When you're taking a trip and need reliable transportation or are in need of a ride when your car is getting repaired, you may need to rent a car. Many people avoid car rentals because of their high cost, but there are ways to make them more affordable. If you want to save money on your next car rental, there are a few tips to follow that will prove to pay off.
Book Your Rental Early
Many people don't realize that the cost of a car rental significantly increases the longer you wait to book it. The price automatically gets more expensive the closer you get to the date you want to rent it. This is because there is more demand and fewer cars in the fleet available.
Plan in advance by booking a few weeks or months early to get the best rate. You can also have more options with the make and model you select when you book it in advance to ensure you can be more selective.
Take Advantage of Your Membership Benefits
Many car rental companies offer discounted rates to customers when they have memberships with different companies like Costco and AAA. They have partnerships with major car rental companies to ensure you can get a discounted rate on your rental car. They'll even allow you to add an additional driver for free to allow you to save $12 to $13 for each day you rent the car.
Insurance may also be provided if you have a membership to a specific company or warehouse. Research your benefits in advance to take advantage of more savings.
Pay for Any Tolls in Cash
If you take any tolls while using the vehicle, you'll get charged an average of $6 each day by the car rental company. This is often a lot more expensive than what you'd pay if you paid for the tolls with cash. This can quickly add up and make your car rental more expensive to use.
Instead, get cash out before you start using the car to ensure you're prepared and can save more money while taking different routes.
Don't Book Your Car at an Airport
Car rental rates are a lot higher at car rental companies that are located at airports and come with a lot of added surcharges. Although you may enjoy the convenience that comes with getting off the plane and heading to the rental company's front desk, it can cost you a lot more in the long run. Consider booking your car rental a few miles away from the airport to spend a fraction of the cost and save 10 to 25 percent. You can easily book an Uber or Lyft ride and only spend a couple of dollars to get to the rental company when you're in a new destination. This will prove to be easy, convenient, and a lot more cost-effective.
Look into the Cancellation Fees
Many people fail to research the cancelation fees when they book a car rental, which can add up to $50 when they choose to prepay. If you wait until the same day to cancel, the cancelation fee is often as high as $100. Although it may be convenient to prepay and even allow you to get a discount, it can end up costing you more if you need to modify or cancel your trip. If you want to prepay, you'll need to be sure that there isn't any chance of your plans changing.
Spot Dents and Damage
When it's time to pick up your rental car, you'll need to perform a visual inspection of the inside and outside of the car to determine if any blemishes are present. In many cases, the rental company will assume that you're responsible for the damage and can charge you for the repairs to be made. Take pictures of any of the dents you find with your phone to ensure you have proof that the damage was already present when they gave you the keys. Include a date and time stamp on the pictures to avoid extra charges.
Research Different Types of Bundles
Many companies offer bundle deals that allow you to obtain a free car rental when you agree to purchase hotel rooms and airfare when planning an upcoming trip. This may seem too good to be true, but it doesn't necessarily mean you'll always save more money with the deal.
Although you won't necessarily have to spend more on a car rental that is promoted as free, there can be a few limitations. The bundles may only offer a car rental for one or two days. They may also come with limited mileage, which can make it difficult to get around. The company may also add on extra fees if you exceed the mileage or have to use the car for a few additional days. Look into the terms and crunch a few numbers in advance to avoid getting a deal that isn't fair.
Book Through Discount Websites
There are various websites available that will provide you with a list of rates while factoring different discounts included to ensure they do the work for you. Websites like Autoslash can provide you with quotes and even help you to compare different prices to ensure you get the best deal possible.
Knowing how to save money on your next car rental can allow you to stay within your budget and get the best deal available. You can avoid any surprises when you're charged by the rental company and can even get a better model available to enhance the quality of your trip.