Need wheels on your next trip? Renting a car can give you freedom
and flexibility when you're traveling, and in some parts of the world it's the
only feasible way to get around. But a rental car can sometimes add
complications to your trip -- like trying to find the best deal or sorting out
exactly which insurance options you need. Read on for our practical tips on
saving money, understanding your rental agreement and avoiding problems with
your car rental.
Choosing a Vehicle
Think carefully about what kind of vehicle you'll need. If
you're traveling with children or with a lot of gear, you may want a large
sedan or SUV. If you're simply looking to save money on rental rates and gas,
you'll want to reserve the smallest available model.
Booking Your Car
How long will you be renting? If it's for less than a week, you'll
probably do best with a major rental company, such as Alamo, Avis, Budget,
Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National or Thrifty. For rentals of a week or
longer, you may get better rates from local companies, particularly auto
dealers. Remember, however, to be wary of local companies if you plan to drive
a lot; if you break down or get into an accident, they usually lack the support
services of the majors.
Always shop around. Check the major booking engines and
aggregator sites (such as Travelocity and Kayak) to get an idea of what rates
are available, but you should also visit the car rental companies' Web sites as
well -- they'll often offer exclusive discounts, and you'll avoid booking fees.
Don't forget to check out our selection of discount car rental deals before
making any reservations.
To lower your rate, ask about discounts for any major
national organizations, frequent flier programs and credit card programs to
which you may belong. They'll frequently offer deals on car rentals. Those
offered through AAA can be very good. If you're employed by a company that
frequently rents cars, they may have a negotiated rate. Make sure to check.
Before you book online, do an Internet search for coupon or
promotion codes to put into the booking engine of your car rental company's
site. Just type the name of the company followed by "coupon code"
into the search field and you'll often find special promotion codes that could
save you anywhere from 5 to 20 percent off the cost of your rental. For more ideas
on saving money when you rent a car, see Cruising for Car Rental Deals.
If you haven't already, consider joining your car rental
company's loyalty program when you book. These vary by company, but most of
them are free and entitle you to certain privileges when picking up your
vehicle; your information will be on file ahead of time, allowing you to simply
jump into the car and go rather than standing in a long line or filling out
paperwork. You could also be eligible for special discounts or free upgrades.
The newest way to save on rental cars is to hook up with a
car share service. If you live near a major city or you're a frequent renter,
you may save money by joining a car share. If you are looking for vehicle and
car rent services visit Allindiayellowpage.com for detail information.