Car Rental Tips
People rent cars while traveling for business and pleasure, to fulfill a transportation need not met by their current vehicle or vehicles, while their vehicle is in for mechanical, or collision damage repair, to name a few of the reasons.
It is possible to save considerable money on a car rental by using some tips that will work in just about any of the above situations, and quite possibly for others as well.
It is sometimes possible to save money on a business or vacation rental in a number of ways. With a little extras effort, renting from a company that does not have a rental counter inside an airport terminal could offer some savings in exchange for riding a shuttle to their location.
Many rental companies will also offer a discount that enables them to match a competitor’s rate on a comparable vehicle.
Bundling a rental car with flight reservations and hotel accommodations frequently offers substantial savings. Travel consolidation websites negotiate with rental car companies, exchanging the potential for increased rental volume for a reduced rate. These rates change frequently, so if your travel plans are made in advance, you can often save money by booking well in advance to ensure securing a vehicle, then continue to browse the websites for new deals as your trip approaches.
If your ground travel necessitates picking up a vehicle at one location and dripping it off at another, rental companies sometimes add a fee for this. If you are renting at a location where the demand for vehicles is lower and driving it to where it is higher, ask the rental company to waive this fee. Point out to them that you are getting their vehicle from where it is more needed and that you should not only have the drop-off fee eliminated, but that you should get an additional discount on the rate for doing them a service.
One other area that offers savings is in the event of a repair of some sort. Many cheap car insurance companies offer coverage for this for a very low additional premium. They will often offer rental expense reimbursement for the first three days. This is often buried in the small print of insurance policies, so if you have several vehicles, which increases the odds of extended repair services, or you have a vehicle that is demonstrating an affinity for the repair shop, check to see if this benefit is available, or consider adding it.
Renting a car is one financial transaction that lends itself well to negotiation. Don’t be shy about asking for reduced rates, upgraded vehicles or anything else that will save many or improve the experience.