Renting a car can be stressful and expensive. I have had vacations where the car rental was over half the cost of the trip! Still, road trips are one of my favorite ways to travel. It is a great way to explore any country and immerse in culture. Below are my top tips for renting a car and ways to save.

1. Compare Vehicles

  • Before booking, compare rates on websites like RentalCars, Expedia, Kayak, or Priceline.
  • Review specifics like number of passengers, bags it can fit comfortably, and automatic or standard transmission.
  • Compare using the total price rather than the per day cost. The per day cost does not include taxes, fees, or additional charges.
  • While a vendor may offer great rates, it’s important to keep in mind how many service stations or rental hubs are in your area(s) of interest. Less hubs means if you run into a problem, like breaking down or technical issues, it may take longer for you to get help or repairs.

2. Know What Is Included in the Rental Cost

  • In addition to the basic rental, you should consider what else is included in the base rate and what additional coverage you want to add. Typically, things to look for are a mileage/kilometer limit, collision damage waiver (CDW), theft protection, and airport or premium location surcharges.
  • I have never rented a car yet that did not offer unlimited mileage since I am typically renting for long road trips rather than just getting around the city.
  • Your personal auto insurance policy may cover the rental car. Additionally, many credit cards now cover insurance if you pay for the rental on that card. Read the fine print on the requirements. Some cards will only cover the rental if you decline all coverage provided by the rental company at time of pick-up or booking. You don’t want to have an issue only to discover you owe for damages because you missed an important condition.
  • Decide if you need to purchase a GPS with your rental. Some people bring their own GPS unit. Others save by using a smartphone for navigation. You can download offline maps for turn-by-turn directions even without Wi-Fi or data signal.

3. Understand that Airport Rentals are Easy but Costly

  • Picking up your rental at the airport is very convenient. There is an added cost though, often listed as a facilities fee.
  • If you rent from an off-site location near the airport or near your accommodation, you can save big. Take an inexpensive ride share or taxi from the airport to the rental lot. If you are arriving late in the day, and only need the car to get to your accommodation, you can save a day’s rental fee by booking close to you and waiting until the next morning to pick it up.

4. Stick to One Driver for Savings

Most rental companies will charge for additional drivers – often $10 to $15 more per day! If it is not a long distance, or someone doesn’t mind always driving, you may want to settle on having only one designated driver.

5. Realize One-Way Rentals Cost More

  • One-way rentals, picking up in one location and dropping off in another, are usually more expensive than returning to the same location. I noticed a large price discrepancy when I booked a car in Spokane (Washington) with a return at Bozeman Yellowstone Airport (Montana).
  • There is an exception to this rule – when vehicles need to be moved long distances, the rental company will offer good deals to get someone to drive it there.

6. Be Flexible with Pick-Up and Drop-Off Times

Sometimes, if you can wait to pick up your rental, or return it early, you can save a ton of money. On two recent trips, changing my times by an hour saved me an entire day’s rental.

7. Save with Partners and Loyalty Programs

  • If you are a member of AAA, AARP, USAA, Costco, or other associations, you may have access to special discounts or have fees like the second driver waived.
  • Airlines or hotels also partner with rental car companies, giving discounts on the vehicle or earning miles and points from the rental.
  • Also check if your employer or university offers a discount code for certain car companies.
  • If you rent often, try sticking to one rental company and join their loyalty program for perks like free upgrades and skipping the line.

8. Read Reviews Using Common Sense

  • I read reviews for the rental company and the specific branch since customer service can vary widely by location. Like any other review, take them with a grain of salt. People are more likely to leave a review if they are mad than if they had a good experience.
  • Common sense issues that people complain about include being charged for the GPS system, car seats, tolls, and returning the car without gas. All of which should be spelled out in your booking or rental agreement.
  • What I look for are comments about hidden fees, not getting the vehicle they reserved, excessive wait times, missing reservations, or attempts to charge for damage they didn’t do.

9. Check Your Car Before You Leave the Lot

  • Walk around and check inside your car before you leave the lot! Verify that wipers, taillights, the GPS (if applicable), and gauges work.
  • Take photos and videos of any marks, scuffs, or other damage and report it to the rental company immediately. The photos and videos will be crucial if you must dispute any charges. After a couple recent issues, I recommend close photos of the damage and a video walking around the car to show the location.
  • When you return the rental, make sure you get a sign-off slip that there was no damage, or a specific list of what was wrong. Otherwise, you are taking it on good faith that they won’t come back later.

10. Fill Your Tank Before Returning It

  • Most rental agencies offer a service to pre-pay for fuel, basically to fill the tank back up after you drop it off. This is convenient but the price can be higher than nearby gas stations. Even if it isn’t more expensive, you are paying for an entire tank of gas when you are likely not returning it with an empty tank.
  • Find a gas station within a few miles of the rental lot and fill it up yourself. This does take a little extra time, but it is worth it to me. Keep the receipt in case you need to prove your purchase to the rental agent.

Bonus Tip

I always take a photo of the rental license plate. Many accommodations ask for this at check-in and having it on my phone saves me from a walk outside. It also helps me differentiate the car in the parking area in case there are similar vehicles nearby.

Those were my top tips for renting a car. They hold true whether you are renting for work or planning a cross-country road trip. I hope you find these helpful on your next rental!

Do you have any additional tips? Leave them in a comment below.

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