How to Get Car Rental Discounts for SXSW

Renting a car can be a convenient thing to do when you're on vacation. However, it can get expensive, especially if you plan to use it on long trips. SXSW attempts to minimize the cost of renting a car by securing discounts for attendees at several car rental companies.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Call companies like Hertz, Enterprise and Avis to learn whether they offer SXSW car rental discounts.

2. Enter the pick-up date and choose a pick-up location for your rental car.

3. Choose the category of car you want. Available categories may include nature friendly, super, midi or mini-sized cars, convertibles and family-sized cars.

4. Enter your discount code. This should be provided to you by the company advertising the discount.

5. Select any extra item you need from the given list. List items may include booster seats, child and infant seats, navigation systems, satellite radios and conveniences for passengers with special needs.

6. Call the company to find out whether you can apply your frequent-flyer miles or other discounts to the cost of the car rental. Some companies do not allow the use of frequent-flyer miles.

7. Pay a small, daily surcharge if you use your frequent-flyer miles to pay for your rental. You'll also pay an additional fee if you return the car to a different location.

8. Find discount codes on the SXSW website and use them to reserve your car and claim your discount (see Resources below).

9. Get insurance. You can purchase temporary insurance from the rental company or use your personal insurance. Contact your insurance company to find out whether rental cars are covered.

10. You will pay more if you are very young. There is an additional fee, charged daily, for car renters who are under 25.

11. Have a major credit card to reserve and pay for your rental.

Use an SXSW Site as Your Resource

12. Look for car rental companies offering discounts at SXSW.com. The list provided on this website is updated every year.

13. Find discount codes on the SXSW website and use them to reserve your car and claim your discount.

Tips & Warnings

• Rent a car at a location within the city if possible. It may be more convenient to get one at the airport if you are flying in, but it will likely cost you more. This is because airports charge on-site companies facility fees, which the companies then pass on to their customers.

Resources

• Companies offering car rental discounts at SXSW.com