Counting pennies at the rental car counter
Post on: 2011-09-05 By: admin
The thought of driving down the highway in a luxury vehicle, pricey convertible, or giant SUV can be tempting, but resist, especially when a rental-car employee tries to upsell you to a nicer vehicle. Remember those few extra dollars a day, plus the extra taxes and fees, can easily add up to a nice chunk of change over the entire rental period. Plus, renting a larger car than you really need, means paying more for gas — not to mention having a harder time squeezing into parking spots.
3. Secure your car early, but also check for last-minute deals.
Unlike airfare, it's generally quick and easy to cancel a rental-car reservation and rebook it without penalty. That wiggle room can save you major bucks: Reserve your rental car as early as possible, even if you're not totally sure of your exact travel dates. Then, as your vacation approaches, check online to see if rates have changed. If you find a better deal, call and see if you can cancel your existing reservation and make a new reservation at the lower rate.
4. Book off-airport rental cars.
Renting a car at the airport is convenient, but it often comes with the added expense of airport rental-car taxes and extra fees. When booking a car in your hometown, it can be a smart financial move to rent from a neighbourhood location instead of at the airport. Compare the cost of each option, including all fees and taxes. If you find a cheaper rate away from the airport, you can often take a free shuttle or a short taxi ride there and save big money.
5. Check for unlimited mileage.
If you plan to drive a significant distance, ensure that your rental car has unlimited mileage so you can avoid overage charges. Most rental cars include unlimited kilometres, but there are exceptions.
6. Watch out for one-way rentals.
If you can, avoid one-way car rentals. Often there are hefty drop-off fees that go along with a one-way rental. Be fully aware of any extra fees when planning your trip.
7. Ask to waive additional driver/underage fees if needed.
Tell the rental car company about any additional drivers (especially anyone under age 25) who might operate the car other than the person whose name is on the rental agreement. There are often extra fees that go along with extra drivers, but sometimes you can get them waived just by asking, especially if you have rented from that company in the past.
8. Don't pay for unnecessary conveniences.
It might seem easier, but it's almost always a bad deal to pre-pay for gas or bring it back less than full and pay the inflated fees that the rental car companies charge for gas. If you take a few extra minutes to fill up the tank yourself, you can avoid that inflated price.
9. Avoid paying for insurance from the rental company.
For most people it's unnecessary to purchase insurance at the rental car counter because of pre-existing coverage included with their auto insurance policy or credit card, so make sure to do your insurance research before you pick up the car. Not only is the rental-car employee not an insurance expert, but he or she also has an incentive to sell you insurance, so double check to make sure you don't have more insurance than you need.
10. Save time and money by booking online.
You can almost always find the cheapest rental car rates by booking online rather than by phone or at a rental-car counter. Plus, when you book online, it's simple to compare rental car rates for all the top rental car companies and find the best deal.
More related to this story
These lazy, hazy days of...spending
Buying a lemon? Don't get squeezed
Powerful images from 9/11
You don’t have to swear off all treats while training
Ransacked or ramshackled? Bjork might know
Chinese migrants are second-class citizens
High flier seeks travel-friendly workout
More from The Globe and Mail
Libyan forces poised to attack Gadhafi’s final strongholds
Lack of new jobs likely to spur Fed, Obama to take bold actions
Yankees sweep away Blue Jays
How a tired brain can slow your physical performance
The roots of the Sino-Forest mystery
Lots of real estate, lots of debt
The billionaire investor who bought into Sino-Forest
The close: Bears everywhere
Five tax benefits every student should learn
NDP solidarity cracks over role of unions in picking leader
Editorial cartoons, September 2011: Time and punishment
As fans mark Wade Belak’s death, friends honour his charitable legacy
QA: Michael Ondaatjea journey of a lifetime
Six-part series on Hamilton's image makeover
From old-style Stocklist to Watchlist in one simple click
Share your photos of your morning routine
Party Photos of the Week
Best pictures from the past 24 hours
Growing up in a post-9/11 world
Video: Eskimos' billboard taunts Stamps fans
Strauss-Kahn returns home to France
Enjoy the convenience of having The Globe and Mail delivered right to your door, your mobile phone and computer. From exclusive content and mobile apps to online tools and loyalty programs, The Globe lets you experience Canada's deepest coverage of national, international, business, and lifestyle news where you want, when you want.
Births & Announcements
Sustainability mandate
Marketing Solutions Group
Globe Investor is part of The Globe and Mail's
© Copyright 2011 The Globe and Mail Inc. All Rights Reserved.
444 Front St. W., Toronto, ON Canada M5V 2S9Phillip Crawley, Publisher
© 2011 The Globe and Mail Inc. All Rights Reserved.
You have selected to add:
No Security Selected
Please select which watchlist you would like to add to:
Rather add to your Stocklist instead? Click here
Article original from: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/personal-finance/home-cents/counting-pennies-at-the-rental-car-counter/article2152232/?utm_medium=Feeds:%20RSS%2FAtom&utm_source=Home&utm_content=2152232
