It doesn’t matter if you are a business traveler or just going out of town for the weekend, you’ve probably been shocked by the high rates that most car rental agencies charge. And that’s not even the half of it- the company also makes money by adding extra insurance fees, fuel surcharges, and other expenses. Most of these fees are totally unnecessary, and you can follow these tips to save on your car rental rate.
-See if you can qualify for a discount through your credit card company, AAA, or your employer.
-Find out if your hotel or airline offers a discounted car rental rate if you use one of their chosen vendors.
-Peruse the car rental ads in your local paper’s travel section- often you can find coupons good for upgrades or discounted rates.
-Choose a smaller and more fuel-efficient car. Sure, that gas-guzzling SUV looks nicer than the economy car, but it will cost you a lot more in terms of both car rental rate and the amount of fuel you will use.
-If you can find a promotional code for the car rental agency you prefer, enter it on their website.
-Check your auto insurance policy to see if you have rental coverage. If you do, there’s no need to purchase the extra insurance at the rental counter.
Renting a car doesn’t have to be expensive. With a little effort and some comparison shopping, you can get the car (and the car rental rate) that fits your needs without breaking the bank.
