Where Zipcar discount codes come from and how they work

Zipcar occasionally offers discount codes that reduce the cost of membership or hourly rental rates, but they are not always publicly listed in one place. The codes typically come from three sources: Zipcar's own email campaigns to existing or former members, partner organizations (employers, universities, credit card companies), or limited-time promotions Zipcar runs on its website. When you enter a valid code during signup or at checkout, it usually subtracts a dollar amount from your first reservation or membership fee, or gives you a percentage off your first few hours of driving.

The discount amount and what it covers varies by code. Some codes waive the membership fee for your first month. Others give you $25 or $50 in driving credit. A few reduce your hourly rate by a percentage for a set period. Zipcar does not publish an archive of all active codes, so the only way to know what is currently running is to check their website directly or look for emails if you have been a member before.

Key Takeaways

  • Zipcar discount codes are most often found on Zipcar's homepage, in email campaigns to past members, or through employer and university partnerships.
  • Codes typically reduce your first month's membership fee, give you driving credit, or lower your hourly rate for a limited time.
  • You enter the code during the signup process or at checkout, before you complete your payment.
  • Codes expire after a set date, and Zipcar rotates which codes are active, so a code that worked last month may not work today.

Checking Zipcar's website for current promotions

The fastest way to find an active discount code is to visit Zipcar.com and look at the homepage. Zipcar usually displays any current promotion prominently near the signup button or in a banner at the top of the page. If you see a code listed there, write it down exactly as shown — codes are case-sensitive in some cases, so match the capitalization.

If the homepage does not show a promotion, scroll down to the footer and look for a link labeled "Promotions" or "Offers". Some Zipcar promotions are buried in secondary pages rather than featured on the main landing page. You can also search "Zipcar promo code" in your browser to see if any current offers appear in search results, though be cautious of third-party sites claiming to have codes — many list expired ones.

Checking your email for member-only codes

If you have ever had a Zipcar membership, Zipcar sends discount codes to your email address when they run promotions. Check your inbox and spam folder for emails from Zipcar with subject lines like "Come back and save" or "Exclusive offer for you". These emails often include a code you can use to rejoin at a discount or to get credit toward your next reservation.

If you do not see any recent emails, you can sign up for Zipcar's mailing list on their website. This does not may provide you will receive a code, but it increases the chance Zipcar will email you about future promotions. Former members are often targeted with "win-back" offers, so if you let your membership lapse, watch for emails over the next few weeks.

Finding codes through employers, universities, and partners

Many employers, universities, and organizations have negotiated group rates or discount codes with Zipcar. If your employer or school offers transportation benefits, check your employee or student portal, or ask your HR or student services department whether Zipcar codes are available. Some large employers provide Zipcar memberships as a perk, which is even better than a discount code.

Credit card companies sometimes offer Zipcar codes as a cardholder benefit. If you have a premium credit card, log into your rewards portal and search for "Zipcar" or "travel" to see if a code is listed. Alumni associations and professional organizations may also have negotiated codes for their members. If you belong to any group, it is worth asking whether they have a Zipcar partnership.

How to enter a discount code during signup

When you create a new Zipcar account, you will reach a page asking for your payment information. Before you enter your credit card details, look for a field labeled "Promo Code", "Discount Code", or "Have a code?". Type or paste your code into that field exactly as it appears. Do not add spaces or change the capitalization. Click the button to explore the code — the page should show you the discount amount and update your total cost.

If the code does not work, the page will usually show an error message saying the code is invalid, expired, or not valid for your location. If you see an error, double-check that you typed the code correctly. If it still does not work, the code may have expired or may only be valid for certain membership types or regions. You can proceed with signup without a code, but you will pay the full price.

What to do if a code does not work or has expired

Zipcar rotates its promotions regularly, so a code that was active last week may no longer work. If a code you found does not work, go back to Zipcar.com and check whether a different promotion is currently running. Codes typically have an expiration date listed near them, so if you see a date that has already passed, the code is no longer valid.

If you have a code from an employer or organization and it does not work, contact that organization's benefits administrator or HR department to confirm the code is still active and that you are using it correctly. Some codes are only valid for new members, while others only work for existing members renewing their membership. If you are unsure which category you fall into, Zipcar's customer service can tell you whether a specific code applies to your situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a discount code if I already have an active Zipcar membership?

Most codes are for new members only and cannot be applied to an existing account. However, some promotions are specifically for current members or returning members. Check the terms listed with the code to see who it is for. If you want to use a new-member code, you would need to let your membership lapse and then sign up again as a new member.

Do Zipcar discount codes work on hourly rates or just membership fees?

It depends on the code. Some codes reduce or waive your membership fee but do not change your hourly rate. Others give you a credit toward your first few hours of driving, which effectively lowers your hourly cost. A few codes reduce your hourly rate by a percentage for a set period. The description next to the code should tell you what it covers.

What happens if I enter a code and it does not explore to my membership type?

The system will usually reject the code and show an error message before you complete your payment. If a code does not work, you can proceed with signup without it and pay the regular price. You cannot add a code to your account after you have already signed up, so you would need to contact Zipcar customer service if you believe you should have received a discount.

Are there Zipcar codes that work in every city?

Most Zipcar codes are national and work in any city where Zipcar operates. However, some employer or university codes may only work for members in specific regions. If a code does not work, it may be restricted to certain locations. Check the fine print or contact the organization that provided the code to confirm it is valid in your area.