The three best ways to waive the under-25 fee: (1) AAA membership ($65/year) waives the fee at Hertz for ages 20 to 24. (2) USAA membership (military families) waives the fee at Hertz, Avis, Budget and Enterprise. (3) University or corporate discount codes waive the fee at multiple brands. If none of those apply, Hertz without AAA charges the lowest surcharge ($19/day), and Turo peer-to-peer rental often has no young driver fee at all.
The young driver surcharge is the most expensive per-day fee in car rental. It adds $20 to $35 per day on top of the base rate, which on a 5-day rental means $100 to $175 in fees for being younger than 25. On a $40/day economy car, the surcharge can cost more than the car itself.
But the fee is not inevitable. Three workarounds waive it completely at major brands, and alternatives like Turo skip it altogether. This is the 2026 company-by-company comparison with every minimum age, every surcharge, and every waiver option in one place.
Under-25 fees by rental company (2026)
Hertz with AAA is the clear winner. A $65/year AAA membership waives a $19 to $30/day fee. On a single 5-day rental, that saves $95 to $150. The membership pays for itself on the first trip and covers you for a full year.
| Company | Min age | Under-25 fee | AAA waiver? | USAA waiver? | Vehicle restrictions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hertz | 20 | $19 to $30/day | Yes (ages 20-24, 100% waived) | Yes (ages 18-24) | No Dream/Prestige/Adrenaline |
| Enterprise | 21 (18 in NY, MI) | $20 to $35/day | No | Yes (ages 21-24) | Some premium classes excluded |
| National | 21 (18 in NY, MI) | $25/day | No | No | Restricted vehicle classes |
| Budget | 21 | $27/day avg | No | Yes (ages 18-24) | Some classes restricted |
| Avis | 21 | $27 to $35/day | No | Yes (ages 21-24) | Some classes restricted |
| Alamo | 21 | $25/day | No | No | Some classes restricted |
| Dollar | 20 | $25 to $35/day | No | No | Some classes restricted |
| Thrifty | 20 | $25 to $35/day | No | No | Some classes restricted |
| Sixt | 21 | $30/day avg | No | No | Premium/SUV may be restricted |
| Turo | 18 | $0 to lower surcharge | N/A | N/A | Varies by host |
How much the under-25 fee actually costs
The surcharge does not just add a few dollars. It can double or triple the rental total:
On a 7-day compact rental, the under-25 surcharge adds $210 to the bill. That is more than half the base rental cost. Waiving it with a $65 AAA membership or a USAA code saves $210 on a single trip.
| Rental | Base rate | Under-25 fee | Taxes + airport fees (est.) | Total | Total without surcharge |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3-day economy | $35/day = $105 | $25/day = $75 | $36 | $216 | $141 (saved $75) |
| 5-day economy | $35/day = $175 | $25/day = $125 | $60 | $360 | $235 (saved $125) |
| 7-day compact | $45/day = $315 | $30/day = $210 | $105 | $630 | $420 (saved $210) |
| 7-day midsize | $55/day = $385 | $30/day = $210 | $119 | $714 | $504 (saved $210) |
5 ways to waive or reduce the under-25 fee
5. Book off-airport and call the branch
AAA Classic membership costs $65/year (some clubs charge $56 to $76 depending on region). When you book Hertz with your AAA CDP discount code, the young renter fee is 100% waived for ages 20 to 24. You also get up to 20% off the base rate. The combination of the fee waiver plus the base rate discount makes Hertz-with-AAA the cheapest option for under-25 renters, even though Hertz is normally a mid-price brand.
Requirements: AAA membership card, valid driver's licence held for at least 1 year, credit card in the same name as the licence.
USAA membership is available to active-duty military, veterans, and their family members. USAA has negotiated fee waivers at four major brands:
USAA's Hertz and Budget waivers are particularly strong because they lower the minimum age to 18, three years below the standard minimum. If you qualify for USAA, this is the broadest and most powerful under-25 waiver available.
