No matter the expense, there are always ways to save. The general ‘savings rule’ is determining your needs and zipping online for some research.
So if you need a rental vehicle while you’re on vacation or your car’s at the mechanic’s, this post will offer tips on how to save on your next car rental.
I | Do you even need to rent a vehicle?
Is there another travel alternative? Like the subway, bus, taxis, Lyft, or Uber?
Most major cities have an extensive transportation network. A MetroCard is one option if you’re traveling to a big city like New York City. For one, you can avoid spending most of your vacation and time in traffic, and some MetroCards provide unlimited rides.
Unlimited ride MetroCards come in 7-Day, 30-Day, and 7-Day Express Bus Plus card options. A 7-Day unlimited card costs $33 and offers unlimited bus and subway trips in New York.
You’ll save on parking and rental booking.
If you’re traveling in Los Angeles, bus fares are dirt cheap at $1.75. Purchase a pre-paid TAP card for riding buses and trains in Los Angeles. You can use the ‘public transport’ option on Google Maps to figure out which bus to take and the Transit App for bus schedules.
Want something for shorter commutes? Find a rental company that offers electronic scooters.
II | Tips for Saving on Your Car Rental
1. Avoid the Airport
Airport rental locations are convenient, but this convenience comes with a premium price tag. Airports charge concession fees as high as 10% of the rental cost.
If you’re worried about the added cost of traveling to an offsite location, if you skip the airport, don’t be. Agencies like Enterprise and Thrifty offer free pickup services. If you book a reservation at a non-airport location, they will drop you off at the city office to complete the process.
Spend the extra time researching a city rental. The time you spend searching online will free up more pocket money for your trip.
Make your miles work for you.
If you’re part of a frequent-flier program, many of them offer rental discounts. With AAdvantage from American Airlines, you can save 35% off Budget and Avis car rentals if you book from the airport.
2. Shop Around Online
Once you’ve settled on whether you need a rental, it’s time to shop around.
Cost-compare traditional rentals with meta-search engines like Kayak and Momondo. These sites allow you to compare prices for flights, hotels, and rental cars all in one place. Quickly sort and narrow down your searches with the filtering options provided for the best rental prices.
You won’t book your reservations through these meta-search sites. Once you’ve selected the service you want, they’ll transfer you to the online travel or car rental service. Side-by-side comparisons narrow down the haystack with ease.
Both Kayak and Momondo offer Surprise Agency bookings. So do Hotwire (“Hot Rates”) and Priceline (“Express Deals”). Surprise Agency bookings, also called opaque bookings, offer the lowest prices. You won’t know the actual car rental company you booked until after you’ve completed your transaction.
Discount brands like Thrifty, Dollar Rental, Payless, and Advantage offer lower rates than big-name rental companies like Hertz and Enterprise. Look into all of your options for the best deals.
Be aware.
Most sites don’t display the final price upfront. The low price lures you to check out the page, but it doesn’t mean that it is all you’ll pay.
Click through until the last page, where you can see all the fees and taxes applied. Only then can you determine if you’re in for a good bargain.
3. Pay Now
Rental car companies like Budget and Avis offer discounts if you pay online at the time of reservation. A quick site search shows Budget offering 35% off on base rates with their Pay Now option and Avis for up to 30%.
Remember before you click the button that rentals paid in advance are nonrefundable.
4. Check Your Credit Card Benefits
If you have a travel credit card, then you are in for some savings. Use your credit card rewards to book car rentals at discounted prices. You can either use your points or another savings program offered by your credit card company.
Travel credit cards provide rental car insurance options. Review your card’s policy for all the services provided and take advantage of the benefits. Some cards, like the platinum card from American Express, offer complimentary vehicle upgrades and discounts of up to 25%.
5. Membership Program Discounts
Have a Costco or AAA membership? Then use them to save money on your car rental.
Costco Travel offers some of the lowest prices for car rentals. Once you’re a member, discounts and coupons become available to you. Based on the car type, length of rental, reservation, location, and travel dates, their Low Price Finder will apply relevant coupons with your membership discount.
AAA memberships offer more than roadside assistance. They include discounts, travel services, insurance, and vacation planning. AAA members can save 20% off rentals when they book with Hertz and up to 10% on a reservation with Thrifty.
Whichever agency you choose, ask if your membership qualifies you for any bargains. Ask the rental company if they have a loyalty program where members can access special deals.
6. Coupon Hunting
Coupon codes offer another avenue for savings. Before swiping your card, quickly search for discount codes and deals. Even if you already have discounts on your credit card or memberships, you may double your savings.
Find the right code, and you can get up to 25% off and, sometimes, a free day on your base rate.
The savings are worth the hunt!
Check if your job offers corporate codes for personal travels. If you attend a university, check if there are university codes available.
7. Don’t Pay For Insurance You Don’t Need
Insurance is one of the biggest costs you’ll face when paying for a rental. This insurance often comes as a collision damage waiver. It’s the primary insurance rental companies use to claim for the costs of damage to their vehicles.
The additional insurance payments can cost you an extra $40 per day.
Although it’s good practice to secure rental insurance, you may already hold coverage.
Travel credit cards offer basic insurance coverage if you pay with your card. Check the conditions on your card policy and understand the services provided. Benefits vary across card types and companies.
You may already have a viable alternative insurance option. If you have personal car insurance or health, homeowner, or travel insurance, check each insurance policy for coverage details related to:
- Injuries caused in a rental car crash;
- Personal belongings coverage;
- Car rental collision coverage.
Once you’ve examined your credit card and insurance policies for coverage, you’ll know if you require any additional ones offered by a rental agency.
8. Buy Your Own Gas
Rental rates on fuel range far above market value. Fill the gas tank yourself. Avoid gas stations close to an auto rental location. They mark up prices based on demands.
Download GasBuddy to compare petrol prices in your area. Gas up the car before returning it as well.
9. Avoid Sneaky Fees
Don’t let the add-on perks rental agencies try to sell lure you in. You won’t need a satellite radio in most cases, and most smartphones nowadays have GPS features.
Check your rental agreement for penalties and notes about a grace period. They could charge you for a whole day if you’re an hour late returning your car. With late returns, call the agency and ask if it would be cheaper to lengthen the rent period or pay the late fee.
Going through the toll can also cost you. Rental agencies charge for the use of their transponders. Use Google Maps to find the shortest, toll-free route to your destination, or pay with cash instead.
10. Do Your Checks
Check the vehicle you rent for dings, dents, loose parts, and stains before driving out of the lot. Point them out to the rental agency and take pictures of the interior and the exterior. Including the trunk.
Without proof, during a dispute, you may end up paying for damages not caused by you.
Conclusion
Renting a car doesn’t have to be a big spend if you can save.
- Avoid renting from the airport and look into alternative car rental sources;
- Shop online while you plan your travels for discounts;
- Pay in full with your reservation;
- Check your credit card for rewards;
- Cash in on your membership incentives from Costco and AAA and loyalty rewards from fee waivers;
- Clip coupons;
- Determine if you need rental insurance by reviewing the coverage you already have;
- Fill the gas tank yourself;
- Avoid sneaky charges by reading the fine print;
- Record the car’s condition before driving off the lot.
