Car Rental Advice and Tips! Know before you Go!
Discount Car Rental Rate Advice
For rental cars, you are charged per day. Check to see if the company you want to rent from charges by a calendar day or a 24 hour day. This can definitely affect your rate.
Car rental pricing is like airline pricing – if you travel at off-peak times or book in advance, you often can get a cheaper car rental rate. When you see a great rate for the vehicle you want – RESERVE IT RIGHT AWAY – it may not be available later! Do a lot of comparison shopping to find which car rental company has the cheapest rate. If you don't have to give your credit card number, book the car. You can also try to get a cheaper rate using a Discount Code or special from the site.
Rental car companies rent the largest portion of their fleet during Monday-through- Friday business travel. So, generally speaking, leisure travelers can find better rates on weekends when the demand for some types of cars isn’t as high. Click here for Tips to Save Money on Weekend Car Rentals
Self employed or own your own business? Most car rental companies offer Discount programs for small business with discounts, coupons and specials just for you! Call any car rental company and ask to sign up. It's easy! Most car rental websites will also offer a sign up link for a corporate account.
For more Tips on Cheaper Rates, click here
Car Rental Advice for Coupons
Most rental car coupons have a discount code associated with them as well. Rental car discounts and coupons go together! Make the most of them!
Make sure that you meet the terms and conditions on the coupon. Terms and conditions are generally on the back, in really small print!!
When using an upgrade coupon, the upgrade is not guaranteed. If a larger car is what you need, you would be better off to use a money off coupon for the size that you require.
Car Rental Advice for One Way Car Rentals
You pay more for a car rental one-way on a daily basis. If you can pick up and drop off in one day, you'll only being paying the higher rate for that day. It may be cheaper to pick up a new vehicle for the remainder of your rental because that car would be rented and returned to the same location!
You can get cheaper one way car rentals a few times of year (usually spring and winter) when most car rental companies are moving their fleet from one area of the country to another.
Car Rental Advice for Reservations
Before you start to check prices on a car rental, have your location information, discount information, coupon and dates and times ready! This will save you time and effort!
Make sure to check rates at different locations in the city you want to rent in. Airport fees can add a lot to your rental rate; if your pick up is flexible, you may be able to save some money.
Car Rental Advice on buying Insurance
If you decline LDW at the rental counter and rely on your own insurance, you probably would be responsible for paying your usual deductible. Also, a loss-of-use fee is not normally covered by personal auto insurance policies. And, personal auto policies that extend collision coverage to a rental car may only provide a coverage limit equal to the value of your own vehicle. If the value of your personal vehicle is less than that of the rental vehicle, you could still incur some damage responsibility.
You may already have collision coverage for a rental car through your credit card.
Car Rental Advice for Credit Cards
If a car rental company accepts your debit or cheque card make sure to check about any additional information that would be required. Most companies that accept a debit card will also require a credit check at the rental counter and a larger deposit than would be required with a regular credit card. Call your rental location directly for information on what the credit check entails. There may also be age restrictions even if the company accepts debit cards.
Some car rental locations do not accept debit cards at time of rental to release the vehicle, but do accept debit cards for payment when you return the vehicle.
Car Rental Advice on Additional Drivers
Most car rental companies will rent to a person who is disabled and who does not possess a driver’s license. The renter must show that they are able to be personally and financially responsible for the rental vehicle and must use their own credit car to rent. The driver that they sign on must meet the age and drivers license requirement of the rental car company. Note: There are no fees for an additional driver for a disabled renter. Click here for more information on Car Rentals for Persons With Disabilities
Even if you rent a car, but never drive it, you are automatically considered the primary operator of the rental vehicle. All additional drivers must be approved by the rental company.
For more Information on Additional Drivers, click here
Car Rental Advice on Cancellations
Please be careful when booking a prepaid reservation through a website like Hotwire or Priceline. These are great sites, where you can get great deals, but the reservations that you book and pay for in advance, may be non-cancellable, non-modifiable and non-refundable. Make sure you are aware of these stipulations!
International Car Rental Advice & Tips
It is recommended that you carry an International Driving Permit (IDP)for most international rentals. An IDP is written in 10 languages and serves as an officially recognized translation of your local driving license in over 150 participating members of the United Nations. When you are checking rates, if your international rental price quote is presented in U.S. or Canadian dollars, keep in mind that the rental location will charge the equivalent in local currency. Make sure you know the rules of the road where you are renting... you may be required to drive on the left in some countries.
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