If you’re thinking that flights might be a little too expensive this summer, you’re in luck — prices for rental cars are lower than they were last year. That means that it’s time to head to the desks of the World’s Best Award–winning rental-car companies and grab a set of wheels for a road trip.
How Voting Works
Every year for our World’s Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Nearly 165,000 T+L readers completed the 2023 survey, an increase of nearly 25 percent over pre-pandemic voting levels. A total of more than 685,000 votes were cast across over 8,500 unique properties (hotels, cities, cruise lines, etc.).
Car-rental companies were specifically rated on the criteria below:
- Vehicle selection
- Vehicle availability
- Car-rental location
- Service
- Value
For each characteristic, respondents could choose a rating of excellent, above average, average, below average, or poor. The final scores are averages of these responses.
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What Readers Loved
Rental-car companies have come back strong after serious shortages last year, and T+L readers are excited about what they have to offer. “Service was spectacular, and the cars were amazing!” exclaimed one voter about Sixt (No. 4), a European rental car company — and the only foreign company on the list. Another voter was also impressed with Sixt’s car selection: “Has the best cars in Germany. High-end and even sports models.”
Sixt and Hertz have flip-flopped positions this year, with the latter ranked fifth. Alamo and Enterprise Rent-A-Car have also swapped places, with Alamo coming in at No. 2 and Enterprise at No. 3. Both Hertz and Enterprise are WBA Hall of Fame honorees, which means they’ve been on our list for at least 10 consecutive years.
But our readers’ favorite car-rental company overall is National Car Rental, which has been the top pick for all but one year since 2014. (It, too, is a WBA Hall of Famer.) “My go-to rental-car company for the last 35 years,” one voter raved. Read on to find out what our readers love about National.
The Winner
National Car Rental
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National Car Rental has more than 1,500 locations across the country. “We often use National at SFO. The experience is always positive,” one respondent commented. “Emerald Aisle choices are varied and always meet our needs. The entire process is positive and very welcome after a long flight.” Emerald Aisle is a perk of the company’s loyalty program, the Emerald Club. Once you sign up, you’re able to bypass the counter and pick any car in the Emerald Aisle — and only pay the midsize car rate, even if your pick is an upgrade. “Great selection at most airports,” said one voter of the Emerald Aisle.
T+L Reader
The entire process is positive and very welcome after a long flight.
— T+L Reader
The Full List
WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Reader Score: 82.84
2. Alamo
Reader Score: 77.33
WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Reader Score: 77.16
4. Sixt
Reader Score: 75.22
5. Hertz
WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Reader Score: 75.02