Rent By The Week
Usually renting a car for five or more days will bring you a much better rate. The same car for a 3 or 4 Day rental could cost upwards of 40% more.
Weekend Specials
Saturdays are an important day for saving money. Most car rental companies offer the best rates from noon Thursday until noon Monday.
Watch the Clock
Make sure you return your car by the required deadline date and time. Often if you miss the deadline, car rental companies will assess large penalties and fees. Generally there is no charge for the first hour of being late. But if you are two hours late then the full day rate will generally be divided by 1/3 and you would be charged 1/3 of the full day rate for each hour that you were late, any thing later than 3 hours would mean you would pay for another full day.
Location is Important
A rental agency downtown or away from the airport usually offers the best rates. It is often best to take a courtesy shuttle or taxi to your hotel and then rent from a nearby agency. Often the savings are substantial. Since few airports offer curbside car rentals, you'll have to ride a van to get your rental car even with on-site rentals.
Is Free Mileage Free
Most rental offers come with unlimited mileage and travelers find comfort in this. The reality is that if you plan on using your rental car for local mileage at your destination it might not be the best deal. Ask about a low base rate with a 100 to 150 mile per day limit. Of course to see any savings you must stay within the mileage limits. Still the savings can be substantial if this type of rental fits.
Is the Insurance Necessary?
Collision-Damage Waiver/Loss-Damage Waiver (CDW/LDW) is optional. It can add $9 to $20 on your daily rate. It means the rental agency takes fully responsibility for any damage that may happen to the car while it is in your possession. Some states have outlawed these additional charges. There are a few ways you can protect yourself. First check with your personal auto insurance policy. It is a good idea to check but you are probably already covered for liability if you own or lease a car. Most financial and lending institutions require it. Liability insurance covers you for any damages that you might accidentally inflict on another person. If you do not own or lease a car of your own or if you do not normally carry car insurance, It would be recommended that you do purchase additional CDW/LDW. If you frequently rent cars, you may want to call an insurance company and ask about a year round non-owner policy.
Know About ALL The Extra Charges:
Car rental companies have a laundry list of fees, taxes and surcharges. These charges can increase the cost of your daily rental upwards of 50% and cancel any savings you might have sought out on your airline tickets or budget hotels. Its best to understand these charges before you sign your rental agreement.
Additional Drivers
Most rental companies will allow a spouse to drive at no additional charge but check to make sure. It is usual practice for companies to charge extra for each additional driver. Sometimes the fees are $3-$15 per day. In other cases, there is a flat $20 to $25 charge per rental. Don't try to save money by not listing additional drivers. If you are in an accident, the rental company will hold you in violation of your contract. This means you have no insurance to cover any damages. In some cases, these fees can be negotiable.
Taxes and Airport Charges
Among the nations top-50 car rental airport markets, Boston charges the highest level of car rental taxes and surcharges a 28.7% added to the rental fees. Today, taxes and surcharges typically make up about 20% of a customer's total rental charge. According to research compiled by Abrams Travel Data. Boston is followed by Dallas-Ft Worth 27% Phoenix 26.7% Houston Intercontinental 26% and San Francisco 24.4%. The good news higher airport taxes makes travelers think more about renting at off airport rental locations in the U.S.
Fuel Charges
Rental agencies always want you to return their cars with a full tank of gas. If not, you will be charge you a premium price to replace the fuel you have used generally $8.00 is charged for every 1/8 of a tank that is not filled. The other option is that the clerk will suggest that you "pre-pay" for a full tank of gas. Most travelers figure that they will then return the car empty. While this is more convenient, often travelers end up paying for gas they don't use.
Top Locations to find the lowest rental prices
Accessible Van Rentals in the U.S.
www.wheelerz.com
U-Save Auto Rental of America
www.usave.net
Rental Cars Discounts From All Major Car Companies
www.rentalcars.com
Breeze Net Rental Cars Book Direct and Save
www.bnm.com
Car Wiz Find Cheap Rental Cars
http://onetravel.com
