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Car rental companies are infamously notorious for overcharging consumers. Between pricey new centralized airport locations and insurance extras, travelers can pay more than they should. But with some insider strategies, savvy travelers can find the best car rates. The following are a couple of the main ones to be aware
Price
A rental vehicle can place a major scratch on your movement financial plan. Unprecedented levels of consolidation in the industry, pricey new centralized airport rental facilities (costs that are nearly always billed back to consumers), and a business model that appears to be on life support add up to one simple fact: In far too many markets, travelers are being taken for a ride when it comes to car rentals. The first step to saving on a rental car is comparing prices across sites. Online tools allow you to enter travel dates and show prices from hundreds of car rental companies. You can even tweak your dates or pick-up and drop-off locations to see if you can find better prices.
When scheduling your car rental, consider using a credit card that provides access to cost-effective purchasing sites. You could save even more by booking directly through the car rental company’s website. Lastly, it would help if you were looking for coupon codes or deals. For instance, corporations or colleges sometimes provide corporate codes that can be used to reduce the cost of a rental. You should also check with your airline and hotel loyalty programs for car rental discounts. Explore offerings from a reliable coupon aggregator site like RetailMeNot for exclusive deals and discounts.
Convenience
Going around town when visiting a city is why many rent cars, but it can add up quickly. Luckily, there are some things you can do to make your rental car experience more affordable.
Leverage Membership Perks
Many rental companies offer members exclusive discount codes. With these savings, you can save up to 25% on your rental fee. To find these deals, search “car rental promo code” and the name of your favorite rental company. You can also sign up for the car rental company’s email newsletter and follow them on social media to get updates about their latest promotions.
Avoid Airport Rentals
Car rental is often more expensive at airport locations, thanks to airport surcharges and other taxes. To cut costs, rent from a non-airport location and take a rideshare, public transit, or taxi to the airport to pick up your rental. This strategy can also help you score free upgrades, typically available only to customers who book the lowest-priced vehicle. Another way to save is by renting for extended periods, such as a week or month. This can be cheaper than short-term rentals, mainly if the company doesn’t charge early return fees.
Insurance
Many rental car companies make money by upselling customers on add-ons like insurance and roadside assistance. While these services are often valuable, they can be expensive. Keyes advises that comparing prices and policies is vital before signing up for extras. It’s worth checking your credit card to see if it offers primary car rental insurance coverage. It’s also a good idea to look for deals on the car rental website of your preferred company before you arrive at the airport. “Then you can get a feel for whether they’re offering competitive pricing or not,” she says. Another option is to use a price-comparison site that offers a variety of car rental options from multiple providers. It’s a great tool to use before you book a one-way trip from a smaller city or international destination, where local rental companies can offer lower prices due to less competition.
Also, consider booking with a credit card that provides travel credits for car rentals or other frequent travel expenses. These can save you money on the base rate and give you loyalty status, which can reduce your overall cost through discounts and upgrades.
Add-Ons
One of the best ways to save on car rentals is to research before booking. You can save by avoiding airport locations, which tend to charge more for convenience. You can also find deals by booking on a non-branded site. The service searches several booking engines to find the lowest rates. Plus, if the price drops, it tracks your reservation to automatically re-book for you at a lower rate. I’ve saved a lot by using this feature.
Many loyalty programs offer perks that can significantly reduce the cost of a rental. For example, members can often get discounts on car rentals. And some credit cards offer a slew of rental car perks. Getting the best deal on your next rental car is more accessible than some research and savvy tips; you can cut costs without skimping on quality or comfort.
