Costco Car Rental Canada: Discounts, Booking & Availability

If you’re already paying for Costco’s Executive membership, you’re probably wondering whether that card actually pays for itself beyond bulk toilet paper and Kirkland Signature vodka. One underused perk worth knowing about: Costco Travel’s car rental program gives members access to member-only rates, and you might be surprised how much you can save on your next trip—whether you’re picking up at Toronto Pearson or Vancouver International. Here’s what Canadian Costco members need to know before they book.

Membership Required: Costco membership only · Additional Driver Fee: Waived · Payment Option: Book now, pay at counter · Cancellation Policy: No fees · Executive Member Reward: 2% back

Four things to know before you start: Costco Travel works through partner agencies, not a proprietary fleet; membership is mandatory; the real value comes from waived extras plus member pricing; and Executive members stack rewards on top of savings.

Is Costco car rental available in Canada?

Yes. Canadian Costco members can access car rentals through Costco Travel Canada, which supports major pickup cities including Toronto and Vancouver. The program operates through partner agencies like Avis, Budget, Alamo, and Enterprise rather than a proprietary fleet.

Only Costco members can access these rates, and you’ll need your valid membership number to complete a booking. Non-members cannot use Costco Travel for car rentals.

Does Costco give a discount on car rental?

Costco’s member rates are typically lower than standard retail pricing from the same partner agencies. In one documented example from New York, a Costco economy car cost $162 per day versus $245.36 per day for the same Avis economy vehicle at standard rate—a difference of roughly $83 daily. In San Diego, a Costco economy rate from Alamo came in at $84 versus $120 direct.

Savings aren’t limited to economy class. Jalopnik’s price analysis found Costco undercut direct pricing across standard, SUV, and luxury categories. Executive members add another layer of value with a 2% annual reward credited to their Costco membership.

How do I book a car rental through Costco?

Steps for members

• Sign in to your Costco account at costcotravel.ca/rental-cars
• Enter pickup and return locations, dates, and times
• Select your vehicle category from available options
• Review rates—the Low Price Finder automatically applies the best available coupon for your rental details
• Complete the booking with your Costco membership number
• Pay at the counter when you pick up the vehicle

Online booking process

The booking interface lets you search by airport or city location and compare categories side by side. Rates include all member discounts; prepay options through Costco are not available online, though you can access those directly from Avis or Budget using Costco member codes.

To modify a reservation, the process requires booking a new reservation and canceling the old one. Costco Travel’s support line handles reservation changes at 1-866-921-7925 during weekday hours from 5am to 7pm PT and weekend hours from 6am to 5pm PT.

What are the benefits of Costco car rental?

Beyond the base member discount, Costco Travel throws in several extras that direct bookings don’t include. The additional driver fee is waived for one extra driver per rental—a benefit worth roughly $10–$25 per day depending on the partner. Cancellation is free when processed online, though you should confirm receipt via email. Executive members earn a 2% annual reward on the rental cost.

Canada rentals follow the same structure as the US program: additional driver fee waived, cancellation fee not charged, and member-only rates applied automatically through the Low Price Finder, which compares available coupons and selects the lowest price for your category.

How to rent a car with a Costco membership?

Membership verification

You’ll need an active Costco membership and your membership card or number to complete the booking. The platform prompts for this during checkout, and the rental counter will verify your membership before releasing the vehicle.

Pickup process

After booking, you’ll receive a confirmation email. Present this along with your valid driver’s license and Costco membership card at pickup. Canadian members can access the program at major cities including Toronto and Vancouver airports.

Drivers under 25 may receive Costco member discounts but should be aware that underage fees vary by rental company and location—Costco cannot specify exact amounts for these surcharges. Costco Travel support recommends calling 1-866-921-7925 to arrange under-25 bookings.

Comparing Costco car rental to direct booking

When you stack the two approaches side by side, the value proposition becomes clear.

The pattern is consistent: Costco Travel undercuts direct partner pricing while adding fee waivers that would otherwise cost extra. The trade-off is that prepay enthusiasts and those without membership need to go directly to the rental companies.

“Exclusive Costco Member Rates on Car Rentals. One Additional Driver Fee Waived; Book Now, Pay at the Counter; No Cancellation Fees.”

— Costco Travel Canada (Official rental page)

“Costco’s prices are lower across the board—for economy, standard, SUV, and luxury vehicles alike.”

— Jalopnik (Automotive price analysis)

“I found that on this trip going direct to Costco site fared a better deal than going to the rental companies directly using my Costco card and codes.”

— Costco member (Tripadvisor forum report)

Summary

Costco Travel’s car rental program gives Canadian members access to exclusive rates through partner agencies like Avis, Budget, Alamo, and Enterprise. The savings stack up in two ways: member-only pricing that runs lower than retail for comparable vehicles, and fee waivers that add real dollars back—waived additional driver fees, zero cancellation charges, and a 2% Executive reward on every rental. For frequent travelers who already pay for an Executive membership, the 2% credit alone can justify the annual fee over the course of a few rentals. For basic members, the waived extras and member discounts still deliver solid value—but watch the rate fluctuations at peak Canadian travel periods like summer in Toronto and Vancouver. Book early for high-demand dates, and check the Low Price Finder to make sure you’re getting the best available coupon for your trip.

Related reading: Costco membership costs · Compare car rentals

Costco provides exclusive discounts on car rentals at key spots like Toronto’s Pearson Airport, where cheapest YYZ rentals start from just $9 a day.

Frequently asked questions