With friends and relatives renting cars while they visit and vacationers renting in sunny vacation spots, holidays bring many people into car rental offices - some who might not have much experience renting cars.
Here are a few tips to help consumers get the right car and the best value:
- Research car rental companies before your
trip. Find out what companies are in the area, their rates and their
policies. Always ask for hours of operations and return policies. Many
rental locations offer a key drop or off-hour returns, but don't assume
that all do.
- Reserve your car ahead of time and always
call the renting location at least a week in advance to confirm the
reservation.
- Check online for discounts and last-minute
rates. Also, remember that it's cheaper to rent a car on weekends and
holidays. With 70 percent of the car-rental business geared toward business
travelers, the best rates for vacationers are available during non-work
times.
- Look into "neighborhood," or non-airport,
car rental companies. They usually offer more reasonable rates and will
often come to the airport to pick you up. Off-airport rental locations
have grown in popularity with budget-conscious travelers who take advantage
of lower rates resulting from the absence of airport rents, airport
taxes and concession fees.
- Choose the right mileage plan. Many infrequent
renters will unnecessarily request unlimited mileage, paying the premium
rate. Consider lower mileage packages that might still cover your trip.
A car with 100 miles per day built into its price can travel 700 miles
in a week - more than double the average amount of miles traveled by
U.S. drivers.
- Pay attention to fuel efficiency. Upgrading
to a larger sized vehicle for just $5 to $10 more per day may sound
like a good deal, but remember the hidden costs of driving a larger
car that is less fuel efficient.
- Thoroughly inspect the rental car, and circle the block. This mini test drive will allow you to make sure you're comfortable with your vehicle before you're on your way. In particular, find the controls for the windshield wipers, lights, emergency and turn signals.
