Renting a car is such a common part of the travel experience that you’d think the process would be straightforward and transparent—yet somehow it is anything but. Many travelers aren’t sure how to rent a car without making a few common mistakes.

Do I need to buy additional insurance? What about paying to refuel the car? I hear horror stories about phony damage claims; should I be worried? No one is around to inspect the car with me; is that OK? Can I drive into another country? Do I need all the extras they offer me at the rental counter?

These questions come up pretty much every time someone rents a car. Again, anything but straightforward.

Among all your options, there are some things you don’t need to do, or even should not do, when renting a car. Below we are going to discus more on how you can get value and if possible escape your auto rent. Let’s get into it.

• How do I Get The Best Deal on a Rental Car?
• How Can I Avoid Excess Car Rental Charges?
• How Can I Save Money on a Rental Car?
• What Are The Most Important Things You Should do Before Leaving The Lot With a Rental Car?
• Is it Cheaper to Rent a Car at The Airport or Offsite?
• Should You Take Out Extra Insurance When Renting a Car?
• How Can I Get a Discount on Enterprise Rent a Car?
• What Rental Car Companies Accept AAA Discount?
• What is The Collision Damage Waiver?
• What Happens if You Damage a Rental Car Without Insurance?
• 5 Ways to Save Money on Your Next Rental Car
• 5 Car Hire Rip-offs to Avoid
• Best Car Rental Companies to Work For
• What to Check When Renting a Car
• What Are The Benefits of Renting a Car?
• Why Are Car Rentals so Expensive Right Now?

How do I Get The Best Deal on a Rental Car?

One of the biggest travel trends since the COVID-19 pandemic is the comeback of the road trip. But high demand means that supply for rental cars might be lower. Unsurprisingly, car rental prices are at sky-high levels — and that’s if you can find one available to rent at all.

The good news is you don’t have to blow your entire vacation budget on rental cars.

Read Also: How To Significantly Boost Your Memorial Day Sales

These 10 tricks will help you score a cheap rental car for your next road trip, whether it’s a quick weekend getaway or a cross-country odyssey.

1. Skip the airport

Renting at the airport is convenient when you’re flying into a new city. But that convenience can come at a premium, thanks to airport surcharges. These surcharges often come as fixed dollar figures, typically presented as a “Customer Facility Charge.”

You might also find them as a percentage of your overall rental amount — and sometimes, you’ll owe both. These charges are typically several dollars a day, but can often amount to a three-figure charge depending on the length of your trip.

Price out rental locations in the city and compare to what you can get at the airport. Make sure you factor in the cost of a taxi or rideshare to and from your rental location if you rent at a location away from the airport.

2. Shop around online

Look at sites like Kayak, Priceline and Cheapcarrental.com to compare your options and narrow in on the best deal.

Then go directly to the car rental company’s site. You might find an even steeper discount that way, particularly with “Pay Now” options. Just keep in mind that rentals paid in advance are typically nonrefundable.

Even after you book, keep shopping. If you didn’t book a nonrefundable rental, you can cancel your reservation if you find a better price.

3. Turn to discount brands

Enterprise, Hertz and Budget aren’t the only outfits in town. Discount brands like Advantage, Payless, Thrifty and Dollar Rental are also vying for your business, often at a lower rate than big-name rental companies.

On a given day, our research showed that the lowest-priced rental from Advantage, Dollar and the like was at least $5 cheaper than the cheapest premium brand rental, depending on the city. That savings multiplies over longer trips.

4. Leverage memberships

Have a Costco membership? Use it to save money on your next rental car.

“I find that Costco consistently beats full-price car rentals on online travel agencies,” says Clem Bason, CEO of the travel website goSEEK.com and formerly of Hotwire.com.

An added bonus: You can often add a driver for free.

AAA memberships are another great money-saving tool by providing discounts for Hertz rentals as well as no underage driver fees for AAA members ages 20 to 24.

Frequent-flyer programs also offer discounts on rental cars. American Airlines, for example, offers AAdvantage members 35% off Budget and Avis — but you need to rent from an airport.

5. Opt for economy cars

Economy cars are typically the cheapest, and therefore the most likely to be booked. You can use this to your advantage, says Brett Graff, a family finance expert and author of a syndicated column called The Home Economist.

“When renting a car, I reserve the smallest, most affordable vehicle possible, knowing there’s a chance it won’t be on the lot and I’ll get an upgrade,” Graff says.

Just don’t book something that’s too small for your party, or you could be stuck cramming five people plus luggage into a two-door coupe. Not exactly the cozy vacation you had in mind, is it?

6. Stick to one driver

Most rental car companies will charge you a daily fee to add an extra driver. That fee is typically $12 per day with Enterprise and National Car Rental and $13 per day with Budget and Avis, but can vary by location.

There are ways to dodge the fee, though. Some companies, such as Enterprise, waive the additional driver fee for a spouse or domestic partner, but you both need to have the same address on your driver’s licenses. Others, including National, will waive the fee for spouses, partners and immediate family members if you enroll in their membership program.

You can also leverage other memberships, such as USAA, AARP, AAA or Costco to get a free additional driver with select rental car companies.

7. Use your own insurance

If you have a car, your primary insurance likely covers you when you rent a car. Carless millennials: Have your parents add you as a driver to their insurance. If you have a good driving record, it likely won’t cost any extra.

Many credit cards also include basic insurance coverage if you use the card to pay for your rental. So you can skip it and save as much as $30 a day on your rental. Some cards even offer more comprehensive coverage.

