Pick The Perfect Rental Car
When you travel to a new city, bear in mind that a rental car isn't your only option. There are many cities in which you can easily get by without one. However, if your plans do necessitate getting a rental, keep these nine tips in mind in order to get the best bang for your buck at the rental company.
1. Consider other options besides renting a car. Many large cities have excellent subway and bus systems - New York, Chicago, London, and Paris are all good examples. Even cities without extensive mass transit systems may offer alternatives to driving, such as tour buses. When you consider the cost of renting, parking, gasoline, and the time it takes to navigate a city, these other options may be much more sensible.
2. Rental Location: When renting a car, consider the costs associated with specific locations. Airports often charge fees to the rental agency that get passed on to you in the form of higher rates. In addition, the demand for cars at the airport allows agencies to charge top dollar. Renting from a car rental agency near your hotel may save you a lot.
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. Small companies: Research smaller, local car rental companies in your travel destination to see if they have better rates than the national chains and/or are offering any good deals.
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. Gasoline. Rather than purchasing it at the lot, buy gasoline yourself. You may only need half a tank of gas and will likely find a better price per gallon by looking quite nearby.
7. Rental period. You should only rent a car when it is required; return the vehicle as soon as you no longer will use it, even if you are still in the region without a vehicle.
8. Current Insurance Coverage: Check with your insurance company to see how much coverage you have for rental cars.
9. Extra Services: The rental company will attempt to sell you many add-ons. In most cases, you will not need many of these. Only get the ones you really need. Remember, the rental company is trying to make a profit off the add-ons.
1. Consider other options besides renting a car. Many large cities have excellent subway and bus systems - New York, Chicago, London, and Paris are all good examples. Even cities without extensive mass transit systems may offer alternatives to driving, such as tour buses. When you consider the cost of renting, parking, gasoline, and the time it takes to navigate a city, these other options may be much more sensible.
2. Rental Location: When renting a car, consider the costs associated with specific locations. Airports often charge fees to the rental agency that get passed on to you in the form of higher rates. In addition, the demand for cars at the airport allows agencies to charge top dollar. Renting from a car rental agency near your hotel may save you a lot.
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. Small companies: Research smaller, local car rental companies in your travel destination to see if they have better rates than the national chains and/or are offering any good deals.
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. Gasoline. Rather than purchasing it at the lot, buy gasoline yourself. You may only need half a tank of gas and will likely find a better price per gallon by looking quite nearby.
7. Rental period. You should only rent a car when it is required; return the vehicle as soon as you no longer will use it, even if you are still in the region without a vehicle.
8. Current Insurance Coverage: Check with your insurance company to see how much coverage you have for rental cars.
9. Extra Services: The rental company will attempt to sell you many add-ons. In most cases, you will not need many of these. Only get the ones you really need. Remember, the rental company is trying to make a profit off the add-ons.
