Whether you’re a seasoned traveller or embarking on your first adventure, having reliable and convenient transportation is key to making the most of your journey. While various rental car companies are on the market, SIXT is one of the more prominent and stands as a global pioneer.
Perhaps, this might be the result of being a fast-driven (pun intended) family company (co-headed by the Sixt brothers) and their well-known marketing approach that is eye-catching, often humorous (not only for Germans…) and current. A review of the car rental company Sixt.
One quick disclaimer in advance: As a German living in Munich (the HQ of Sixt is still here), I might be biased (e.g., due to the modern fleet usually having premium German brands). In fact, I live close to its founding place of 1912 in the Seitz Street and that station is my “home station”. Either way, I want to share this introduction, my review and tips with you as I personally perceive the car rental company Sixt as the overall leading premium provider. Over many years, I have used all large international rental companies (with the highest status in their respective loyalty programs) and had the best overall rental experience with Sixt – hope you will agree!
Sixt, a global leader in car rental services, offers by now a wide range of products and services tailored to meet the diverse needs of travellers beyond traditional car rentals to encompass a diverse range of mobility solutions:
Sixt’s business is also completely digitized. The Sixt Mobility Platform has a seamless integration of all mentioned services and can be accessed as a website via browser or the Sixt App. The interface streamlines booking and access – in a “mobile first” world, I prefer the Sixt App and have often booked cars on the go with a few simple clicks (as few as 5 clicks after choosing your vehicle!). Download the Sixt App for real-time updates on your rental, including vehicle location and digital key access (where available).
If you are new to Sixt, subscribing to the newsletter will give you a -10% discount code. Subscribe when you have a concrete booking in mind (not for browsing prices!) as the validity of the code will be limited.
As a “step Zero”, I recommend logging into the Sixt App so that your latest offers (incl. potential discounts for your status in the loyalty program) can be correctly displayed. The booking process is smoother as a lot of information (e.g., your data, preferences, previous stations, payment information) will be already pre-filled for later steps and you can focus on more important things.
Membership Matters – Sign up for Sixt’s loyalty program to unlock perks that enhance your Sixt rental experience significantly. If your credit card offers a status (e.g., American Express Platinum Card), quickly get the status or look for a “status match” (e.g., if you are new to Sixt but already have status with other rental companies).
First, you need to choose your station(s) and dates incl. time for pick-up and return. Sixt has an extensive network of rental locations worldwide. Choose a convenient spot for both pick-up and drop-off to save time and hassle – sometimes a one-way fee is worth it!
Always check the opening times of the desired station as just a small difference might enable its availability. E.g., I grabbed breakfast first and picked up the car 30 minutes later from the desired station instead of being forced to use a station further away. Also, familiarize yourself with the terms and conditions of your rental agreement to avoid any surprises – including when and how to return your car (e.g., with a full tank).
Second, you need to select your desired vehicle class. At the heart of Sixt’s services lies its versatile fleet of modern vehicles, designed to cater to varying preferences and travel requirements. Here’s a quick rundown of Sixt’s product range (non-exhaustive high-level overview):
The cars shown are always an example from the car classification code – thus, it always names the model “or similar”. Browse the list and select the car that seems most appealing to you in terms of value for price and click on it – the selection is usually always so large that everyone finds something fitting.
While upgrades do happen, always select the minimum class that you would be happy with! Sometimes, you get the selection option “Lucky Dip Car” which I have used before (got a nice Audi A6 Sedan for 3 weeks!), but you can’t always be lucky… Also, you find more information re car classification/ACRISS codes here. Depending on the stations, you find out what exact models will be available and what an upgrade would entail.
Third, you can customize your experience by choosing the required insurance (if needed; I am usually covered by the insurance of my credit card such as the American Express Platinum) adding extras such as guaranteed GPS navigation, child seats, or additional drivers during the booking process.
As Sixt promises to provide the most modern and premium fleet, the “downside” is rather limited as there are no really “bad/old” options. Hence, I never chose any extras and so far always enjoyed a bare minimum of otherwise “premium extras” such as GPS or Apple Car Play. Also, inspect the Vehicle. Before driving off, thoroughly inspect the vehicle for any existing damages and report them to the staff or document them properly (e.g., if self-service pick-up: via pictures and/or videos).