Renting overseas? You might be required to purchase insurance, even if you have coverage via your primary car insurance and/or your credit card. Build this into your budget.

8. Forgo the extras

Rental agents make more money if they sell you on the benefits of extras like roadside assistance, satellite radio and GPS navigation. You’ll save money if you resist their spiel.

9. Price out prepaid gas

Use a site like GasBuddy to scope out nearby gas stations and current fuel prices so you can compare against the prepaid price offered by the rental car company.

Factor in how likely it is you will have a near-empty tank upon your return. On a short day or weekend trip, you may just need to top off your tank before returning the car. Longer trips may allow you to roll in on fumes and save a few dollars as you do so.

10. Walk or ride

While these tips will help you get a cheap rental car, there is one other surefire way to save: Skip the rental altogether.

Most major cities have walkable downtowns and extensive public transportation networks, not to mention taxis and ridesharing apps galore. So save yourself the hassle of traffic and often costly parking rates, if you can, and buy yourself a weekend metro pass.

You might also consider a nontraditional rental car company like Turo or Getaround. Some operate like the Airbnb of cars, where people rent out their personal cars. Others are operated by related players in the automobile space, like car dealerships.

But many of them turn out cheaper than your standard rental car, and many let you book by the hour, which can allow you to avoid paying for hours you’re not actually driving.

And you might even be open-minded to alternative wheels. Don’t overlook rideshares for short trips. Finally, it sounds lavish, but if you won’t actually be driving for the majority of your trip, sometimes even a limo might be cheaper.

How Can I Avoid Excess Car Rental Charges?

Walking into a rental car dealer should be a simple task. Walk in with a reservation, your ID, and your credit card, and walk out with a set of keys. But more often than not, picking up and returning a rental car is a dizzying array of add-on offers and potential fees.

How do you make the most of your vacation without getting tripped up by unnecessary costs?

1. Don’t buy extra insurance.

Are you paying for your rental with a credit card? Your credit card company likely provides its own rental car insurance. Your own car insurance, too, will often cover rental car trips. Check with both to determine whether you really want to spend extra on the rental company’s collision damage package. No, you don’t want to be fully liable if you total your shiny rental car.

But that doesn’t mean you need to shell out a pricey daily fee for peace of mind. In fact, some credit cards don’t offer rental car insurance if you’re also covered under the rental agency’s collision damage waiver, so you may be shooting yourself in the foot if you get it. Make sure to check whether your credit card coverage is primary or secondary insurance, though.

2. Don’t buy their Gas.

At some rental car agencies, you can prepay to have them fill your tank after you drop the car off. That means you’ll save time on the way back, and generally, the price-per-gallon seems relatively cheap. The problem? You’re probably not going to run your rental car down to empty right as you pull into the return lot, and then you’ve just given the agency free gas.

It’s never a good idea to leave filling up to the agency. Unfortunately, that’s doubly true on the return end if you’ve opted for the prepay—you’ll get hit with a huge premium if you forget to fill the tank and have to buy gas from the company when you’re handing over the keys. You don’t want to get stuck paying $15 per gallon.

3. Avoid the Airport.

It’s super convenient to hop off the plane and go right to the rental car agency, but that convenience comes at a price. Airports charge rental agencies concession fees to operate on their property, and those costs get passed along to you. If you can take a quick (and cheap) train or cab ride to a nearby agency a few miles away from the airport, you’ll probably pay lower rates.

4. Find a Discount.

If you’ve got a travel credit card, you might get a discount at some rental car partners. Citi cardholders, for instance, get up to 20 percent off Hertz rentals, while Visa cardholders can get up to 25 percent off National car rentals. Chase’s Sapphire Reserve credit card gives discounts at Avis, National, and Silvercar.

Your employer may also provide rental car discounts, as do some airline and hotel rewards programs. You can even find a discount on Groupon. So don’t reserve blindly. A little research into coupons could save you significant money.

5. Don’t bother to return early.

In most cases, it’s better to show up early than late. But with rental cars, you can be penalized for returning your car too early. Depending on when you return it, you could be charged a different rate than what you originally planned. If you return a car on Saturday morning instead of Sunday morning, you might end up with a weekday rate charge instead of a weekend rate.

If you have a weekly rental, you’ll be paying for a full week whether you return it after five days or the full week. If you return a weekly rental after four days, you might end up paying the day rate, which could be more expensive. In short: You want to stick to your original plans as much as possible, and if you do need to return your car early, call the agency first to check how it will affect your bill.

How Can I Save Money on a Rental Car?

If you’re taking a summer trip and need to rent a car, there are some steps you can take to avoid draining your bank account. Keep reading to see some of our favorite money-saving car rental tips.

1. Book your car right away

If you know you’ll need a car for a future trip, now is the time to book. As the trip date gets closer, it’s more likely that inventory will be low and prices will be higher. You can secure a lower rate by booking your car rental in advance.

2. Use a car-sharing service

If you’re not happy with the rental prices you’re seeing, you may want to consider using a car-sharing service to rent a car. Companies like Turo allow car owners to rent their vehicles to people. Prices vary, but this can be a good way to save on the expense of a car rental. It can also ensure that you have a car for your trip — as many traditional rental companies are running out of vehicles to rent.

