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& Car Rental Travel Tips |
How to get a car rental
There’s more to renting the car than just reserving it and paying for it, to make sure that you get the best deal follow these steps and tips.
STEPS:
1.Choose three to four car rental companies via the phonebook or the internet that fit your wants and needs. Check them all because you don’t want to overlook the best car rental deal.
All car rental companies require a valid drivers license. Some car rental companies check the driver's record and will deny a car to a customer with a poor driving record. In some foreign countries, an international drivers license may be required.
2.Contact the agency and ask about their special offers, location, availability, pickup sites, rates, special rates, hotel and airline partnerships, extra charges, insurance, everything you can think of that can help lower what you have to pay for your car rental, or what would make the car rental more convenient for you.
3.Choose a pickup point; find one that is near you so it won’t be a hassle, some pick you up at your home or at the airport to take you to your rental.
4. When selecting a car rental find one that could fit all the people you’ll have in it. If you’re alone consider renting a compact. Some rentals charge more for larger vehicles.
Your age may affect the rate. Younger renters (below 25 years of age) can get charged extra money, and be required to buy more expensive insurance. There are also maximum age limits which vary from company to company.
5.The next thing to do is to reserve it. There are four types of car rental rates: a daily rate with a mileage charge; a daily rate with a limited number of free miles per day; a daily rate with unlimited mileage; and a rate that has free mileage over an extended period. Vehicles are economical when rented by the week with unlimited mileage. Daily rates are usually quite high, but there are some good 3-day deals. Rates vary from company to company, month to month, and country to country.
Beware of any rental that adds a reservation fee.
TIPS
For the best deals for your money here are some tips when looking, finding and taking out a car rental.
1.When getting a car rental check for available upgrades at no charge. Pickup your car early in the morning, when the other cars haven’t been returned yet, this way there could be a shortage on the car class or type you reserved and the firm might just give you an upgrade for a lower price or at no additional fee.
2.Get an internet car rental. These types of rentals offer internet only discounts.
3.Fill the gas tank before you return your car. Car rentals will charge you at an higher price, if they have to fill the tank.
4.Look for packages like fly-drive-stay or fly-drive, these will get you great discounts on rentals, and what’s more you won’t have to worry about other details like a hotel or an airline, everything’s there. You can find these packages with most online travel agencies.
5.If your frequent flyer discount or free flight is about to expire, there are some car rental companies that offer to exchange these discounts to discounts on your car rental.
The bottom line is be pesky, ask questions, ask for discounts, the only reason why people don’t get better value for the things they buy is because they don't ask.
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