.Com TLD carrentals.com

carrentals.com

October 29, 2025

What is CarRentals.com

  • CarRentals.com is an online car-rental booking service, acting as an intermediary that connects travelers with rental-car providers around the world. (carrentals.com)

  • The company was founded in 1998. (PitchBook)

  • It is part of the larger travel-technology conglomerate Expedia Group. (Wikipedia)

  • On its website you can supposedly book cars in “over 29,000 locations in 197 countries.” (carrentals.com)

How It’s Supposed to Work

  • You visit CarRentals.com, search for dates and location of rental, and choose from a range of available vehicles — from economy cars to larger or premium options. (carrentals.com)

  • The site claims to offer “special low rates and a huge selection.” (carrentals.com)

  • The idea is you book online (often paying or at least reserving via credit card), and then when you arrive at the relevant rental-car provider (airport, city location, etc.) you pick up your car under the terms of the rental company.

Ownership & Corporate Background

  • As mentioned: CarRentals.com was acquired by Expedia, Inc. (now Expedia Group) in 2008. (Expedia Group)

  • It reportedly continues to operate under its own brand name as a business unit within Expedia. (Expedia Group)

  • That places it among other big online travel-booking and rental brands managed by Expedia Group. (Wikipedia)

What Users Report — Frequently Negative Feedback

Despite being a major player, CarRentals.com has attracted a large number of critical reviews across multiple independent review platforms.

  • On one major review site, the service has a TrustScore of only 1.5 out of 5 based on thousands of reviews. (Trustpilot)

  • On another site, it ranks 1.3 out of 5 from over 200 reviews. (SiteJabber)

  • Common complaints include: surprise charges beyond the base rate (taxes, fees, currency conversion), deposits taken without prior clear disclosure, refusal to refund even when reservation fails or when the car is unavailable at pick-up. (Reviews.io)

  • Many users say customer service is unhelpful or non-responsive, and that cancellations or modifications are often not honored according to the policies displayed when booking. (Tripadvisor)

  • Some users report having paid for a rental but arriving at the counter only to be told that no car was available — and yet not getting any refund. (Trustpilot)

One reviewer put it bluntly:

“Worst place to rent a car. Avoid at all cost. They will charge your credit card without your permission. They don’t refund when you cancel the booking.” (Trustpilot)

Common Patterns: Why Complaints Arise

From the negative feedback and independent reports, some recurring pitfalls when using CarRentals.com are:

  • Hidden or unclear fees — the initial quoted price might not include taxes, local fees, currency conversion, deposit requirements or insurance, which can significantly raise the final cost at pick-up.

  • Third-party complexity — because CarRentals.com is an aggregator (not the actual car rental company), it depends on partner rental companies. If those partners overbook or fail to deliver a car, CarRentals.com might claim it’s out of their hands. That leaves the user stuck.

  • Non-refundable / strict cancellation policies — even if things go wrong (flight delays, car unavailability), refunds seem often refused.

  • Poor customer support — users complain about unhelpful or absent responses, even when issues are serious (no car, unexpected charges, refused refunds).

Who Might Still Use It — With Caution

Despite all the negative reviews, there might be scenarios where using CarRentals.com could still make sense — but only if you go in very informed:

  • If you're traveling somewhere where rental-car availability is scarce or local rental companies are hard to navigate, a global aggregator might give access to a broader pool of vehicles.

  • If you carefully read all fine print (rates, deposit, insurance, cancellation policy) and are prepared for possible extra fees, you might find a deal that works.

  • If you book a refundable rate (if available) and confirm pick-up with the rental provider in advance.

But in all cases, you should treat reservations through CarRentals.com with extra care, double-check all terms, and be prepared for potential complications.

Key Takeaways

  • CarRentals.com is a long-standing global car-rental booking platform — owned by Expedia Group since 2008.

  • It offers access to many rental locations worldwide and promises competitive rates.

  • In practice, thousands of users report serious problems: hidden fees, non-refunds, lack of cars, poor customer service.

  • If you plan to use it, go in with eyes open: read all the terms carefully, double-check what’s included (insurance, fees, deposit), and maybe confirm directly with the rental provider.

FAQ

Is CarRentals.com legitimate?
Yes — it’s a real company, publicly associated with Expedia Group. It began operations in 1998 and was acquired in 2008. (PitchBook)

Why are there so many complaints about fees and refunds?
Because CarRentals.com acts as a middleman: rental cars are provided by third-party companies. That means different partners may have varying policies on deposits, fees, insurance, and cancellations. If you don’t read those carefully, you might end up paying more or losing money if plans change.

If I decide to use it, how can I minimize risks?

  • Read the full quote before booking (not just the base rate).

  • Check whether taxes, insurance, and deposit are included or extra.

  • Opt for refundable bookings, if possible.

  • When you get a confirmation, contact the actual rental provider directly to confirm availability.

Are there better alternatives?
Many travelers prefer to book directly with established rental-car companies (rather than via aggregators) because you deal directly with them — avoiding extra middle-man confusion. Or you could compare multiple aggregators and read current reviews before committing.