3. Don’t forget discount codes

Discount codes and coupon codes can save you a lot. Before making a reservation, don’t forget to ask about any discounts that the company offers. Here are some examples that may be available:

1. AARP
2. AAA
3. Costco members
4. Military discounts
5. Union member discounts

4. Consider a non-airport rental location

Many car rental companies have locations set up at airports. While this can offer convenience, these locations usually charge more for their services. If you want to lower your next rental rate, look at rental locations away from the airport. You can do the math and figure out how much an Uber or Lyft ride would cost you to get to and from the airport. It may still be a lot cheaper to rent your car this way.

5. Book multiple reservations with free cancellation

Another way to save money is to make multiple bookings. Start by making a reservation as soon as you know that you’re taking a trip. Take a look around at other car rental companies and see what they have to offer for the same dates. You can then make a different booking.

When your trip date gets closer, cancel the bookings you no longer need and keep the lowest-priced booking. To avoid unwanted extra fees, make sure that you book reservations that offer free cancellations.

6. Use a travel credit card with included car rental insurance

Another way to save is by using a travel credit card to book your rental. If you use a credit card that includes rental car insurance, you can decline the rental company’s insurance without worry about accidents, saving you from that added expense.

When you’re deciding which credit card to use, consider the type of coverage that is offered. Many credit cards offer secondary car rental insurance, which means the insurance will be available once you max out the coverage provided by your regular car insurance company.

If you use a card with primary car insurance coverage, this coverage will kick in right away. You’ll want to be aware of the differences so you know how to handle any potential accidents or issues during your trip.

When using a credit card to book your reservation, you can also earn points on your purchase. You can later redeem these points for travel or cash back. Doing this is a smart and easy way to save now and in the future.

7. Rent from a car dealership

Did you know that you can rent cars from car dealerships? If any of the above suggestions don’t work out, you may want to contact car dealerships at your destination of choice. Call around and see what the prices are like for your dates. You may get a great deal.

What Are The Most Important Things You Should do Before Leaving The Lot With a Rental Car?

Before you drive off the rental lot, it’s critical that you take a few important precautions. Whether you’re traveling for business or for pleasure, remember to review the following before hitting the road.

1. Look for Possible Damage

Before you sign your car rental agreement, take a good 10 or 15 minutes to review your vehicle for damages. Take a detailed report of any scratches, dings, dents or discolorations, both inside and outside the vehicle. While unseen damages on the car are probably the least expensive of your worries, they can result in unnecessary charges.

Once you’ve completed the walk through, provide the rental company with a copy of your assessment. It’s important that you make sure everyone is on the same page before you begin your vacation.

2. Read Over the Contract

Think if you’ve seen one car rental agreement, you’ve seen them all? Think again! Every company has their own way of drawing up a contract, so never, ever assume that you’re requests have been met. Always check your insurance and optional items.

This can sometimes be a bit tedious when it comes to online contracts, but believe us, it’s time well spent. Car rental agents will do whatever it takes to upsell a rental; some will even add additional insurance coverage onto your bill without informing you first.

As anxious as you are to hit the beach and begin your vacation, remember to be cautious. Read all of the small print and don’t be embarrassed if you have a question.

3. Take Down Emergency Numbers

What would you do if your car broke down in the middle of the night on an abandoned road? Nine times out of ten, you’d call a tow truck company, a family member, or roadside assistance. But what about when you’re half way across the country in a car rental?

Before you drive off the rental lot, ask an agent about their emergency assistance policy. Many independent car rental companies do provide roadside assistance, but at a premium price.

At the very least, ask the rental agent to provide you with emergency contact information for the company, as well as the name and number of a reliable towing company. It could be one of the most important questions you ever ask!

4. Check the Fuel Level

Car rental companies are sticklers when it comes to returning your vehicle with a full tank of gas. And you should be too. Before you drive off the lot, check to make sure the fuel gauge is pointed squarely at the “F.”

Why buy the rental company free gas if you can avoid it? If your rental isn’t full, talk to the agent on duty. Either request a different rental or insist that a note be made on your contract that waives a refueling charge.

5. Make Sure You Can Drive the Car

This is a biggie, especially if you’re traveling overseas. Sometimes, either through an upgrade, or just the randomness of new cars, you can end up with a vehicle that’s very different from what you’re used to driving.

For example, an electric car operates far differently than a petrol-powered vehicle. If you’re unsure of how to operate the car, ask the rental attendant to provide you with a quick course, or insist on a different vehicle.

Check to make sure that the driver’s manual is included in the glove box. Newer cars have all sorts of high-tech features that can make even the simplest tasks seemingly impossible.

Don’t just assume that your car rental is ready to hit the road when you pick it up. Take the above precautions in order to ensure a safe and enjoyable vacation.

Is it Cheaper to Rent a Car at The Airport or Offsite?

There are many reasons to get your rental car once you touch down at the airport. Head to the rental car counter at any major airport and it’s obvious: many travelers get their rental cars at the airport. But let’s talk about economics: is it cheaper to rent a car at the airport or offsite?

Booking your car beforehand adds just one more to-do on your list to accomplish before you can leave. Some people may simply forget it. Others may prefer the face-to-face encounter. It can be more comfortable and communication is clear. You can ask questions and get answers right on the spot. There’s less mystery; it’s a concrete experience. You touch the papers. You sign them. You get the keys.

Renting at the airport gives travelers the chance to evaluate more cars in person to pick the one that’s the best fit for their needs.

In addition, it’s convenient to take a car straight from the airport, without having to worry about taking taxis, buses or another form of transportation to get to your off-site rental car company.

