It’s inevitable – at some point in time, you will probably need to rent a car.
For people who don’t own a car, renting one for a quick weekend getaway or a big shopping trip at the grocery store is typical.
For people who do own a car, renting one usually occurs when your vehicle is in the shop.
Whatever the situation may be, Zipcar makes it easy to rent a car on the spot.
Zipcar is a car-sharing network that allows you to rent a car by the hour or by the day.
Located in hundreds of cities and college campuses around the globe, Zipcar makes it easy for all types of drivers to get where they need to go.
One of the things that makes Zipcar so popular is that it’s incredibly affordable to use.
Today we’re going to show you how you can save money on your next car rental so you can stay mobile.
Keep reading to learn about Zipcar promo codes, membership plans, referral discounts, and more.
Working Zipcar Promotion
There are two main ways that you can save money on your rentals – with promos codes and with membership plans.
Zipcar offers coupon codes that can make your next ride much more affordable.
If you sign up for Zipcar using a referral code, you can get $25 in free driving credit to apply to your first rental.
You should only use verified coupon codes from trusted friends, family members and legitimate websites (like ours).
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The second way to save money is by signing up for the right membership plan.
To use Zipcar, you have to select a plan, so it’s essential to choose the one that best meets your needs.
If you plan to rent cars frequently, it’s best to go with the Extra Value Plan.
This will cost you $50 a month, but whatever amount you don’t use per month you’ll get back in driving credits and discounts.
If you plan to rent cars on occasion, opt for the Occasional Driving Plan.
This will cost you $70 for the entire year, which is a 20% savings on the Monthly Driving Plan.
The Monthly Driving Plan is also for occasional drivers.
This will cost you $7 per month, for a total of $84 per year.
The only difference between this plan and the Occasional Plan is that you pay by the month instead of the entire year upfront.
All new customers can sign up for a free 30-day trial.
You’ll have to select a membership plan first, but if you decide you don’t like Zipcar at the end of the 30 days, you won’t have to pay for continued membership.
How Do I Apply a Zipcar Promo Code to my Account?
Now that you have a coupon code, you’re probably wondering how to apply it to your account.
It’s easy to use as long as you’re signing up for the first time.
Follow the steps below to get started:
- Visit the Zipcar website through our exclusive discount link.
- Select “Join Now”
- Enter your basic contact information.
- Next, you’ll be asked what kind of account you want to create.
You can choose, individual, business or university.
If you register as a business or as a student or staff member, you could be eligible for additional discounts.
- Follow the prompts and enter your driver’s valid license information.
- The final step is to enter your payment information.
When prompted, enter your promo code and click “Apply.”
Your code will be automatically applied to your account once your profile is complete.
Refer Friends to Use Zipcar and Save Money!
The promo code is only available for new users.
But don’t worry – there are a few other ways you can save.
The easiest and most popular way to save is by referring friends to try the service.
You can get a referral link from Zipcar that you can share with family and friends.
When someone you know uses your link to sign up for a new account, both you and your friend will receive $25 in ride credits.
How do you get a referral link? Follow these steps:
- Sign into your Zipcar account, and select the way you want to share your link.
- From Zipcar.com, you’ll have the option to share your link via email, Facebook, and Twitter.
- Those are the most popular methods of sharing, but you have the opportunity to share it just about any way you want.
For example, you can share your code on other social media channels such as Instagram and LinkedIn.
You can print it on business cards and pass them out at local restaurants and businesses, universities and schools (all with permission, of course).
You can even print it on fliers and hang them all over town if you wish.
Look for Discounts from Zipcar
The $25 ride credit you can earn when you join Zipcar is a special offer only valid for new users.
However, on occasion, Zipcar releases discount codes that you can apply toward the yearly membership plan.
Just keep in mind that these codes are usually only for new users or users who have let their accounts expire.
From time to time, the car sharing company also offers local Zipcar deals for use in specific cities.
How Does Zipcar Work?
Ready to get on the road in a Zipcar?
Visit their website to get started now!
First, click the icon that says “Join.”
Select your membership plan, then enter your contact information and driver’s license information.
You’ll also need to enter a debit card or credit card for billing.
Make sure you don’t forget about your promo code.
When prompted, enter the code then click “Apply.”
Once your account is approved, you’ll need to wait a few days for the company to mail you a Zipcard, which is the “key” you need to unlock the vehicles.
With your Zipcard in hand, you’ll be ready to drive!
But now that you have an approved account, you’re probably wondering, “how do I reserve a car?”
We suggest downloading the mobile app – it’s the most convenient way to book reservations when you’re on the go.
Download and open the app.
Pick the vehicle you want to reserve and select how long you’d like to use it.
