You can get a better deal by checking rates on the rental car company's website and comparing them to those on aggregator sites. You can also get discounts through corporate, AAA or university codes and by renting during off-peak times.
You will need a valid driver's license and credit card to rent a car. If you're an international visitor, you may need an International Driving Permit in addition to your home country's license.
Paying in Advance
Many rental car vendors offer a prepayment option that usually saves you around 15-15%. However, it's important to remember that if you cancel this type of reservation, you are likely on the hook for a cancellation fee.
Some opaque sites also offer this kind of prepayment, but these types of reservations can often come with higher cancellation fees and more restrictive date ranges, so be sure you are absolutely certain about your travel plans if you opt for these deals.
Another thing to consider is that with a prepaid reservation, you may not be able to add on extras like additional driver fees or GPS devices if you decide to do so later. Additionally, if you return your car with an empty tank, the rental company will charge you for gas, which can be more expensive than filling up yourself at a local station.
SIXT rent a car offers a variety of payment methods for our vehicles, including major credit cards and debit cards. In order to avoid any problems with your reservation, the name on the card must be exactly the same as the name listed in the rental car reservation.
Avoiding Airport Pick-Up Locations
If you don't want to deal with the hassle and expense of picking up a rental car at an airport you can avoid it by renting from a non-airport location. Savvy renters should check the online comparison sites to see if the companies they're considering are "On-Airport" or "Off-Airport."
On-Airport locations can charge extra for a variety of services including VAT taxes (which vary among different countries), MT equipment charges, and insurance fees. The prices for Payday Loans Marrero Louisiana these fees can be more than double what you'll pay if you choose an off-airport location instead.
Off-airport locations usually offer a shuttle bus to the airport. But you should note that this could add another hour or more to the total rental time and will cost you money if you're bringing your own prepaid airfare.
Avoiding Additional Driver Fees
The cost of car rental add-ons can quickly add up. For example, many rental companies charge a $10 per day fee to add another driver. While having an additional driver can be convenient, it’s important to know that only the main driver under whose name the car is rented can drive it. If anyone else drives it, the insurance and damage waiver may be voided.
It’s possible to avoid these fees by renting from a company that doesn’t charge them. Several major rental companies, including Alamo, Avis, Enterprise, Dollar, Hertz, and Thrifty waive extra driver fees for spouses of loyalty program members. Hertz also waives the fee for employees and business associates.
Another tip to avoid these charges is to return the vehicle on time. If you make a late return, you can be hit with a full day of charges. Some rental companies offer after-hours returns but this can be risky as you’re responsible for the condition of the car until the office opens again.
Getting a Better Deal
When you get to the car rental counter, be savvy about what add-ons to pay for. You're more likely to score a free upgrade (to a larger vehicle, for example) if you reserve the smallest and cheapest model possible. Also be sure to thoroughly inspect your rental car before driving off the lot and note any scratches, dents or other damage.
If you're a frequent flyer with an airline, see what their car rental partners offer. For example, American Airlines' car rental partners include Avis and Budget, Payday Loans Beaumont which can help you save money on rentals and earn AAdvantage miles at the same time.
Avoid the shady tactics of some rental companies by being a smart consumer. Start by searching online for "car rental coupon codes" or "discount code" along with the name of a company you're considering. Then sign up for the company's email newsletters, which often offer exclusive promo codes to subscribers. You can also check out ride-hailing apps like Uber and Lyft, which have started offering rentals in some markets.