Car Rental Find

How To Save Time & Money On Car Rental

Lowest Rates Vs. A Good Bargain

Many people approach Car Rental as a lowest-price-possible contest rather than to concentrate on the value of the deal they eventually would get,in terms of what type of car, what’s included (air conditioning, automatic gear shift etc’) as well as what type of service they are buying.

The thing is, Car Rental market is very competitive one and rates differences for comparable quality and service are relatively small, sometimes as small as $10 to $20. These minuet price differences are going to vanish in the wind when you consider the long lines and lost time at the cheapest renter counter, drop charges for remote destinations, late return fines, and gasoline inflated rates as well as other service charges you didn’t think about when you shopped for the “best deal”.

Don’t get us wrong, we don’t like to pay higher prices more than you do. We do recommend to shop around and check the various rates available, especially when it’s so easy to do it via the Internet at comparison sites.

All we say here you need to consider other things beside the price and when you compare please make sure you compare apples to apples and not apples to pears.

Things to consider when ordering a rented a car

Who is using the car, are you by yourself on a business trip or you are traveling with the whole family? How much luggage are you going to have, does the car you are thinking about is big enough to have you all plus all your hand luggage and big suitcases? If not, consider to change to a mini van or a car with extra large trunk.

Do you need an Infant seat or a child booster? make sure it is mentioned clearly with your order, usually there is a shortage of these seats and they are provided for extra charge. Check the state laws for where you are traveling. A new law in Denver for instance, requires Booster Seats for all 4 and 5 year olds who are not 55 inches tall.

Do you actually need the car in the town or city at the first few days? If not, consider to take a taxi, a bus, a train or the hotel shuttle into the city and when it’s time for you to go out of town and travel around, then, rent the car from the city location and by that save up to 15% on Air-Port charges as well as on city parking fees.

Are you going to a very warm and humid destination? If yes, it’s recommended to order a car with air conditioning, usually the price difference is negligible, the problem is that it’s not available in all destinations like in some European countries.

Most major rental car companies allow for unlimited mileage in the same state, but it's a good idea to check their policy before confirming. Many smaller local independent companies charge mileage after 100-200 free miles per day.

As mentioned before price is not the only factor to consider when choosing a car rental company. If you choose a very small, no-name company, don’t expect them to provide you with service across all nation or continent, what would you do if the car is needed to be replaced or serviced for some reason?

Frequent or Preferred Renter Programs and affiliations

Frequent renter programs, Like airlines and hotels, major car rental companies track their customers’ rental histories and offer preferential service to loyal customers. Most of the major companies offer frequent renter programs that are similar to airline frequent-flyer programs and hotel frequent-guest programs.

Preferred renter clubs, Most major car rental companies also offer preferred renter programs or clubs (one example is the Hertz #1 Club). When you belong to one of these clubs, you get preferential treatment, including automatic upgrades when those cars are available. You can join these programs at any time, even if you are a first-time renter with that company.

While basic-level club memberships are often free, higher-level memberships (as in the Hertz #1 Gold Club, which allows you to bypass the rental counter) generally come with a price tag. What most people don’t realize is that it’s often possible to avoid the membership fee by simply writing or calling your car rental company and asking them to waive it. They will do it because the car rental industry is very competitive, and they want your business

If you're still faced with a steep rate, try getting discounts based on your affiliations with organizations like AARP, AAA or others. These discounts are usually not great, but they are better than nothing.

In addition, always check for corporate rates if applicable to your situation.

Car Rental Insurance

Some of the Insurance terms seem to be confusing, let’s try to clear them out first.

CDW - Collision Damage Waiver.

LDW - Loss Damage Waiver.

PDW - Physical Damage Waiver.

PAI - Personal Accident Insurance.

PEC - Personal Effects Coverage.

ALI - Additional Liability Insurance.

Many of the Credit Cards have most of these coverage, therefore it’s not mandatory to purchase excessive coverage. It’s better to check this issue with your travel agent, insurance agent and your credit card company a head of time. Some Car rental companies require that you show proof of insurance.

Also be aware that your personal insurance probably doesn’t apply to your rental car when traveling overseas. All this is somewhat complicated and at times confusing because there are no industry standards for terminology and policies vary by locations.

Important things to check and do before leaving the Air-Port

After a long flight and the waiting in lines for your luggage and afterwards for your keys at the car rental counter, it is understandable you just want to take the rented car and drive away to your hotel, but wait! Here is a list of things you must check first.

Start by making a careful check around the car, look for any small dents or scratches, in case you find some, don’t be lazy, go back to the office and ask a representative of the rental company to write down all of these dents, ask for a copy of that report. Other wise you might be responsible for damages you didn’t perform.

