With flights running hot and cold on price and reliability, more travellers are turning to the road — and Hertz has rolled out a stack of promo codes to make renting cheaper in 2026. The timing isn't accidental: Route 66 turns 100 next year and the World Cup will send fans crisscrossing the United States, so rental demand (and prices) are only heading one way.
The headline offer is 20% off fall bookings: reserve a car for two or more days by September 14 using code 212271 and you can pick up any time until December 15 — handy for leaf-peeping trips. Exclusions apply to large SUVs, Dream Cars and cargo or box trucks.
Longer hauls get their own deal. Book seven or more consecutive days (up to 27) at participating US and Canada locations with code 210751 and you get one rental day free, valid through September 30, 2026. Families can take $50 off a weekly SUV or minivan rental with code 212131, while a free one-class upgrade on medium sedans and above is yours with code 211748, also through September 30.
Several discounts target specific travellers. Students can shave up to 25% off everyday base rates through Corporate Shopping, plus a waived extra-driver fee for a spouse or partner in the US. Travellers 50 and over get 20% off base rates via the 50 Plus program using CDP# 2007815. Active military, veterans and government employees save up to 20% with code 2306779, along with space-available upgrades and a free Gold Plus Rewards membership. AAA members get year-round perks including 20% off base rates worldwide, 10% off prepaid fuel and an extra $50 off monthly rentals. Going electric? EV and hybrid rentals of three days or more are 10% off with code 212157 if you pick up by September 30.
It's also worth joining Hertz Gold+, which is free. Members skip the line at select locations and earn points toward free rental days, with three tiers: Gold earns 1 point per dollar, Five Star earns 1.25 plus a wider premium fleet, and President's Circle earns 1.5 with guaranteed upgrades and a dedicated service line.
The fleet itself ranges from minivans and pickups to Porsches and EVs, and a sporty Ineos Grenadier joins this spring — with plenty of storage for tailgating season. If a code refuses to work, check for typos and capitalisation, clear your browser cache, or try another device before contacting Hertz's Support Hub.
Who's this for? Anyone locking in a 2026 road trip before peak-season rates bite: families, students, road-trippers over 50 and anyone chasing a Route 66 anniversary drive or a World Cup city hop. Compare against Budget, Avis, Alamo and Enterprise before you book — but a stack of these codes stacked with Gold+ points is a solid starting point.
Condé Nast Traveler