Turo is one of our favorite rental car platforms – think of it like the Airbnb of cars – often saving hundreds compared to the big chains. And this Amex Offer makes it even cheaper.
Spend $150 or more on Turo rentals and you'll get $30 back. This offer popped up again recently and it's still around if you want to take advantage for an even cheaper set of wheels this spring or summer. Turo is regularly half the price (or less) than the like of National, Hertz, and other rental companies, so this is a great deal as you can save up to 20% more on an upcoming car Turo rental.
It works as a one-time statement credit which must be used by Oct. 17 – and Amex says you must rent and return your car by that deadline to qualify for the offer. No big deal, though: You've got all spring, summer, and even into the fall to put this to use.
Offers like this are targeted, so they won't be available for every cardholder. That said, it seems to be pretty widely available whether you've got *amex platinum* or the *amex gold*. We're even seeing it on Delta SkyMiles credit cards from Amex and even Hilton cards like the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card.
If it is, just add it to your Amex card and use that card to pay for your Turo rental, and do it quick – these offers tend to disappear once a certain amount of cardholders pick them up.
If you haven't used Amex Offers before, think of them as digital coupons exclusively for Amex cardholders for purchases like airfare or hotels as well as dining, entertainment, or everyday shopping. Add one of these to your Amex card, use that card to book an eligible Turo reservation, and Amex will give you money right back for the discount within a few days as a statement credit on your account. Just log in to your American Express account and see if you can add it to your Amex card.
This promotion is valid for all rentals made through at all Turo.com or through their mobile app. Additionally, this offer doesn't need to be completed in one transaction. As with all Amex offers, you can reach the spending requirement over multiple transactions.
What is Turo?
Think Airbnb, but for car rentals.
Car owners post their vehicles on the Turo platform which can then be rented by users in need of a car. Skip the long lines and high fees at the car rental kiosks at the airport. The Turo website and smartphone app allow you to select your car type, dates, features, and amenities.
Book a cheap car for a road trip, or rent a Tesla for the night for a luxurious ride on your weekend getaway. The quantity – and quality – of the cars can vary widely based on where you’re heading. But unlike the big rental car companies, you know exactly what you're getting.
Many rentals will drop off the car for you at the airport where you’ve arrived, while other owners require a pickup within a set radius. Need the car at the airport? Look for the plane icon and filter your results. Some owners will tack on a delivery fee, which can be hefty. You can filter the results to eliminate any rentals with large delivery fees.
Turo rentals are available across the U.S. and Canada, along with a growing number in major European destinations. It's not perfect: Some cars and hosts are much better than others, and the risk of last-minute cancellations might make some travelers wary. Personally, I've had nothing but good experiences with Turo in more than a half-dozen trips over the years.
And here's why: Turo can save you a small fortune on rentals compared to what some of the major rental car companies charge. My weeklong rental car for a family trip to Maui (OGG) last year is the perfect example.
National was charging $753 for a weeklong rental in a midsize car. But we needed at least a midsize SUV, which clocked in at $911 for the week. Ouch.
But instead, I rented a 2022 Toyota Rav4 from a five-star rated All-Star Host – with free delivery and dropoff right at the airport – for just $492 after all taxes and fees. Factor in this Amex Offer, and it droppped the price to $462: just over half the cost of the National rental!
My personal auto insurance policies covers Turo, though not all do: You'll need to check with your own auto insurance provider to see if you'll be covered. And the rental car coverage you get when booking with select credit cards does not apply to Turo rentals.
But even after adding a top-of-the-line insurance policy to the rental, I still came out $300-plus ahead.
Read more: The Airbnb of Cars: Use Turo to Save on Your Car Rental
Where to Find Amex Offers
If you haven’t used Amex Offers before, simply log into your American Express account and scroll down near the bottom of the screen and there should be a box called Amex Offers & Benefits (this is available through the Amex mobile app as well). If you see an offer you like, simply add the offer to the card and make a qualifying purchase at that business with your card.
You should receive a statement credit for the offer within a few days of making a purchase.
Not familiar with Amex Offers? See our complete guide to using Amex Offers.
Bottom Line
Amex offers are great because they’re basically free money for spending you might be doing anyhow. It's also another way to justify the cost of your credit card's annual fee. Make sure to check your various American Express credit cards because each one can have different offers.
However, it looks like this Turo Amex offer is pretty widely available, making one of our favorite money-saving strategies for rental cars even cheaper. These offers change almost daily, so add this one now before it disappears and use it before the Oct. 17 deadline.
