Cheap Car Rentals at Des Moines Airport

Des Moines, IA, United States - Des Moines (DSM)

4 Oct — 11 Oct

Same drop-off

Driver's age:

Wed 4/10

Noon

Wed 11/10

Noon

Compare available car types for rental in Des Moines Airport

Top rental agencies in Des Moines Airport

Enterprise Rent-A-Car

8.9

Very Good

41 reviews•1 location

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Overview

Recent reviews

10.0

Wonderful|Jul 2023

Everything seemed to be quite satisfactory. I enjoyed the size of the car and all went well. No problems! Thank you!

10.0

Wonderful|Jul 2023

Great experience with this rental

2.0

Poor|Jul 2023

I called the night before pickup and the morning of and spoke with staff. I asked both time if there was a deposit which I was told no. When I arrived I was told there was a $300 deposit. I informed them I called twice and spoke with 2 dirge t agents who told me no deposit. Which I was as than told a law passed last month requiring a $300 deposit and they don’t really tell people over the phone that there is one.

10.0

Wonderful|Jun 2023

Easy pick up and drop off.

10.0

Wonderful|Mar 2023

Customer service was excellent

10.0

Wonderful|May 2022

Thank you!

1 out of 14

Alamo

8.6

Very Good

42 reviews•1 location

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Overview

Recent reviews

2.0

Poor|Mar 2023

They wouldn’t rent to me

10.0

Wonderful|May 2022

Everything was great

10.0

Wonderful|Sep 2022

Very helpful and friendly.

10.0

Wonderful|Mar 2021

Staff was very helpful picking up and returning. Very convenient location in the airport and the cars are right outside the door in the baggage claim area

6.0

Okay|Aug 2020

Nice sized suv

The gas gauge was way off. No horse power.

9.6

Wonderful|Jan 2020

Staff was super helpful. Class of vehicle rented wasn't available so they provided an upgrade and reduced the price for the trouble. Would highly recommend!

1 out of 14

Hertz

7.4

Good

33 reviews•1 location

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Overview

Recent reviews

4.0

Mediocre|Aug 2023

The car was dirty and it needed new tires really bad.

10.0

Wonderful|Dec 2021

Service and ease of getting car

10.0

Wonderful|Sep 2023

The staff was friendly, and t the process to get in and out was quick.

2.0

Poor|Jun 2023

We had a confirmed reservation #K49900528F4. Our flight from SFO landed in DSM at 8pm and we got the counter and it was closed. What kind of reputable company closes the airport counter at 6pm???? There was no way for us to pick up the keys. No alternatives and there was no prior alerts or updates that this was going to happen. We were to travel to Iowa City that night and ended up taking a Uber that cost us 170$+tip since we had no option inspite of a confirmed reservation. All the other car rental places were open in the airport and they did not have any cars either. They also emphasized that Hertz DSM was the only company that closes at 6pm each day. I will never book with them again. Disgraceful.

2.0

Poor|May 2022

Car was dirty, went to exchange it in Davenport location they said they couldn’t help me and turned me away. The hertz inside the moline airport was wonderful.

6.0

Okay|Apr 2022

Allow different type cars to drop off in different location than pickup locations.

1 out of 11

Budget

6.7

Okay

32 reviews•1 location

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Overview

Recent reviews

2.0

Poor|Aug 2023

Drop off was perfect and timely. Pickup was an hour wait, we had a nice trainee who was ignored by supervisor every time she tried to ask question. When I asked Supervisor the question the trainer was asking, she snapped and said she was Busy processing the customer who cut in line on front of us.Felt bad trainee, who was taking the heat.

10.0

Wonderful|Mar 2023

So simple and fast. Very helpful and friendly staff. I will use budget again.

4.0

Mediocre|Sep 2023

Staff upon pick up was very competent but not very friendly. The same for drop off. Upon pick up the truck had a dent that was not disclosed to me before pick up. I tried to contact Budget to report and didn't get anyone to answer the phone so I left a message. The interior smelled very strongly of smoke with a perfume odor to try to mask it, almost intolerable. Thankfully the weather was nice and I could roll down the windows. There was a half eaten banana and half drank bottle of water in the bed of the truck. The truck itself was comfortable and easy to drive.

2.0

Poor|Sep 2023

There was nobody at the desk on the night we were supposed to pick up the car. We had to stay in a local hotel and come back the next morning.

2.0

Poor|Jun 2023

The agent gave me a very old car with multiple dents, a cracked windshield and a non-working rear wiper. When I asked for a road suitable car they refused to change the car. Budget needs to better maintain vehicles and not give customers junkers

10.0

Wonderful|Jun 2023

Me gusto la experiencia fueron miy amables

1 out of 11

National

1 location

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Overview

Dollar

6.9

Okay

9 reviews•1 location

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Overview

Recent reviews

2.0

Poor|Jul 2018

I booked through Kayak and they took my debit card number and the reservation was made. When I got to Dollar rental they said I needed a credit card. I was never told during the booking process that I needed a credit card to make this reservation so I was extremely inconvenienced. Now I have to try to get a refund for the insurance I paid for.

