When comparing rental cars in Guam, the lowest advertised daily rate is not always the lowest total cost. Airport transportation, insurance conditions, extra-driver and child-seat fees, and the credit-card hold can all affect your budget and how quickly you get on the road. Use the six checks below to compare the complete rental experience.
6 things to compare before booking a Guam rental car
1. Transportation from the airport to the rental office
A listing that says “free shuttle” does not explain the whole arrival process. Ask whether the vehicle is dedicated or shared, how long customers normally wait, whether it makes intermediate stops, and whether it operates for late-night flights. If the office uses taxis, compare the distance, estimated fare, and any receipt-based discount.
GUAM Rent-A-Car Center does not provide airport meet-and-greet service for pickup. Arriving customers take a taxi to the main Tumon office, about 1.8 miles (2.8 km) from the airport. The ride normally takes about 10 minutes and costs around $20. Show the airport taxi receipt at check-in to receive a $15 discount from the rental charge. The discount cannot be combined with other offers and is unavailable without the receipt. After the car is returned, transportation from the office to the airport is free.
2. Insurance: compare conditions, not only names
“Insurance included” does not mean every type of damage is covered. GUAM Rent-A-Car Center’s base rate includes liability protection (LP), with published limits of $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident for bodily injury, plus $50,000 per accident for property damage.
- CDW: Applies to qualifying vehicle-to-vehicle collisions with both operators present and other conditions in the rental agreement. A $1,000 deductible applies to a covered accident.
- ZDW: Available only with CDW and waives the $1,000 deductible for a qualifying accident.
- NOC: Waives the loss-of-use charge while a damaged vehicle cannot be rented: $250 if drivable or $400 if not drivable.
The current terms also list a $150 accident processing/legal fee even when optional coverage is purchased. Coverage may be denied for an unregistered driver, reckless or impaired driving, handheld-device use, unsafe or unpaved roads, theft, natural disasters, failure to report the accident, and other exclusions. Compare deductibles, separate fees, exclusions, and reporting requirements together.
3. Extra drivers and child restraints
Every person who may drive should be registered before departure. Coverage may not apply when an unregistered person is behind the wheel, so include all additional-driver fees in your comparison.
Guam law requires an approved child restraint for children under age 4. Children ages 4 through 11 who are under 4 feet 9 inches must use a booster seat or an appropriate child restraint. Rental providers may sort their seats by age and weight, so give the child’s age, height, and weight when reserving.
4. Deposit amount and available credit
A rental deposit may be a preauthorization that temporarily reduces your available credit rather than a completed charge. GUAM Rent-A-Car Center’s current terms require a $100 preauthorization. If the vehicle is returned without an amount due, the funds are not transferred to the rental company, but the time needed to restore available credit depends on the card issuer. Leave enough credit for the rest of your trip.
5. Cancellation and change deadlines
Check the no-fee deadline, the required cancellation method, and whom to contact outside normal hours. GUAM Rent-A-Car Center does not charge a cancellation fee when the procedure is completed at least one hour before the scheduled pickup time. Follow the instructions in the confirmation email; for a last-minute change, contact the office directly.
6. Driver’s license, identification, and payment
License rules depend on where the license was issued. Under 16 GCA §3101(d), as amended by Public Law 38-85 (effective December 20, 2025), a driver with a valid license issued by another U.S. state, territory, or commonwealth may drive for up to 90 days after arriving. Under §3101(c), valid licenses from Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, Canada, the European Union, New Zealand, the Philippines, Australia, Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Marshall Islands remain valid for 30 days. Travelers from other jurisdictions should verify the requirement with Guam’s Department of Revenue and Taxation and the rental provider.
GUAM Rent-A-Car Center requires the original valid license, a major credit card in the primary driver’s name, and a passport or copy for tourists. Its current terms accept Visa, Mastercard, Diners, Discover, and UnionPay. Debit and prepaid cards, American Express, JCB, traveler’s checks, and cash are not accepted.
Pre-booking checklist
- Calculate the total with taxes, coverage, and options
- Confirm airport transportation, wait time, and operating hours
- Review CDW, ZDW, and NOC deductibles, fees, exclusions, and reporting rules
- Register every person who may drive
- Reserve a restraint that fits each child’s age, height, and weight
- Allow enough available credit for the deposit hold
- Check the free-cancellation deadline and procedure
- Prepare the original license, accepted credit card, and required ID
Frequently asked questions
Is a company with a free airport shuttle always the better choice?
No. Compare whether the ride is dedicated or shared, its hours, normal wait, stops, and total travel time. A direct taxi can be practical when a receipt-based discount offsets part of the fare.
Does LP cover damage to the rental vehicle?
LP primarily covers liability for injury or property damage to others. Damage to the rental vehicle requires separate protection such as CDW, which still has conditions and exclusions.
Can I rent with a U.S. driver’s license?
Under 16 GCA §3101(d), as amended by Public Law 38-85 (effective December 20, 2025), a valid license from another U.S. state, territory, or commonwealth is recognized in Guam for up to 90 days after arrival. Licenses from Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea remain valid for 30 days under §3101(c). The rental agreement also requires an accepted credit card in the primary driver’s name and identification required by the provider.
When is the $100 deposit returned?
Under the current terms it is a card preauthorization, not a completed transfer to the rental company. If no amount is due, the hold is released, but the issuer controls when the credit becomes available again.
Summary
Compare Guam rental cars by total cost and practical convenience—not the daily rate alone. Airport access, coverage terms, option fees, the deposit hold, cancellation deadline, license rules, and payment restrictions can all change the value of a booking. Reviewing them before you travel helps prevent delays and unexpected charges at pickup.
Information checked September 13, 2026. Rates, coverage, and rental conditions may change. Review the latest official information and rental terms before booking.
