Decide how long you will need the car and how far you will be driving on your trip. Before you call a rental agency or check out a website for rate information, make sure you know the details of your trip. Knowing these things ahead of time will help you make decisions about what car and rate package to choose, including whether or not you will need unlimited mileage during your rental period.
Consider what kind of car you need for your trip. When you contact a rental company, they may try to upgrade you at an additional charge, so know ahead of time how much car you actually require. Will a simple economy car to get you from Point A to Point B be sufficient, or do you need a roomy SUV to accommodate an entire family on a long trip? You want to answer these questions before making your first contact. If you are traveling with small children, ForRent.com suggests asking about car seat accommodations before making your rental decision.
Contact car rental companies to ask what they charge for the length of time you need the car, and for the kind of car you would like to rent. Numerous ways to find out this information are available to you. You can contact companies by telephone or through their official websites. In addition, you can go to discount websites such as travelocity.com and cheaptickets.com for rate information. Read the fine print and be familiar with the specific requirements of your agreed plan when contacting these discount sites, such as non-refundable fees. If your rental needs are uncomplicated, the online discount options are worth checking out.
Compare what different companies have to offer. When choosing a car rental agency, determine what is important to you. Do you like the types of cars it offers? Can you pick up and drop off your car at two different locations? Does the agency offer a safe place in which you can park your car while renting? How much does the agency charge to fill the gas tank if you forget to fill up upon return? Formulate these questions beforehand and weigh the different companies against each other to determine which one is offering the most options you want for the best rate.
