Ready to earn some serious cash? We’re diving into the world of car rental affiliate programs, where you can make money by helping people rent cars. The car rental market is growing fast, expected to hit a whopping $137 billion by 2029 from $82.5 billion in 2022. With over 400 million people renting cars globally, there’s a massive opportunity for you.
Whether you’re a car fanatic or just love travel, this is your chance. It’s not just for travel bloggers – think about people moving houses or planning a road trip. The potential to turn your audience into money is huge.
Join us as we check out the top 10+ rental car affiliate programs that can fill your pockets with some easy cash.
Let’s hit the road to passive income!
Top 11 Best Car Rental Affiliate Programs to Earn Passive Income
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
Started in 1957 by Jack Taylor, Enterprise has grown into one of the biggest and most trusted car rental services worldwide. They mainly focus on renting trucks and cars with more than 8,000 popular destinations globally, especially for people needing a temporary car because of accidents, repairs, theft, or special events like short trips.
This company doesn’t just serve local areas; they also work with airports in the United States, Canada, the UK, Spain, Germany, and Ireland. People like Enterprise because they do a great job making customers happy, ranking ninth on Business Week’s list of the best 25 companies for satisfying customers at or near airports.
The Enterprise Rent-A-Car Affiliate Program offers a lucrative opportunity for website owners to make money online with various tools, including logos, banners, and promotional text links, catering to diverse site needs.
With a commission potential of up to 2.5% on qualifying revenue, partners can earn by directing visitors to make a qualified reservation through their unique tracking links.
For US partners, you can expect to earn a 2% commission per sale within a 180-day cookie duration.
- Commission rate: up to 2.5% per sale
- Cookie duration: 180 days
- Payment methods: PayPal, check, wire transfer, direct deposit, ACH transfer
- Payout threshold: $10
Discover Cars
DiscoverCars.com is a top car rental comparison site, helping travelers easily find and rent cars in over 145 countries and 10,000 locations. With more than a million users monthly, the site provides upfront quotes covering all fees, taxes, and extras.
The brand offers 24/7 customer support and free cancellations; it’s a user-friendly platform.
You can join their affiliate program through ShareASale and earn a generous 70% commission on qualifying car rental revenue and an extra 30% on full coverage insurance sales.
For example, for a 7-day economy car rental in Reykjavík, Iceland, including Full Coverage, the commission is calculated as $8.72 (70%) + $47.71 (30%), totaling $20.41.
The program stands out with a lengthy 365-day cookie window, and affiliates receive support, strategy tips, and various tools for effective promotions.
Based on ShareASale data, DiscoverCars.com has solid metrics: an average sale of $62.72, an EPC (Earnings Per Click) of $101.34, and a strong 4.85% conversion rate over a 30-day period.
Affiliates also get a dedicated account manager for guidance and a toolkit that includes banner ads, text links, a customizable widget, a landing page generator, and XML API integration. This ensures affiliates have all the tools and support needed to attract customers and maximize their earnings.
- Commission rate: 70% of our car rental profit and 30% of full coverage revenue
- Cookie duration: 365 days
- Payment methods: direct deposit, check, or Payoneer (for non-US folks)
- Payout threshold: $50
National Car Rental
National Car Rental, a division of Enterprise Holdings, operates in over 1,500 locations globally, spanning the US, Canada, Europe, Latin America, the Caribbean, Asia-Pacific, Africa, and Australia.
Notably, the Emerald Club rewards program provides exclusive benefits, allowing frequent renters to accumulate credits, translating seven credits into a complimentary rental day.
You can look for National Car Rental’s affiliate program on Impact Radius. They offer a fixed 3% commission on every sale and provide a 180-day cookie window. You get paid your commission after the reservation is done, usually within 30 days.
Monthly, you will get the payment through PayPal, check, wire transfer, direct deposit, or ACH transfer, and set a minimum threshold of at least $50.
- Commission rate: 3% per sale
- Cookie duration: 180 days
- Payment methods: PayPal, check, wire transfer, direct deposit, ACH transfer
- Payout threshold: $10
Sixt
Sixt is a globally recognized car rental and mobility services provider known for its extensive fleet of vehicles and a strong presence in various countries. Established in 1912, Sixt has a rich history and has evolved into one of the leading rental car companies worldwide.
