Your parents have given a lot to you in their lifetime, and now you want to give something back. And that’s why you want to sponsor a road trip they’ve been planning for some time. But you often wonder, can you prepay a car rental for another person?
Well, officially, it’s impossible! You can’t pay for anyone’s car rental apart from yours. However, that doesn’t mean there’s no way you can pay for someone else’s trip.
I’ll provide you with 4 ways to legally pay for anyone’s car rental without getting into trouble. Find it all just with me!
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- You can open a corporate account to rent a car if you have an entrepreneurship, startup, or a running business.
- Your friends and family can add their credit cards while renting the car. However, you can already pay them the amount deducted from their credit card.
- You can purchase a car rental gift card for your friend and family. And they can use this card to pay for their car rental.
- Only companies like Alamo and Avis accept gift cards from renters. So, if you want, you can ask your friends and family to redeem their cards from these two companies.
- You can also prepay for your friends and family’s rental car by adding them as your co-driver. Trust me; it’s a great way of booking a car.
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Can You Prepay Car Rental for Another Person? 4 Ways You Can
Various reasons prevent car rental services from letting anyone pay for someone else. For instance, friend AB has paid for friend XY’s rental car. Now, the car rental company won’t have any information about the renter.
Thus, in case of car damage or other expenses, the car rental company can’t contact XY, the actual renter. So, car rental companies don’t accept anyone else’s credit card payment apart from the actual rental.
However, that doesn’t stop renters and their families and friends from paying for each other. That’s because pro users have their ways of paying for each others’ car rentals. And today, you’ll also become one of these users after learning about those ways.
1. A Corporate Account Can Help You
You can open a corporate account in a car rental company if you have a startup or an enterprise.
PS You can only open a corporate account if you own a business or entrepreneurship. Otherwise, you’ll have to think of other ways to prepay for someone.
Once you open a corporate account, you can not only pay for someone else; you can also enjoy various perks. These perks include:
- Better car rental rates
- More discounts on every car
Corporate accounts allow small enterprises to book cars for employees at an affordable rate. Hence, if you have a business, the mode of prepaying for someone is the best way.
Some companies that include corporate account facilities are:
- Avis
- Hertz
- Thrifty
- Enterprise
- Sixt
- Budget
- Europcar
- National
- Dollar
- Rent-a-car
Signing up for a corporate account is simple. All you gotta do is fill out some forms and present documents verifying your enterprise’s existence. And that’s it. Your account will be created.
2. You Can Pay Your Friend And Family
A corporate account is the best way to prepay for someone else. However, if you don’t own a business, how are you going to pay for your family and friends’ car rental?
Don’t worry about that as well; you have a way. It’s simple; pay the main driver, who’ll rent the car. And they can pay the amount through their credit or debit card.
If your friend or family members have an account and a good record in a car rental company, they can easily book a car.
However, please be sure to check the hidden charges and exact fees. That’s because knowing the total amount will help you pay the same amount to the car renter.
Here’s the best way to find out the exact charges while renting a car for someone else:
- Let your friend or family member select their preferred car. After all, it’s them who’ll be traveling.
- Next, read the contract carefully and find out the total price you must pay. Plus, add 35% of the mentioned price to the agreement. This will be your total price.
- Finally, find out the security deposit and pay for the car.
3. A Gift Card is Always Helpful
While most car rental companies don’t accept gift cards, there are exceptions. If you search keenly, there are car companies that accept gift cards without any hassle.
For example, companies like Alamo and Avis accept gift cards without any hassle. So, if you want to make it look like a gift, you can give your family an Alamo or Avis gift card.
Then again, remember to add the total price before buying a gift card for your family. As mentioned above, add 35% to the quoted price and then the security deposit. The total amount will be your payable.
You need to pay for security deposits because the rental company will charge your family in case of any damage. And I’m sure you wouldn’t want that. Thus, you should pay the security deposit beforehand while buying the gift card.
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4. Make Your Family Member An Additional Driver
If you want to be sure about the total price while prepaying for your close ones, this is the best way. For example, you can pay an estimated amount while transferring money to your family member or buying a gift card.
However, you can’t be sure of the entire pricing structure. But, if you add your family member as an additional driver, it’ll be easier to find out the total price. That’s because you’ll be the primary driver, and the entire bill will be generated under your name.
But you must remember that to add an extra driver; you must pay an additional charge. And although the amount isn’t much, it’s best that you know about it.
So, if you’re ready to pay for the amount, you can book a car for your family members this way. I’m sure your family wouldn’t mind, as long your intentions are earnest.
Concluding Thoughts
If you wish to do something from your heart’s core, it’s possible. Therefore, quit worrying. Can you prepay the car rental for another person? Yes, you can. Now select your most preferred way of ordering a car for your parents. Best of Luck!
FAQs
Can I Rent a Car For My Family Members?
No, you can’t rent a car for anyone apart from yourself. However, you can pay one of your family members the money you intend to spend on their car rental. And they can book the car themselves. Or you can also open a corporate account in a car rental service and then pay for your family members.
Can You Tell Me How To Add Additional Drivers?
You can add an extra driver via the car rental company’s app while booking your car. When you proceed to pay for your service, the application gives you an “add-on” option. And here, you can find an additional driver’s option. However, you can book an additional driver while you’re at the rental company’s counter. Just mention your requirements, and they’ll book an additional driver.
Which Car Rental Companies Allow Renters To Create A Corporate Account?
Several car rental companies allow renters to create a corporate account. These fantastic car companies include:
- Enterprise
- Sixt
- Budget
- Thrifty
- Hertz
- Avis
- Enterprise
You can pick any one of these companies and create a corporate account. And once you have an account, you can prepay for someone else.
