Looking for a car rental near your home, hotel or vacation rental? The only rule about landing a cheap local car rental is that there is no hard and fast rule about where to look.
Some people automatically think they’ll land a great rate at a nearby airport. It’s true that airports tend to have multiple car rental companies under one roof, which can lead to competition. But airport rates are typically higher than off-airport rates, thanks to airport surcharges and taxes.
At some airports, these extra charges can be many times the cost of the rental itself. In the example below, the rock-bottom rate of $3.58 per week at a Hawaii airport is obliterated by $400 in taxes and surcharges.
In this case, the renter should definitely compare rates at local, off-airport locations nearby. Even better, let us do the legwork for you. Here are three tips to landing a cheap local car rental:
Shop around.
When you ask us for a quote, there’s nothing stopping you from making multiple requests for different pickup locations, both airport and off-airport. We use a system called Coupon ID to automatically scan thousands of discounts and then crunch the numbers to find the very best deals.
Leverage your memberships.
Take time to give us a complete picture all of your club and organization memberships, since the discount codes for these organizations regularly offer excellent discounts. It can be worth paying their annual fees just for access to cheap rental cars. Airline frequent flyer programs and even the rental companies’ own loyalty programs, which are all free to join, can also score deep discounts on rental cars.
Don’t procrastinate.
The earlier you book your rental car, the more you are likely to save. Unlike airline tickets, “pay later” rental car reservations can usually be canceled without a penalty. So if prices drop—as they often do—there’s no reason you can’t cancel and rebook at a cheaper rate. The best strategy is to book as early as possible, and then keep checking to see if prices go down.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a rental car per day in Europe?
It is unknown, but we believe it to be between $100 and $200 per day.
We recommend renting at least for two days to take advantage of the many attractions and activities in the area.
If you stay longer, you might want to consider buying a vehicle that would cost around $2000-$3000.
This will allow you to travel freely around Europe.
Also, check to see if your credit union offers rental discounts.
Are hail damage and my responsibility if I rent a car in the United States
All damage from natural disasters like tornadoes, hurricanes, floods and others will be covered by your insurance company. Your rental agency can clarify whether this applies to your vehicle.
Is it possible for you to rent a car and drive between Europe’s countries?
Hertz is a great place to rent if you plan on driving around Europe. It’s cheaper than hiring private drivers. They provide great coverage.
They also offer unlimited mileage; if you need a car for longer than one trip, you can rent multiple cars.
Statistics
- For canceled trips two days or shorter, a guest is charged 50% of one day’s trip cost. (insider.com)
- In 2019, the most crucial factor is the cost and fees of the rental (accounting for 28% of overall satisfaction with the rental experience), followed by the rental car itself at 25% and the pick-up process at 23%. (cnet.com)
- If you’re a member of AAA, you might also be able to snag discounts of 10 percent at Thrifty, and 8 percent at Dollar. (afar.com)
- You can rent an automatic but these cars can cost as much as 50% more than a manual vehicle. (earthtrekkers.com)
- I’d say 70% of the time, we have a hassle-free encounter, but there have been certain companies that we prefer not to use anymore. (theworldpursuit.com)
External Links
enterprise.com
autoslash.com
jdpower.com
kayak.com
How To
How to find the best rental car deal
Tips for getting the best deal on your rental car include:
- Compare websites like Kayak, Expedia or Hotwire. This allows you to access their tools and data. We can also use the data of previous users who have booked through these websites, which will help us avoid hidden fees. (Kayak)
- Book online to see if additional fees will be charged before payment. (Expedia)
- Get your bookings in early! The earlier you book, the lower prices you should expect to pay. (Kayak). Remember that airfares can be cheaper last-minute.
- Consider your budget and travel plans when you’re looking for a car. (eBay)
- Check the insurance coverage included in the price. Some companies offer insurance at no cost to rent cars younger than 25. (Insurance Panda)
- While making reservations, make sure to be clear about the contract type you select. A long-term contract is preferred by most people because they know exactly what it will cost. (MileageIQ)
- A high credit score is a good option. Car Insurance Guide: A lower credit score may result in higher auto insurance premiums.
- You shouldn’t pay extras for GPS, roadside assistance or other services unless you absolutely need them. These additional charges might not apply to all rental agencies. (Kayak) 9. (Kayak) 9. Ask your agent if the extended warranty applies to other areas where you intend to rent the car. This could save money.
- Be sure to read every word of the rental agreement. You might end up paying for something that wasn’t mentioned during negotiations. (Expedia). Always review the terms and conditions.
