Car Rental Tips

If you don’t have a vehicle that can take you on your next trip you should consider a car rental. The car rental advantage is that you have both freedom and flexibility on your next trip since in many parts of the world a vehicle is the only way to get around. However, trying to find a car rental can sometimes add complications to your trip. Trying to find a cheap car rental, choosing your insurance options or finding an exotic car rental can sometimes make the process difficult. Consider the following tips to get the most out of your car rental and to understand the rental agreement to avoid future problems.

Choosing a Vehicle

You should carefully consider your travel needs in order to select the right car rental. If you are planning on taking a large group or if you have a lot of supplies then it may be a good idea to consider a large car or SUV. Or if you want a discount car rental then you might want to consider a smaller option to save on gas and car rental rates.

However, the size of the vehicle isn’t the only thing you should consider when choosing a car rental. If you want an environmentally friendly vehicle you can rent a hybrid car. If you can only drive a certain type of car then you should specify an automatic instead of a stick shift. There are some countries in which there is only one type available so make sure you check with the company before making a reservation. Also consider any extras you may want to purchase such as a GPS system if you are in a new area and need assistance getting around the area.

Reserving Your Vehicle

When it comes to reserving your vehicle there are some factors that will determine which company you choose. If you are going to be renting for less than a week you will probably get better car rental deals by going with one of the major companies such as Alamo, Budget, Enterprise or Hertz. However, for budget rental cars over a week in time you can often get the best deals from the small local companies. If you choose a local car rental company you should read the fine print since many won’t offer support services if you break down or get into an accident.

Before making your reservation it is always a good idea to shop around various car rental companies in order to get the best car rental deals. There are many sites that allow you to get an idea of the various rates offered by all the major car rental companies. It is also a good idea to visit the site of each car rental company you are consider in case they have exclusive discounts and to help you avoid additional booking fees.

Be sure to ask about discounts to make sure you can get a cheap car rental. Many national organizations, frequent flier programs and credit card programs have discounts that you can take advantage of. AAA also offers good car rental deals. If you work for a company that rents a lot of car you may also be able to negotiate a lower rate. It always pays to check in advance.

If you are making your reservation online it is also a good idea to search the internet for any coupon or promotion codes you can use for your car rental. Simply type the name of your car rental company and coupon code in your search engine and you will find several codes that offer you between five to twenty percent off the cost of your car rental.

Understanding the Rental Agreement

For those making an online car rental reservation it is important to read through all the terms and conditions carefully. If you are making the reservation over the phone then you should ask the agent about any restrictions. It is important that you understand all the conditions of your car rental before confirming a reservation.

Consider penalties for not showing up. Consider how long they will hold the rental if you can’t get there in time. If you are going to have additional drivers check for fees and whether or not you need to list them in the contract. Make sure there are no liability issues involved. Also discuss restrictions for interstate travel in case of breakdown. If you are only traveling one way then you should ask about drop off charges since these can sometimes be very high.

Once you make your car rental reservation it is very important to get your confirmation number. If you are making a reservation through the airport then you should give the agent your flight number and the schedule arrival time. This way if your flight is delayed your reservation can be protected.