When renting a car several things are required. You need a credit card to make the deal, a reservation and confirmation. You can do this on the internet if you have the time. You might find that you get a really good deal and save some money this way. Besides, there is no risk in checking around for the best deal.

Car rental agencies promise: "Rent a car with us and you'll pay just this much!" But, in reality, rates are always changing. You can find excellent bargains with just a little bit of patience and know-how. The strategies provided in this article are simple to use and completely legitimate and in compliance with all laws. Follow them closely, and you'll save big the next time you rent a car.

1. Planning a trip? Make a reservation ahead of time, and find the hottest deal you can without any penalties for cancellation. Most agencies don't have these, unless it's peak season or for a specialty car. If this is a last minute booking, skip this step.

2. Bring comfortable footwear and your laptop with you!

3. When you get to the rental car agency, start up your laptop. Connect to Hotwire, Priceline, or any other discount website that you like. Most of these sites will not let you make your car rental reservation if it is within 2 hours of your pickup time. Because of this, be ready for a delay. Spend the time shopping at the airport, or read a book. When you get onto the website, pick a reservation for the time that you want. Then choose the class of car just below the one you really want.

4. Use the Hotwire price as a starting point in your search for a better deal, as unlike Priceline, Hotwire's results reflect the best deal they can offer. If the Hotwire price is higher than the cost of the reservation you made previously, you probably have the best deal already reserved.

5. Shop around and negotiate to get the best price. Reservation price and discount estimate in hand, travel from one agency to the next to get the best price possible. Be creative and polite. Rental agencies want as much traffic as they can, and the more people that visit, the better location the agency will receive. To this end, car rental agencies in airports want to give you a good rate so that you will return.

6. Research each and every car rental company in your destination city. Keep a detailed log of prices per model, along with deals and incentives offered, who you spoke with and the date and time. Don't be afraid to let each subsequent company you call know what other companies have offered. More than likely they will want to beat that price in order to get your business.

7. The few minutes it will take to do this are worth the time and energy involved, even if you find that your original reservation is the best deal. There is always the chance that you will find a better deal, in which case you can simply call to cancel the original reservation in preparation of accepting the better one.

8. You've almost arrived at a great deal, but don't sign anything just yet. Let the agent know that you'll only accept if they upgrade you to the next class, free of additional charge. This sounds like a lot to ask, but it's really quite simple for the rental agent to arrange. It's their call. The only time this approach fails is when they really are sold out and don't have anything in the next class up to offer you.

You can get a great deal on a rental car if you make time to use this method. It is important to not give up and take the first deal you find. Make sure and not be intimidated by the car rental agency.