Summer is here, and that means one thing: vacations! This is the peak time of year for everything from road trips to flying to visit faraway family and friends. And that may mean that there is a rental car somewhere in your future. The ability to travel anywhere and be able to pick up a car in any city you happen to be in and drive yourself around is a great convenience, but there’s no reason to end up being overcharged for the privilege. Here are some money saving tips to consider when choosing your next rental car.
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Take advantage of discounts. If you’re a AAA member, you probably already know that that membership can translate to some great discounts when renting a car. Did you know that you can also get car rental discounts from your membership at discount clubs like Costco, BJ’s, or Sam’s Club? Other memberships ranging from the AARP to Delta Skymiles also offer rental car discounts. The odds are good that you have a membership card for something in your wallet that can save you money. If not, try looking online for coupons or asking your travel agent.
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Consider skipping the airport’s rental car locations. The airport locations for rental car companies tend to have higher prices and more fees than off-airport locations. Hertz and Enterprise are good examples of companies that have plenty of off-site locations, but there are many other companies available. It’s easy enough to take a cab or bus from the airport to an off-site rental location. Just be sure to check the company’s hours ahead of time. Off-airport locations often close at regular business hours, and are sometimes closed on weekends as well. If you’re arriving during off-hours, you may be stuck with the airport locations, unless you can take an airport shuttle to your hotel and a taxicab to a rental car agency in the morning.
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Check for damage. The last thing you want is to end up getting charged for damages that somebody else caused. Unfortunately, this happens to a number of people every year, mainly because people are rushing to get out of the airport or rental agency and get on with their vacation. Don’t make this mistake. It is worth taking the extra couple of minutes to check out your rental car thoroughly. One tip from a veteran traveler is this: turn on the video recorder on your phone and make a quick walk around the car. It doesn’t take long, and you’ll have definitive proof of any pre-existing dents or scratches.
- Be informed about insurance. Your rental car agency will ask if you want to purchase insurance, which protects you (and them!) in the case of an accident or damage. You might be buying duplicate coverage, though. Ask your own car insurance company if they cover rental cars, because some do, and a simple phone call to find out could save you hundreds of dollars!
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Another good tip is to avoid paying high gas prices. Download the GasBuddy app to your smartphone for easy access to the cheapest prices in the area you’re in, or look for similar programs from AAA. Remember that the less you pay for these types of expenses, the more money you’ll have to enjoy your vacation!
Rental car savings add up quickly over multiple trips. Combine smart car rental strategies with our advisors’ complete travel savings guide for a comprehensive approach to cost-effective travel.
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