SolveYourProblem.com
Article Series: Discount Travel
Gimme Some Discount Travel Ideas
Renting
a Car? Top 5 Ways To Save Money
It’s true that having your own vehicle gives
you freedom. When you travel by air, it is almost essential
to rent a car in order to get around once you arrive at your
destination. Even when visiting family or friends it’s nice
to have your own transportation in order not to rely on others
for your basic transportation needs. If you are taking a
road trip you may want to rent a car in order to save on
the maintenance of your own car or to get better gas mileage.
It doesn’t really matter what the reason is for renting a
car, the point is that you will need one at some point. When
you do go looking for a car to rent, keep in mind the following
five tips to save money.
1. Shop Independent
This is an easy tip to remember. For independence on the
road, choose an independent car rental company. Smaller,
local businesses will be able to offer cheaper rates than
the national rental brands. While the national car rental
companies rely on their names to get you in the door, the
local rental companies rely more on good service and great
prices. They will not have quite the selection of a larger
company, but the independent guys do have plenty of options.
Unless you really need a specific car, you will almost always
be able to find an appropriate vehicle at a lower price from
the independent car rental company. Count on great personalized
service too.
2. Beware of Airports
There is a high price to pay for convenience. Even though
there are car rental companies lined up down the airport
road, you will benefit from trying someone else. Since the
independent car rental companies are less likely to be able
to pay rent at such a prime location, you should look them
up and ask about a free pickup. The pickup won’t always be
available, but even if it isn’t, you’ll still probably get
a better deal by shopping off the airport property.
3. Economy Class
They may not be the coolest ride you can find on the car
rental lot, but economy cars will be a better way to go if
you are trying to save a little money. The initial price
as well as the ensuing taxes and insurance costs will be
less than if you were to rent a sports car or SUV. If you
are shopping short term and really want a long term test
drive, go for the fancy cars. If you are really interested
in the best deal for your money, look at the economy cars.
4. Gas Mileage
Another reason to shop for the small, economy cars is for
the better gas mileage. You will have to buy the gas that
you use in your rental car. If the tank is full when you
take it, it should be full when you bring it back. Gas is
not cheap and if you drive very far your rental bill could
easily double or even triple. Using a small car will help
you keep fuel costs under control and within reasonable limits.
5. Choosing Insurance
It’s always a debate about how much insurance to buy on
a rental car. The odds change depending on the area in which
you will spend most of your time in the car. If you’ll be
in a well protected, nice neighborhood and on interstates,
you’ll probably be fine without all but the basic coverage,
so save the money. If you will be driving in someplace with
a high rate of theft, choose full coverage to protect yourself
from replacement costs. If you’ll be driving in and around
lots of pot holes or on dirt and gravel roads, look into
wheel insurance and or windshield insurance. You have to
evaluate your situation and make an informed decision in
order to get the insurance coverage correct.
Renting cars is a huge convenience and sometimes even a
necessity. When you get to the place where you need to rent
a car, remember to follow the guidelines listed here in order
to save money. #
# # # #
SolveYourProblem.com
: 2008
> Home
Page > Discount Travel:
Main Page
Related
Channels:
|
