10 tricks to get good prices when renting a car

Although some car rental companies tend to offer better deals than others, the cost of renting a car depends on several factors, such as location, time or supply and demand, for example. You can still save a lot of money by renting a car in the US and in this article we will show you how to do it. You will find below 10 tricks to get good prices when renting a car.

If you need a luxury car rental service or are simply looking for a cheap car to get around safely, the tips we will share on how to get the best car rental deals They will be very useful to you.

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Types of car rental companies

Before knowing the tricks you can put into practice you get good prices when you rent a carIt is important to know that there are different types of car rental companies

Basically, The main national car rental chains are divided into three categories: premium, value and discount, but that doesn't mean premium brands are always the most expensive. In fact, premium brands often include extras or offer discounts that other companies don't offer.

Conversely, don't assume that discounted car rental companies are always the cheapest. This is because nine of the biggest brands belong to three large car rental consortia.

Why is it important to know?

Because brands from the same family often influence each other. Suppose Dollar's sister company, Thrifty, or its parent company, Hertz, runs out of machines. That decrease in supply could push dollar rates higher than those of premium brands like Avis and Budget.

Characteristics of the different types of car rental companies

Below are the most important characteristics of the three categories of car rental companies that we have mentioned above.

1. Premium: These companies tend to have newer cars, employ more staff (which means shorter waits for you), and offer fast rental programs so you can pick up your car and get it out of the parking lot without having to wait at the counter. In this category the following companies can be mentioned: Avis, Hertz and Nacional
2. Value: these companies cater to the conventional traveler with lower prices but more limited services. Their cars may have more mileage and there may be longer lines at the counter. The following companies can be mentioned in this category: Alamo, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise and Thrifty.
3. Discount: These companies often offer low rates because cars have been used more, rental offices are often located in an awkward location outside the airport, are understaffed, and waiting times at the counter can be quite long. Examples of companies in this category: Advantage, EZ Rent-A-Car, Fox Rent A Car and Payless.

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10 tricks to get good prices when renting a car

Below you will find the best tricks to get good prices when renting a car. Apply them and you can save a good amount of money.

1. Check the collection sites first

Sometimes the car rental process can be overwhelming. Where should you start? We recommend that you start with car rental collection portals such as Kayak And Expedia.

In these portals you can get an approximate amount of how much you have to pay. However, before renting a car through one of these sites, you should compare the quotes with the rates that the car rental company publishes on their website. In some cases, the car rental company will offer you a better deal if you book directly with them.

For example, if Expedia shows you a great price for an Enterprise rental, go to the Enterprise website and search for the same rental service. You won't always find a better deal with this method, but it's worth checking to be sure.

2. Don't rule out "cheap" rental companies.

We are all familiar with some car rental companies such as Hertz, Enterprise and Avis. But there are also smaller companies you should consider. Of course, they may not have fancy websites and lots of locations like big companies, but they sometimes have better prices.

To see the rents of these smaller companies you can search in Car Rental.com. They won't always be cheaper, but they're worth comparing.

3. Book in advance

Be sure to check your car prices in advance - the sooner, the better! Car rental rates vary and can change several times a day, depending on the company and location.

4. Compare with different rental periods

One of the best tricks to get good prices when renting a car must be as flexible as possible with the rental dates. Also, try to avoid renting a brand exclusively to earn loyalty points or because you've heard it's the cheapest. If you do, you could be missing out on great deals!

If you change the duration of your rental, you can get a discount for booking in a certain period of time; for example, for a week or for a weekend. Sometimes by keeping the car a few more days you can enjoy a lower overall price.

5. Check the locations inside and outside the airport

It is not always true that car rental rates are cheaper when renting a car outside the airport. Sometimes it makes sense to pay for an Uber ride at a rental point outside the airport, while other times at the airport you get better prices. So make sure you check both options to get the best deal.

6. Sign up for a car rental rewards program

Get the most out of your investment by joining a car rental rewards program such as Hertz Gold Plus Rewards, Favorite Avis or other rewards programs.

Below is a list of some of the car rental rewards programs that you should consider.

7. Research car rental insurance options

Find out in advance if your personal auto insurance and / or credit card provide full and collision coverage. Accepting the insurance offered by the rental company can give you peace of mind and a minimum of hassle if something should happen, but remember that the service will come at a price.

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8. Document any initial damage inside and outside the car

Do a full inspection of the car before you enter and after you leave. Be sure to take pictures and mention any damage to the car rental employees. Car repair costs are usually quite high if they show that you are responsible for the damage.

9. Compare the equipment rental rates with the purchase price

Sometimes the cost of renting a GPS unit or car seat can be higher than the purchase price of these items, of course, depending on the length of the rental. You can always sell these items on eBay, Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or at a garage sale if you don't need it after your trip.

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10. Fill the fuel tank before returning the rental car

You should always fill the tank with gasoline before delivering the vehicle. If you return the car with less than agreed, the rental company may charge you between $ 4 and $ 10 per gallon to refill the tank.

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