10.0

Wonderful|Jun 2018

Lots of room, great gas mileage, very comfortable, great customer service.

8.0

Very Good|Mar 2018

We requested an intermediate SUV to drive from Iowa to California and back. Dollar gave us the Ford Escape. It was comfortable, handled really well, had good pickup, and many features you'd find in a more expensive car. Gas mileage was reasonable and the price Dollar charged me was more than fair.

I had to get an oil change once I reached California. However, Dollar reimbursed me for my cost when I returned. Dollar also said that any Hertz or Dollar outlet will handle that type of maintenance when needed on the road.

3.6

Poor|Feb 2016

The car didn't break down.

Besides having no modern amenities (usb outlet/bluetooth), the car smelled terrible. At one point I even searched the car to see if anything had been left behind... like a bag of poop. I bought two car air fresheners, but the stank overpowered them. Nasty 3 days.

10.0

Wonderful|Jan 2016

Easy drop off and pick up

9.2

Wonderful|Jan 2016

Fine car, very clean. Service at the counter at pickup and dropoff was great.

Only difficulty is that windshield wipers were terrible. Made for horrible visibility, especially at night, in the snowy/slushy conditions.

1 out of 3

Payless

6.7

Okay

24 reviews•1 location

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Overview

Recent reviews

10.0

Wonderful|May 2023

stayed late for late and delayed flights when most other rental agencies went home and stranded travelers

10.0

Wonderful|May 2023

Employee stayed late to take care of ALL of the customers in line!

8.0

Very Good|Jan 2022

Pricing is very good. Service was also great - very friendly. The car wasn’t clean outside and the oilservice was overdue.

2.0

Poor|Aug 2023

I waited 90 minutes for a car for which I was already late by over an hour to pick up. The car I was given was a 2 seater tiny car and I had rented a mid sized car similar to a Camry. I got a Miata which was not an ideal vehicle for why I rented it. The gal at the counter was surly and rude.

6.0

Okay|Jun 2023

I returned the car on time and 3 days later got a text saying I need to return my car. It required follow up to resolve the issue and a bit of unneeded anxiety.

2.0

Poor|May 2023

Their computers were down so even though I was there on time, after serving me for 45 min (ie I was not in line) they were not closer to being able to print my contract. I’m still waiting for them to return my payment. They were unable to rent a car to me. I need a refund. Can you help me get a refund? (Weirdly, the same staff were renting for budget car rental and had no problems with that computer. However their budget cars were all taken so I received no car.)

1 out of 8

Thrifty

6.1

Okay

18 reviews•2 locations

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Overview

Recent reviews

8.0

Very Good|Jul 2020

staff was very friendly. Drop off was confusing as it was no longer Thrifty but Hertz

9.6

Wonderful|Mar 2020

The entire experience could not have been easier and more convenient.

2.8

Poor|Dec 2019

My car stopped working. Had to get an uber to get where I needed to go. The lyft they got me didnt even bring me to the right place to pick up my car at first. I had an extremely disappointing experience.

2.0

Poor|Jul 2019

I reserved a 7 passenger and after my card was scanned and I walked outside, I noticed I was given a 5 passenger. Transaction was supposed to be avoided but there continues to be a hold on my account

5.6

Fair|Jul 2019

Staff was incredibly rude and very unhelpful

10.0

Wonderful|Jun 2019

It as quick and easy

1 out of 6

Car rental FAQs

What is the cheapest hire car found at Des Moines Airport?

In the past two weeks, Cheapflights users have found many deals under AED 173/day when booking a car hire at Des Moines Airport. The absolute best deal a user found was for AED 170/day from Alamo, booked on Sep. 24.

Which car hire providers are at Des Moines Airport?

There are 10 car rental providers located at Des Moines Airport. The following companies can be found near the Des Moines Airport car rental counter:National (9.6)Enterprise Rent-A-Car (8.9)Alamo (8.6)Hertz (7.4)Dollar (6.9)Payless (6.7)Budget (6.7)Thrifty (6.1)Avis (6.0)American Rent-A-Car (4.5)

Which car hire company is considered to be the best at Des Moines Airport?

Taking our users’ ratings and reviews into consideration, National (9.6 rating), Alamo (8.6 rating) and Enterprise Rent-A-Car (8.3 rating) seem to be the best car hire companies at Des Moines Airport.

How much does it cost to hire a car at Des Moines Airport for a week from Alamo?

Alamo is one of the most popular car hire companies at Des Moines Airport, offering car hire for around AED 1,210 per week on average.

How far in advance should I hire a car at Des Moines Airport for the best price?

Booking early can save you upwards of 30% on your car hire. Booking your vehicle at least 43 days in advance can you get you a great below-average price at Des Moines Airport.

Can I rent a car for a month at Des Moines Airport?

Yes, you can rent a car for a month at Des Moines Airport check Cheapflights for the latest prices and car type availability.

How much does it cost to rent a car at Des Moines Airport for a month?

You can potentially save up to 3% on a month-long rental by booking with Alamo. Alamo is the cheapest rental company available within the next few months. Renting a car at Des Moines Airport can cost you on average AED 5,186 a month or AED 173 a day. For extended stays in a location, this option will usually save you the most.