Where Are the Discounts?
Travelers are quick to find deals on airfares and hotel stays, but even with the economy in such a poor state, it seems as if vehicle rental charges in the U.S. at least are on the rise. Car rental fleets are dwindling due to lack of business and one would guess that their increased rates are a last ditch effort to bring in some much needed cash.
It would seem however that a wiser move might be to hang onto their vehicles and offer more rentals are reasonable rates; however this industry does not seem to see it quite that way. In light of this fact, you can be sure that you will need to really shop around to get those decent rates on your next vehicle rental.
Shopping around for a vehicle to rent can be more difficult these days, because it almost seems as if there is some price fixing going on and as you call around you may find that company after company is charging about the same thing for a vehicle of the same or a similar class or model. So how can you still get a deal on your vehicle rental? Well, although it may be more difficult, using the information provided below can be very helpful in getting at least a slight discount off your next car rental.
1. Coupons and Discounts. Shop around on the internet, in your local newspaper as well as ask your friends. Many times people have car rental coupons for one company or another and usually if you can get a good rate from one company you can convince another company to offer you the same deal as well. Discount cards such as AARP and other membership cards as well as in some cases Visa debit rewards and frequent flyer miles can help get you discounts on your vehicle rentals.
If you are willing to be flexible with the dates for your vacation, you increase your chances of finding a less expensive car rental rate. Since it is easier to find less expensive airfare and hotel rates, it may make more sense to book your trip around a time frame when less expensive car rates are available, and then look for discount airfare and hotel rates.
Look at all possible rental options, including different rental periods, or mileage options. Adding additional rental days may end up saving money, since the daily rates tend to decrease as the length of rental increases. If you are going to be doing a lot of driving, finding a rental that offers unlimited mileage is another excellent way to save.
If you are diligent in your research, and follow these tips, it is possible to save money on your car rental. The additional effort you put in will be worth it if you can save yourself money on your car rental, and use what you save to do more on your vacation.