The 8 Best Rental Car Companies for Work Travel in 2025

Your project timeline just moved up a week. The client meeting got bumped to Monday. The job site inspection can't wait until next month.

When work changes fast, you need transportation that works just as fast. Calling three different hotels for rates, then waiting 20 minutes for a rideshare that might not show up, burns time you don't have. Public buses don't run to construction sites or industrial facilities.

A rental car puts you in control. Book it, drive it, get to where the work happens. No waiting, no schedule juggling, no hoping someone else shows up. Engine's business travel platform handles the booking complexity so you can focus on the actual work.

Your concrete crew needs 12 rooms near the Morrison project site. Last month our customer booked 47 rooms for their installation team while the project manager was in meetings. That's the reality of field work – things move fast and you need tools that keep up.

Engine works with 40+ rental companies to find the best rates for business travel.

What actually matters when you're renting for work

Let's get to the point – here's what matters when you need wheels for work:

Real costs, not teaser rates

Daily rates averaged $86 in 2025: that's $600 for a week-long job. Economy cars run $35-72 per day if you book smart, but expect to pay more during summer months when rates jumped 9% from June alone.

The base rate isn't your final cost. GPS, extra drivers, insurance, mileage overages — these add up fast. Miami averages $377 weekly, Chicago hits $624. Factor in your actual location and real needs.

Fleet that handles real work

An economy car works fine for solo client meetings. But when you're hauling tools to the refinery maintenance job, moving equipment between job sites, or traveling with the crew to that wind farm installation, you need something bigger. Not every company stocks enough SUVs, trucks, or vans when you actually need them.

Pickup that doesn't waste half your day

Airport locations are convenient until you're stuck in line for 45 minutes while the single desk agent processes vacation rentals ahead of you. Your supervisor needs to get the crew to the pipeline project by 6 AM. Some companies have dedicated business counters or express pickup. Others leave you waiting with everyone else.

Programs that work for repeat business

If you're renting monthly for ongoing projects, loyalty programs can cut costs and skip lines. The best ones offer real perks: free upgrades, faster service, credited rentals. The worst ones require you to remember membership numbers and offer nothing useful.

The 8 companies that actually work for business travel

Based on J.D. Power satisfaction scores, Consumer Reports rankings, and industry awards from 2025, here's who handles work travel right:

1. National Car Rental

J.D. Power Score: 736 (highest overall)
Locations: 1,500 worldwide, 230 airports
Business focus: Built for frequent travelers

National topped satisfaction surveys in 2024, though some 2025 data shows slipping performance. The Emerald Aisle lets members skip counters and choose any midsize-or-larger car. For business travelers who rent regularly, this saves real time.

What works: Express pickup, car choice, dedicated business accounts
What doesn't: Limited locations compared to Enterprise, higher base rates

2. Enterprise Rent-A-Car

J.D. Power Score: 729
Locations: 7,600+ US locations, 300+ airport kiosks
Business focus: Volume and availability

Enterprise has the largest fleet and most locations. When you need a car in a small town near the job site, they're most likely to have one. Self-service kiosks speed up airport pickup.

What works: Everywhere you need to go, competitive rates, pickup service to offices
What doesn't: Popular locations can run out of larger vehicles during peak times

3. SIXT

J.D. Power Score: 708 (rising fast)
Multiple 2025 awards: USA Today #1, World Travel Awards luxury leader
Business focus: Premium service, modern fleet

SIXT is the European company making real moves in the US market. First new brand to crack J.D. Power's top rankings in over a decade. Their fleet skews newer, and they're winning awards for customer service.

What works: Modern vehicles, premium service, growing network
What doesn't: Fewer locations than major US companies, higher price point

4. Alamo Rent A Car

Consumer Reports ranking: Top tier
Locations: 300+ airports
Business focus: Fast process, family/group travel

Alamo excels at getting you in and out fast. Self-serve kiosks and online check-in let you skip counters entirely. Choose your car from the lot based on your reserved class.

What works: Fast pickup, good for larger vehicles, part of Enterprise network
What doesn't: Limited to airport locations mainly

5. Hertz

Locations: 3,000 worldwide
Business focus: Established network, loyalty tiers
Recent changes: Sold 20,000 EVs in 2025 to focus on profitability

Hertz has been around forever and has locations everywhere. Gold Plus Rewards offers multiple tiers with real benefits for frequent renters. They're retooling their approach after some turbulent years.

What works: Global presence, established loyalty program
What doesn't: Customer service inconsistency, recent operational changes

6. Avis

Locations: 5,500 offices in 165 countries
Business focus: International reach, business accounts
Loyalty program: Avis Preferred with mobile car selection

Avis Preferred lets you choose vehicles through their app and earn 2 points per dollar on accessories. Strong international presence if your work takes you overseas.

What works: International network, mobile selection, business billing options
What doesn't: Higher rates, inconsistent service quality

7. Budget

Recent performance: Major satisfaction improvements in 2025
Business focus: Cost-conscious travel
Pricing: Up to 35% off for prepaid reservations

Budget made the biggest satisfaction jump among major companies in 2025. Improved website, mobile app, and pickup experience. Good option if cost matters more than premium service.

What works: Lower base rates, improving service, prepay discounts
What doesn't: Still budget-level service, limited premium vehicle options

8. Europcar

Locations: 2,400 locations in 140 countries
Business focus: International business travel, sustainability
Fleet: 60% hybrid/EV in some markets

Strong in Europe and expanding globally. Good choice if your work involves international travel. Leading on sustainability with hybrid and electric vehicle options.

What works: International presence, sustainable fleet options, unlimited mileage
What doesn't: Limited US presence, higher costs for premium positioning

Three ways to cut rental costs for work travel

For more cost-saving approaches, check out our business travel expense guide.

Book ahead, but track prices

Reserve early for better rates, especially for larger vehicles. But don't prepay unless you're certain. Use AutoSlash or similar services to track your reservation and alert you to price drops.

Use business credit cards with rental perks

Most business cards offer extra points for car rentals and provide collision coverage. That coverage can save you $15-30 per day in rental company insurance.

Join the loyalty program before you need it

Sign up for programs before traveling. Even basic membership gets you faster lines and sometimes vehicle upgrades. Free membership that saves time is worth it.

The bottom line

National and Enterprise lead for business travel, with SIXT gaining ground fast. Choose based on where you actually travel and how often you rent. A company with five locations near your job sites beats one with great reviews but no cars where you work.

For monthly rentals or ongoing projects, loyalty programs matter. For one-off trips, focus on price and pickup convenience.

Most importantly, business rental isn't vacation rental. You need reliable service that respects your schedule. The companies that understand this get your repeat business. The ones that don't get replaced.

Engine handles business travel booking complexity. Our platform compares 40+ rental car companies alongside flights and hotels to find the lowest rates for your projects. Learn more about corporate travel tools or read our business travel blog for more tips. Focus on the work, not the booking.

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