Tips on Getting a Car Rental

Not everyone takes a car with them on a vacation. They may be traveling too far or their significant other requires the car while the other person is out on a business trip, for example. Renting a car provides flexibility during a trip and many times it is the only practical way to venture about the destination. There are many places to rent a car, including airport rent a car kiosks, car rental agencies and many main car rental agencies, such as Hertz car rental, have online websites where it is possible to reserve a car. However, renting a car can be quite daunting, especially if an individual does not know what they need. Here is some practical advice on how to save money with rental car deals and everything else associated with car rentals.

How to Choose a Vehicle

It is imperative that before anyone looks at car rental companies that they first determine exactly what type of car they need to rent. If someone is traveling on their own, then a smaller, more compact car will do, but if it is a whole family traveling and/or there is a lot of stuff an individual is traveling with, a much larger sedan or even an SUV may be the more practical choice.

Even though size is important, it should not be the only factor determining what type of car to rent. Individuals need to select a car based on their needs. Many individuals want to rent cars that are environmentally friendly. Other people cannot drive stick-shift and need to make sure the car rental agency has a number of cars in their fleet with automatic transmissions.

Also, find out if the car rental agency offers any extra features that may be of use. This can include a GPS system or a ski rack or bike rack.

When Booking with the Car Rental Agency

When it is time to book a car rental, the first thing to determine is how long the car will be needed for. Look into some of the major car rental agencies including Hertz car rental agency to see what they can do in terms of how much it will cost to rent a car for that period of time.

It is always good to shop around when wanting to rent a cheap car. There are many search engine aggregator websites that provide insight to the cars and rates currently available. Do not forget to look at the individual websites of the car rental agencies as well. Sometimes there are exclusive discounts if someone reserves a car through the website.

To lower rates and get the cheapest rent a car possible, inquire about discounts associated with credit card programs, frequent flier programs, and major national organizations like AAA and AARP.

There is a lot of information one needs to find out before booking a car with a car rental agency. This includes availability, location, rates, and airline and/or hotel partnerships, insurance, extra charges, and pickup sites. Be sure to get all this information before booking a car.

Read Before Signing on the Dotted Line

Prior to reserving a rental car, always read over all the terms and conditions. If booking through the internet, there should be a link that guides individuals to a webpage with all the information. If the person is booking on the phone, ask the car rental agent about all restrictions that apply. Ask questions such as how long a car is held if the individual coming to pick it up is in traffic, or if there is a late fee returning the car if someone is stuck in traffic but phones the car rental agency to let them know they are running late. Ask about fees for additional drivers or if there is a penalty if the person does not show to pick up the rental car. Also, ask about interstate travel if that is what the rental car is being utilized for.

When Picking Up the Rental Car

Before driving away from the car rental agency, be sure the agent does a full inspection of the car for all body damage that is already on the car. The last thing anyone wants is to be charged extra for dings, dents and scratches they did not cause. Check the mileage odometer, make sure the signal lights are working and make sure the break light is working as well. If someone notices a defect as soon as they are on the road, call the car rental agency immediately.

Ask about insurance coverage before driving the car off the car rental lot. If the person already has automobile insurance, then they will most likely have at the very minimum collision coverage. Therefore, there is no need to spend extra money and purchase it from the car rental agency. If someone is in doubt, before renting the car, they should call up their personal automobile insurance carrier and inquire with them about coverage while driving a rental car.

Bringing the Rental Car Back to the Car Rental Agency

Make sure the gas tank is filled prior to returning the car to the car rental agency. If the car was rented from an airport rent a car, avoid all the gas stations that are closest to the airport as the prices to fill a tank of gas tend to be much higher. It is best to find a gas station in the center of town and away from the car rental agency.

Return the car right at the designated time. Although this may sound a bit odd, some car rental companies actual charge individuals for returning their vehicle early. There is an early return fee and the agency may restructure the rate, causing an individual to pay much more. Car rental agencies also charge a fee for returning the rental car late. Find out the grace period before accumulating late charges. If someone knows they are going to be late, it is best to call the car rental agency at least 24 hours in advance. They may charge extra but at least this way it is not a surprise charge. However, accidents do happen on the road that can cause traffic to pile up. If an individual is stuck in an unexpected traffic jam on their way to returning the car, phone the car rental agency and let them know. They may slide the late charges.

Individuals should have the car rental agency inspect the car while they are still there. No one wants to get a phone call about additional damage done to a vehicle. This way, the person can be there to dispute any claims of damage.

Last but not least, always check the car rental for any personal belongings. Car rental agencies are not obligated to call up the previous driver and let them know they forgot something in the trunk of the car rental.

Save Extra on your next Car Rental

When it is time to rent a car cheap, the first thing anyone should look into is free upgrades. When looking at a car to rent, ask the car rental company about any upgrades that are available for no additional charge. When inquiring about free upgrades, always ask in the morning. This is when a majority of rental cars have yet to be returned to the car rental agency and there is a shortage of certain cars. Many will provide a free upgrade without any additional charge to the account. Even if it is not free, sometimes the rental car agency will let you upgrade for a dollar or two a day.

Look around on the internet for any discounts on rental car deals. This is advantageous for individuals who reserve a car rental on the internet. Many websites have promotional codes that take a percentage off the total cost of the car rental or provide a special offer for those who rent their car on the internet rather than on the phone or at the agency. It is a great way to get cars for rent cheap without having to do much of anything.

Always make sure the tank of the rental car is filled. Find out the rule regarding the gas tank. Some car rental agencies require a full tank while other car rental agencies just require the car to be filled to the amount it was provided at. For example, if the car rental was given to someone with a quarter of a tank of gas in it, then they are only responsible for ensuring that it has a quarter of a tank of gas when it is returned. Car rental agencies will charge extra on the final bill if the tank is not filled to their specifications.

Most men and women are under the impression that all they have to do is reserve a car rental and then pay for it. However, if individuals want the greatest deal to rent a car cheap, they should not think like that. These tips should assist in getting a good deal that saves money and allows the individual to drive the rental car they want!