Many universities and employers have negotiated corporate rental agreements that include young driver fee waivers. Check with your school's travel office or your employer's HR/travel department for a corporate discount code (called a CDP at Hertz, a BCD at Avis/Budget, or an account number at Enterprise). If a code exists, the under-25 fee is often waived automatically when you enter it at booking.
Enterprise is particularly strong here: they run student programmes at many US universities that waive the fee for students aged 18 to 24 with a valid student ID.
Turo is a peer-to-peer car rental platform where individual car owners list their vehicles. Turo's own young driver surcharge is lower than traditional companies (roughly $15/day for ages 21 to 24), and some hosts set no additional fee. The minimum age on Turo is 18 in most states.
Trade-offs: insurance options differ from traditional rental companies, vehicle availability varies by city, and the experience depends on the individual host. For short trips where price matters most, Turo is worth checking alongside the traditional brands.
Some off-airport neighbourhood branches (particularly Enterprise) have discretion to reduce or waive the young driver fee, especially on longer rentals during low-demand periods. This is not official policy, but calling the specific branch and asking is free and works roughly 20% of the time.
- Hertz: fee waived, minimum age 18.
- Budget: fee waived, minimum age 18.
- Avis: fee waived, minimum age 21.
- Enterprise: fee waived, minimum age 21.
States where you can rent at 18
Most rental companies set the minimum age at 20 or 21. But state laws in some jurisdictions override company policy:
In Canada, Quebec allows rental from age 18 at some companies, and some provinces have no young driver surcharge. Alberta has no statutory minimum beyond the standard driver's licence age.
- New York: state law requires rental companies to rent to anyone 18+ with a valid licence. Young driver surcharge still applies but you can rent.
- Michigan: same as New York. Rental from age 18, surcharge applies.
- Alabama and Nebraska: minimum age 19 at Hertz.
What to bring to the counter if you are under 25
- Valid driver's licence (held for at least 1 year at most companies; some require 2 years).
- Credit card in the same name as the licence (debit cards are accepted at some companies with extra ID, but credit is easier; see our companion guide on renting with a debit card).
- AAA membership card or USAA card (if using those waivers).
- Corporate or university discount code (enter at booking, not at the counter).
- Proof of return travel (some companies require this for debit card rentals by under-25 drivers).
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions answered based on latest published policies & DOT regulations.
Resources and References
Official regulatory pages and verified data sources referenced in this guide.
The age requirements and fee data in this article come from these 2026 sources
NerdWallet: How to Avoid the Under 25 Car Rental Fee
AAA and USAA waiver details with per-brand analysis. nerdwallet.com
UpgradedPoints: Age Requirements to Rent a Car in the US
Company-by-company minimum ages and state exceptions. upgradedpoints.com
Carla Car Rental: Under 25 Fee USA 2026
State-by-state surcharge data with 2023-to-2026 comparisons. rentcarla.com
AutoSlash: How AAA Members Under 25 Avoid the Young Renter Fee
AAA-Hertz partnership details. autoslash.com
USAirportCarRental: Young Driver Surcharge Comparison
Structured comparison with fee caps and vehicle restrictions. usairportcarrental.com
The Bottom Line
The under-25 surcharge adds $100 to $245 to a typical rental. Three moves eliminate it: AAA membership at Hertz ($65/year, fee waived for ages 20 to 24), USAA at four brands (military families, fee waived from age 18), or a university/corporate code. If none of those apply, Turo is the cheapest alternative for most under-25 renters.
The single best investment for any driver aged 20 to 24 who rents even once a year: a $65 AAA Classic membership. It waives up to $210 in fees on a single 7-day Hertz rental, plus gives you 20% off the base rate, roadside assistance, and hotel discounts for the rest of the year.
At FlySimple, we show the honest total on every rental, including the under-25 fee, so you see what you actually pay before you reach the counter. Every rental, no clutter, no surprises.
Search a rental. See the total with the under-25 fee included. Compare brands in one view.
