Car Rental: Make the Right Choice

Car Rental: Make the Right Choice

When you travel to a new city, bear in mind that a rental car isn't your only option. There are many cities in which you can easily get by without one. However, if your plans do necessitate getting a rental, keep these nine tips in mind in order to get the best bang for your buck at the rental company.

1. Additional transportation options. Cities like New York, Philadelphia, London, Seattle, Paris, and Las Vegas, for instance, offer inexpensive and readily-accessible mass transit systems. Cities that lack mass transit systems may still offer tour buses for the traveler's use. Why pay for a rental car, parking, and gasoline when you could opt to ride a subway to your point of interest? You should also weigh out time spent searching for reasonable prices, and the potential for time spent in traffic congestion.

2. Where should you rent? Assuming you need a car, bear in mind that it is often more costly to rent at the airport, because airports impose fees on top of those charged by the rental agencies. Higher demand at the airport may also increase the prices charged by the rental company. Renting someplace else, maybe near your accommodations, could be more affordable.

3. Which type of car? Perhaps you'll want to consider renting a compact car. There are several benefits to renting a compact car: the rental will be less costly, you'll spend less on gasoline, and parking in a big city will be easier. Also, rental agencies will frequently upgrade you to a mid-size car, at no additional cost, if there are no compact cars available.

4. Small companies. Smaller, local companies might offer a better rate than national chains. Research which companies are available in your travel destination. You might find a good deal!

5. Discounts. Search for websites that offer car rental discounts. Some rental agencies have discount codes if you work for certain employers or if you carry a certain brand of insurance.

6. Purchasing gasoline at the car rental lot is a mistake. More than likely you will not need a full tank of gas, and the local gas stations will probably have better prices too.

7. Rental period. You should only rent a car when it is required; return the vehicle as soon as you no longer will use it, even if you are still in the region without a vehicle.

8. Insurance. Check with your credit card company and with your car insurance firm to see if you are covered if something costly happens to your rental car.

9. Extra Services: The rental company will attempt to sell you many add-ons. In most cases, you will not need many of these. Only get the ones you really need. Remember, the rental company is trying to make a profit off the add-ons.