Renting a car can be the best way to see the sites on your vacation, but it can be expensive. If you're thinking about renting a car, make sure you know how to save as much money as possible. If you're careful about what you rent and what extra fees you pay, you can save a significant amount of money.
Stick With an Economy Car
If you'd like to rent a car for a vacation or business trip, opt for an economy vehicle. These are usually the cheapest options, saving you a significant amount on the daily fee. While it might be fun to drive something a little more exotic, you'll pay extra for the experience and it may not end up being worth the cost.
Avoid Renting at the Airport
Airport rentals are convenient, but you pay for the convenience. It's much better to take a bus or cab to the hotel, and then look into renting a car somewhere closer to the hotel. The airport will be far more expensive, so you can save a little bit of money if you're willing to wait until you are out of the airport to rent the vehicle.
Skip the Extras
Extras like GPS navigation, satellite radio, and other services are added to vehicles to help raise the rental price. However, most of the extras aren't really needed. You likely have GPS navigation on your smartphone, can hook up a music app to play through the car, and can avoid other extras that you might not need. Declining all or most of the extras will help you save a significant amount of money on the daily fee.
Use Your Insurance
Do you already have insurance that will cover a rental car? Your car insurance may cover any vehicle you're driving, which means it will cover the vehicle you rent. Some credit cards include rental insurance, so you may be able to use that instead of paying extra when renting a car. Look into the insurance you already have to see if it will cover a rental vehicle. If it does, you won't need to pay for insurance.
Opt for a Single Driver
Having multiple drivers for the vehicle can raise the cost, and it might not be worth it. Unless you're driving a long distance each day, it's likely better to pick a designated driver for the trip. You won't have to pay the added fee for including a second driver, so you can save even more money.
Compare Rates on Different Days
Before renting the vehicle, take the time to consider when you'll be going on the trip and check back with the rental agency to see if prices fluctuate. Depending on the days you need the car and how far in advance you rent it, you may be able to save a significant amount of money.
Learn to Drive a Manual Car
If you know how to drive a manual car or you're willing to learn, you might be able to save some money on a rental. Manual vehicles aren't requested as often, so they're often less expensive to rent. Consider renting a manual vehicle to save on the cost of your rental.
If you're planning on renting a car during your upcoming vacation, make sure you take the time to look into all the ways you can save money. Be careful when choosing the vehicle and avoid extras to save as much money as possible and still be able to enjoy driving on your next vacation.
