When you’re travelling, renting a car may be indispensable to your journey. It’s a way to have the kind of flexibility and convenience that public transportation simply cannot rival. The downside, however, is that the cost of car rentals can add up very quickly, making for a big-ticket item on your travel budget. What kinds of car rental bargains should you be on the lookout for? What are some of the insider tricks to lowering your car rental costs? In this article, we delve into these issues, giving you the skinny on how to score some road transportation for a lot less dough.
Reserving Early
One of the easiest ways to shave costs off the price of hiring a car is to secure your vehicle well in advance of your travel. Particularly when not much lead time precedes your travel, the prices get steep. Popular destinations, especially during peak seasons, also tend to see price rises. You can get ahead of those trends by booking early and locking in a rate before it gets any worse.
Comparing Pricing
Car rental companies don’t make it easy to see which of them is really offering the best deal, but it is possible to ferret that out if you’re willing to do some legwork. And the legwork really isn’t all that painful since you can do most of it online. Using a service like Kayak simplifies this process.
Picking the Right Size
For renting a car, bigger isn’t inherently better. On a trip, you want to pay for the proportions you need, not a glorified passenger compartment to make yourself feel “big.” Go for the smallest car that comfortably fits your passengers and luggage. Exotic car rental companies make their smallest, cheapest cars even more of a bargain with better-than-average fuel efficiency.
Insurance Coverage
Car rental firms frequently attempt to get their customers to buy extra insurance policies that they might not actually need. Before renting an automobile, check whether your private car insurance or the credit card you use to pay for the rental car might cover rental car liabilities. If these coverages are in place, don’t pay the rental firm for additional insurance.
Membership Discount Codes
Are you a member of organisations like AAA or AARP, or of loyalty programs? If so, you might be able to get a discount through them. Many of these kinds of organisations offer deals on car rentals that can significantly reduce the total price.
Avoiding Airport Premiums
Renting a car from the airport is convenient but often carries high prices and extra airport surcharges. Consider renting from a location away from the airport if you can. Branch offices typically offer lower rates, and the slight inconvenience could result in big savings.
Skipping Unnecessary Extras
And then there are all the other fees. Paying for a GPS system, a car seat, or an additional driver can really add up. Why not bring this stuff along in some cases (since you own it anyway, right?) and avoid the fees altogether?
Weekly Charges
It is often cheaper to rent a car for a week than for five or six days. Even if you don’t need the car for an entire week, you might find it is cheaper to book for a full week and return the car early.
Off-Peak Times
Contrary to what you might think, renting at the counter is actually the most expensive way to secure a car. If you can, book during off-peak times and bring your confirmation to the counter. You might find a better, already-quoted, online-touted weekly rate that is lower than the counter price—and these days, they often are.
With smart planning and keen shopping, it is absolutely possible to rent a car without breaking the bank. Being well-informed about the aspects that drive up rental prices and knowing when and where you can trim these costs are essential for getting the best overall price – without sacrificing the convenient and safe means of travelling that affordable car hire is supposed to afford you.
