Car rentals are getting more expensive. With additional fees such as energy surcharges, stadium fees, and cancellation charges becoming the norm, you may have noticed that your bill looks heftier than usual. Spare a few dollars where you can with these tips for saving money on car rentals.
1. Avoid Paying for Extras
If you rent cars frequently, you'd be better off traveling with your own GPS device (or downloading a GPS app to your smartphone) than paying for the rental company's system. An even cheaper option is to do a little research and map out your route ahead of time on a site such as MapQuest.com. Other fees you may be able to avoid include:
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- -Insurance (a credit card or your personal car insurance may have you covered)
- -Gas (make sure you aren't being charged if you filled the tank!)
- -Extra mileage (check that you have unlimited mileage if you are traveling a long distance)
Not only will you stand a better chance of actually getting a car when you booked it, but signing up for loyalty programs means coupons for discounts and free rentals. You can also use frequent travel with a rental company to help you get free upgrades.
3. Pre-Pay for Your Car
Some car rental companies (Hertz and Budget) offer serious discounts for reservations that are prepaid online with a credit card. Additional fees and restrictions may reply, so read the fine print and be sure you won't need to cancel your car before you book! Booking in advance through a site such as Priceline or Hotwire may also help you lock in a rate and avoid additional charges at the rental counter.4. Check for Deals
Use your AAA membership for discounts, and check airline mileage reports for special deals from car rental partners. Don't forget to check a rental company's website, as well, as many deals require online booking for participation. If you book your own car for work, check if your company is eligible for a corporate discount.5. Don't Rent at the Airport
This is generally unavoidable for the business traveler, but if you can get a lift to an off-airport rental locale, the rate will often be cheaper. Factor any costs (including aggravation) before opting for an alternative pick-up location.
