Renting a car often proves to be a costly affair. Here are some tips that will help you save money every time you need to rent a car.
Aggregator Sites
Start looking for rental cars on aggregator sites that check all major rental companies at once. Kayak and Expedia are your best bet at finding good ballpark figures.
Budget Companies
After that, check with local budget companies with good reviews. They won’t have cool websites or too many locations, but they often have better prices. It’s worth checking them out.
Compare Daily and Weekly
Check all the rate details before you book and remember to read the fine print to avoid paying extra if you return the car early. Never tell the agency that you plan to return the car early, either.
Skip Insurance
You may not need car rental insurance despite all the horror stories the rental companies use to get you to buy it. If you have car insurance for your personal vehicle, it may cover your rental car too. Your credit card may also offer secondary insurance that covers your rental car at no extra cost.
No Upgrades
Rental agencies will also try to offer you upgrades like GPS, satellite radio, and toll passes. None of these are worth it. Just use your phone for navigation and music and carry cash, or your credit card, or your own electronic toll pass. Whatever the agency charges is too much.
Economy
The agency will always try and upsell a more expensive car to you. Even if you prefer a nicer car, book an economy option. When you show up, you can be “automatically” upgraded because they don’t have an economy car available. If not, you still save money with a nice, new economy car.
Go Away from The Airport
Rentals are most expensive at the airport. You’re better off hiring a cab to a rental agency away from the airport. The rental rates will be significantly lower even with the cab fare.
Fill the Tank
When you return the car, plan to take the time to fill up the gas tank before you return it. The agency will charge a ridiculous amount of money if you don’t.