Open the trunk, make sure you have a spare tire, a jack and set of tools, there is noting more irritating than to find out in the middle of nowhere that you don’t have a jack when you need to replace a flat tire.

Many car companies will provide you with an extra key if you ask for one. This can come in handy for some of us who are absent minded.

It is recommended to spend some time to get acquainted with the cars’ features and switches, make sure you know where the lights switches are, how to operate the windshield wipers, the air conditioner and even set your favorite radio stations as well as set your side mirrors. It might be quiet frustrating to fight with the new switches while driving, when all of a sudden it starts raining.

Make sure you have a map and it’s better to spend few more minutes and plan your driving route.

Last but certainly not least, If you have a lot of luggage, don’t park the car in the parking lot and go for lunch, in many countries, this is an easy target for the thieves, It’s better to buy some sandwiches and beverages in the air-port, or stop somewhere along the way for refreshing but never leave the car unattended.

In case you are involved in a Car Accident

These are the most important pieces of information to collect from the involved parties: full name, mailing address, telephone number, insurance details, and drivers’ license number.

Also try to get the names and contact information of anyone who witnessed the accident. Make a note of the vehicle’s make, color, brand and license plate number.

Try to pinpoint the exact time and location of the accident. If the police get involved, ensure that you receive a copy of their report. Don't forget to inform your insurance agent immediately and notify the car rental company.
They will let you know about their accident procedure.

If you purchased insurance through the car rental company, they will have to make the claim. If there is damage to the rental car, there will be much paper work to complete

Make sure any involved parties are ok. Any injuries should be taken care of ASAP.

Call the police and/or ambulance (if necessary), and then call the car rental agency. Be as cooperative as possible. The car rental agency will have its own policies regarding accidents.

Exchange information with the affected parties. Try to record everything on the scene. Your notes should include details of the accident, identification of the autos and people involved, and the names and badge numbers of all emergency personnel.

Take pictures if possible. If you are on vacation, you will probably have a camera handy already.

File an accident report with the police, and report the claim to your own credit card company or insurance company.

When returning the Car

Make all necessary arrangements to return the car on time, that includes looking the location in the map especially if you return the car in a foreign city.

Late return charges are high and arbitrary, secondly, if you are late, you probably won’t have the time to fill the car with gasoline yourself and the rental company will charge you exorbitant inflated gasoline rates.

In case you return the car in a city location on Sunday, it might be that the station will be deserted, it will let you in via automated gate, make sure to take the card and leave it over the dashboard, this is your recorded time of arrival.

In addition, lock the car, take the keys plus your rental contract and insert them into the designated box.

About the Author - Amit Laufer is a Writer, Internet Marketer & Netpreneur. MBA & Bsc. Computers Science. Owner Editor of: Car Rental Advice

Picking A Good Rental Car

If you’re looking to rent a vehicle for a weekend or longer, here are a few things you should plan for: Many car rental agencies offer their services online and pass special rates on to customers who choose to rent in this manner. Your travel agent can help you in finding which of these agencies is right for you. Some specialize in economical, compact cars while others feature sedans and even sport utility vehicles for those who like adventure.

While many agencies welcome walk-in customers, most ask that you make a reservation for the best selection of models suited for you. If you’re six feet tall, you’ll want to call ahead and make sure they have something larger than a compact vehicle.

The yellow pages have a large assortment of rental car agencies, and each is listed with special customer features and the models of the cars they specialize in. Some rental agencies also offer a very convenient customer pick-up service. If you’re going to be picking up the car yourself however, try to co-ordinate your car pick-up and return times, so you won’t be charged for an extra day.

If you’re only going to be driving a few miles, you may save money by opting for a rental with a mileage cap, which is usually 150 miles. However, unlimited mileage rates offer you more freedom. Your choice will depend on the type of holiday you are on, or the business you’ll be doing on your trip.

The number of people driving the car may also boost your rental cost. Most agencies have extra fees for additional drivers, and if the extra driver is under 21, the cost may rise yet again.

No agency will rent you a vehicle if you can't produce your driver's license or a credit card, and if you appear unfit to drive, forget about getting a car from them! Be careful about violating your car rental agreement by driving while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs. Most agencies will consider criminal charges if they find out about such behavior while their vehicle is being driven. Remember to familiarize yourself with all of the terms and conditions of the rental agreement, including what could possibly void your insurance coverage. As the renter, you are liable for all parking and moving traffic violations, both domestic and international, so please drive safely and observe all ordinances.

