My Top 10 Car Rental Tips

Car Rental Tips will help you save time on your next car rental, and help you to get a cheaper rate with less hassle! Renting a car can be time-consuming and stressful. You want to make sure that you get what you pay for and that you are booking the best car rental deal that you can find. Tips on car rental discounts, car rental coupons, car rental rates and specials can be found in lots of places; I wanted to share my tips with you.

These are my personal Top 10 Car Rental Tips!

1. Book in advance

If you make a reservation seven or more days in advance, you often can get a cheaper car rental rate. Last minute rentals and travelling at peak times (like holidays) will generally cost you more.

When you see a great rate for the vehicle you want - RESERVE IT RIGHT AWAY - it may not be available later!

2. Check before you say yes or no to damage waivers

Before you accept or decline an expensive loss damage waiver, check your personal auto insurance policy for car rental coverage as well as your credit card coverage for car rentals. Check carefully to make sure that any coverage that you currently have would be adequate for you particular rental. You will certainly save money if you don't need to purchase the optional coverages sold at the rental counter, but only if you are already covered.

3. Only book the size vehicle that you need

If price is concern, book only the size vehicle you need to meet your needs. Your gas will certainly be cheaper and you may be able to get a free upgrade.

4. Weekend rates are cheaper

Rental car companies rent the largest portion of their fleet during Monday-through- Friday business travel. So, generally speaking, leisure travelers can find better rates on weekends when the demand for some types of cars isn't as high. Cars will be cheaper on the weekends, but SUV's and minivans will be more expensive.

5. Refuel, even if you only drive a few miles.

Many companies now charge a fuel surcharge if you drive the vehicle under a certain number of miles. If you drive the rental car under 100 miles, keep your gas receipt so that you can get the automatic fuel surcharge waived.

6. Always get a reservation number or confirmation email

If you book on the phone get a reservation number and an email confirmation if you can. When you book online make sure to record your confirmation number as back up until your email arrives. Bring a copy of your reservation with you. It may never be necessary that you will have to show it, but you're better having having it in case there is a problem at the rental counter.

7. Use a car rental discount code or a car rental coupon

Hundreds of programs and associations (travel clubs, auto clubs, professional associations, etc) offer car rental discounts to their members. You can contact the association or check their website.

You can often find coupons or specials on car rental company websites. Check these in addition to any discount codes you may have.

If you are calling a car rental companys' toll free number to book a rental car and you have no discounts, ask the agent for one! Most companies authorize their agents to give you some kind of generic discount... but only if you ask!

8. Check rates .. twice!

If you use a travel booking site like hotwire or priceline, get a rate for a car rental company and then check that particular companys' website as well for the price; also check for specials or deals to make sure that you are getting the best rate possible.

9. Pick up and Return at the same time

Most companies charge you for 24 hour day increments, starting when you pick up your car. It is rare now to get much of a grace period. Pick up and return at or by the same time of day to keep your price down.

10. If you book more than 3 weeks in advance, call or check online each week before pick up to see if the rates have gone down.

If they have and you booked online, try to either modify your reservation to the lower rate (try changing your pick up time by a few minutes) or book a new one at the lower rate.

If you made your reservation over the phone, call to check if the rates for your reservation have gone down. If the agent cannot modify the reservation to the lower rate, they will be able to book you a new reservation.

For more car rental tips visit http://www.best-car-rental-tips.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jerry_Lyons

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