You’ve heard of Zipcar, but car-share options are multiplying around the world, with traditional guys like Hertz—and hyper-local companies—getting in on the act.
Expect to pay a one-time application fee of about $25, and an annual membership fee if you’re an occasional driver. The advantage over old-school outfits is that you can pay by the hour, the day, or the month—and the cost often covers gas (really), insurance, 180 free miles, and roadside assistance.
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Zipcar charges a $60 annual fee for the |
| “occasional” plan. Hourly and daily rates vary by location, starting at $7.50 per hour and $71 per day. | |
| Zipcar’s frequent-driver plans involve monthly fees but lower rental rates. Locations: 50-plus cities and 100-plus college campuses. | |
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Mint’s occasional drivers pay no annual fee the first year and $40 per year after that. There are four frequent-driver plans, which start at $50 per month with no annual fees. Rental rates start at $4 per hour and $65 per day. Locations: New York and Boston. |
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Connect by Hertz has three plans depending on how often you drive. There’s no annual fee, but frequent drivers pay $50 or $125 monthly. Rates start at $6.80/hour and $52.70/day. Various locations in the U.S. and Europe, plus 46 college campuses. |
Hit the gas. What do you love/hate about car shares?
photo source: Ffotograff's shop on etsy
