Do you need a rental car? I have a few tips for you!
If you travel and need a rental car, you probably want to get an affordable one. Whether you’re an experienced renter or this is your first time approaching the rental car counter, it never hurts to review the best advice and insider knowledge from travel pros.
How can you get the best rental car at the lowest cost without having to pay additional fees and charges? I will teach you how in just a few minutes. It’s actually easier than you think. From where to book your vehicle (directly through the rental automobile company or an aggregator site) to asking for an upgrade, here’s how to get the best rental car without a ton of money. Let’s begin!
1. Book directly
The first step in this entire process is booking your rental car. You can browse aggregator sites, such as Skyscanner and Kayak, for a sense of rates, then book straight from the rental company.
If you follow this tip, you might have more freedom to change your reservation and dates or switch vehicles. Moreover, you might also find online coupons for a certain business. Even though many people doubt it, experts say airport pickup locations can be more affordable because there is typically more competition and inventory. To skip the lines at pick up, you can join the loyalty program.
2. Upgrade your ride
Unless you have specific needs and requirements, such as an SUV vehicle, additional cargo space, and third-row seats, you can book the most affordable automobile and then ask the company to upgrade the booking price when you arrive at the destination.
Depending on that day’s inventory, you might receive a complimentary upgrade when you check in. According to specialists, booking bigger automobiles, such as an SUV or a convertible, will cost you more per day, especially where those vehicles are absolutely necessary, such as in the mountains or on the coast.
Since many drivers love manual transmission cars, they will be happy to hear that these tend to be more affordable and more readily available abroad.
3. Read the contract
Of course, you’ll need to sign a contract to rent a vehicle, but a mistake several people make is signing it off immediately. It’s essential to fully understand everything on the paper to avoid being held accountable for things you don’t even understand.
One easy way to make sure everything’s alright is to read the contract and analyze it. Don’t be ashamed to ask questions if there’s something you don’t understand. For instance, if the contract shows a higher rate than the booking price says, ask them what happened and have them walk you through every charge. You don’t need any surprise add-ons, do you?
Moreover, read the contract carefully so you have a general idea of cleaning charges, gas refill costs, and late fees. They can all result in a higher price upon return, so better be safe than sorry.
You don’t even know how much your costs could go up simply by bringing back the car a few hours late. Here’s a tip from the pros: it’s best to fill up the tank yourself. If you return the car without gas and they have to fill up the tank, you’ll end up paying a lot more.
4. Take a look at the vehicle
We have another mistake to talk about, and it’s understandable why people make it. When you travel to a different country or a foreign state, for instance, you’re so excited about all the wonderful things you’re about to see and experience that you can’t wait to have the car keys in your hand and let the adventure begin.
Wait, hold up! Those wonderful experiences will still be waiting for you 30 minutes later. Take some time to really examine the vehicle before you drive it. Make sure the license plates are the same ones mentioned on your paperwork. Look for scratches and other things that shouldn’t be there, and tell the company if you find anything suspicious.
They’re not joking with this, and you’d better believe they will charge for the tiniest ding, even if you didn’t do it. They might not be aware the damage was there in the first place and will assume it was you. Do yourself a favor and speak up the moment you see something wrong.
If there’s no employee with you, use your phone to record a video of the car’s exterior and interior before leaving the lot. This backup proof is very important, especially when you travel abroad and the companies there aren’t merciful with scratches and scuffs.
5. What about skipping the insurance?
While I would never recommend skipping insurance altogether because it’s important to have someone cover your back in case of damage, if you already have personal auto insurance, you might be covered for a rental car.
Moreover, credit card companies generally give customers extra coverage when they book with their card. However, things tend to get a bit more complicated when you travel abroad. While your personal auto insurance might cover accidents you incur on another drive, it might not cover damage where you’re at fault.
Other than that, experts say that several credit card companies have countries of exclusion in their fine print, so don’t forget to double-check before you say no-no to coverage at the counter.
6. Check it again when you return it
Given that you checked your rental car when you took it, now you have to check it again when you return it. Grab your phone and take a slow walk around the automobile, record a video, and pay close attention to any mark, scratch, knock, or bump.
When you’re done with that, check that there’s no damage to the wheels, and make sure the tank is full and the spare wheel is inflated and in its place. Don’t forget to record the mileage, because it’s important! This way, you can make sure you won’t be charged extra for things you didn’t do. Proof will always have your back, so don’t neglect this tip!
7. Rent for 1 driver
Did you know that several companies charge extra for multiple drivers? This is typically known as an “Additional Driver Fee,” and it can easily make the price skyrocket. This fee typically applies per day for any additional driver, and it can range from $5 to $15.
If you want to reduce the cost of your rental car, you might choose to assign a single person to drive the vehicle. As we’ve already discussed, make sure you review the agreement. If you select a single driver, no one else should drive it! The rental company’s insurance might not cover the damage in the event of an accident involving a driver who isn’t named on the agreement, which could result in high out-of-pocket expenses.
Do you plan on going on vacation? If yes, make sure you have everything you need, read the contract, ask questions if you don’t understand something, pack your bags, and have fun! Here’s a fantastic pair of polarized sunglasses that will make your driving experience better even on the hottest days! If you find this article helpful and you’d like to check out something else from the Urban Cars Blog, here’s a good post for you: 10 Warning Signs of a Dead Car Battery You Shouldn’t Ignore
