Business and leisure travelers are often faced with the most daunting decision when they decide to travel, that is, how do they plan on getting around? Self-driving or car hire as it is commonly referred to is among the many options and is preferred by many as it entails freedom, ease, and a bit of luxury. However, in a universe filled with countless providers, all of which are eager to attract your attention and guarantee that they have the best rates and services, how do you make the right decision? The wrong decision can result in concealed costs, appalling cars, or customer relations which make a dream trip unforgettable but for the wrong reason.
Well, that’s why this detailed guide was created – to enlighten you, provide valuable info and secrets, as well as recommendations that would help make your car rental trip as seamless as what you’re going to encounter on the road. Are you now keen on knowing the strategies involved in obtaining the right rental accommodation? Okay, it’s time to immerse ourselves into our vision chart for rental magnificence.
Compare Prices
Before I discovered the company, I tended to go for the first car rental service I came across and ended up paying high fees. Now, I’m smarter. These include the Goliaths – Kayak and Expedia and then go to the actual rental companies. Besides, the most attractive is the concept ‘’I add up all costs—not just the base price.’’ Unusually, at some display areas away from the airport, one may find better offers. Once, I $200 in Denver in this way. Remember to search for AAA codes, work, and school rate coupons. Previously, I was able to get a 15% discount on my order with an alumni code. Always be careful not to confuse cheap for cheaply made – quality is important here as well.
Read Reviews
Initially, the approach was even more ignorant – I used to care only for prices, not for the reviews. Big mistake. When I was in Miami I decided to take a car from one of the cheap offers but I was offered a smelly car, and the waiting time was two hours. Well, before, I used to read the comments. I can utilize such resources as TrustPilot and Google in this regard. They reveal the attitude that is held in society. One time, on TripAdvisor, I saw a message that scared me regarding invasive salespeople in Las Vegas – and it was accurate. I also go through posts on a social platform called Reddit. There was a man in there who said that Budget in Seattle was great—I can attest to that! Not only look at the stars; check out what people write about the fees of an experienced driver and the state of the car.
Check Availability
Years ago, I thought my booked car would always be there, I assumed it meant that the car had been pre-booked for me. Wrong. In California, they have only a large number of expensive cars such as SUVs remaining for them. Now, I’m careful. I know what I want clearly as to size, type, and even model. To make the Colorado ski trip more comfortable, I pre-booked an AWD SUV, months before the trip. Probably this is why I usually call to confirm whether my car is there or not. If you are planning a meal at the restaurant during vacation, festive seasons, or other peak seasons, it is advisable to reserve your table early in advance. In the previous year, all the cars meant for the eclipse in Tennessee were sold out six months in advance. If you can go, do it in a less busy season so you will have more options.
Evaluate Insurance
Insurance was one of the things that I never really got the hang of until a small crash in Phoenix. First, I inspect the terms of my auto insurance policy; more frequently than not, it provides rental car coverage. My credit card also helps; Chase Sapphire pays if I crash a rental. Some cards also embrace theft as well. In health, however, your regular plan can be used in most cases. Overseas is tricky. In Costa Rica, it was necessary to use the plan of the rental company. As a general rule, always check the fine print to find out that some plans do not include off-road travel. Consider costs; sometimes a high deductible acts in your favor.
Assess Fleet
I had an impression that rental cars were simply small sedans during my previous travels. Not true. To impress clients during a business trip to Germany, I was given this nice BMW. That is why now I always check car types. For cities, I like fuel-saving small cars. A Toyota Prius was ideal for Los Angeles. For fun drives such as in Hawaii, I spend more, especially if the car is a convertible. Some companies are known for certain cars: Gig economy for likes of SUVs, Turo for niche ones like Teslas. Modern cars are absorbent and superior in many aspects. New cars equipped with Apple CarPlay made my Denver trip even better in Dollar’s fleet.
Consider Location
I always opted for airport rentals, and I did not know that renting cost more. In the middle of the Chicago event, I discovered that downtown Avis was 30% cheaper than at the airport even when considering Uber fares. Now, location is key. To save money in Phoenix, one can take the train to a city Enterprise. For long city stays any local branches will be beneficial. From Brooklyn, I heard that Hertz provided a competitive price and courteous attendants. Think about your plans. Among Napa wineries, I found a rental place convenient for my first destination. When considering one-way rentals, look at drop-off fees because they do differ.
Examine Policies
I used to think all rental houses had similar rules and regulations put in place. Next, I received another bill of $200 from Budget claiming that I had taken too much sand in Florida. Now, I read everything. It can be a whole day’s rate for half an hour of lateness. Gas policies are different; some of them bring a full tank back, and some of them pay before. Not all ‘free’ miles are free; in New Zealand, I was limited to only 100km per day. Some banned certain areas; I nearly had to void my Vegas rental to go to Death Valley. Be wary of your age; most of them have a system of charging customers under the age of 25 extra fees. Inquire about the early check-in and switching of bookings.
Analyze Rewards
I initially considered rental points as minor issues. After all the years of work trips, I was wrong. Got a free week in Maui using National. Now, I’m points-smart. For instance, the Hertz company, Avis, and Alamo all have programs. They provide other facilities than free rentals. That’s true, especially with Enterprise Plus, whereby I sometimes receive free upgrades to the SUV category. Many people have the fast lanes; Emerald Club was helpful to me in a busy airport in Atlanta. Some correlation with an airline or hotel company. I get twice the benefits of associating Delta with Hertz. Credit cards are helpful; I get Avis privileges through my American Express including guaranteed vehicles. Here are some general car rental programs to consider if you don’t rent frequently: Chase – It partners with many car rental companies.
