Travel – Eat – Sleep

This is a very competitive world we live in where everybody wants something at a discount price but how do you know that you will always the get the best deal available. Most of us end up convincing our selves that we have done a good job of obtaining the best discount possible because it means we can relax and get on with the next thing on our agenda. One area that has risen owing to fuel costs and inflation is car rentals and it has seen many rises so if you’re not sure, here are a few tips on how to make your cheap car rental more realistic.

Booking your car over the counter will almost always cost you more than using an internet site. You could go along to the car rental office or use the phone but the internet booking sites are almost always able to offer a discount unavailable elsewhere. Getting a cheap car rental is not just about the cost of the rental though as there are other ways to save money.

By filling up with the cheapest gas you will save yourself quite a few dollars when you return it to the drop off point. You can guarantee to save a great deal more money than by letting them fill it up at their prices which are usually much higher per gallon. Try to always use the same company when you find one you like as they have customer loyalty schemes that can save you more money when you reserve your car.

It is worth asking if the company provides a service where they will swap your frequent flyer air miles for a discount on the rental of the car. This can be even more beneficial if your air miles are running out and you wouldn’t get a chance to use them anyway so why not try for a cheap car rental instead. Another way to lower the cost of your car rental is by making your reservation as early as possible as discounts for this are usually given.

Seasoned customers know the best time to collect a car is first thing in the morning when the offices are just opening as most of the cheap car rentals are out and not expected back for some time; the chances are you will be upgraded for free. If the car rental agency has an arrangement with hotels and airlines and you intend to book a flight and hotel as well then you may find that you could be eligible for further discounts if you decide to book with all three. To get a car rental at your own price, find rent-at-your-own-price internet sites that look for the best possible deal with the budget that you’ve given them.

However, be careful with this, review the company’s history first before you get into it, or make sure that there are no other cheaper means before you close the deal, remember, once you make a reservation, you can’t cancel it. If you intend to keep the vehicle for more than five days see if the company gives a discount for the sixth and seventh days which is generally the case with the company you finally decide to use. Airport pick-ups normally incur a surcharge so if it is possible, collect the car from the rental company’s offices directly and save any additional airport surcharges not mentioned when you booked the vehicle.