll cover. If your coverage excludes the car, a damage waiver from the rental company may be worth it.
Read the rental's liability terms too: the state-minimum liability included with many US rentals is low relative to the value of a luxury car.
Example vehicles
US rental companies book a vehicle class, not a specific model. These are typical examples — you'll get one of them or a similar car.
What affects the price
The search shows live prices for your dates. These are the things that move them.
- Class (premium vs. luxury vs. guaranteed model)
- Season and events — luxury fleets are small and sell out
- Driver age — under-25 renters may be excluded entirely
- Insurance waivers, which cost more on high-value cars
- Mileage allowance on specialty rentals
Luxury Car Rental tips
- Confirm your card or auto policy covers the car's value before declining the waiver.
- If you need a specific model, book a guaranteed-model rental rather than a class.
- Expect a larger hold on your credit card and make sure the limit can take it.
- Inspect the wheels and bodywork closely at pickup — repairs on premium cars are expensive.
Rental requirements
- A valid driver's license, held for at least a year at most companies. Visitors can usually rent on their home license; if it isn't in English, carry an International Driving Permit or official translation alongside it.
- Minimum age is 21 at most major companies, and drivers under 25 pay a daily young-driver surcharge. New York and Michigan require companies to rent to drivers from 18, with surcharges.
- A credit card in the main driver's name. Some locations accept debit cards with extra checks — often a return travel itinerary at airports, a larger deposit or a credit check.
- International renters should also bring a passport.
More detail: What Documents Do You Need to Rent a Car? · What Is the Minimum Age to Rent a Car in the USA? · Can You Rent a Car With a Debit Card? Rules & Tips · International Driving Permit (IDP) — Do You Need One and How to Get It
Insurance and deposit
- Collision and loss damage waivers (CDW/LDW) are optional. Before you accept one at the counter, check whether your own auto policy or a credit card benefit already covers rental cars — many do, with conditions.
- Liability cover varies by state and company. Supplemental liability (SLI) raises the limit and is worth considering if you don't have a personal auto policy, including as an international visitor.
- A security deposit is held on your card at pickup and released after the car is returned and checked. It can take several business days to disappear from your statement, and holds are larger on debit cards and premium cars.
More detail: Do You Need Insurance to Rent a Car? · What Is a Collision Damage Waiver (CDW)? · How Much Is a Rental Car Deposit? How Holds Work
Fuel policy and additional fees
- Full-to-full is usually the cheapest fuel policy: you collect the car full and return it full. Prepaid fuel only saves money if you return the tank nearly empty, and refueling charges on a car returned short are well above pump prices.
- Airport rentals include airport concession recovery fees and facility charges on top of the rate. State and local rental taxes apply everywhere.
- Other common extras: additional-driver fees, young-driver surcharges, toll-program charges, one-way drop fees, child seats and late-return charges. Read the rental terms before you pay so you know which charges are included and which are added at the counter.
More detail: Car Rental Fuel Policies Explained — Which One Should You Choose? · Hidden Car Rental Fees — The Complete Guide to What to Watch Out For · How are tolls and traffic fines handled? · Can someone else drive the car?
Top cities for Luxury Car Rental
Nevada
Car rental in Las Vegas
Skip the car for the Strip, rent one for everything else. Compare rentals at Harry Reid International's Rent-A-Car Center for Red Rock, Hoover Dam, Zion and the Grand Canyon.
Florida
Car rental in Miami
Compare Miami rental cars at MIA, Fort Lauderdale and city branches — then plan for SunPass tolls, South Beach parking and the drive down to the Keys.
California
Car rental in Los Angeles
LA is a driving city. Compare rental cars at LAX, Burbank, Long Beach or a neighborhood branch — then hit the Pacific Coast Highway.
New York
Car rental in New York City
Rent for the trips out of the city, not the drive through Midtown. Compare cars at JFK, LaGuardia, Newark and borough branches.
California
Car rental in San Francisco
Skip the car for the city, rent one for Napa, Big Sur, Yosemite and Tahoe. Compare rentals at SFO's Rental Car Center and downtown branches.
Texas
Car rental in Dallas
The Metroplex is built around driving. Compare Dallas rental cars at DFW, Love Field and city branches across Dallas and Fort Worth.
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Compare prices for your dates
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