If you’re considering travel this summer, you’re in luck — prices for rental cars are lower than they were last year. That means that it’s time to head to the desks of the World’s Best Award–winning rental-car companies and grab a set of wheels for a road trip.
How Voting Works
Every year for our World’s Best Awards survey, GoTravelDaily asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — sharing their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Nearly 165,000 readers completed the 2023 survey, marking an increase of nearly 25 percent over pre-pandemic voting levels. A total of more than 685,000 votes were cast across over 8,500 unique properties (hotels, cities, cruise lines, etc.).
Car-rental companies were specifically rated on the criteria below:
- Vehicle selection
- Vehicle availability
- Car-rental location
- Service
- Value
For each characteristic, respondents could choose from ratings of excellent, above average, average, below average, or poor. The final scores are averages of these responses.
What Readers Loved
Rental-car companies have rebounded strongly after significant shortages last year, and readers are thrilled with what they have to offer. “Service was spectacular, and the cars were amazing!” one voter exclaimed about Sixt (No. 4), a European rental car company — and the only foreign company on the list. Another voter highlighted Sixt’s impressive car selection: “Has the best cars in Germany. High-end and even sports models.”
Sixt and Hertz have exchanged positions this year, with Hertz ranked fifth. Alamo and Enterprise Rent-A-Car have also swapped places, with Alamo coming in at No. 2 and Enterprise at No. 3. Both Hertz and Enterprise are WBA Hall of Fame honorees, meaning they’ve been on the list for at least 10 consecutive years.
However, readers’ favorite car-rental company overall is National Car Rental, which has consistently been the top pick since 2014, save for one year. “My go-to rental-car company for the last 35 years,” one voter raved. Read on to discover what the readers love about National.
The Winner
National Car Rental
National Car Rental has more than 1,500 locations nationwide. “We often use National at SFO. The experience is always positive,” one respondent commented. “Emerald Aisle choices are varied and always meet our needs. The entire process is positive and very welcome after a long flight.” Emerald Aisle is a perk of the company’s loyalty program, the Emerald Club, enabling members to bypass the counter and choose any car in the Emerald Aisle — only paying the midsize car rate, even if an upgraded option is selected. “Great selection at most airports,” said one voter of the Emerald Aisle.
The Full List
WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Reader Score: 82.84
2. Alamo
Reader Score: 77.33
WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Reader Score: 77.16
4. Sixt
Reader Score: 75.22
5. Hertz
WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Reader Score: 75.02
