Who knew Silvercar Phoenix was cheaper than a regular rental? I sure didn’t. But boy was I glad that I compared Silvercar Phoenix rates. Because it cost less to rent from Silvercar than a regular rental car agency, including Costco!
Not traveling to Phoenix? No worries, you can use the same discounts codes I used to save big bucks in other cities served by Silvercar.
I don’t always rent a car when traveling. If there’s not cheap public transportation I use Uber. But I needed a car for my Arizona trip because I stayed in Sedona, Scottsdale, and Tucson.
With that much driving, it would have been expensive to Uber everywhere. Plus having a car gave me the freedom to check out interesting sites along the way.
When renting, I usually use Avis, Hertz, and Enterprise. But since Silvercar Phoenix was cheaper than a regular rental, I’m more likely to book with Silvercar.
Silvercar Phoenix Was Cheaper Than a Regular Rental
Although I’ve been writing about Silvercar for years, this was my first time renting from Silvercar. And it won’t be my last.
A last minute 4-day economy car rental booked with Alamo through Costco cost $233 or $242 for an intermediate car.
A 4-day rental for an economy car cost $233
But a last minute 4-day Audi A4 rental from Silvercar was $226.
But a 4-day Audi A4 rental from Silvercar was only $226.
Bigger car, fancier, and less money. No brainer.
Silvercar only rents Audi A4s, Q5 SUVs and Audi A5 Cabriolet (convertibles in select locations) at 23 locations in the United States:
- Austin
- Chicago – ORD
- Dallas – Love Field
- Denver
- Fort Lauderdale
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Miami
- Miami – South Beach
- Newark
- New York City – Brooklyn
- New York City – Brooklyn Williamsburg
- New York City – Columbus Circle
- New York City – Manhattan
- Orange County
- Orlando
- Phoenix
- Salt Lake City
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Washington Dulles
Each Audi comes with Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, and more.
For someone like me who drives an older car without any bells and whistles, Silvercar is fancy as …
Comparing Silvercar to a regular car rental is like flying Lufthansa First Class vs Spirit Airlines. Okay, maybe not Spirit but you get my drift.
Renting With Silvercar is Easy
The Silvercar Concierge picks you up
Silvercar is one of the most pain-free and convenient rental car experiences:
- They pick you up at the airport (depending on the location)
- No lines or paperwork to fill out (less time in line means more vacation time)
- Return the car empty (you only pay the cost of gas plus $5)
- No charge for additional drivers
- Say goodbye to upsells
- You only pay for tolls used vs an access fee like some rental car companies
- Car Seats are free to use (Peg Perego Primo Viaggio Convertible and Peg Perego Viaggio Flex Booster seats – so you can leave yours at home)
Pro-tip: Car seats aren’t guaranteed so request them early.
How to Save $25 on Your First Rental
Use referral code DSCHROEDER to save $25
You can save $25 on your first rental when you use my referral code DSCHROEDER.
1. Signup for an account on the Silvercar website or the app.
2. After you’re logged in, click “Account.”
3. Click on the “Refer a Friend link” and enter DSCHROEDER.
4. Book your Silvercar rental.
5. You’ll get a $25 Visa gift card after you complete your rental.
Pro-tip: You can stack my referral code with other codes to save more money.
Silvercar Phoenix
Silvercar Phoenix has a Red Carpet backdrop
Most Silvercar locations are outside the airport. So they pick you up at the departures terminal. Except for some locations like Las Vegas, San Diego, and Phoenix.
When you rent with Silvercar Phoenix you ride the rental car bus to the rental car center. Silvercar picks you up there.
How to Pick up Your SilverCar Rental
1. Click Pickup Instructions
Check the Silvercar app for pickup Instructions
After arriving at the Phoenix airport, click the “Pickup Instructions” button in the Silvercar app. You’ll do this regardless of if you fly into Phoenix or some other airport.
The app gives you specific instructions on how to get picked up.
You’ll receive a welcome text and reminder to follow the pickup instructions in the Silvercar app.
2. Click Pick Me Up
Click Pick Me Up
For Phoenix rentals, you take the rental car center bus and click the “pick me up” button to text Silvercar.
The app will show the local numbers for Silvercar. Click on “Text” or “Call.”
Choose “text” or “call”
If you click “text” Silvercar receives a text with your name and confirmation number.