Finally, Sixt “only” needs your personal data, any additional information (e.g. special preferences or your flight number – in case your flight gets delayed!), and payment data. Usually, the difference between the cancellable and fixed rate is not that significant
Book in Advance – Secure your preferred vehicle by booking early, especially during peak travel seasons. For the best deal, rather book early a cancellable rate (I’d recommend the flexibility as plans/circumstances might always change) – prices very rarely fall as the automatic system prices rather accurately and cheap last-minute bookings on the prior day or so may be an error (and you get involuntarily downgraded which I would avoid as you want to get at least the car that you want and need!).
Enrolling in Sixt’s loyalty program, the Sixt Express Cards, is easy and can enhance your rental experience with exclusive benefits. The main benefits are as follows (depending on respective status – from Express, Gold, Platinum to Diamond):
Enrol early (incl., if applicable, to ensure your right status is already reflected) and compare which partner offers the best “collection rate” so that your car rental already contributes to your next journey…be it a nice hotel stay or an enjoyable flight!
A quick general high-level overview with more details below (as of August 23; may vary slightly by country of your membership and depends on availability at stations):
This is your basic status once you have signed up. As described above, it significantly reduces the rental formalities: Your personal data is stored behind the card (and in the Sixt App) and this leads to almost no waiting time at the arrival location. Also, you can start enjoying lower rates (e.g., ask about special rates when booking or have your company rates stored – this can always be done!). For each rental, you can now collect airline miles, hotel points and bonus points with participating programs.
You enjoy all the above benefits plus up to a 10% discount on rentals. Additionally, you get some exclusive offers and benefits such as a prioritized reservation up to 48 hours in advance (this guaranteed availability is called “preferred mobility” at Sixt). Usually, you get this status after 5 rentals per year – exceptions may happen: e.g., members in the USA can enjoy it with only 3 rentals already.
You enjoy all the above benefits plus up to a 15% discount on rentals. Additionally, you get some exclusive offers and benefits such as vehicle upgrades upon availability and a prioritized reservation up to 24 hours in advance (this guaranteed availability is called “preferred mobility” at Sixt). Usually, you get this status after 20 rentals per year – exceptions may happen: e.g., members in France or the USA can enjoy it with only 10 rentals already!
You enjoy all the above benefits plus up to a 20% discount on rentals. Additionally, you get some exclusive offers and benefits such as VIP service, a guaranteed upgrade of your vehicle class, and access to the Sixt Diamond lounges or specially reserved areas (i.e., no waiting time and much more convenient access to vehicles). Usually, this status is by invitation only, but you can expect an invitation if you have spent around 5 digits at Sixt (or own the account(s) that happen to do so)…
In the ever-evolving world of travel, Sixt stands out as a reliable partner who understands and anticipates the needs of modern travellers. From economy cars to luxury vehicles, Sixt’s diverse fleet caters to a wide spectrum of preferences. With its user-friendly booking process and loyalty program, Sixt offers a seamless and convenient experience that puts you in control of your journey.
By following the tips outlined in this guide, you can maximize your Sixt experience and embark on your travels with confidence. Remember, whether you’re exploring a new city or embarking on a cross-country road trip, Sixt can provide you with the wheels you need to make memories that last a lifetime.
Sixt Customer Service phone numbers depend on your country/region. E.g., for Germany, it’s +49-89-6606-0060. For France, it’s +33170976111. For the USA, it’s +1888-7498-227 (toll-free, 1-888-SIXT-CAR). You can find the contact number for your specific country/region on Sixt’s official website under the “Help”, “Contact” or “Customer Service” sections. There, you will also find the latest telephone numbers and their customer service hours (that may vary!).
Sixt is one of the most prominent rental companies and stands as a global pioneer. This might be the result of being a fast-driven family company and their well-known marketing approach that is eye-catching, often humorous, and current. I personally perceive Sixt as the overall leading premium provider due to its digital offerings and reliable fleet.
Sixt is a German family company. It was founded in Munich, Germany, in 1912 by Martin Sixt. Over the years, Sixt has grown into one of the largest and most recognized car rental companies in the world with a global presence spanning 105+ countries and 2,200+ rental locations worldwide.
At the heart of Sixt’s services lies its versatile fleet of 280,000+ modern vehicles, designed to cater to varying preferences and travel requirements. Here’s a quick rundown of Sixt’s product range (non-exhaustive high-level overview):
Sixt typically offers a range of insurance options that customers can choose from when renting a vehicle. These options can vary based on location and specific terms, so I recommend checking Sixt’s official website or contacting their customer service for the most up-to-date and accurate information. However, the most common types of insurance that Sixt offers are as follows:
Savings are here:
