The Covid-19 pandemic has brought many changes in the world, including people wanting to drive around in their own vehicle and avoiding public transportation as much as possible. There are plenty of road trips when the restrictions have eased, and this is where the demand for car rentals or leiebil skyrockets. However, some countries may have a lower supply of vehicles during peak seasons.
With the huge demand, it’s not surprising that the rental prices are sky-high. What you need when you get a car rental or Bilutleie is to look for ways to save money and get high-quality cars at the same time. These are some tricks that you may want to know about.
1. Don’t Ask for Airport Pick-ups
Renting is very convenient, especially if you’re going on a trip to another country. However, skip the pick-up at the airport because they often come at a premium. There are surcharges and extra fees involved that may be otherwise present in the rental agencies located at the heart of the metro. You need to take a bus or shuttle to the rental company in the city and take it from there.
If you prefer the airport pick-ups, it may be convenient, but you’ll have to agree to customer facility charges on the receipt of your credit card. These are often fixed dollar figures, but others may charge you with this every day as long as you’re using the vehicle. It might even amount to three figures if you’re not careful.
It’s best to do ridesharing or get a taxi and go to a car rental agency. This way, you’ll save more by renting in a location that’s far from the airport.
2. Don’t Forget to Compare Online Prices
There are a lot of online websites that offer affordable services for you. Compare the options in the city where you’re going and see which one of them can provide you with the car that you prefer. It’s essential to prioritize safety, so it’s best to look for the vehicles you’re used to and see which ones offer better deals.
After booking, you may still want to keep shopping. Go directly to a specific company’s site, and you might be surprised with the steep discounts they offer, particularly if you click the “pay” button. You just need to keep in mind that the payment is non-refundable, and you have to make sure that you won’t cancel the trip. If you’ve chosen a refundable reservation option, there’s a chance that you can withdraw this and go with the better-priced one.
3. Discount Stores Want your Business
There are discount brands like Dollar Rentals, Thrifty, Advantage, and Payless that want to do business with you. They often have offers at a lower rate, so you may want to check if they are catering to the country where you’re going. The expensive ones don’t necessarily mean that you’re getting the best, but with these brands, you may want to consider your options.
During off-peak seasons, most of them may offer a price that’s $5 cheaper per day than the big-name rentals. This will result in more savings, especially if you’re going for a very long trip.
4. Leverage and Get the Most out of your Memberships
If you’re a Costco member, you can use the card to save more money in agencies that accept them. This brand consistently beats other travel agencies, and there are perks that you should know about. One of them is adding another driver to the list for free.
Frequent flyers will be surprised by the advantages and perks they get through American Airlines. The AAA memberships will provide you with discounts on many rental sites. You can also enjoy waived underage fees, especially if the driver is 20 to 24 years old. However, to get at least 30% off, you may need to arrange pick-up at the airport.
5. Get Economy Cars Whenever Possible
If you’re on a budget, economy cars are often some of the best-priced in the market. Therefore, they have a higher chance of giving you the most affordable option in the market. Look for the most affordable and the smallest ones, and if they are not available, some companies may offer a free upgrade after you’ve booked with them. Learn more about car sizes on this page here.
This will apply if you’re traveling alone. However, if you are with your family, this might be a different story, and you may get stuck cramming luggage and four people in a back seat. This is not exactly a vacation that you have in mind, right? Plan ahead and get the most affordable vehicle with the right size for a hassle-free journey.
6. Best to Maintain One Driver
Many companies will charge you a daily fee if you tell them that you want to add an extra driver. This may range from $10 to $15 every day, but the costs may vary from one location to another. If you want to dodge this, you might want to call others that offer waived fees for spouses or people with the same address on their driver’s license.
If they don’t agree to waive the costs, it’s better to stick with one driver, especially if the trip is short. Call and leverage your memberships from Costco, AAA, USAA, and AARP and see if you’re able to request an additional driver without spending extra with selected agencies.
7. Using your Own Insurance
If you own a vehicle, you’ll have a higher chance of getting coverage from your primary insurance when you decide on renting. For millennials who are still carless, their parents may want them into their insurance as drivers. To keep the record straight, the addiction doesn’t cost any extra money at all.
Credit card companies have basic insurance coverage so take advantage of this. Comprehensive coverage and packages are also available, and the insurance will cover accidents, dents, or medical bills if something happens. Use the credit card to pay for the rental and skip the $40/day extra charge.
If you’re renting overseas, it might be required for you to get the insurance available. Include this in your budget or contact the agency and see if your credit card insurance is more than enough.
8. Don’t Add the Extras
Some agencies will sell you toll transponders, car seats, and navigation. If you don’t need satellite radios or roadside assistance, forget about them and drive the vehicle off the parking lot. GPS navigation devices may cost you $15 or more, and there’s always Google Maps or Waze that will make everything more affordable.
Transponders also come with per-day fees, which are in addition to the tolls. You may want to purchase a pass from popular supermarket stores and chains around the country instead of paying it per day from rental companies. Aside from that, you’re only going to pay for what you’ve used.