AutoRentals.com is an online car rental comparison and booking platform that aggregates rental offers from various car rental suppliers around the world. Rather than owning its own fleet of vehicles, it acts as an intermediary that connects users with available rentals, often showing rates from well-known brands like Avis, Hertz, Sixt, Enterprise, and many local providers. The site allows users to enter travel dates, pickup/drop-off locations, and preferences to find car options and prices in one place.
The platform has been operating since around 2012, marking over a decade of activity in the online travel industry and helping millions of customers search for rental cars. It claims to have processed hundreds of millions of search requests and organized a vast number of car rental offerings globally.
How AutoRentals.com Works
AutoRentals.com functions as a travel technology site rather than a car rental provider. Here’s a typical user journey:
- Enter Search Criteria – You input your pickup and drop-off locations (city, airport, etc.), dates and times, and any additional filters (car type, supplier preferences).
- Compare Options – The site displays available cars from multiple suppliers, including estimated rates and vehicle classes.
- Choose and Book – Users select a vehicle and provider, then proceed to confirm the reservation through AutoRentals.com’s booking engine.
- Confirmation – After booking, you receive a confirmation email or voucher with details about your rental and instructions for pickup.
Key Features of AutoRentals.com
1. Wide Supplier Network
One of the biggest appeals of the site is its broad network of car rental partners. The platform claims partnerships with hundreds of providers and hundreds of thousands of pickup locations globally, making it possible to find a wide range of vehicle options across countries and cities.
2. Price Comparison and Deals
AutoRentals.com shows comparative pricing in a single interface so users can evaluate different rental companies and vehicle types side-by-side. Occasionally, the site highlights special discounts and promotional offers that may be available for certain destinations or travel dates.
3. Flexible Search Tools
Users can refine their search by car category (economy, SUV, premium), supplier, and other preferences, making it easier to filter results that match their needs.
4. Optional Add-Ons
While the base car rental price may be appealing, the site often shows additional available options such as insurance, GPS, child seats, and more during booking—though these may significantly increase the total cost.
Trust & Safety Considerations
Online safety checkers like ScamAdviser show that AutoRentals.com is an established and long-standing domain with a valid SSL certificate, which suggests it is very likely legitimate and not a direct scam. However, mixed customer experiences and review site data indicate that users should proceed with care, read terms carefully, and consider booking directly with a known rental provider if reliability and support are important.
Tips Before You Book Through AutoRentals.com
If you’re considering using AutoRentals.com for your next trip, here are some tips to help you avoid potential issues:
- Read the Fine Print: Carefully review all terms, especially regarding insurance, deposit requirements, and cancellation policies.
- Confirm with Rental Supplier: After booking, contact the actual car rental company (e.g., Hertz, Sixt) directly to confirm your reservation details.
- Check All Fees: Look for all mandatory charges before completing your booking to avoid surprises at pickup.
- Use Known Suppliers: When possible, choose well-known global brands rather than lesser-known local companies listed through the platform.
- Document Everything: Take screenshots of prices, terms, and confirmation emails in case you need to dispute charges later.
Final Thoughts
AutoRentals.com is a legitimate car rental comparison and booking site with a long track record and a broad supplier network across the globe. It can be useful for travelers looking to compare options in one place. However, the user experience is highly mixed, largely due to pricing transparency issues and variable results depending on the chosen rental partners.
For travelers who prefer convenience and don’t mind carefully reviewing terms, AutoRentals.com can be a decent tool in their booking toolkit. But for those who want guaranteed transparency and strong customer support, booking directly with reputable rental companies may offer greater peace of mind.