As a general rule, a major credit card is required at the time of rental, while prepaid credit cards, gift cards and debit/check cards are accepted for payment at the end of the rental.

In many cases, renting a car for a full week is more affordable than renting one for five days, so think about a weekend rental to save money. Should you require child seats, you should book them in advance, because they may charge a fee for each seat. Check out the state or country you will be driving in for more information about child restraint regulations.

About the Author - Choose from a complete range of vehicles from compacts to minibus for all of your Australia car hire needs. discountcar.com.au/

Car Rental Guide

The majority of people are interested in car rentals when they're on vacation. But what many travels may not realize is that car rental in the United States, or North America in general, is different than car rentals in other countries like Europe.

Car rental in the United States is usually very simple to do. The better known, and perhaps safest, car rental agencies can easily be found in a phone book like your local White or Yellow Pages. It's even possible to find car rental agencies on the Internet. If you're looking for a car rental in the United States, all you need to do is take the phone numbers you find in the phone book or online, and call each car rental agency. Ask for the agency's location, car availability and partnerships with any airlines or hotels. Don't forget to ask about any special deals or rates, like group rates.

Most American car rental agencies offer pick-up at no extra cost, even if only a few advertise this feature. If a car rental agency doesn't offer pick-up, then ask if the agency will reimburse the cost of cab fare.

And don't feel like you have to buy extra car insurance from an American car rental agency. Most reps will give you a hard sell on this, but most times it's not necessary. Your car rental will usually be covered under your own car insurance. But if you don't have car insurance under your name, it's a good idea to accept the offer of car rental insurance from the agency.

In the United States, you'll need to be at least 25-years-old to be able to get a car from a car rental agency. Some will give you a car rental if you're younger, but you'll need to pay a much higher cost.

The procedure for car rentals in other countries like Europe is usually a little bit different than in the United States. Naturally, for European car rentals you won't be able to look in your local Yellow Pages phone book. But you should be able to gather all the information you need for arranging a foreign car rental on the Internet.

European or other foreign car rentals are usually much smaller than American car rentals. So cut the amount of baggage you take along. Plus most foreign car rentals are stick-shift. The minimum age for car rentals in European countries is also 25, but this age varies between car rental agencies and countries.

Always be sure to buy extra car insurance on a foreign car rental. Also be aware that foreign car rentals can be very expensive. So can the gas.

Wherever you choose to get a car rental, be sure that the vehicle is in good shape. Before leaving the car rental agency's lot, examine the car for dents, scratches, tears in the upholstery or balding tires. If you find any, immediately report them to the car rental representative. If you don't, you might be responsible for the costs of those repairs.

Car rental is usually an easy and convenient process, regardless of what area you're in. Just be practical, and above all, drive your car rental as safely (or more safely) than you would drive a vehicle you owned.

About the Author - Jeffrey W Anderson

On Vacation - Do You Need Rental Car Insurance?

If you’re in the planning stages of your next vacation and they include a rental car, you may want to talk with your insurance agent about the rental car insurance options that you may have.

When it comes to traveling and more specifically rental car insurance, the market is extremely competitive for your dollar. This is because not only do the insurance companies compete for your dollar, but so too do the rental car agencies, and your credit card companies as well. And while all this competition may sound as though it works to your advantage as a consumer, all the marketing hype may change if you have an accident.

Start by contacting your insurance agent and see if your policy includes rental car insurance. Most auto insurance policies do including covering you in a rental car as well. Of course, verify this with your agent. Make sure it includes collision and liability insurance (damage to your car and to the other vehicle). Make sure your current coverage doesn’t fall short of the type of car you may be planning on renting. For instance, if you drive an older car with minimal coverage, you may be putting yourself at risk if you’re going to rent a top level newer car. So, check on any limitations that your policy may have. Find out what the conditionals are ahead of time so you don’t get caught short.

If you are considering getting your rental car insurance through one of your credits cards, then you should shop carefully. Call your credit car company and ask them to fax or mail the details to you. Either way get their coverage in writing. Again, ask specifically about collision and liability coverage and if there are any limitations or stipulations or complete exclusions. Don’t assume that just because they offer you ‘insurance’ that you will have the coverage completely protects you.

Thinking about getting your coverage directly from the rental car company? You’ve got some more investigating to do. Insurance coverages from rental car companies are all over the place and generally can be fraught with all kinds of stipulations and exclusions and certainly not all rental car companies are not on equal ground.

