Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

10 tips: Rent a car without paying too much

By Laura T. Coffey, Times Correspondent
Published April 29, 2007

It's possible to feel confounded when you stand at the counter and talk to the rental agent. After all, there are so many decisions to make. Should you just say no to all of them? Or yes to some of them? These tips can help:

1 Shop around online. Check multiple travel Web sites, such as Travelocity.com, Expedia.com, Priceline.com and Hotwire.com, and get a sense of what's available. Then check the rental car companies' Web sites directly to see whether you can snag an even cheaper rate.

2 Do the math. A rate that sounds unbelievably low might not be so low when everything is said and done. Clarify which taxes, surcharges and other fees you'll be expected to pay and be on the lookout for charges for "extras."

3 Hunt for deals. Always check for weekend discounts or special weekly rates. When shopping online, be alert for little areas where you can enter a "promotional code" or "discount code." That's a sign to open a Web browser in another window and do a quick Google search for the car company's name along with the same catch phrase you spotted. You could find a coupon code in seconds and save on your rental. You may have access to discount codes through organization memberships and other affiliations.

4 Opt for a smaller car. Do you really need a larger car? If not, go compact. Here's a little secret: Rental car companies often run out of economy models because they're the most popular, so you'll often be steered toward an upgrade in the hopes that you'll cave in and pay for it. Just say no. You stand to get the upgrade anyway for the economy price.

5 Check for restrictions on where you can take the car. Planning to drive across state lines? Make sure that's going to be okay before you lock in your rental deal. Some rental car companies' "unlimited mileage" rates don't include certain states.

6 You rarely need that extra insurance. Rental agencies often urge renters to spend additional money per day on collision damage waivers and other insurance coverage. Review your auto insurance policy and credit-card agreements; you're almost certainly covered. The one exception you might want to consider is "loss of use" coverage. Your auto insurance plan doesn't include that if you live in Florida.

7 Gas up. Don't prepay for gasoline - it's rarely the best deal for you - and then don't forget to fill the tank before you return the car. If you fail to do so, expect to pay much more than the market price.

8 Be on time. If you return your car late, the rental agency may charge you as much as a full day's rental. If you are going to be late, call the agency and explain your situation. It may help.

9 Avoid airport fees. If you rent a car from the airport, you're likely to pay extra fees such as airport surcharges, drop-off fees or taxes levied by local governments. Consider renting from a suburban location.

10 Supply your own car seat. You can save up to $10 a day by providing your own child safety seat. You may not need to worry about this if you're renting a minivan with built-in safety seats.

Sources: Edmunds.com (www.edmunds.com); Fodor's (www.fodors.com); American Society of Travel Agents (www.travelsense.org/tips/car.asp)

[Last modified April 27, 2007, 18:32:13]