Are you planning on a weekend gateway or a road-trip?
If so, you probably don’t want to get caught in the long hustle of using public transportation. Hailing a cab may be on the radar but a second look at the cost using a cab makes you think twice.
To enjoy your personal space and convenience, a rental car is your best bet for a stress-free vacation. But, rental cars can sometimes be expensive given the hidden costs that seem to add up quickly.
The good news is that you can cut down on the cost of renting a car by knowing the best time to rent a car.
So, here tips on when to rent a car and how to land you an affordable deal:
1. After a Major Holiday
As much as it may seem counter-intuitive, the day after a major holiday such as Christmas and Labor Day rarely have a lot of people renting cars. As such during those days, you’re likely to get a great deal of choice without having to pay as much.
Other holidays such as Thanksgiving, often have lots of people traveling. Most of them end up renting larger vehicles than they own to take on trips. The more people are renting the cars, the higher the price of renting.
On the same note, you should pay attention to local events that may affect the availability of cars. For instance, during major sporting events or festival, they are lots of visitors. This increases the demand for rental vehicles, consequently hiking the price of renting one.
2. Weekends
Most car rental companies offer economical weekend car rates. This means that renting a car over the weekend is more affordable than renting during weekdays. Not to mention that you may be offered a discount.
It has also been found out that most of the people who book rental cars for the weekend, don’t show up to claim it. In such a case it becomes easy to get a good bargaining power or even upgrade the type of car you had booked.
3. Rent Before You Touch Down
Renting a car at the airport is convenient especially if you’re in a new city. But, if it’s a busy airport be prepared to pay high rates.
Renting at the airport comes with additional charges. They may not seem costly, but they can quickly accumulate, raising the overall cost.
It’s advised to book the car before you arrive at the airport. This also saves you time since you don’t have to long for the car. It’ll be ready once you arrive.
If in any case, you failed to book earlier, try hiring a car in the nearest town; far from the airport. This option is easier if you have no kids with you or a lot of luggage.
4. In the Fall or Spring
Most major holiday seasons fall in summer time making it a peak season for renting vehicles. When the demand is high car rental rates increase proportionally.
During winter, insurance-claims are on the increase. Consequently, this increases the insurance replacement for rental vehicles. This not only makes it difficult to get an affordable deal as well as a 4WD car adapted to the poor weather.
The fall and spring have no major holiday that attracts many travelers. So, they are considered off-season making the best time to rent a vehicle.
5. Shop Around Online
One of the best ways to find an affordable rental car is shopping for one online. This gives you the opportunity to compare various prices from different companies.
As a matter of fact, there are sites dedicated to helping travelers compare rates and narrow down to the best deal.
Even after you’ve booked a car, keep shopping for a better deal. Unless you booked a non-refundable rental, you can cancel your reservation upon finding better rates.
6. Forgo the Extras
When collecting your car, rental agents may try to sell you extras such as insurance coverage and GPS navigation.
As for the insurance, chances are you covered by your primary insurance, if you already own a car. More so, your credit may also include basic insurance coverage if you use it to pay for a rental car.
But if you are renting overseas, you may be required to pay the insurance coverage, despite having a primary cover.
To avoid the extra costs on GPS navigation, just use your own smartphone. It may have a pre-loaded navigation map and a voice assistant. So, no need to pay for these features while you can use them for free.
Remember to also bring your own child and booster seat if you’re taking your kid with you. Most rental car agencies charge you way more for a child car seat, compared to when you buy it.
7. Book in Advance
Booking in advance not only saves you money but also gives you a wider selection of cars. In most cases, you can book a car for six weeks in advance. But if you’re looking to save money during holidays when the prices are up, you can book up to a year before the travel date.
Last minute booking can also work, but you’ll have to settle for a compact, mini or economy car. You may have a problem trying to fit your whole family and luggage in one of these cars.
If you want a spacious car, something like a seven-seater, you have to book early enough. Such cars including luxury cars and four-while-drive tend to be fewer in most rental car companies.
Now that you already know how to save money on rental cars, let’s look at some of the things you should keep in mind when renting a car.
Things to Consider When Renting a Car
Here are valuable things to keep in mind when renting a car:
Keep Drivers to a Minimum
For every additional driver, you end up paying a daily fee whether they drive or not! In some cases, rental companies may waive the fee for spouses, corporates or domestic partners. But you’ll want to check with the rental company about their policy, just to be sure.
However, there’s no waiver for listing your 23-year-old son as an extra driver. Even if they have a clean driving record, drivers under the age of 25 attract an additional fee.
Read the Car Rental Agreements
When renting a car, it’s easy to overlook all the points the car rental representative is ticking off as they go through the policies with you. However, you may be missing out on the fine print details that may end up costing you more money.
For instance, some rental agencies have a restriction on driving on unpaved terrain. It may seem obvious to avoid off-roading. But, you never know you’ve violated the agreement till you’re stuck in the mud at a scenic part of a beach that doesn’t have road laid out.
The agreement may also restrict the number of mileage you’re supposed to drive. So, be sure you understand the agreement before renting. Actually, some car rental companies have policies posted on their websites for the customers to read.
Inspect the Car
Before leaving the car park, make sure you thoroughly inspect the car. Take note of any dents, scratches, and stains. You can use your phone to take pictures of anything out of the ordinary. Then, ensure that you notify the rental agent on those issues and ask them to document them in the paperwork.
This will protect you from being served with a bill for damages you didn’t cause.
Even after returning the car, take note of any new damages and take pictures of the car. This will help you fight any erroneous charges. Besides, a quick glance inside the car before dropping it ensures that haven’t left any personal belongings.
Check the Fuel Policy
You may end up paying a lot of money if you return the car on an empty tank. This is especially the case if the rental company stipulates that you have to return the car with a full tank. Refueling rates at a rental company is usually higher than the rates at as gas station.
On the same note, some companies prompt you to pay for a full tank up front. In such a kind of agreement, you’ll have to return the car empty as you’ll receive no refund for unused fuel. Such a policy may not be a good idea especially if you’re not traveling far or renting for long.
Avoid the Fancy Car
If you’re traveling on a budget, you want to avoid hiring a fancy car. Their insurance coverage is obviously higher than the typical rental car and even cost more to hire.
Hiring an economy car is not only less expensive but you may get to chance to upgrade to a better one at no extra charge.
Final Verdict: Best Time to Rent a Car
The general consensus on the best time to rent a car is weeks or even months ahead of your vacation. This saves you money incurred from last-minute renting while giving peace of mind knowing that your means of transport is sorted out.
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