The brand operates in over 110 countries, offering a diverse range of vehicles, from economy cars to luxury models and SUVs.
The Sixt affiliate program provides an attractive 8% commission on each newly-referred customer, and the cookie duration is a respectable 30 days.
Payment terms are transparent and user-friendly. Affiliates can access quarterly reports detailing their performance and earned commissions.
Payments are processed on a quarterly basis, allowing affiliates to choose from various payment methods, including bank transfer, direct deposit, Payoneer, or check.
- Commission rate: 8% on each referred car rental
- Cookie duration: 30 days
- Payment methods: bank transfer, direct deposit, Payoneer, or check
- Payout threshold: revealed once registered
Budget Car Rental
Budget, a global car rental company and part of the Avis Budget Group extends its services to truck rentals in the US. Operating at over 3,000 locations worldwide, Budget is associated with Avis and Zipcar within the Avis Budget Group.
The Budget Rental Car affiliate program managed through the Partnerize network, offers new affiliates up to 4% per sale, dependent on rental duration and mileage. Exceptional performance can lead to higher commission rates. The more car rentals that originate from your site, the higher your commission can climb.
The program provides a comprehensive range of regularly updated creatives, links, and brand information, including popular banner sizes for effective promotion. Affiliates can get access to a user-friendly affiliate dashboard to monitor and optimize performance
Applicants need an active website for Budget Rental Car affiliate program consideration, with the company conducting site reviews before acceptance. Currently, Budget collaborates with affiliates based in the US and Canada.
- Commission rate: Up to 4% per sale
- Cookie duration: revealed once registered
- Payment methods: electronic funds transfer or PayPal
- Payout threshold: $30
Avis Car Rental
Avis pioneered airport car rentals and is now part of the Avis Budget Group, alongside Avis, Budget, and Zipcar. With around 5,500 locations across 165 countries, it’s a globally recognized brand. Avis assures customers the best price and promises to match lower rates, adding a 10% discount.
Similar to its affiliate Budget Rental Car, Avis also uses the Partnerize network for its affiliate program. New affiliates can earn up to 4% commission based on mileage and rental time, with higher rates for top performers.
Avis provides a range of creative materials, regularly updated banners in popular sizes, and brand information to facilitate effective promotion. The program includes regular promotions with discounts for customers, bonus commissions, and considerations for site tenancies to support key initiatives.
Joining is seamless for existing Partnerize publishers, and a user-friendly affiliate dashboard provides up-to-date tracking of all sales. Avis prioritizes aesthetic affiliate description and brand-aligned sites, offering full setup and technical support.
While the program is presently open to U.S. and Canada-based affiliates, it delivers a free and potentially rewarding collaboration for those seeking to monetize their websites.
- Commission rate: Up to 4% per sale
- Cookie duration: revealed once registered
- Payment methods: electronic funds transfer or PayPal
- Payout threshold: $30
Rentalcars.com
Rentalcars.com is a major online car rental agency, providing services for more than four million customers yearly in over 46,000 locations worldwide. It offers car rental options from big names like Avis, Enterprise, Hertz, and Thrifty, as well as small local brands.
The company is part of Booking Holdings, which operates metasearch engines in several niches, including Booking.com, Cheapflights, and Kayak.com.
The Rentalcars.com affiliate partner program is open to website and blog owners adhering to the rules, it is an ideal avenue for those with an audience interested in car travel.
It boasts a 30-day cookie window and provides a 6% commission on each successfully completed car rental booking. Commissions are calculated exclusively on the car price, excluding any additional services or extras.
As reported by the Travel Payouts affiliate network, Rentalcars.com maintains an average order value of €230 and a noteworthy effective CPC of $0.02. These factors, coupled with its extensive global presence, make Rentalcars.com an attractive option for affiliates seeking to capitalize on the car rental market.
You can join this program through CJ Affiliate or Awin networks.
- Commission rate: 6% for each completed car rental booking (pay now), 1% (pay later)
- Cookie duration: 30 days
- Payment methods: Domestic payments, International Wire, Payoneer, SEPA, BACS, ACH (Awin), direct deposit, check, or Payoneer (CJ)
- Payout threshold: €/£/$20 (Awin), $50 (CJ)
Thrifty Car Rental
Thrifty Car Rental, a wholly owned subsidiary of Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group and ultimately owned by Hertz, is a significant player in the car rental travel industry, boasting over 1,000 locations across 77 countries, including 472 in the US and Canada.