Don’t base parts of your decision to go with insurance from the rental car company thinking that if you are at fault in an accident that you can avoid a potential rate hike from your home insurance company. Your regular insurance company can raise your rates no matter who cuts the check. If you are involved in an accident make sure that you report this to your insurance company back home because if the credit card insurance or the rental car company insurance doesn’t pay… and you haven’t reported it to your insurance company, you could paying out of your own pocket.

Make sure you ask a lot of questions and get them answered well before you go on vacation. And as a side note, you may want ask your agent with whom you have your homeowner’s policy about what is the coverage in the event you have personal belongings stolen from a rental car. It may sound like a bunch to get done before you go on vacation, but getting yourself the proper insurance can literally save you financially.

About the Author - Jeff Neilan worked for many years in the automotive industry as a salesman, finance manager, new & used car manager. With Jeff's working knowledge of car dealerships you'll find his articles on car buying insightful and rewarding. Visit acarbuyersguide.com

Seven Tips To Get The Best Discount Car Rental

Contrary to popular belief, car rental rates are not set in stone. Often, discounts can be found by doing your research, and simply asking for them. Rental companies are eager to rent out cars they are not using. Cars sitting on a lot are not making them any money.

Here are some tips to get best discount car rental rates

1. Do your research. Car-rental research can be done online, on the phone, or by reading newspapers magazines or even your mail. It is important to compare the rates from various car-rental companies. Most car-rental companies web sites, where they will show you rates for various locations. Also check the travel comparison web sites to compare companies against each other.

You can also get on the horn to the car-rental companies, but this takes more time. Check the business and travel sections of your local newspaper and check the inserts in your credit card bills. Often, you will find discount coupons in those places.

2. Book early. If you are planning your trip several months in advance, check car-rental prices available at that time. If you find what you consider fair, go ahead and lock it in. You can change it later, if you find a better rate. Many times, car-rental companies will give deep discounts to early renters.

3. Book late. As the time for your trip approaches, car rental discounts may be found as car-rental companies try to unload their excess inventory. Like I said, cars that are just sitting around aren't doing anyone any good.

4. Pick your car in town. You pay a price for the convenience of picking up your car at the airport. Ask your rental car company, about how much it would cost to pick up your car in town. Normally, free shuttles are provided from the airport to the car-rental location.

5. Get the smallest car available. Determine the number of passengers traveling with you and the amount of their luggage, then get the smallest car that you will all comfortably fit in. Ideally, the car-rental company will be out of this car and will upgrade you for free to the next higher class. You can also ask about complementary upgrades.

6. Ask about discounts. Ask your car-rental company if there are discounts for a weekly versus a daily rental, or if there are discounts for memberships such as AAA, USAA, AARP, or other organizations. If you work for a large company, ask about corporate rental rates.

7. Gas up your car before returning it. I remember when car-rental companies would charge more than three dollars a gallon to gas up your car up on return. These days, that would almost be worth it. However, car-rental companies are charging a whole lot more than that for a gallon of gas. You can save a lot of money by putting the gas in yourself on your way to return the car.

By following these tips, you can get a better rate on car rentals just about anywhere in the world. Have a great trip!

About the Author -Learn more about discount car rentals at globalcars4hire.com. Get the best and most current information about discount car rental around the world.

Getting The Best Price On A Car Rental

Vacations are expensive; there is no doubt about it. But, when we have the opportunity to save money, we should jump at it. Car rentals are just the right way to save some money this vacation season. Sure, we all want to get off the plane and grab a great looking car, but if you can do this and save some money, who’s going to complain? Here are some hints and tips to keep you saving money on your next trip or whenever you need a car rental.

· Book them ahead of time. This is essential to saving money. If you plan to get off the plane and into a car, you will pay more, much more. Instead, get online and simply look for the best deal available. No more hassle than waiting in line at the car rental shop. You can choose just what you want and get a better price.

· Consider your need. There isn’t one of us that wouldn’t want to drive around all day in a luxury car, but if you plan to go sight seeing in that, how much time will you spend in the car in all reality? Most likely, you’ll be out of the car most of the time. It just makes sense to get an affordable car and pocket the extra money. A luxury car is just prone to be stolen too.

· The best way to get the best price on your car rental is to book online. Not just in advance, but online. Here’s the reason. When you book online, there are less people involved, less mistakes made and less overhead for the company. That helps to keep prices low. This savings can be passed on to you.

Car rentals are just one aspect of vacationing. They can be quite costly, but, they don’t have to be such a burden. You can drive around in a great looking car at a great price. Save that money for the vacation itself!

About the Author- find more information and tips about car rental by visiting dailycarrentalnews.info

How To Find The Best Deals On A Car Rental

You’re headed out on vacation and are debating whether to rent a car for your time away from home. Even if you’re driving to your vacation spot, a car rental can be a prudent investment, but there are some steps you can take to make the most of your car rental dollar.

