The best thing to do initially is to find three or four car rental companies in the local phone book or the internet of course. Spend some time carrying out this task because in some respects it the most important if you want to locate the best car rental deal.
It is always a good idea to check out if the car rental agency is running any special deals at the time you phone as you could save yourself quite a few dollars. One point worth checking when you contact the car rental office is whether they are have any arrangements with airlines or hotels where a further discount may be available.
Pickup and collection conditions vary between companies so choose one that best suits your circumstances.
It's nice having a large car, the comfort can't be beat but it comes at a cost so if you are on a budget, stick to what you need.
Reserving the vehicle of your choice is a good idea but depending on the car rental company you decide on using, it can come at a price.
Car rental doesn't have to be expensive and if you are looking to keep the cost down here are some more ideas which may help.
When getting a car rental check for available upgrades at no charge, you'd want the best deal so you'd want the best car and to do this, you should go pickup your car early in the morning. The reason for this is that most people that hire economy cars don't return them until they have to which means you may just get a more luxurious car instead at no extra charge.
Try getting an internet car rental as these types of rentals offer internet only discounts. If you are really smart you can supply the car rental company with just your budget and let them sort the rest out for you, now that makes it really simple.
When you return your car, make sure the tank is full as you don't want to pay the fuel surcharge if the rental company has to fill it up.
Fly-drive vacations are becoming more popular, also a rise in fly-drive plus hotel package where all you have to allow for is meals. Just go and check out the packages at you local or internet travel agency.
Often car rental companies will give a discount on a rental if you have frequent flyer discounts which they will exchange. Although it is more cost effective to just fly with your frequent flyer discount, if it's going to expire anyway, why wait?
Just remember, the discounts are there but you must ask as they won't be offered so don't be shy because you will gain nothing from it.
Discounts On Car Rentals
For regular travelers the use of budget car rentals is more of a necessity than a luxury; if you use taxis regularly you will not need reminding how expensive this form of transportation is, so perhaps it is time you tried something else. But with today's competitive market, I wouldn't be surprised that when trying to rent a car you can end up renting a car that sounds like lawnmower instead. Do not forget, the idea is to rent a car inexpensively, not one that is destined to be scrapped the minute you return it. Now that I have you concerned, I am going to give you a few points to look for when arranging a rental car.
I have found that budget car rental using the internet as a resource is a good way to find a low cost car because some sites let you set a limit on what you are prepared to pay. These companies will try and get you the best deal available and often offer other upgrades or incentives to get your custom. Look for package deals, fly-drive-stay, or fly-drive, most of these packages give great discounts for rentals, but don't do it with an airline. If you do not need to organize your car rental with the airline, try a company that is outside the airport you will find they are usually less competitive.
Budget car rental is now a growing area of online car rental so do not let the low prices put you off. You will often find that there are discounts and extras available but only from the company's web site. Besides, apart from upgrades, special offers are nearly always available if you look around. Plus, and this is the good bit; all this can be done from your home.
Another thing to ask is whether your credit card company has negotiated special discounts with the budget car rental company you are going to use. It is quite common these days for a company to have made an arrangement with other companies to give discounts to their employees or members so you may be lucky enough to receive a further discount here.
Another tip is to check you rental car carefully and let the company know of any damage you find before you drive away. In addition to a physical check for collision damage, make sure everything works as it should or you might find yourself paying for something that wasn't your fault.
One other thing to remember is to check your vehicle insurance policy as you will more than likely find that it provides rental car insurance cover so that's another saving. Even though rental car insurance isn't going to cost you a fortune, there is no point in paying it if you are already covered; irrespective of the situation, don't think that it isn't an important aspect either because insurance is still required by law.
It may not seem important but driving without auto insurance can land you in a great deal of trouble.
Both Sandy Maseko & Stefan Seguin are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Sandy Maseko has sinced written about articles on various topics from Motorcycle Tips, Apply for Credit Card and Cars. offers more accurate reviews, check out:. Sandy Maseko's top article generates over 74000 views. to your Favourites.
Stefan Seguin has sinced written about articles on various topics from Car Rental, Debts Loans and Family Travel. provides valuable information tips on cars to educate anyone with a curious mind.Be sure to stop by our site and get a free education at