Positioned as a budget-friendly option, Thrifty caters to cost-conscious travelers. The Thrifty Blue Chip Rewards program offers members a 15% savings on bookings.
Thrifty has opted for Rakuten Advertising as its preferred affiliate network partner. The affiliate program operates on a standard commission structure, providing 1% on all consumed rentals, with a 14-day cookie window.
This setup makes Thrifty’s affiliate program a notable choice for those looking to collaborate in the car rental sector through Rakuten Advertising.
- Commission rate: 1% commission on consumed rentals
- Cookie duration: 14 days
- Payment methods: direct deposit (bank transfer), PayPal or check.
- Payout threshold: $50
Alamo
Alamo specializes in affordable car rentals, providing a user-friendly website for streamlined travel planning. Apart from car rentals, Alamo’s site offers travel directions, weather reports, fun travel activities, and various tools.
The company enhances customer benefits through a rewards program, granting members up to a 5% discount on base car rental rates.
Prioritizing traveler safety, Alamo is a member of the Clorox Safer Today Alliance, ensuring regular support and guidance on safety guidelines from experts at Cleveland Clinic and the CDC.
Alamo’s car rental affiliate program is hosted on the SMG Performance Affiliate Program Network / Software. The program stands out with a competitive 5% commission on all sales and a generous 180-day cookie window, aligning with the affiliate programs of fellow brands Enterprise and National.
This makes Alamo’s affiliate program an appealing choice for travel affiliates, leisure travelers looking to monetize through car rental referrals on SMG Performance Network.
- Commission rate: 5% per sale
- Cookie duration: 30 days
- Payment methods: revealed once registered
- Payout threshold: revealed once registered
Hertz
Hertz, a major player in the car rental industry, operates a vast network of over 10,000 airport and neighborhood locations spanning 145 countries and six continents. Beyond the Hertz brand, the company also owns budget car rental companies Dollar and Thrifty.
To foster customer loyalty, Hertz runs the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards program, boasting over 11 million members worldwide and issuing six million complimentary customer upgrades in 2019.
Those interested in joining the Hertz rental car affiliate program must first sign up for a CJ Affiliate account.
Upon approval, affiliates earn a 3% commission on all completed car rentals in the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. However, it’s important to note that referral cookies only last for one day, which is relatively brief.
The program, as reported by CJ Affiliate, has a three-month EPC of $89.07. Hertz provides affiliates with a range of promotional materials and tools, including newsletters with regular incentives, promotions, and banners.
- Commission rate: 3% on completed car rentals in select markets
- Cookie duration: 1 day
- Payment methods: direct deposit, check, or Payoneer (for non-US folks)
- Payout threshold: $50
Auto Europe Car Rental
The last one is Auto Europe, a prominent car rental comparison website has established long-term partnerships with major brands such as Hertz, Avis, Enterprise, Europcar, National, Budget, Dollar, Buchbinder, and Peugeot.
With a mission to provide motorists with the best rates, Auto Europe covers 20,000 pickup locations across 180+ countries.
The online car rental platform ensures customer satisfaction through offerings like free cancellation up to 48 hours before pickup, transparent pricing with no hidden fees, a best-rate guarantee, and a 24/7 customer support hotline. Having served over eight million happy customers globally, Auto Europe has solidified its reputation in the car rental industry.
Auto Europe’s affiliate program, available on the CJ Affiliate network, stands out with a competitive 5% commission on completed car rentals and a generous 7-day cookie duration.
- Commission rate: 5% commission on completed car rentals
- Cookie duration: 7 days
- Payment methods: direct deposit, check, or Payoneer (for non-US folks)
- Payout threshold: $50
Why is Car Rental Affiliate Programs a Good Choice?
Opting for participation in car rental affiliate programs presents substantial advantages:
Earning Potential
You have the opportunity to earn substantial commissions by promoting a variety of products and services within the car rental niche. These programs cover a spectrum, from actual car rentals to associated services, providing diverse options to cater to different audiences.
