How to Locate the Lowest Car Rental Rates

A great deal of planning goes into planning a vacation. From airfare to hotel to rental car, the planning process can take part of the fun away from the trip itself. Many travelers wait until the last minute to reserve a rental car, however, hidden fees and insurance options make this the more expensive option. With just a little preparation and help from the Internet, you can secure the lowest car rental rate for your vacation destination with minimal effort. What you save on the car rental you can put toward an extra day on the trail.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Step 1

Research available discounts. Discounts are often available through employers or civic organizations. AAA, insurance companies and credit card companies also offer special discounts. Some credit card companies provide insurance for your rental if you use the card to pay for the rental. Check to see if the hotel where you're staying has any partnership arrangements with car rental companies.

Step 2

Decide on the need. If you're going backpacking across the Grand Canyon you will have different needs for a vehicle than if you're driving to Soho, New York. Larger vehicles cost more money, so be sure to select a vehicle which matches your actual need.

Step 3

Review the contract. Most people hate contracts, but they contain the fine print needed to make a real cost comparison. Look for late drop-off, pick up or gas fees. Understand if there are any limitations on miles or fees if you drive out of state.

Step 4

Ask about the daily versus weekly rate. If you plan to use the car for more than a few days you will most likely do better with a weekly rental rate. Either way, understand what the daily rate is in case you need to extend the duration of the rental.

Step 5

Use a travel booking website like Expedia, Travelocity or Orbitz to compare prices all at once. Certain sites like Kayak and Sidestep allow you to compare booking sites. Also make use of discount sites like Hotwire or Priceline.

Step 6

Make your reservation to pick up the car during peak hours. Peak hours are Thursday and Friday evening. Most car rental agencies will honor the reservation by providing you with a free upgrade if they don't have the car you reserved available at the time you reserved it at.

Article Written By Contributing Writer

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