In addition, you may be able to get a good last-minute deal by renting at the counter.

But in that uncertainty lies a risk: there’s no guarantee there will even be any rental cars available if you don’t book in advance, especially if you’re traveling during a busy season. And that’s just the beginning of the potential problems with renting a car in person at the airport.

Renting online can save you money. First, you can often find better deals if you book in advance, which isn’t an option when you’re booking on the spot at the airport.

When you book online, you can more easily compare rates via travel booking websites. You can also search for and use online promo codes, cash back and other kinds of coupons. You can book your rental car and then keep searching for better rates and cancel your first reservation if you find a better deal.

Also, look for package deals, where you get discounted car rental rates if you wrap it up with a hotel and airfare package.

Online, you can also play with pick-up dates and times to see which combo yields the cheapest rates. Some days of the week may be cheaper than others.

Booking online can be quicker and more convenient. No lines, after you’ve been traveling all day and are exhausted. (Not to mention, if your flight arrives late at night, a rental car office may not even be open.)

It’s also more flexible. You can easily browse and look at the car options. Some websites even offer 3D images or videos of the cars, so you really know what you’re getting.

Booking a car online in advance can bring peace of mind. It’s done; it’s not on your mind as something to figure out and hope for the best.

Should You Take Out Extra Insurance When Renting a Car?

For some drivers, rental car insurance is a necessity. For others, it’s a redundant expense. But, how do you know which category you’re in?

Before you rent a car, it’s worth reviewing the coverage on your personal car insurance policy. In some cases, the coverage you have on your own car extends to a rental car. In other words, buying rental car insurance coverage may duplicate what you already pay for.

The extra cost of the rental company’s coverage might make sense in a few cases, however. For that reason, it’s important to understand what your personal auto insurance covers, and what the rental agency is offering.

If you don’t currently have insurance, you’ll need to at least buy liability coverage from the rental company before you hit the road. That’s because liability coverage for all drivers is required by law in most states.

If any of the following scenarios apply, the extra protection provided by rental insurance is worth considering:

• Your current policy doesn’t have comprehensive and collision coverage
• You’re only insured under a commercial car insurance policy
• You don’t want to risk paying a high deductible

And if you’re driving abroad (apart from Canada), your current car insurance probably won’t cover you. Check your policy to find out.

How Can I Get a Discount on Enterprise Rent a Car?

In addition to offering some of the most competitive rates in the industry; Enterprise offers special promotions throughout the year. Some of our most popular promotions are:

• Weekend specials
• Drive out programs
• Special coupons through some of our Corporate Partnerships
• Enterprise Plus members receive e-mail specials and customers may also sign up for email extras at any time

These promotions are often available at our “Home City” (non-airport) locations. Note: not all cities and locations participate in specials and typically only one discount/coupon code can be used at a time. In addition certain times of the year are subject to blackout dates and availability.

What Rental Car Companies Accept AAA Discount?

If you belong to AAA, you might be wondering if car rental discounts are included as a benefit. Happily, the answer is yes, along with perks like free additional drivers, free child seats, and more. You can save as much as 20%, and special offers are frequently available that increase the savings even more.

On the downside, there are only three car rental companies that offer AAA discounts. Keep in mind that while you’re able to make the reservation online, you may have to show your AAA identification card when you pick up the vehicle.

Hertz Car Rental AAA Discount

If you’re looking for AAA car rental discounts, the best place to start is Hertz Rent-A-Car. Hertz has the best AAA base discount and free perks, and frequently offers AAA coupons and promo codes to increase the savings further.

Hertz perks and benefits for AAA members are free (not including the cost of the AAA membership, of course). You’ll get discounted car rentals (up to 20% off rental rates), free additional drivers (spouses or other AAA members) on rentals, waived young renter fee, free child seat, 10% off prepaid fuel, and 50% off SiriusXM satellite radio.

How to Maximize Your Hertz Car Rental AAA Discount

1. Visit the AAA offers page on the Hertz website.
2. Select an offer and click on it. This will apply a PC (Promotional Coupon) code on top of the regular AAA discount.
3. Enter your zip code and click “Find my CDP”. This will add your local AAA discount code to your Hertz reservation details.
4. Make sure both the “CDP” and “PC” fields are populated with codes.
5. Enter your search details and click “Book as a Member”.
6. If none of the AAA special offers appeals to you, visit the AAA booking page on the Hertz website.
7. Follow steps 3-5 above, but only the “CDP” field should have a discount code in it.

Dollar Rent-A-Car AAA Discount

Dollar Rent-A-Car’s AAA discounts include up to 10% off regular rental rates, free additional driver, free child seat, and 10% off prepaid fuel. Dollar AAA discounts are valid on rentals in the United States and Canada.

How to Get the Dollar Car Rental AAA Discount

1. Find the Dollar CDP (Corporate Discount Program) code for your local AAA or CAA chapter.
2. Click the code the corresponds to your local AAA chapter.
3. Click in the “Pick-up Location” field to open the rest of the search fields.
4. Check to see that the code number you clicked is entered in the “Corporate Discount Program” field.
5. Enter your search details and click “Continue” to see available vehicles and options.

Thrifty Rent-A-Car AAA Discount

Thrifty offers a AAA discount of 8% off internet rental rates. Other perks for AAA members include free additional drivers, free child seat, and 10% off prepaid fuel.  Thrifty AAA discounts are valid on all car types, for rentals in the US and Canada.