Growing Industry
In 2023, the Car Rentals market is anticipated to generate approximately $99.27 billion in revenue, with an expected annual growth rate of 2.99% from 2023 to 2027. This growth is projected to result in a market volume of around $111.70 billion by 2027.
Alsom the number of users in the Car Rentals market is forecasted to reach 0.62 billion by 2027. User penetration, representing the percentage of the population, is estimated to be 7.1% in 2023 and is expected to increase to 7.8% by 2027.
Car rentals are a fundamental aspect of travel, and the industry caters to a broad audience. With millions of people worldwide relying on rental cars for various purposes, the demand for car rental services remains consistently high.
The global car rental market is projected to grow significantly, reaching new heights in the coming years. As travel and leisure activities rebound, the demand for car rentals is expected to surge, presenting a lucrative opportunity for affiliates.
Year-Round Relevance
Unlike seasonal trends, the need for car rentals persists throughout the year. This year-round relevance contributes to the stability and consistent earning potential of car rental affiliate programs.
Car rental affiliate programs combine lucrative commissions, market growth, widespread demand, year-round relevance, and community engagement, making them an appealing and sustainable choice for affiliates.
How to Choose the Best Car Rental Affiliate Programs?
When picking the right car rental affiliate program, consider these key factors to ensure a perfect fit for your audience and strategy.
Commission Structure
Commissions are the key point any affiliates should look into before joining a car rental or any kind of affiliate program.
That’s why you should analyze the commission rates offered by car rental affiliate programs. For example, Enterprise Rent-A-Car’s affiliate program provides partners with up to 2.5% commission on qualifying revenue. This allows affiliates to earn a percentage of the sales generated through their referrals, providing a clear understanding of the potential earnings.
Cookie Duration
Cookie duration is also a critical factor influencing commission attribution.
The longer the cookie duration, the more time affiliates have to earn commissions from a user’s click. DiscoverCars.com’s affiliate program, with a 365-day cookie window, ensures affiliates continue to earn for an extended period after a user clicks on their affiliate link.
Product Range and Brand Reputation
Next, you should assess the diversity of the car rental options and the reputation of affiliated brands.
National Car Rental, part of Enterprise Holdings, serves customers in over 1,500 locations globally. Affiliates promoting well-established brands benefit from the trust associated with reputable companies, potentially leading to higher conversion rates.
Affiliate Support and Resources
Investigate the level of support provided by affiliate programs. Enterprise Rent-A-Car’s program offers tools like logos, banners, and promotional text links. DiscoverCars.com goes further by providing affiliates with a dedicated account manager, offering strategic tips and a variety of promotional tools such as a fully customizable widget and XML API integration.
Niche Relevance
Last but not least, consider the alignment of the car rental services with your niche and audience.
Alamo’s affiliate program, part of the FlexOffers network, offers a 5% affiliate commission on sales. Affiliates promoting Alamo can tap into a program with a generous cookie duration of 180 days, ensuring a more extended period for potential conversions.
To pick the best car rental affiliate program, think about how much money you can make (earning structure), how long you can earn it (tracking duration), the variety of cars they offer (product diversity), how much people trust the company (brand reputation), and the help they give you (affiliate support).
FAQs
Does it have any cost to join car rental affiliate programs?
No, joining car rental affiliate programs is typically free. Companies want more people promoting their services, so they don’t charge you to join. It’s a straightforward process, and you can start earning commissions without any upfront costs.
How much commission can I earn as a car rental affiliate?
The commission you earn as a car rental affiliate varies. It often ranges from a percentage of the total sale to a fixed amount per successful referral.
For example, programs like DiscoverCars.com offer a 40% commission on qualifying revenue from each car rental, providing a lucrative opportunity for affiliates.
Commission rates can differ among programs, so it’s essential to review each affiliate program’s current affiliate terms to understand your potential earnings.
Last Words
Affiliate programs for renting cars offer big rewards, giving you up to 40% of rental profit. Car rentals can be expensive, around $695 a week, so you can earn a lot for each person you send their way.
But here’s the catch – many people are trying to do the same thing. It’s not just the big car rental companies but thousands of other people like you. To do well, you need a great website that’s easy to use and shows up high in searches. That way, you can beat the competition and get more people to use your links.
