Car rentals offer convenience and flexibility when you travel. Car rentals may be handy, but there are other factors to consider prior to securing your reservation
Before your trip, determine your transportation needs prior to your departure. If you are considering using a car rental, take note of the details included in this article.
Before securing any reservation, review your budget, rental duration, and the rental company’s fuel policy. Sometimes, similar cars at other dealerships will have drastically different quotes. Doing your research will help you get the best bang for your buck – and the most out of your time away!
Budget
Plan your travel transportation budget in advance. Be mindful that there will be possible additional costs like insurance, gas, tolls, taxes, and fees. One of the ways to save money is by booking with an alternative reservation system than with a car rental company directly. There are car share apps or travel websites that offer similar services and may have better pricing.
You can use these travel sites to compare quotes for renting a vehicle. For example, you can enter the same dates, pickup and dropoff times, and car models into multiple travel sites to get a quote. You may see that one website quotes $500, and another quotes $900. This is helpful for two reasons. First, you will get a sense of how much money you will need to allot for this budget item. Second, you can choose which site offers the best deal. If necessary, you can make other adjustments to other areas of your budget.
Always make sure you know what your current car insurance includes and do some research on what you may need to purchase from the rental agency. In most cases, your regular insurance will cover many of the coverages the agency will try to sell you. Additionally, if you pay with a credit card, some of those additional packages may be covered by your card.
Rental Duration
The timing and duration of your rental may determine its quoted price, even if all other factors are the same. For example, morning pickup may be lower in cost than an evening pickup, and return times may vary in price if you pickup on a weekday or during the weekend.
You can choose all of these details in advance if you book online. This gives you the ability to play with different criteria if you have flexibility during your travels. This way, you know all of your options and can choose which one is best for you.
Who knows – you may get a great deal that leaves room to experience more activities during your trip!
Fuel
Be sure to review the fuel policy before signing your rental agreement. Some companies require you to fill up your gas tank prior to your return and will charge extra fees if you don’t. Others may offer to waive this policy in advance if you pay an additional fee up front, and you can return the gas tank at any level.
If you anticipate being pressed for time during your trip, it may be wise to choose to pay the fee up front so you don’t have to worry about getting gas before returning the car. This offers more flexibility and convenience. However, if you have more time, you can research local gas prices. Doing this can help you calculate which option makes sense for you. Sometimes, the fees end up costing more than if you fill the tank yourself!
What to Think About Prior to Your Car Rental Reservation
Having your own vehicle makes travel significantly easier, but it comes at a cost. Take your time to research costs in advance by deciding how your money will be allocated consider how long you will be traveling, and review all fine print and policies in any rental agreement prior to confirming any reservations. Your wallet will thank you later!