How to Get the Thrifty Car Rental AAA Discount

1. Find the Thrifty CDP (Corporate Discount Program) code for your local AAA or CAA chapter.
2. Click the code the corresponds to your local AAA chapter.
3. Click in the “Pick-up Location” field to open the rest of the search fields.
4. Check to see that the code number you clicked is entered in the “Corporate Discount Program” field.
5. Enter your search details and click “Continue” to see available vehicles and options.

What is The Collision Damage Waiver?

A collision damage waiver (CDW) is additional insurance coverage offered to an individual renting an automobile. A collision damage waiver is optional, with the cost of the waiver dependent on a variety of factors, including the type of rental car and where the car is being driven.

The waiver typically covers losses from the theft of or damage to a rental car but is unlikely to cover bodily injury caused by an accident.

A collision damage waiver only covers rental car damage. It does not cover any liability-related expenses, such as if someone causes an accident that damages other vehicles or results in injuries. In addition, a waiver won’t cover risky behaviors that result in damage, such as taking a rental car off-road, speeding, or driving drunk.

Similarly, loss or theft of the vehicle is not covered if, for example, someone leaves it running outside the hotel. Though not as common, be careful of less obvious exclusions to a CDW, such as damage to the windshield, tires, and mirrors; though not as serious, this kind of damage is more common and can add up quickly.

What Happens if You Damage a Rental Car Without Insurance?

The last thing you need on vacation is a car accident, and especially not in a rental car. Before you drive away from the rental company lot, arm yourself with the lowdown on what to do if the worst happens.

Assess the situation

First, make sure that everyone is safe and that no one is hurt. Call 911 immediately if someone is injured. If necessary, move to a safe location. Contact the police to report the incident.

Gather evidence and information

Next, exchange contact and insurance information with other drivers and injured parties. Ask the responding police officer for a copy of the accident report. Get the officer’s name, badge number, contact information and the accident case number. Don’t forget to take multiple pictures of the damage and of the scene of the crash.

Call your rental company

Use the company’s emergency phone number to report the accident involving your rental. Find out what the company wants you to do with the car—where to bring it if it’s driveable and where to have it towed if it’s not. Finally, take the customer service representative’s name and phone number, and note the date and time.

Call your insurance provider

Start filing a claim as soon as possible through your personal auto insurer or credit card company. Insurance companies are more likely to deny a claim that is filed late. This is especially true with credit card insurance coverage.

Take care of the car

You are responsible for the car during the rental period. If the car is driveable, bring it back to the rental office or to another location in the company network. If the vehicle is not operational, call for roadside assistance from the rental company, AAA, your credit card provider, or another provider and have it towed to the rental car company location or an auto shop.

File a report with the rental company

The accident report will ask about the details of the incident, the parties involved, and your insurance information. For example, here’s Avis’s report.

If you are at fault in an accident with a rental car, what happens next will depend on the insurance coverage that you have.

If you purchased the collision damage waiver (CDW) at the rental car counter, you’re covered. Unless the accident was due to reckless driving or a breach of the rental agreement, the damage waiver shifts most of the cost to repair or replace the vehicle to the rental company.

Remember, though, that damage waivers don’t cover liability for medical expenses or property for you or other people involved in the accident. You’ll have to rely on your personal insurance or the rental company’s supplemental liability coverage for that.

Additional Charges if You Crash Your Rental Car

If you were at fault for the accident, there are three types of charges beyond damage costs for which you may be liable.

• Loss Of Use Fees: A rental car company is losing money when its fleet is out of circulation. Rental companies charge between $20 and $40 per day, depending on the make of the vehicle, to make up for lost revenue.
• Diminution Of Value: A damaged rental car has lost value. Rental companies charge fees to compensate for this devaluation. The fees can vary wildly, depending on the extent of the damage.
• Administrative Fees: Additional fees associated with the processing of your claim vary from $50 to $150 or more depending on the rental company.

5 Ways to Save Money on Your Next Rental Car

1. Start comparing prices early and shop around

Car rental prices can fluctuate a lot and checking prices on Rentalcars.com is a good place to start.

Enter your pick-up location, travel dates, and pick-up and drop-off times. Their search results will show you a current list of prices, car types and companies available at your pick-up location.

Alamo is my go-to option for renting cars. I find their prices are competitive and I’ve always had a great experience with them.

Once you see a car and price you like, book the reservation. Your credit card will not be charged, it’s just used to hold the reservation at the quoted price.

If you see the price go down, you can cancel your previous reservation and rebook at the new lower price with no penalty.

2. Check the rate directly on the car rental agency site

While third-party travel websites can offer great rates, sometimes the best price is found directly on the car company site.

You may even find a coupon or exclusive online discount when you book directly on the car company site, so it’s worth your while to look.

3. Compare daily vs. weekly rental rates

You usually get the best value for your money when you rent a vehicle on a weekly basis. This is because they’ll charge a weekly rate, which is often a better bargain than their daily rate.

Sometimes car rental agencies also offer rock bottom rates on the weekends, so if you’re dates are flexible, this could work in your favour.

It also helps to pick-up and drop off your car rental around the same time of day to avoid any extra fees.

4. Rent at a non-airport facility (if possible)

Airport car rentals can be twice the price of a rental agency just a few miles outside of the airport.

Convenience comes at a price, and even if you factor in the cost of taking a taxi to a non-airport agency, this could still save you quite a bit on your car rental.

