Car Rental Tips -- My Top 10

There are many car rental tips that everyone should know before they reserve a rental car, or even start looking at pricing! There are tips on rental car discounts, tips on rental car coupons, tips on rates and specials, tips on policies and tips on reservations.

When you look at getting advice on anything, you want the most important information... the basics, first!

Tips on car rental discount codes, rental car coupons, cheaper car rental rates and specials can be found in lots of places. The whole reason that I created this website was to try and give people a place to find all the car rental tips that they need, the advice that I think they should know, and the answers to their questions about renting a car... all in one place!
I've narrowed all the advice and car rental tips from this whole website down to what I think are the 10 most important things that you need to do when you book a rental car.

These are my personal Top 10 Car Rental Tips!

If you can reserve your rental a week or more in advance, you will often get a discount car rental. Reserving or renting at the last minute and booking during heavy travel times (like holidays) will generally cost you more, and you will also have less vehicle options as many of the cars will already be booked.

When you see a good price for the rental you want – RESERVE IT THEN – it may not be available the next time you check.

2. Find a Car Rental Discount Code or Rental Car Coupon

Many programs and associations (travel clubs, auto clubs, professional associations, etc) offer car rental discounts as part of there rewards or benefits to members. You can contact the association direct or check their website for member benefits for car rental. I've compiled a list of car rental discount codes for 8 major car rental companies. Find a code to use on your next rental!

You may be able to find rental car coupons or specials on car rental company websites. Make sure to check the terms and conditions of these specials to see if they work for your rental. Some specials may not be able to be used in conjunction with discount codes, so make sure to check both options, to see which will give you a better price.

Getting rental car discounts is top priority. There are several other car rental tips that will help to save money. Click here for the Top 5 ways to get a discount car rental rate.

3. Size makes a Difference

If you are looking for more car rental tips to save money, book only the size of vehicle that you need to meet your basic requirements. Depending upon availability, you may be able to get a free upgrade at the time of pickup. Many car rental companies overbook their smaller sizes, so if you're looking for a slightly larger vehicle, ask at the car rental counter if there are any free upgrades available.

4. Rates are Usually Lower on Weekends

The largest percentage of car rental fleets are rented from Monday-through- Friday for business travel. Leisure travelers can often find better rates on weekends when the demand for some types of cars isn’t as high. Small to large size cars will be cheaper on the weekends, but SUV's, minivans and specialty vehicles will usually be more expensive. An exception to the lower-rates-on-weekends rule of thumb, would be holiday weekends. If you don't book far enough in advance, holiday weekend rentals can be very, very expensive.

5. Fill up the Tank, even if you only Drive a Little Bit

Most car rental companies charge a special surcharge or fee, if you drive the vehicle under a certain number of miles. The number of miles may vary from company to company, so make sure to check with the car rental location that you are renting from. If you drive the rental car under 100 miles, make sure to keep your gas receipt so that you can request a waiver of the automatic fuel surcharge, if it is applied.

6. Always get a Booking Number or Email Copy of your Reservation

If you reserve your rental over the phone, make sure to get a reservation number or confirmation number and an email confirmation, if available. When you reserve your rental car online, make sure to record your confirmation number as back up until your email arrives. Bring a printed copy of your reservation with you, if you can. You may never have to show it, but you're better having having it in case there is a problem.

7. Check your options regarding Rental Car Insurance

Before you go to the rental counter, be sure to do some research on what you will need for coverage for the rental car. It's important to know your options, before accepting or declining the various coverages offered at the car rental counter. Check your personal auto insurance policy for car rental coverage as well as your credit card to see if you have any coverages that extend to or cover your rental. Check carefully to make sure that any coverage that you may have would be adequate for your particular rental. You will save a lot of money if you don't need to purchase any optional coverages, but only if you are already sufficiently covered for the rental vehicle.

Click here, for more information about car rental insurance.

8. Compare Rates to Save Money

The easiest way to quickly compare rates for several car rental companies, is to go to a booking site and check your city, dates, times and vehicle size to find which company has the cheapest rate. If the rates seems reasonable and you don't have to give your credit card number, book the car. Then, go to that particular company's website, directly, and see if you can get a cheaper rate on the same vehicle using car rental discount codes or a special from the site.

If you find a cheaper rate, book it and then go back and cancel the reservation that you made on the booking site.

9. Pick up and Return the Rental Car at the Same Time of Day

Most car rental companies charge based on 24 hour days, starting at the exact time when you pick up your car. (Not the time that you said you would pick it up!) It is rare now to get much of a grace period for returning the vehicle, although some car rental companies will offer a 29 minute grace period. Pick up and return at or by the same time of day to keep your price down and avoid being charged for an extra day. Make sure to check at the rental counter, to see if there is a grace period for returns, in case you are late.

10. Check Back, after you've made a Reservation

If you book a car rental reservation 3 weeks or more, in advance, call or check online each week before the pick up date, to see if the rates of your rental have gone down since you booked it.

Online, you can try to either modify your reservation to the lower rate (try changing your pick up time by a couple of minutes) or book a new car at the lower rate. If you successfully book the lower rate, make sure to go back and cancel your original booking.

If you made your reservation over the phone, call periodically and provide your confirmation number, to check if the rates for your reservation have gone down. If the agent cannot modify the reservation to the lower rate, they will be able to book you a new reservation at the cheaper price.