Rent a car can be an excellent option for Payday loans Clayton visitors to New York City who want more freedom on their trip. But the rental rate can be a major expense.
You can save money by shopping around, booking early and skipping add-ons. Here are some tips to help you get the best deal on your next car rental.
Book in Advance
Booking a rental car in advance is recommended, especially during peak travel seasons. It increases the likelihood of getting the vehicle type or optional features you want and ensures you get a competitive rate. Additionally, booking in advance can save time at the rental counter.
Many rental companies have limited inventory for specialized vehicles or add-ons, so reserving ahead of time is a good way to avoid missing out. If you can’t reserve a specific vehicle, try searching for "similar" models or consider using an aggregate search service that checks prices across multiple rental companies.
Rental rates are typically calculated on a 24-hour basis, so it’s important to plan accordingly. Returning the vehicle an hour late could increase your daily rate by double, so be sure to leave plenty of time. Also, make sure to clean out the vehicle and remove any extras before returning it to avoid incurring cleaning fees.
Book with a Credit Card
Many car rental companies offer a number of ways to pay at the time you rent your vehicle. However, they prefer credit card payments to avoid the hassle of verifying your identity and Payday Loans Clayton to get a better picture of your creditworthiness.
Credit cards also provide superior consumer protections, including fraud liability and primary rental insurance coverage. In fact, major credit cards like the American Express Platinum Card can offer big discounts and exclusive benefits when you use it to book car rentals.
Some companies accept debit cards, though they may require a larger security deposit at pickup or extra documentation. For example, Hertz will typically require a driver’s license, current home address and proof of return travel when you pay with a debit card at an airport location. Non-airport locations might ask for utility bills, a recent paystub and proof of insurance. These extra steps can make it tough to rent a car if you don’t have a lot of available cash.
Avoid Tolls
When renting a car, you will likely encounter roads and bridges that require toll payment. At the rental car counter, agents may tell you that paying for the company’s transponder is the best way to pay those tolls seamlessly. However, if you are smart and plan ahead, there are cheaper options.
One option is to use a map and navigation system that allow you to set your route to avoid toll roads. Another is to bring your own transponder, which you can register in advance with the issuer. This allows you to use cashless lanes, such as those on California’s State Route 73, 133, 241, and 261, as well as the Golden Gate Bridge.
If your rental comes with a toll transponder, you can close it (they typically come mounted in a lead-lined box that opens and shuts) so that the toll plaza can’t see it. You can also use your own tag transponder in the rental, but this will require you to add the rental car’s license plate number to your account.
Avoid Excess Fees
The first thing you need to do when you get to the rental agency is thoroughly inspect the car for any damage. Take pictures and point out any nicks, dings or scratches before you sign the papers to make sure you aren’t charged for damage that happened before your time with the car. This is one of the main reasons that it is best to buy excess insurance before you rent a car.
Junk fees, such as airport concession fees or going over a contract’s mileage limit, can add up to a big surprise when you receive the final bill. Try to avoid locations that charge these, or simply book online and scan through the terms for a list of extra charges.
Also, compare the charges on your booking confirmation voucher with those on your bill upon return. If anything looks off, call and ask to have the extra charges removed. Also, consider getting Excess Reduction to avoid being liable for the car rental company’s excess.