Consumers today are hard-pressed to find what can safely be called the best deal for any product, and most consumers are not willing to spend the time or effort searching for the absolute lowest possible price when making a purchase. This is also the situation with car rentals. Car rentals are becoming more and more expensive, as gas prices and inflation rise steadily. The following are several tips that can help you keep your car rental costs low, even as other factors cause prices to rise steadily.
1. Rent your car from internet car rental sites instead of doing it over-the-counter. Internet sites often offer discounts that over-the-counter car rental companies do not and you can make use of these discounts to lower the overall cost of your car rental and save a substantial amount of money.
2. In order to get your cheap auto rental, you should get the most value you can from it. You are usually required to fill the gas tank before you return your car, or the company will charge you for gas. You should fill the car with the cheapest gas you can find on the way to returning it, as the company will charge you relatively high prices for gas otherwise.
3. If possible, you should choose one car rental company and stick to it, as many car rental companies offer discounts or benefits to repeat customers.
4. You can sometimes exchange frequent flyer miles for cheap auto rentals. If you have frequent flyer miles that are on the verge of expiring, instead of letting them go to waste, you should use them to make your car rentals less expensive.
5. Car rental companies will often give you a discount if you reserve your car early, so you should always aim to do so.
6. You should also increase your chances of receiving a discount or free upgrade by going to collect your car early in the morning when most of the company’s cheap rental cars would not have been returned yet.
7. Packages that combine car rentals, airfares and lodging a good way not just to reduce the price of your car rental, but of your airfare and lodging as well. This will ensure that you get the most value for your money.
8. Some internet sites offer a rent-at-your-own-price service, where the company searches for the best possible deal that fits your budget. You should check the company’s history before you make a reservation, however, as some of them is not very reliable. Keep in mind that you will not be able to cancel your reservations once you have made them.
9. Car rental companies often have cheaper rates for weekly rentals so, if you are going to rent a car for more than five days, make sure you check to see if weekly rental rates are available at your rental company.
10. Picking up your rental car at the airport is more expensive due to airport surcharges and you will be better off picking the car up at the shop instead.
By: Marlon Dirk
Posts Tagged ‘Verge’
Cheap Auto Rental: Tips For Getting Cheap Rates
November 28th, 2009Cheap Auto Insurance – 10 Crucial Tips For Traveling Teens And Petrified Parents
September 1st, 2009Cheap auto insurance can cost you a bundle if you don’t keep a few crucial tips in mind. You have to do your homework to ensure that you understand the fine print – especially if you have a teenager on the verge of discovering the joys and freedom of driving. You don’t want to discover too late that your cheap auto insurance policy doesn’t provide coverage for a young driver…
It is an unfortunate fact that teenagers cause a spike in claim rates. Research has shown their accident rate to be up to ten times as high as that of older, more experienced drivers. This high risk group has a direct effect on quotes. The premium can almost double in some instances. Fortunately there are ways to soften the blow as far as your cheap auto insurance package is concerned.
1. Type Of Vehicle: While choosing a low risk vehicle for your teen may have you out of the running as far as the popularity contest is concerned, it will affect your insurance quote significantly. Companies frown on an expensive, fast sports car with a teenager behind the wheel. Don’t dangle temptation in front of your teen. Choose that older, heavier car and you will qualify for a much lower premium, as well as a measure of peace of mind. Get a list of the no-go wheels from your insurer.
2. Driving History: Try to get your teen to understand that their driving history is just as important as their credit history. Avoiding a black mark in any shape or form is vital. Don’t claim for small mishaps. Tickets for speeding are a no-no.
Passing a course at a reputable driving school will also enable your carrier to see the teen as less of a risk. Why not join your child in a Defensive Driver Program, in order to qualify for a cheap auto insurance discount? This will equip both of you to cut the risk of rear-end crashes, while teaching you and your teen to use emergency brake procedures correctly, to use safe following distances, and to drive safely in foul weather.
Expecting your teen carry his or her share of the coverage is a great way to create a careful driver and teach responsibility.
3. Avoid Distractions: Teach your teen to concentrate on driving and driving alone when in the car. No distractions are allowed. No cell phone calls. No fooling around with passengers. In fact, putting restrictions on carrying passengers during the first year or so of driving is probably sensible and can help to get you cheap auto insurance. In some states teens are now barred from carrying more than one passenger. It has been proven that having three or more passengers makes the driver up to three times as likely to be involved in an accident. The new laws also prohibit driving during the dangerous late night and early morning period. This already seems to have a beneficial effect on premiums.
4. Seat Belt Safety: Seat belt use is without question one of the most vital aspects of driving. Your teen must know that his wheels will be confiscated if he ever drives without wearing a seat belt. This also applies to passengers. By signing a seat belt wearing undertaking, you may increase your chances of landing cheap auto insurance.
5. You Are The Role Model: Remember that you are your teen’s role model when it comes to driving. If you don’t stick to the rules, you can’t expect your kids to do so. Your example over the years will play an important role in the way they approach their own driving later on.
6. Change Driver Status: Your teen may qualify to be an occasional driver, which will draw a lower premium. At first it will also be less expensive to have teens covered under your personal protection plan. They can change to their own plan later on, once they have established some sort of record.
7. Liability Coverage: Never, ever try to save on liability coverage when taking out cheap auto insurance. This is absolutely vital. If at all possible get a comprehensive umbrella policy. This will give you a huge cushion in case of a serious accident. It is astonishing how costs can add up if such an unfortunate incident occurs.
8. Get Good Grades: A number of companies allow generous discounts of up to 25% for good grades! Make a B average or higher a provision for allowing your teen on the road.
9. Company Car: If you have your own business, your teen may be able to use the company car without you
being slapped with a higher premium. Investigate this possibility.
10. Carry-Over From Your Teen: An important fact that is often overlooked is that your teen’s carelessness or risky behavior may bump you into the high risk category with sky-high premiums! Your kid has to understand that his or her driving record is serious business, likely to affect the whole family. If not handled with responsibility, it may void your chances of ever getting cheap auto insurance.
By: Rika Susan