5. Pick-up and drop off your car at the same facility

A quick search will show that picking up your car from one facility and dropping it off at another will cost you a hefty amount.

You can avoid these extra drop off fees by picking up and dropping off your car at the same facility location.

5 Car Hire Rip-offs to Avoid

Exploration and discovery are yours for the taking when you hire a car on holiday. But without a little planning, you can end up paying way over the odds. Protect yourself by getting to grips with the seven worst car hire rip-offs.

1. Sky-high excess costs

When you hire a car, insurance is included. But you may well find it comes with incredibly high excess charges – the amount you have to pay to cover the cost of an accident before the policy kicks in. This amount can be up to £2,000, in some cases – potentially leaving you well out of pocket if something goes wrong.

One way to get around the charge is to buy an excess waiver policy, which reduces the charge to zero or a small sum. But don’t wait until you get to the desk! Buy your waiver at home before you travel and you could pay around a mere £2.99 a day, compared with up to £20 if you don’t plan ahead.

2. The ‘full-empty’ fuel policy

Being hit with a petrol bill before you’ve even got in the driving seat isn’t the best start to a holiday. But many car hire companies employ a so-called “full-empty policy”, which means you pay upfront for a tank of petrol and can return it empty.

But there are two drawbacks to such a policy. First, you’re likely to be charged an inflated price for the petrol. And, second, you may not use all the fuel you’ve paid for if you’re on a short trip or don’t end up driving much. In some cases, you’ll be offered the right to a refund on unused fuel, but there’s still usually a service charge attached.

Look for car hire firms that allow you simply to return the vehicle with the same amount of fuel it had when you picked it up – it’s generally known as a fair fuel policy. All car rentals compared on TravelSupermarket come with this policy as standard, so you know you won’t be out of pocket. 

3. The ‘upgrade’ option

When you arrive at the rental desk to pick up your pre-booked car, you may be told the company has run out of vehicles in the category you chose and be offered an upgrade – at a price.

Don’t fall for it. You should either be offered a higher-category car for no extra charge or a lesser one with the appropriate refund. Make sure this is the case before you sign your contract and drive away.

4. Paying for extras you could bring yourself

Want to use sat-nav when driving abroad or think you’ll need a baby seat? Fine – but don’t fall into the trap of hiring them through your car rental company. It’ll be cheaper to bring your own.

If you’re travelling abroad, charter airlines don’t charge extra for you to bring pushchairs and car seats, while many sat-navs cover both the UK and Europe.

If your sat-nav doesn’t extend beyond the UK, consider purchasing the additional software. Alternatively, you can use Google Maps in offline mode. Simply download the map of the area you are travelling to and you’ll have access to a free sat-nav, without the excessive data charges! If all else fails – there’s always the option of a good old-fashioned paper map.

5. Buying at the desk

With so much to organise before a holiday, it’s easy to put off hiring a car until you arrive at your destination. But booking a vehicle in advance – and online – will save you a chunk of cash, leaving you more to spend on the good stuff.

What’s more, if you book at the destination airport, or other pick-up point such as in a city centre, you risk ending up with an unsuitable vehicle – when demand soars in peak season, for example.

Best Car Rental Companies to Work For

Best for Avoiding Additional Fees: Enterprise

One of the rental car industry’s more expensive providers, Enterprise’s daily rate averages close to $50 (rates may vary depending on your specific location). However, what they do well might save you money if you can get past that average rate: The company reduces or gets rid of a lot of the sneaky additional charges that most other companies rely on in extra fees.

Enterprise is also very convenient, with almost 6,000 locations across the country. If you happen to be moving or living somewhere medium-term for work, the company offers special rates, beginning at a month of renting, that offer more significant savings the more days you have the car.

If you want to go all out for a special occasion, the company offers exotic car rentals, too. (Fun fact: The company was named after the aircraft carrier the founder served on during World War II.)

Best for Customer Service: National

National Car Rental, a sister company of Alamo and Enterprise, has been praised for its customer service. It also has a wide variety of vehicles to rent, from little compact cars to Chevy cargo vans. National’s offerings and programs are aimed primarily at business travelers, with companies taking advantage of the company’s business rental program.

The business rental program allows employees—at any sized company—to rent cars at contracted rates versus paying a premium for rental needs that pop up at the last minute during busy travel times.

Renters can also put their air miles toward renting cars with points from several standard programs—Delta SkyMiles, American Airlines AAdvantage, and Southwest Rapid Rewards—as well as points from hotel programs like Hilton Honors. Overall, it’s a solid bet if you want an easy way to book cars at a fairly standard rate.

Best for Unlimited Mileage & Second Drivers: Alamo

Alamo is a favorite with millennials and offers unlimited free mileage as a standard. If you happen to be hitting the open road with a significant other or a group, the second driver’s cost is less than a lot of the competition. We also love the Alamo Insider free program that gives customers a guaranteed five percent discount off the retail rate.

They support teachers, with National Education Association members getting an extra day free when you rent for five days or more. Of course, no one loves returning a rental car—depending on the provider; customer service can be a huge sticking point at this point in the rental process. However, Alamo customers say this is one area where the company excels.

Best Airport Locations: Hertz

Although it’s one of the largest car rental companies worldwide—it has more than 1,600 airport locations in the U.S. alone—it’s not the cheapest, with an average daily rate of $48.50 (rates may vary depending on your specific location).

