Want to keep your car rental costs down? Scoring a great deal on a rental car is only half the battle. There are myriad ways to sabotage your sweet deal at the rental car counter. Here’s how to limit car rental add-ons.
Got small kids? You may need a car seat or two for your rental car. Unfamiliar with the local area? The rental car agent might suggest a GPS navigation system. Like in-car entertainment? Satellite radio is an option. The problem with these add-ons is that they will drive your rental car costs way up—sometimes even surpassing the rental rate itself.
Here are easy ways to avoid or minimize costly add-on charges:
How to Get a Free Car Seat in a Rental Car
All the major rental companies offer child seats. It’s a great source of revenue, since they can rent a $60 child seat hundreds of times for $10-$15 per day. You don’t need to be a math whiz to figure out that this is a huge money maker.
Want to avoid the charge? Join the AAA for as little as $60 a year. One of the many membership perks is that AAA members who rent from Hertz get one free car seat. On a one-week rental, this can add up to over $100 in savings. Even if the Hertz rate is slightly higher than that of other companies—and the AAA discount code can bring the cost down significantly—savings on the car seat alone can more than make up the difference.
The other strategy is to bring your car seat with you. While it can be a pain to lug a car seat through an airport, you will ultimately save big bucks on your rental car.
How to Get a Free GPS Navigation System in a Rental Car
Paper maps have become a thing of the past for many people. The convenience and efficiency of GPS-based navigation systems make them a compelling add-on when traveling in unfamiliar areas, and rental companies are more than happy to cater to their customer base by offering portable units for rental for up to $15 per day.
But if you own a smartphone, your phone can provide GPS navigation when you use a free app like Waze or MapQuest. It’s smart to bring along a car charger for your phone, and then you’re good to go.
How to Get Free In-Car Entertainment in a Rental Car
Got a long trip and want to spend your drive listening to the big game or a particular radio station? Instead of opting for pricey satellite radio, consider the free TuneIn Radio app, which offers hundreds of sports, news, music and podcast options.
How to Minimize the Cost of Rental Car Add-Ons
Even if you absolutely need a car rental add-on, you can also sometimes negotiate at the counter for a discounted rate or to waive the fee entirely. Your chances of succeeding go up considerably if you’re taking another add-on anyway. Before you agree to rental car insurance, ask if they’ll throw in the GPS for free or give you a discount. Rental agents work on commission, so they’re often willing to sweeten the deal if you’ll take one or more add-on items. If you don’t ask, you don’t get.
The key to getting a good deal is to think strategically. Calculate the total cost with options when comparing rates across companies. If you save $20 on the base rental cost with Company A, but end up paying $50 in options, you’ve actually lost money. You don’t want to be penny wise and pound foolish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which rental car company offers the most locations?
Hertz would be the correct answer, however they are not listed under location-based service providers.
What’s the best roadtrip in Europe?
The best road trips are those where you have time to stop off at interesting places along the way rather than just drive from A to B as quickly as possible.
There are many great roads in Europe, but few are as beautiful as the route between Venice and Dubrovnik.
You will drive through stunning scenery most of your trip. There are numerous stops along the road to stop and take in all the sights.
Highlights include Torcello in Lake Garda and Lido di Jesolo on the islands, as well as the Dolomites, Lake Como and Dolomites in northern Italy and the walled medieval French city of Carcassonne.
Can I use credit cards to pay for a rental car?
Yes. But, be aware of any additional fees that could apply when you use your card internationally. Compare rates before you make a reservation. Many websites let you reserve your space without making payment until you get there, which can save you money.
Do you require a car to travel around Europe?
Your best solution depends on where you live and what you want to do. One European city may have different priorities than one in rural areas.
You also need to think about how long you are going to be in each country. An economical car is not the best option if you plan on moving around often.
Renting a car is usually more affordable than buying a second-hand vehicle. Renting a car in Europe can be more expensive than buying a second-hand vehicle. There are many reasons for this. For instance, you save money on fuel, parking fees, maintenance costs, insurance, taxes, etc.
Another advantage is that your car allows you to drive safely.
You can find excellent information on car rental in Europe on a variety of websites. You should check out the following recommendations.
What do I need in order to rent car in Portugal
Portugal requires an internationally valid driving license to rent a car. To pay for the car, you must also show proof of insurance.
When you make a reservation, the rental company will usually require that you provide a passport or national ID card.
Portugal requires that you show two forms or identification to rent a car.
These documents are required by law in order to comply with European Union regulations regarding road traffic safety. If you have any doubts as to your identity, access may be denied to the vehicle.
You will need a translation from your country’s Driver Licensing Authority if you don’t have an International Driving License.
This document must then be translated to Portuguese and submitted with all the documentation. The cost of this document varies depending on where you live but generally costs around $20-30 USD.
It is possible that you will be denied entry to the vehicle if your translation does not match what you have provided.
How can I document pre-existing damage to the rental car?
Be sure to have all documentation and photos, including photographs of the damage. If you don’t know what the damage is, ask the agent to help you get the vehicle inspected. You may need to pay extra for an inspection if there is any damage.
Which is the best place to rent a vehicle?
These are the best places to rent cars: airports and rental agencies.
It is easy to find airports close to you using online travel websites like Priceline or Expedia.
Local rental companies may be worth considering if they offer services near you. These can be cheaper and more convenient than booking directly through an airline website.
Consider using public transportation if renting a car in a shorter period of time than two weeks. A city-wide bus pass allows unlimited use within a designated area.
Renting a convertible is possible if you travel with children. Some prefer them for the extra protection they offer their children.
Statistics
- 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)
- 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)
- For canceled trips two days or shorter, a guest is charged 50% of one day’s trip cost. (insider.com)
- The perks vary from partner to partner, but you can expect discounts of up to 35 percent on some rentals and the ability to earn anywhere from 50 bonus American AAdvantage miles per day or 500 per rental. (afar.com)
- For example, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express earns 3 percent cash back on purchases at U.S. gas stations (terms apply), and the Citi Premier® Card earns three points per dollar at gas stations, too. (afar.com)
External Links
alamo.com
sixt.com
autoslash.com
kayak.com
How To
How to report an incident in a rental automobile
There’s always the possibility that something might happen while you’re driving a rented car. You could get into an accident, your luggage might get stolen, or even worse, someone gets injured! You will need to learn how to file a claim with your insurance company in order to avoid losing any money.
It is mandatory that you report any car accident in the United States immediately. This way, police will be able to record details of the crash and notify you of their investigation results. They will issue you either a ticket or keep a record of the incident. After that, they will file a claim against the driver’s license.
After getting in an accident, dial 911 immediately. A dispatcher will ask basic questions regarding the situation and whether anyone was hurt. Afterward, he/she will tell you where to go and who to talk to next. In most cases, the first thing you’ll do when dealing with an accident is to exchange contact information with the other party. You will likely get the name and number of the other party. Next, make sure that everyone is safe. You’ll offer assistance if someone is incapacitated or hurt.
Documenting everything is important even if there was no injury. You should record the time, place, weather conditions, road conditions and type of collision. Also, make sure to note names of those involved. It is important to get medical attention for anyone who was hurt. Also, you’ll want to keep track of your damages, including damage to your vehicle and the other party’s vehicle.
Then, follow up with your insurance. First, submit an online claim form. Your insurance provider may offer to pay the initial deductible amount before you receive the remainder of the claim. After the claim has been paid, both you and the other driver will need to sign a release agreement. Finally, the insurer will mail you a check.
Once you have filed your claim, it’s important that you follow all guidelines set forth by your insurer. Follow these rules if you are allowed to use another car or have someone else drive your rental vehicle.
