Although it is usually easy to book a rental car online, it is not always easy to know when you are getting a great deal or if you are paying more than you should. There are some factors to consider to find great deals on rental cars.
Be Prepared to Shop Around
Like anything in life, you will get what you invest in the car rental process. If you are in a hurry and only check two or three sites, you won’t find the best deals. Before you book, check major travel discount sites – such as Expedia, Kayak, Hotwire, CarRentals.com, and RentalCars.com – as well as various car rental company sites. Companies like Enterprise, Hertz, National, Avis, Budget, Dollar, and Thrifty are prominent national rental companies and a good place to start.
Book Early for Holidays – Or Avoid Them
If you are booking a rental car to get around during the holidays while visiting family and friends, try to book as early as possible to avoid paying more due to increased demand. If you are simply planning a vacation for yourself, you can save money by not booking during the busiest and most expensive times of the year, such as Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Be Aware of Hidden Fees
If you do not book directly through the car rental company’s site, you may not be quoted a price that includes standard fees, such as additional driver fees or young driver fees. Make sure you are aware of those costs and take them into consideration when comparing offers so that you are looking at the same things. Before signing the rental agreement, make sure to read the entire contract and pay attention to hidden fees related to prepaid fuel or toll transponders.
Avoid the Airport
We can almost guarantee that a car rental location near the airport will have the highest prices in town. While it may seem convenient to book a rental car that you can pick up at the airport, you will often save money by looking at a location closer to your hotel or where you will be staying, even if you have to take a taxi, Uber, Lyft, or another service to get there. In some cases, rental companies pass on the fees charged by airports to you, sometimes called airport concession fees or concession recovery fees or facility fees on your bill.
Consider Discounts
Are you a member of AAA, AARP, BJs, Costco, USAA, or another national club? Do you have a frequent flyer number? You may have a rental car discount that you haven’t utilized yet. These promotional codes may not save you a lot of money, but they can save you a few dollars off your daily bill.
Consider Bundling
If you need to book a hotel, car, and flight, you can compare prices to see if you can save money by bundling your car with any of those other travel expenses. Sometimes you can save money, and other times you can’t, but it never hurts to check.
Waive Insurance If Possible
If you booked your rental car using a credit card, you are likely covered in case of an accident – just be sure to read the terms and conditions carefully. The same may apply to your regular insurance policy. Either way, make sure you know the details before you arrive at the rental car company. Otherwise, the agent will try to sell you the additional insurance you may or may not need.
Buy
Refuel Yourself
It might be tempting to avoid the hassle of filling up the gas tank in your rental car, but arriving at a gas station with an empty tank is a great way to pay a hefty price per gallon, and sometimes incur additional fees as well.
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Source: https://www.thebalancemoney.com/how-and-when-to-find-the-best-car-rental-deals-4582486
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