There are times when you need to make a very important trip, and the most convenient mode of transport is a car. But what if you don’t have one or it’s stuck in the garage, and you can’t wait? What if your car can’t maneuver in rough terrain? You will have no other option than to hire a car.
Hiring a car is easy, and you can have any car you want, even if it’s a Lamborghini or Ferrari rental car, but you should do everything in your hands to pay less. So, let’s find out a few car rental hacks that will save you big bucks.
IMAGE: PEXELS
1. Find Better Rates Even After Booking
You would run out of luck if you booked a non-refundable flight only for you to see a better offer later on, but for cars, when renting one, you can find better rates and change your initial booking.
Most of the car rental companies allow you to reserve a car and pay afterward and that gives you the opportunity to cancel the reservation and take another one whenever a better deal knocks.
2. Don’t Request For Airport Pick-up
Just after the touchdown, it’s easier for you to go to the rental counter and rent a car. In that case, you might have to pay additional charges for airport services.
You should instead call a friend to pick you up or grab an Uber and head down to the car rental company just nearby. It’s cheaper to rent a car from a location away from the airport. If you have to pick the car rental at the airport, join rewards programs that allow you to skip the queue at the airport.
3. Go For “Opaque” Booking
There is a software known as Hotwire. The software offers great discounts via “opaque booking” which is a practice where you book a car and pay without knowing the exact agency that you are booking with.
It’s not risky. No! It’s just fine. You will know the exact amount of money you are paying, where you will pick and drop the car, its class or model, and terms of use. This is one of the best ways you can save money unless you are loyal to a particular agency.
4. Be In A Group Membership
Some groups can help you get car rental discounts. Groups like USAA, AAA, Costco, AARP, and BJ’s are just a few that you can join and enjoy the benefits. AAA group in partnership with Hertz, while AARP has partnered with Avis, PayLess, ZipCar, and Budget.
5. Obey The Speed Limit
Well, you know how crucial this is. Your parents might have taught you when you were young. Obey the speed even if you are driving a supercar. If you fail to, you will pay a fine, then you will have more fees to pay from the company that rented you the car.
6. Say No to Those Extras
They will offer a GPS navigation, speakerphone and satellite radio then charge you more for them. Why take those offers when you have a smartphone? Your smartphone has all those features, so there is no need to pay more for those extras.
7. Comb The Web For Coupon Codes
Before you even book a car, check if the rental company has some discount codes on its website. You can also Google a company name and coupon code. Some car rental sites offer jaw-breaking discounts going for over 25% to 30%. You should try them.
8. Turn Down Any Insurance Offer
You probably know it already that major credit cards offer coverage for all car rentals. Before you rent a car, check your credit card first. If your credit card covers you, deny the coverage the car rental offers. Your personal car insurance might also be covering all your car rentals.
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