We love the range of cars that the company offers: While there’s definitely your business-trip standards, as well as high-capacity cars for families and compact economy cars for those on a budget, there’s also a rental section of hybrid cars, luxury “dream cars” that are treats for memorable trips, and a special-edition Mustang Hertz—the result of a collaboration with Ford which you can rent at select Hertz airport locations across the country.

The company also offers a great “NeverLost” GPS program. It doesn’t come with just a device: You’ll also get access to an online trip planner, which you can then download your route to your GPS via a flash drive, a concierge service for planning assistance, and innovative features like downloadable national park and city guides. Continue to 5 of 9 below.

Best Aggregator: Rentalcars.com

A rental aggregator is a handy tool if you’re looking to get the best deals possible on the best cars. And our favorite is rentalcars.com because they have tons of experience in delivering customers the cheapest rates around. 

The company has a massive directory of cars and dealers available, including Alamo, Hertz, Avis, and Dollar, making eight million bookings a year in over 60,000 locations and 160 countries. With all those options, customers are given the power to choose whatever booking suits them best, as flexible options and features include:

• Seeing hidden rates and fees.
• Choosing your preferred rental service.
• Seeing the cheapest deals first.
• Even choosing to have a car seat or extra protection. 

After you choose your car, rentalcars.com reduces the hassle of paperwork and verification since all you’ll need to do is show up to the dealer with your information and payment. The site isn’t merely an aggregator—it also offers customer service and support throughout the whole process of renting a car, so you won’t be stuck dealing with the company you’re booking from.

Best Discounts: Avis

By far, Avis is the most expensive rental company out there, with daily rates averaging out to be around $60 per day (rates may vary depending on your specific location).

However, there’s a good chance you might be able to knock the price, with various discount codes, rebates, and promotions available to savvy customers who aren’t afraid to put in a bit of research (AARP members also get special rates by default).

If you’re renting in the Northeast, all cars come with an e-Toll, so you don’t have to think about extra toll costs. It’s also suitable for companies whose employees need to snag a car for a bit—small businesses, in particular, can get up to 30% off their rentals.

Although customers rate the company’s service well, one thing we love is the dedicated app that allows you to manage your reservation from booking to drop-off directly. 

Best for Paying Upfront: Budget

Budget, true to its name, has some of the cheapest car rentals in the industry, with an average rental cost of about $35/day—and an extra discount—up to a whopping 35%—if you pay when you make the reservation (daily rates may vary depending on your specific location).

They also do a weekend program where you can get a free third day—although it’s for intermediate (group C) through four-door full-size cars (group E) only, it’s still an offer that’s attractive for families hitting the road for a quick weekend trip.

If you want something that’s not your usual rental car, Budget’s got that too—it’s not just Honda Accords here: You can rent hybrids like the Toyota Prius or convertibles like a Chevy Camaro.

Be advised that customer satisfaction is a little lacking, starting with the reservation process and ending with the drop-off, so if customer service is something that will make or break an experience for you, it might be worth paying a bit more elsewhere.

Best for Rewards Programs: Dollar

Dollar for dollar, pardon the pun, this rental company is one of the cheapest in the industry, with rates at about $30/day (rates may vary depending on your specific location), and a further 15% off discount on base rates if you sign up for their newsletter.

If you’re only focused on getting the most for your money, this is the rental company for you, but don’t go into your rental looking for top-quality customer service or an easy return process.

It offers a full fleet, from basic economy cars to pick-ups and vans that can be a lifesaver on family trips or moving days. However, the company is good for customers enrolled in rewards programs, with offers like quadruple American Airlines points when you rent a compact car for more than three days.

It also has its own rental program that offers business travelers who frequently rent some serious perks, faster booking, and shorter lines among them. Continue to 9 of 9 below.

Best Online Check-In System: Thrifty

Like Budget and Dollar, this company is all about the bottom line for its customers; however—let’s just get this out of the way—customer satisfaction isn’t what it is at higher-tier companies like Enterprise and Avis (though it’s owned by Hertz).

That being said, although it offers some of the lowest prices in the industry, it also provides a few cool perks: We love the online check-in system they offer, where you input your name and booking information before heading to the pick-up office, and it’s just as cheap as other budget-minded rental places (it and Dollar, for example, are sister companies).

Keep an eye out for location-specific offers, too, especially for weekend rates. There’s also plenty of locations, with almost 500 pick-up and drop-off sites in the U.S. and Canada. However, customer service isn’t the greatest here—don’t expect them to roll out the red carpet when you’re returning your car.

What to Check When Renting a Car

No matter if you rent a car for the first time, or you’ve rented a million cars, we at Eurocars Car Rental Rhodes, share with you some of the most important things you should know before hiring a car. Not just from us, from anyone.

1. Make sure you have your paperwork

There is nothing worse than going to the car rental agency just to realize that you have forgotten your driver’s license back home. Before renting a car, please make sure you have your driver’s license and a valid credit card in your name with you.

Eurocars Rent a Car – as most car rental companies do – will require you to present a valid credit card as a guarantee, in order to cover for incidental charges such as parking tickets, traffic violations, missing fuel et al. Debit cards are generally not accepted as a form of guarantee. An upfront cash deposit may be accepted in lieu of a credit card only upon Eurocars Car Rentals’ own discretion.

2. Check the car exterior

You do not want to be responsible for another person’s misuse of the car. Please make sure you inspect the car before heading on your way for any scratches or dents.