Your name and confirmation number are sent in a text
3. Text Size of Party and Luggage
They’ll ask how many are in your party
You’ll receive a text confirming they are on the way to pick you up and where to meet. They’ll also ask how many are in your party and how many pieces of luggage.
A little humor…
The Silvercar concierge drives you to their location on South 16th street, about 6 minutes from the rental car center.
At the Phoenix location, the Audis are stored inside. Your Audi is pulled up front waiting for you.
4. Scan the QR Code
At the Silvercar lot, you show your driver’s license and scan the QR code on your Audi’s windshield.
If it’s your first time renting from Silvercar, you have to give them access to your camera and Bluetooth. Or you can’t scan the QR code.
Turn on camera access
Once scanned it shows your vehicle details: plate, fuel level, and mileage.
Audi details
Then click the “Select Vehicle” button.
Pro-tip: To choose a different Audi, one with lower mileage, click the “Contact Concierge” button.
5. Unlock Your Silvercar
When you unlock your Silvercar, you have to agree to the 3 conditions.
Check the circles to agree
Once you agree, the screen shows an UNLOCKING SILVERCAR message.
You unlocked the car via the app
After unlocked, a new message shows SILVERCAR UNLOCKED! Then click “Take me to my dashboard.”
Go to your dashboard
Success!
The key fob will be in the center console.
Driving a Silvercar in Phoenix
It was stinking hot in Phoenix so I didn’t take a lot of photos. And it wasn’t much cooler in Sedona, Scottsdale, or Tucson.
Leather interior and electronic seat controls
Silvercar center console with cupholders, navigation control
The instrument panel in Audi A4 isn’t touchscreen but it is in the Q5
Lots of trunk space
I loved driving the Audi A4. I have an SUV and haven’t been that low to the ground while driving since I owned a sports car.
The ride was smooth and handling was a pleasure. It was easy to see how Jason Stedman drove like he did in the Transporter movies.
Pro-tip: While you’ll want to cut loose and see what the Audi A4 can do. There’s a manually set speed limit of 80mph.
When you exceed 80mph, a warning beep sounds similar to the call button on a plane and a message pops up on the dashboard.
After your rental, you drop the car off at the Silvercar location and they drive you to the airport. I skipped this part because Jeff met me at the Silvercar Phoenix building.
We drove our car from Phoenix to Tucson and stayed at the Loews Ventana and Miraval Arizona. Stay tuned for those reviews.
Silvercar Discount Codes
Here’s a few Silvercar discount codes. Here’s a complete list of every Silvercar discount code.
1. $25 Off
In addition to the $25 savings when you use referral code: DSCHROEDER, you can save more on your Silvercar rental.
Log into the Silvercar website or app and click on “Account.” Then click on the “Refer a Friend link” and enter DSCHROEDER.
Pro-tip: You can combine the referral code with other discounts.
2. $50 Off
First time rentals can save $50 off their first rental when you use the code: FACEBOOK50.
Pro-tip: This is stackable with the $25 referral offer above.
3. Save 30% on 2 Day Rentals
If you have the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card, you’ll save 30% on rentals of 2 days or more with the Visa Infinite discount code. Enter VINFINITE in the discount code field when you reserve your Silvercar.
Stack this code with the referral code $25 offer.
Pro-tip: This code may work even if you don’t have a Visa Infinite card.
4. Save 30% on Rentals of 5 Days or More
Visa Infinite cardholders save 30% on rentals of 5 days or more when using discount code: WEEKLY30.
This is combinable with the $25 referral code.
Pro-tip: Even if you don’t have a valid Visa Infinite card, this code may still work.
5. Save 15% on Rentals of 2 Days or More
If you don’t have a Visa Infinite card, but have a Visa Signature card like the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card, you can save 15%
There’s no code instead you have to enter the last 4 digits of your card on the Silvercar Visa Signature validation site.
Pro-tip: If you don’t have a valid card you won’t get the 15% discount.
Conclusion
I would never have guessed that Silvercar Phoenix was cheaper than a regular rental. After all, a fancy Audi A4 is a luxury car so naturally, you’d think it would be more expensive than an economy car from Budget.
But nope, Silvercar was cheaper than any of the car rental companies, including Costco.
Renting from Silvercar was so much fun! I definitely plan on using them again.
Remember to use all applicable Silvercar discount codes including my $25 referral code: DSCHROEDER. Using discount codes are key to saving big bucks with Silvercar!
Why settle for a small inexpensive car when you can drive something more luxurious for less?
What was your experience renting from Silvercar?
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