Pick the Perfect Rental Car
It is not always necessary to rent a car when flying to another city. However, if the decision is made that a rental car is needed, there are several points to consider in order to keep the rental fees as low as possible. Following are 9 car rental tips to help:
1. Many large towns around the world have cheap and easy-to-access public transit systems, for example, St. Louis, New York, London and Paris. It does not make sense to pay for expenses, such as rental, parking and gasoline, related with running a rental car if you have the option of such a mass transit system.
When calculating expenses related to a rental car, time spent stuck in traffic or time spent looking for cheap parking should also be taken into account.
2. Where to rent? For a more affordable rate when renting a car it is perhaps better to locate an agency near your hotel or around it. Renting a car at the airport is more expensive because of operating fees levied by the airport which is usually passed on to the customer. Also, because of the high demand at the airport the agencies also charge a higher rate.
3. Car Type: When deciding upon what sort of car to rent, consider a compact car because you’ll save money on the rental, on gas, and parking will be easier in a crowded city. Often rental agencies will upgrade you to a mid-size car if they no longer have available compact cars on their lot, even though you requested a compact.
4. Check around to see what companies are offered at your destination. You will get a better bargain by doing some research of the lesser known car rental agencies and choosing the company with the best price and quality.
5. Coupon Codes. Browse the web for sites that offer discounted car rentals. Some rental agencies offer discount codes for those who are employed with certain employers, or for those who are insured with a particular company.
6. You should shop around and buy the vehicle’s fuel yourself instead of buying it at the car lot. You are likely to spend less money, and you probably won’t need a full tank for using the vehicle.
7. Car Rental Duration. Why pay for a rental car for a full week if you don’t need it for the full week? Determine how many days you actually need the rental car, and arrange a rental for the determined length of time.
8. Existing Coverage: You should verify coverage with your automobile insurance provider and your credit card company so that you are prepared if the rental vehicle is damaged.
9. Add-On Services: Choose additional services wisely: In order to turn a profit, car rental employees will offer high mark-up add-ons. Do not feel compelled to accept each one.
Richard Edmunds worked as a manager of a big name Car Rental Agency for the past 20 years before retiring. He now spends his time writing car rental articles for you about such topics as Rental Car Insurance and other rental car tactics