10 Ways to Save Money When Renting a Car

Are you planning to hit the road this holiday season? A lot of vacation-minded Americans are. As a matter of fact AAA estimates 27.3 million people will travel by car for this last end-of-summer weekend. Do you want to save even more money on your trip? Whether you’re connecting to your destination after a flight or driving to your vacation, RentACarNow.com has created this list of IMPORTANT tips if you’re looking to save when renting a car.

1. Don’t miss out on discount codes and special deals.
You might already be eligible for a rental car discount and not even know it. AARP or AAA members can often get a discount of 10% or more, and government employees or members of the military are also eligible for reductions in price. Before you rent, be sure to check major rental car companies’ websites and look for their current special discounts.

2. Don’t supersize your rental car.
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 neighborhood 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 number of miles, ensure that your rental car has unlimited mileage so you can avoid overage charges. Most rental cars include unlimited miles, but there are exceptions. Also: Check ahead to be sure you can take your rented car where you need to go: Sometimes car companies have restrictions about taking the vehicle to other states.

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. A recent article in USA Today reported that some rental car companies charge as much as $9.29 a gallon when a car is returned without a full tank. If you take a few extra minutes to fill up the tank yourself, you can avoid that inflated price. Also, if you have a non-smoking car (which is the standard for most rental cars now), it’s a bad idea to light up, as you could get hit with a cleaning fee of $200 or more.

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 take 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 (like Enterprise and Hertz) and find the best deal. Use a site like Rent A Car Now to compare all major car rental vendors at once.

Enjoy your upcoming holidays with the extra cash!