Drive a Rental Car You'll Love at a Discounted Rate

Drive a Rental Car You'll Love at a Discounted Rate

by Ben Franklin

The need for car rental can arise at practically any point throughout our lifetimes. You may be going on a vacation far away from home, or taking a business trip that will demand you drive upon arrival.

In either case, renting a car may be the only option you have. If you learn to spot rental deals, you may find you save significantly whenever the need to rent a car arises.

PLAN YOUR MOVES

If you plan your vacation in a far away location, your best choice is probably to fly to your destination. Just as purchasing plane tickets in advance can save considerably on the costs, renting a vehicle ahead of time can reward you with surprising savings. Securing both plane tickets and your car rental at the same time often results in the biggest savings.

You may not know this, but most major car rental companies and airlines collaborate with each other. Customers may be offered discounts from one for the other's services. When you plan your trip, look for deals being offered by companies in conjunction with each other. Since you must buy both, why not save in the process?

CHOOSE THE RIGHT CAR FOR YOUR NEEDS

It probably goes without saying, but a small car will always be far cheaper than a minivan or an SUV. This applies both in terms of renting costs as well as gas consumption costs. If you, however, must rent an SUV to provide your family with comfort, make sure that you check the online market for the best deals.

You will probably be able to find a decent amount of good car rental companies online in the area you will be visiting. One advantage of airport rentals is you can usually pick up and return them quickly and conveniently, even if you fly out of a different airport from where you land.

RENT YOUR CAR FOR AS LONG AS POSSIBLE

If it's a long vacation that you have in mind, you are in luck when it comes to vehicle rental. In fact, the longer your car rental duration is, the better. Rentals that span over a week are far more financially profitable than ones set on a daily basis. You may find you pay as much to rent a car for a week as you do for just two days!

Booking in advance guarantees the car you want will be ready for you for as long as you need it. Don't make the mistake of waiting and hoping you'll get a deal on a vehicle left un-rented. In most major cities, this rarely occurs.

These are the three main points to consider when you know you must rent a car. Once you research your best options, you have the added advantage of experience to help guide you. If you've secured a good deal from a rental company in the past, chances are you will be just as satisfied the next time you need a car.