Turo is a mobile app platform that has existed for some time. Like Airbnb, it allows consumers to reserve and rent vehicles from local owners. You conduct all transactions within the app.
When visiting Lanai, I waited too long and could not rent a Jeep on the island. That’s when Turo came in for the rescue. After renting with Turo, I wrote this article to discuss booking and maximizing savings when renting with the Turo platform based on my experience.
How Does Turo Work
Turo is a mobile app platform allowing you (the guest) to book a rental car from people (the hosts) instead of traditional rental car companies such as AVIS, BUDGET, Hertz Rent-a-Car, DOLLAR, etc.
If you are familiar with Airbnb, the concept of Turo car rental is very similar. Instead of renting accommodation from the locals, you rent their cars for your driving needs. It is a great way to support local people, too!
One of the convenient ways to book through Turo is the ability to have the car drop off for you where you want to pick it up and where you want to drop it off after the trip. You can communicate that directly with the car owner, all through the app.
Through the Turo app:
- You can search for car availability in the area you want.
- You can review the car information, conditions, and descriptions.
- Also, you can read the reviews of the car owner you rent the car from.
- You can have the car dropped off at your desired location at a specific time. Some renters offer this service for free, while others charge an additional fee.
- Moreover, you can buy optional insurance offered by Turo (more below).
- You can book a rental car all through the app, which has free cancellation.
- Lastly, you can communicate directly with the car owner through text messaging.
How to Book Turo Rental Car
Booking with a Turo rental car requires the Turo app:
- Download the Turo app from the app store.
- You can sign up for a Turo account through the app or online at turo.com
- Turo requires you to upload your driver’s license.
- You must also provide a payment method before booking and renting.
- After signing up, link your Turo account with your Delta SkyMiles account or United MileagePlus account to earn miles (more below).
- Open the app and log into your account successfully.
- Search for the city, airport, address, hotel, and trip dates.
- Browse through available rentals and read the descriptions, mileage, insurance, cancellation policy, etc.
- Review the mileage carefully because some Turo hosts do not offer unlimited miles. The same applies to whether you can drive the car off-road.
- Tap Continue to review all the fees associated with the rental before booking the trip.
- Turo charges a Trip Fee per day, which adds to the final cost breakdown.
- The Delivery Fee, if applicable. Some offer free drop-off/pick-up, while others charge a fee. You provide that information under Extras on the same cost breakdown screen.
- Turo also adds the sales taxes to the final cost breakdown.
Turo immediately charges your credit card after you make a reservation in the Turo app. While this type of transaction is prepaid, the booking is fully refundable. In other words, if you cancel your booking, Turo will refund the money to the credit card.
Turo’s Free Cancellation Policy
As I mentioned above, Turo bookings are fully refundable. While your booking is prepaid, Turo charges your card immediately after booking, and you can get your money back should you cancel the booking. It’s all stated on the platform before you book. Something like this:
Free cancellation. Fully refundable before January 14, 2025.
Turo Insurance For Renters
Accidents can happen, and that’s why you must have insurance that can cover you as a driver of someone else’s car, the renter.
- You should always check with your primary car insurance company to see if your policy covers you when you drive a rental car, specifically with Turo.
- Secondly, use a credit card with insurance on rental cars and ensure it covers Turo.
- Last but not least, Turo also offers insurance options that you can look into.
Turo platform has add-on features, such as liability insurance, which automatically increases the final renting cost. You can decline this option, and Turo will remove the insurance fee. However, I strongly suggest you consider this carefully.
You must ensure insurance before booking with Turo as a renter. Although the Turo platform has existed for some time, almost all car insurance and credit card companies will not cover damages and accidents that occur when you rent with Turo. Therefore, consider purchasing insurance directly with Turo. If the cost becomes too high, renting with traditional rental car companies is better.
Turo uses a third party to offer liability insurance for renters. Below is a reference to give you an idea of what Turo insurance covers you as a renter when you purchase the plan:
Standard
- The fee varies based on the market.
- $500 max out-of-pocket for vehicle damage or theft
- State minimum liability insurance
Minimum
- The fee varies based on the market
- $3,000 max out-of-pocket for vehicle damage or theft
- State minimum liability insurance
Direct Link to Turo Insurance For Renters
Can You Book Multiple Turo For The Same Day?
No. You cannot have multiple Turo bookings on the same day.
Maximizing Turo Rental Cars
Renting a car with Turo can be expensive. However, below are some methods to save and earn bonus airline miles when you rent through Turo:
Maximizing Turo With Amex offers
From time to time, Amex does have an Amex offer available for Turo. For example:
- Get a one-time $30 statement credit using your enrolled eligible card to spend a minimum of $150 on one or more purchases online at turo.com by xx/xx/xxxx date.
The good news with Amex Offers is that once you add the offer to your Amex card, you can charge the Turo fees immediately. Turo charges all reservations immediately after booking despite free cancellation. Therefore, you do not need to wait to receive the Amex Offers credit after you complete renting the car, which can be when your Amex offer expires.
Maximizing Turo With Delta SkyMiles
Turo and Delta Air Lines also have a partnership, allowing you to earn up to 2,000 bonus SkyMiles. Here’s how it works:
To take advantage of this benefit, you must link your Turo and Delta SkyMiles accounts first before booking:
- Earn 2,000 miles after you complete your first trip on Turo.
- Earn 5,00 miles on additional trips after your first trip.
- Direct Link to Link Turo & Delta SkyMiles Accounts
Maximizing Turo with United MileagePlus
Similar to Delta Air Lines, Turo also partners with United Airlines to offer MileagePlus members the opportunity to earn miles per dollar spent on trips with Turo.
To take advantage of this benefit, you must link your Turo and United MileagePlus accounts first before booking:
- Earn 5 miles per dollar spent on your first Turo trip.
- Earn 1 mile per dollar spent on all trips after your first trip.
- Direct Link to Link Turo & United MileagePlus Accounts
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