If you’re planning a trip, you may be wondering how you can get the best deal on a rental car. We all want to save money and get the best possible deal, but that doesn’t mean you should settle for a sub-par vehicle. There are plenty of ways to get the most bang for your buck when it comes to renting a car. Start with these five tips so you can enjoy your trip and not worry about spending too much on transportation.
1. Book early — especially during the peak travel season.
If you’re traveling during peak seasons, like summer or the holidays, booking early will help ensure there are cars available at your destination. Plus, if prices are low when you book, they’ll probably only go up as time gets closer to your trip. If you wait until the last minute and find out there aren’t any cars left in your price range, it could leave you in a bind — especially if you’re going somewhere remote where not all rental companies have locations and there isn’t a ton of competition.
2. Pick up your car off-airport.
Rental companies have their locations at airports for a reason — they know most people are not going to go out of their way to pick up a car somewhere else. But by picking up your vehicle off-airport, you can save about 25 percent on average compared with renting from an airport location, according to the American Car Rental Association (ACRA). If you’re flying into an area where there’s public transportation available, consider taking it from the airport to an off-site location, where you can save money on your rental.
3. Book through sites like SCvehicle hire, which factors in free delivery.
There are plenty of rental car companies out there who provide their services online, but in the end, they all just want to get you to come to the shop for a car you want, at a price you’re willing to pay. Among them look for a company who delivered the car anywhere you want, and here SCvehicle Hire comes in handy, in this case. They offer a line of vehicles from small vans to trucks and economy cars to the luxury ones. Get your hands on what you want and your favorite car will be delivered to you for absolutely free.
4. Don’t pass up the extras.
Rental car companies tend to make their money by charging you for what they call “extras”:
- GPS navigation systems
- Upgraded cars
- Insurance
- Roadside assistance
- Extra drivers
- Child safety seats and other child-related items
Most people will already be familiar with this trick — one that can be used to your advantage, especially if you’re a frequent car renter. When you get to the counter, the agent is going to make a pitch for extras like insurance, roadside assistance, and upgrades to premium vehicles or additional services. It’s tempting just to say no and get on with your trip. But it pays to think about what’s included in your existing car insurance policy before you make up your mind.
If you have comprehensive coverage on your own vehicle, chances are good that it will cover damage to rental cars as well. The other liabilities can be managed easily such as GPS, and roadside assistance, you can simply use your smartphone. Buy your own child safety seats, if required. You might require them on your next trip too.
5. Bring it back early and full.
If you return your rental car early or with less gas than you started with, you will likely get charged an extra fee for not returning the car on schedule or with a full tank of gas. The best way to avoid these charges is to plan ahead and return the car exactly when it’s due and with a full tank of fuel. But if something happens and you know the rental company is going to charge you for bringing it back late or not refueling it before returning it, be sure to call their customer service and inform them beforehand about your late arrival.
The takeaway
Finding a cheap and easy rental car is possible despite the fact that it might take a lot of time and effort. By planning ahead, you can save money on the rental vehicle, and some extra expenditures that might come with the service. So rest assured that you save on free rental delivery services with SCvehicle hire. The time and money you would have saved by not doing so may be better spent having fun on your road trip. I hope you like these handy steps that can take to save money on your rental car that doesn’t involve coupon clipping or waiting for a sale.