Do Car-Sharing Services Earn a Travel Bonus?

The short answer: Often. Traditional car-sharing services like Zipcar typically code as car rental, so a card with a travel or car-rental bonus earns its higher rate, including the membership and hourly fees. Peer-to-peer platforms like Turo can code as a marketplace instead, so the bonus is less certain there.

Traditional car-sharing codes as rental

A service like Zipcar rings up under an auto-rental category code, the same one that earns a travel bonus on many cards, so hourly and membership charges often earn the elevated rate. That makes car-sharing a nice fit for a travel card, similar to how a rental car earns a travel bonus. Check how your card defines travel in what a travel credit card covers.

Peer-to-peer platforms vary

A peer-to-peer car-sharing platform like Turo may code as a marketplace or general service rather than a traditional rental agency, so the travel bonus is not guaranteed. Coding can differ by platform and even by transaction, so if earning the bonus matters, verify with a small charge or check how it posts.

The best card for car-sharing

If your service codes as car rental, a travel or rental-bonus card earns the most; otherwise a strong flat-rate card is the safe choice. Run your spending through the rewards calculator to compare, and see options in best cash back cards.

Frequently asked questions

Does Zipcar code as car rental?
Usually yes. Zipcar and similar car-sharing services typically code under the auto-rental category, so a card with a travel or car-rental bonus earns its higher rate.
Does Turo earn a travel bonus?
Not always. Peer-to-peer platforms like Turo can code as a marketplace rather than a rental agency, so the travel bonus is less certain than with a traditional service.
What card is best for car-sharing?
A travel or car-rental-bonus card if the service codes as rental, or a strong flat-rate card if the coding is uncertain.

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Bryce Casson

Written by Bryce Casson, Founder of Cardocrat. About the author and how we rank cards.