You can book a car for just an hour for those quick trips, or up to a week if you need it for longer.
Choose your pick up location, indicate the length of your rental car, and submit your reservation.
When it comes time to pick up your car, head to the pickup location with your Zipcard in hand, then, hold the Zipcard up to the windshield of the vehicle to unlock the doors.
Whenever you need to park or end the rental period, you’ll need to use your Zipcard to lock and unlock the car.
And that’s it!
Whatever you need to do, you can do it behind the wheel of your very own Zipcar.
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Alternatives to Zipcar
Zipcar is an excellent service that offers a convenient and affordable way to get where you need to go without having your own car.
But it isn’t the only player in the game.
There are a variety of other car sharing services available, so check to see if these operate where you live.
Car2Go
Have you ever seen blue and white SMART cars driving through your city streets or parked in city lots?
That’s the old fleet from Car2Go, a service that operates similarly as Zipcar.
Recently, Car2Go got rid of their fleet of SMART cars, so now they offer sleeker, more luxurious vehicles to rent.
Currently available in 10 cities in the U.S. and Canada, Car2Go makes it easy to reserve, rent, and drive vehicles for short periods.
They’re an ideal option for anyone who doesn’t own a car but needs to borrow one to do a quick errand or drive to a friend’s house.
Unlike Zipcar, Car2Go doesn’t have any annual or monthly fees. Instead, you’re charged by the minute for short rides and offered the option to purchase a Trip Package if you need a more extended rental.
Using the service is easy – log onto the mobile app, choose the car you want to rent, find its location, and drive.
Also, there is no physical card involved like with Zipcar.
Drivers can unlock vehicles directly from their phone.
Turo
Turo is a “car sharing marketplace” that makes renting cars cheaper and more accessible than ever before.
Car owners list their vehicles (much like homeowners list their homes on Airbnb), and drivers rent the cars directly from the owner.
From affordable cars to luxurious vehicles, they have over 800 great options to suit any occasion.
You can search for an available car based on the make and model, the price of the rental car, the day and time you need it, or the location.
Drivers love Turo for long-term rentals.
If you’re heading out of town for the weekend, you can rent a Turo vehicle without having to put all those extra miles on your car.
To book a car with Turo visit the website or app and search by entering your pickup location, the desired rental dates, and the time you need the car.
You can use filters to sort by price, by class (e.g., business class or deluxe), or by availability. In some cases, you can book a car instantly without needing driver approval.
Find the car you like and request the booking.
If you’re approved, all you’ll need to do is head to the pickup location on the date and time of your request.
To learn more about how Turo works, visit their website for more details.
If you’re interested in listing your car on Turo, you can learn more about the process and requirements on their website.
GetAround
With GetAround, you can rent a vehicle by the hour or by the day.
There are no annual or monthly fees so that you can sign up for free without any long-term obligations.
GetAround has thousands of cars to choose from, and all rental cars include insurance coverage and 24/7 roadside assistance.
Booking a car with GetAround is straightforward and similar to the other car sharing services mentioned above.
Just log onto the app or website, find the vehicle you want that’s available during the timeframe you need it and request a booking.
Once you get approved, your phone is all you need to unlock the car.
Similar to Turo, GetAround also allows you to list your car on their site and rent it out to other drivers.
It’s a great way to make some extra money and help you pay those hefty car payments every month.
For more information on listing your car with GetAround, check out their website.
Zipcar FAQ
Q: What is the 30-day trial for new members?
A: Try Zipcar for 30 days, and if you don’t like, they’ll refund your membership fee.
It does not apply to the application fee or any driving fees.
Q: What are the different plan options?
A: The Monthly Plan costs $7 per month. The Occasional Driving Plan costs $70 per year (paid up front).
The Extra Value Plan starts at $50 per month, but it’s worth it if you plan to rent cars on a routine basis.
Q: What type of insurance does Zipcar issue to drivers?
A: As long as your account is in good standing, U.S. drivers receive auto liability coverage from a third party.
The exact coverage depends on when you signed up and what city you drive in.
At the very least, you’ll be covered up to the minimum financial responsibility limit required in your state.
Q: Can I cancel a reservation?
A: Yes.
If you cancel or change your reservation up to 30 minutes after booking it, there is no charge.
If you have a reservation that’s less than eight hours long, you must cancel at least three hours before the start time.
If your reservation is for eight hours or more, you must cancel within 24 hours of the start time.
Failure to cancel within the designated time can result in extra charges.
Ready to try Zipcar?
Visit the website now to create an account and send in your application.
And – most importantly – remember to apply your Zipcar coupon code so you can save $25 on your first rental.
Join Zipcar today!
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