Shop, shop, shop. The Internet is one of the best things that could ever have happened to comparison shopping. It takes only a little time and effort to get prices, terms and conditions for almost any product or service you can imagine, and a car rental is no exception. Start your shopping as early as possible because some car rental services will give you discounts for early reservations.

Shopping early will also help you plan your trip because you’ll have an accurate idea of what you’re going to be spending on your car rental. That’s much better than being blindsided by a price you can’t afford that will put your entire trip in jeopardy.

Beware of contracts and terms. Any car rental company is going to require a contract. This is equally true of the legitimate companies and those that are less-than-scrupulous. But you should never sign a contract without reading it carefully. Yes, it will take some time. Take it to a chair, sit down and read.

You may think there’s really no need to read the entire contract. After all, the nice sales clerk has assured you that you’ll owe only $29 when you return the car, and that IS what the company advertises on television. But the reality is that the contract overrides both the advertisement and the contract. If the contract calls for a $29 base fee with a surcharge of $2 per mile for every mile you drive, that’s what you’ll owe at the end of your trip.

When you pick up your car, check the odometer. Even though they’ll assure you that they read the odometer and that this is the mileage indicated, you should check for yourself. If you’re paying a “per mile” fee, even a few miles difference could be costly.

Be wary of handing out personal information to a car rental company online. Taking care of the business online is convenient and often a great way to save time. Just the same, take time to read the company’s privacy policy and beware of handing out personal information such as credit card numbers and bank account numbers to companies that you’ve never heard of. Be sure you’re dealing with a legitimate car rental company before you pay.

A Quick Guide To Rental Cars

Rental cars can be a necessity; their use can save lots of time and aggravation. However, the actual act of renting them can seem to be a test in patience. There are forms to be filled out, questions to be answered and signatures to be signed. Before you sign on the dotted line, be sure you know exactly what you are getting and giving for your rental car.

If you have personal auto insurance, call your agent to see if you are insured with a rental car as well. This will allow you to save money by turning down the insurance offered by the rental company at the time of vehicle pick up.

Be sure to read the contract and ask questions about anything that you do not understand. It's better to take sometime at the counter or on the phone to pin down the details, than to think you got it and have to deal with the company in the event of an accident. Ask questions!

You will want to ask about procedures that may be required by the rental company. Many companies require that the car be fueled up before its return, if this is not done, they will charge you extra for it. It may also be in your best interest to ask what the fee would be if the car is needed for longer than expected as well as what the rate is for late drop off.

The first step involved in obtaining a rental car is to do research on the companies in your local area. There are a number of nation wide companies and more than likely local companies to choose from when conducting your research. Try to narrow them down to three or four companies that are closest to either your pick up location or your destination.

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Tips For Choosing The Right Car Rental Company

When it comes to choosing a car rental company, there are several important factors to consider. You want to know that the car you rent will get you where you are going without any major problems occurring, and that the company who rents you the car is reputable and reliable. The key is to make an informed choice, and to do that, you will need information. Below are tips that will help get you started, and bring you that much closer to making your decision.

The first thing you will need to know is the terms and conditions for renting a car in your area, or in the location where the car will be driven. This applies to both renting a car and renting a car service. The two most important are that the driver must be a certain age, and must carry a legal driver’s license. Others will be specified by different areas. In some cases, a credit check may be implemented.

Make sure the person who will be driving the car has a clean driving record. Many car rental companies will reject drivers who have traffic violations that include recurring speeding tickets, DUIs, and even seatbelt violations.

Most car rental companies will not accept a cash deposit for renting a vehicle. This is because car hire and rental companies need a guarantee of payment for the services they will render, so you will be required to use a credit card in order to make your deposit. As stated above, a credit check may be run before the transaction is even put through, and you may be rejected if that check shows you to have bad credit.

Know the size vehicle you will need. This will most likely depend on the number of people traveling with you, and where you are going. If you will be driving on rough terrain, you will want a vehicle equipped to handle it. If you are driving around a city, a smaller car might work for you.

Know how much you are willing to spend on rental fees. The cost can sometimes vary greatly from one company to another, so it really pays to check around before actually making a decision.

If more than one company offers you the same or a similar price, compare the services each offers. Also check the types of cars each company has available. The last thing you want is to get stranded in a car that was doomed from the beginning. Most car companies perform a regular check of their vehicles, so this may not be an issue. Know the terms of each company, and be sure they are clearly understood. This will help you through the process from beginning to end.