3. Familiarize yourself with the Rental vehicle.

Every car is different. Chances are that you will not be renting the same car model as you drive back home. Before heading out, make sure to take some time to adjust the seat and mirrors to your liking. Check where the car functions such as Air Conditioning, lights, windshield wipers and handbrake are located. Once you have familiarized yourself with the vehicle you are ready to go.

4. Know where you are going.

Before renting a car, it would be a good idea to have a travel plan with specific locations to visit in order to budget your time effectively. The island of Rhodes is not as small as you might think and there are plenty of landmarks and attractions that you may be interested in seeing.

Eurocars staff will be happy to show you how to get where you want, as well as advise you about places that you won’t be finding on your Lonely Planet travel guide. Do not hesitate to ask our staff about where to go, eat or swim in Rhodes Island. As with everywhere, it is the locals who know all the little secrets and gems to be discovered.

5. Ask what kind of fuel your rental car uses.

Unless you plan on paying double the fuel cost by leaving the car tank empty when returning, make sure you know on what kind of fuel your vehicle runs with. Most cars in Rhodes, run on Unleaded 95, but there might be exceptions as diesel engines get more popular in Greece.

6. Get back in time.

Car rental companies, especially during the high season in summer, run on a very tight schedule. Please return the rental car on the agreed time as delay charges add up fast and might cost you a full rental day plus extras if you have not informed the agency.

7. Make sure you get the Full Damage Waiver Insurance.

Even if you think you are the best driver in the world, or even if you are, consider buying the no excess full damage waiver insurance. The full insurance will cover your damages in case of an accident, but you’re still responsible for damages up to a deductible amount depending on your selected vehicle.

That deductible varies from €500 up to €1000 depending on the car model. Most of the car rental damages though, are not accidents. They are small cost damages like scratches or broken tires and mirrors. The last thing you want is parking your car for the night to find one of the mirrors missing in the morning.

Or have someone scratch your car when parked only to find out when you return to the vehicle. These kind of damages are not covered by insurance and that’s why we at Eurocars suggest to all our customers to select the No Excess FDW in order to have peace of mind.

8. Stay on the Road.

Rental cars are not meant for a Safari Expedition. Make sure you remember that and respect the car for what it is. Taking your rental car off-road is a direct violation of the rental agreement. Any damages that might happen during your 4×4 endeavors, or if you get stuck in a beach or mountain, is not something that is covered by insurance. You will be paying extra fees for towing and cleaning.

9. Be careful where you park.

You don’t want to find your car with no license plates and a €200 euro fine on the windshield as you return from your stroll in the Old Town. Make sure you ask your car rental representative about the parking regulations. Every place uses their own system and chances are what is used in Rhodes is different from your city’s parking system.

Just to cover the basics. Yellow lines are no-no. Parking and stopping is prohibited on yellow lines. You’re allowed to park on blue lines by paying the parking meters and displaying the ticket on the dashboard behind the windshield. White lines are reserved for two-wheeled vehicles. When you see no lines, it means free parking unless otherwise stated by traffic sign.

10. Do not lose your car keys.

Car keys are no longer the same as they used to be. You can’t just go to your local hardware store and get a new copy. Complex electronics are located inside the car keys and since you can’t get them copied, you must order your copy from the manufacturer. And believe me, they cost a lot.

Unless you want to pay €200 for a lost key, make sure you remember where you keep it. Extra fees are also be applied over the cost of the car key in case of loss.

11. Don’t look for a car in the Airport.

You don’t want to wait until you have landed in Rhodes to look for a car rental agency, and for sure you don’t want to book a car from the agencies located inside the airport as you’ll be paying your rental car as gold. Take some time before arriving in Rhodes and book your car online or by phone.

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It will be waiting for you just as you arrive at the exit, at the fraction of what would cost by renting from the corporations located in the airport. Someone has to pay their exorbitant airport rent. It doesn’t need to be you.

What Are The Benefits of Renting a Car?

Whether you are travelling for leisure or heading to your next client meeting, sometimes you just need a set of wheels and car rental is the most comfortable way of transport. Read the following advantages of car rentals to know how much of a deal it is.

Save time. Getting around with a car is faster than public transport. Less time spent for transportation = More time for discovering
Discover more. Travelers are limited when traveling around with public transport. You can see more attractions if you have a car.
Feel like a local. Driving in a city makes you feel you are part of it.
It’s cheaper. When you plan ahead, it seems that public transport is much cheaper. But the reality is most people miss the bus/train or get lost and end up with a taxi — that costs much more.
There are no taxis around. In US, it is almost impossible to find a taxi in most cities. In Europe, finding a taxi can be hard in suburbs and at night.
Don’t carry your luggage around. Trunk will do that for you. You will save cloak room expenses.
Door to door transportation.
No waiting times. Don’t wait for the train to arrive.

Why Are Car Rentals so Expensive Right Now?

The pandemic has a lot to do with the skyrocketing rental costs. Last year, amid the plunge in travel, rental companies shed a large number of cars from their fleets as they tried to survive. Now they find themselves in short supply just as Americans are ready to start moving again.

Companies trying to replenish their auto fleets are also running into issues due to a shortage of semiconductor chips hampering the auto industry. One analyst at Deutsche Bank who follows the industry described it to the Washington Post as an “extreme example of supply and demand.”

Car rental, like the airline and hotel industries, relies on dynamic pricing to determine how much a customer ultimately pays to book a vehicle. The response to supply-and-demand is immediate. Because rental companies have a fairly fixed amount of stock available, the more Americans try to get cars, the higher prices will go.