Welcome to Travel School
Rent By The Week
Usually renting a car for five or more days will bring you a much better rate.
The same car for a 3 or 4 day rental could cost upwards of 40% more.
Weekend Specials
Just like with the airlines, Saturdays are an important day for saving money.
Most car rental companies offer the best rates from noon Thursday until
noon Monday.
Watch the Clock
Make sure you return your car by the required deadline date and time. Often if you
miss the deadline, car rental companies will assess large penalties and fees.
Compare, although it may be a hassle, you will make out better in your pocketbook if
you return and re-rent the car.
Location, Location, Location
A rental agency downtown or away from the airport usually offers the best rates.
It is often best to take a courtesy shuttle or taxi to your hotel and then rent from
a nearby agency. Often the savings are substantial. Since few airports offer curbside
car rentals, you'll have to ride a van to get your rental car even with on-site rentals.
Another location issue is called redlining. This is where local residents pay more
or have extra restrictions to rent a car from a local agency than someone who lives out of town.
In either case, the rule is to ask questions and read the fine print before you rent.
Is Free Mileage Free
Most rental offers come with unlimited mileage and travelers find comfort in this. The reality
is that if you plan on using your rental car for local mileage at your destination it might
not be the best deal. Ask about a low base rate with a 100 to 150 mile per day limit.
Of course to see any savings you must stay within the mileage limits, otherwise there are stiff
penalties. Still the savings can be substantial if this type of rental fits into your itinerary.
Is the Insurance Necessary?
Collision-Damage Waiver/Loss-Damage Waiver (CDW/LDW) is optional. It can add $7 to $20
on your daily rate. It means the rental agency takes fully responsibility for any damage
that may happen to the car while it is in your possession. Some states have outlawed these
additional charges. There are a few ways you can protect yourself. First check with your
personal auto insurance policy. It is a good idea to check but you are probably already
covered for liability if you own or lease a car. Most financial and lending institutions
require it. Liability insurance covers you for any damages that you might accidentally
inflict on another person.
Another place to check is with your credit card company. Many will offer CDW/LDW
coverage if you use their card to pay for your rental car. The catch here is that this
is secondary coverage meaning your own personal insurance kicks in first and the
secondary insurance will usually offset any deductibles.
If you do not own or lease a car of your own or if you do not normally carry car insurance,
It would be recommended that you do purchase additional CDW/LDW. If you frequently rent cars,
you may want to call an insurance company and ask about a year round non-owner policy.
Know About ALL The Extra Charges
Car rental companies have a laundry list of fees, taxes and surcharges. These charges can increase
the cost of your daily rental upwards of 50% and cancel any savings you might have sought out on your
airline tickets or budget hotels. Its best to understand these charges before you sign your rental
agreement:
Young Drivers: In most cases you need to be 21 to sign a rental agreement. There are some companies
that won't rent to drivers younger than 25. In either case, expect to pay additional fees for drivers
ages 21 to 24.
Additional Drivers: Most rental companies will allow a spouse to drive at no additional charge
but check to make sure. It is usual practice for companies to charge extra for each additional driver. Sometimes
the fees are $3-$15 per day. In other cases, there is a flat $20 to $25 charge per rental. Don't try to save
money by not listing additional drivers. If you are in an accident, the rental company will hold you in violation
of your contract. This means you have no insurance to cover any damages. In some cases, these fees can be
negotiable.
Taxes and Airport Charges:Airports and local municipalities inflict local taxes and surcharges
to pay for capital improvements like maintenance, roads and security. Rental companies may also charge a fee
called a “concession recoup fee”. This covers the costs of operating an airport office. These are also reasons
to check into renting from agency locations outside of the airport areas.
Frequent Flyer Mile Tax: The government has imposed a tax on the use of frequent flyer miles.
Hertz and Avis have been passing along this tax to renters who earn frequent flyer awards with their car rentals.
Usually this tax is is not more than a dollar for a weekly rental but it is still annoying. Also make sure you
are not being charged this tax if you are not collecting mileage awards. A dollar here and another there can add
up quickly.
Drop Off Charges: This means you can be charged for picking up a car at one location and dropping
it off at another location. Often there are no charges if you drop off the car at a different office within the
same city but it's best to ask first. These fees usually apply to one-way rentals. If you are planning to drive
one-way to a popular destination check with local agencies to see if they need a can returned to a local office
where you are headed. Sometimes you can travel for free or very little cost. Again this usually happens with
popular destination areas only.
Fuel Charges: Rental agencies want you to return their cars with a full tank of gas. If not, they
charge you a premium price to replace the fuel you have used. The other option is that the clerk will suggest
that you “pre-pay” for a full tank of gas. Most travelers figure that they will then return the car empty. While
this is more convenient, often travelers end up paying for gas they don't use. The best approach is to simply stop
by a local gas station and fill the tank yourself.
Where in the World?: Some luxury model cars or larger family vehicles now come equipped with global
positioning satellite systems to help you navigate your way. Depending on the circumstances, these devices can be
extremely helpful particularly if you are on a long road trip. Don't rely entirely on these devices. Sometimes the
signals can fade and you can get lost following these mixed up directions. Keep your maps close by but these gizmos
can save you hours of driving in circles.
International Car Rentals:
Most of this general rental car information holds true if you are renting a car in a foreign country.
Yet there are some differences. Click on this link for further details.
Copyright VacationKids.com 2000. All rights reserved including International rights.
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