Tips for the Best Car Rental Deals
- Car rental rates change quickly, and with added on fees and taxes the final rate can be considerably above the base rates. Make sure you account for all of these extra fees by when comparing.
- Begin your search on an aggregator or online travel agency to collect information from a variety of sources, then go directly to the car rental company (online or by telephone) to negotiate a cheaper rate.
- Get the telephone number of the local agency where you plan to rent the car, and see if you can negotiate an even lower rate than from their toll free reservation system.
- Price is a more important consideration than the company you are renting from when it comes to car rentals. The company you are dealing with is a more important factor when looking for airline tickets or hotel reservations.
- If renting from a site other than an airport is an option, you might find a lower rate.
- A smaller car is better to rent if you can accept that. If that is not available when you arrive, you should be upgraded at no additional charge.
- Paying for the extras is not generally worth it. If you really need a GPS unit, then go ahead and pay for it. You will be offered car insurance, but you are probably covered under your own carrier. Check with your agent or company to be sure that any drivers of the rental are insured with your personal policy.
- Always ask for the best discount, including AAA, AARP, discount clubs, or other associations that you may be long too. When you throw that advertising flyer away that is in your monthly bill for some of these associations, keep the car rental company that gives you a discount in the back of your mind.
- As always, remember the usual advice to carefully inspect your vehicle before you touch it, and mark down prior damage. Also, return it with the proper amount of gas or it will be costly to have them fill it. Be sure to return it on time to avoid expensive late fees.
- Double check you price at the time of booking, to make sure you are aware of the costly miscellaneous expenses.
With the rental of your car for your trip, go with the best deal as long as the company is reputable. With other deals in your travel the brand of the company may be an important factor to you, but with cars it should not be as important.
