Do you need four wheels on your next trip? Renting a car can give you freedom and flexibility when you are on vacation, and in some parts of the world, it can be the only mode of transportation. But a rented car also means headaches, starting with finding the best offer and choosing the right insurance option. Pay attention to and do as you are told to save your time, understand the contract you are signing, and prevent issues that might occur. Here are some tip to follow when renting a car
Choosing a car
Think carefully about what car you need. If you are going on holiday with your children or a lot of luggage, you may want a bigger vehicle or an SUV. If you want to save money on both rental and gasoline, choose the smallest model available. But size is not the only factor to consider. Are you looking for something to protect the environment? Here you will find more information. Can’t drive a car with a manual transmission? Reserve an automaton. Ensure that the company you rent from offers you other additional services such as a child seat or GPS.
Car reservation
For what period do you rent a car? If for less than a week, turn to well-known companies such as Avis, Budget, or Hertz. For rentals of more than a week or more, you can get better local companies’ rates, especially from car dealers. But beware of these local companies if you plan to travel a lot; if something breaks or you have an accident, they do not support such situations.
Always check multiple offers. This way, you will know what rates are practiced, about the discounts offered and the reservation fees charged.
For a low rate, ask what bonuses are granted through “frequent flier” programs or based on the credit card you have. If you work for a company that frequently rents cars, you may benefit from a negotiated rate.
Before booking your car online, search the Internet for coupons or promotional codes to attach to your booking. Enter in the search field the name of the rental car company followed by the promotional code, and you will be able to benefit from discounts of up to 20% of the total rental cost.
If you haven’t already, consider enrolling in the car rental company’s loyalty program. These vary, but most of them are free and offer you certain privileges when lifting the vehicle, including discounts and free upgrades to a higher class.
Understand the terms of the lease
If you book online, read the rental terms and conditions carefully before confirming the booking. If you make the reservation by phone, ask the agent about any restrictions. Make sure you understand the booking conditions. For not turning up to pick up the vehicle, is there a penalty? If you’re late, how long will your car be delayed? Is there an additional fee for the additional driver, and his name must appear in the contract? Is a 20-year-old able to drive a car?
If so, ask about travel restrictions in another country. For protection in case of incidents or accidents, ensure that the company has branches in the countries included in your itinerary.
For “one way” rentals, ask about car delivery fees. These can be exorbitant.
Always have the confirmation number. If you rent a car in Lahore or any other city from the airport, give all the flight details and the landing time. This helps you if the plane is late.
The real costs of car rentals
The rates you see in the ads can be so inflated by local taxes, airport, additional driver, insurance, fuel, and care delivery, that you often end up paying twice as much as you expected.
In recent years, the major online booking engines have become much more transparent about car rental rates, so you are often shown the full cost of the rental, with all taxes included.
As with airlines, computers can quickly adjust prices based on changes in the fleet of available cars, so the rental rate is only valid at that time. If you do not book on the spot, the rate will likely change.
When receiving the car
If the first route is from the airport to the hotel, to spend the night there, why not use the minibus that provides the transfer to the hotel? That’s how you save a rental day. Even if you have to drive on the landing day, you may not pick it up from the airport. If you pick it up in the city, avoid the high airport taxes.
Suppose you have personal insurance or use a credit card to pay. In that case, you will probably be covered at least for damages in the event of an accident, so you do not have to purchase the policies offered by the car rental company. Ask your insurance company or the bank that issued the credit card if you are not positive.
Before leaving by car, be careful not to get hit or scratched. Make sure the lights work and check the mileage. Report anything you think is wrong.
Familiarize yourself with the car before leaving the parking lot. Check which side you have the tank on and learn to use the lights and wipers. You may want to memorize the year of manufacture, model, and color of the car, to make sure you do not miss it in the first busiest parking lot.
When returning the car
Always fill the tank before returning. Avoid gas stations near the airport where you will hand over the car, as they may charge higher prices.
It may seem silly, but returning the car earlier can cost you money in some cases. Often you have to pay a return fee in advance, or worse, your fee structure changes, and you have to bear the price difference. Of course, a late return also costs you – many rental companies offer you a grace period of only 30 minutes before the penalties are applied.
Before handing over the car, make sure you haven’t forgotten anything in it. Don’t forget the trunk! Lost items include cell phones, sunglasses, and umbrellas.
Ensure that the rental agent inspects the car in your presence and you agree with any damage reported. Read the contract carefully to find out all the fees and ensure that your credit card’s corresponding amount is taken.
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