Establish your needs. Consider your age (most car rental companies won't rent to anyone under 21), the type of car you want to rent (SUV, luxury car, economy, etc.) and your budget.
Evaluate the policies and fees of the car rental companies you're considering. Do they charge extra if you go over a certain amount of miles? Will you be charged a fee for returning the car with the gas tank filled below a certain level? Is there an extra charge for drivers under a certain age? Is insurance available in the event you have an accident while the car is in your possession? What forms of payments are accepted? Does the company perform credit checks to determine whom it will rent to? Is there a fee for returning the car after a specified time?
Compare prices between each car rental company in town. For example, if you decide to rent your car from "Bob's Car Rentals," you may find that the downtown location has cheaper rates than the company's airport location. To find out if this is the case, use its online rate tool, or call the customer service line and ask for a rate quote.
Research consumer resources such as Consumer Affairs, ViewPoints and the Better Business Bureau to get a feel for the company's reputation. No matter how good a deal you get on your rental, if you receive poor customer service and have a bad experience renting from the company, the savings likely won't be worth the hassle.
