10 Clever Car Rental Hacks To Get The Most Out Of Your Temporary Ride
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In case you haven’t noticed, the car rental industry has changed since the pandemic. The days of finding low-priced cars for use on vacation and business trips are long gone. In response to a lack of travelers during the height of COVID-19, car rental companies scaled back their fleets, which resulted in increased prices. A condition that still exists, even as people again take to the skies. With this in mind, let’s explore the best car rental hacks.
Throughout the article, we’ve included real-world pricing examples. These costs are based on proposed April 2023 rentals from Hertz in the Chicago area, with payment made in advance.
#1 Skip the Insurance
Car rental agents are trained to push supplement insurance on unsuspecting customers. Sometimes called collision damage waiver (CDW) or loss damage waiver (LDW), this optional coverage can add 50% or more to the daily rental rates. Instead, confirm that you have a credit card that will offer similar protection (you’ll have to charge the rental to the card to activate coverage).
But, if you enjoy the peace of mind from this type of extra insurance, third-party companies offer similar coverage for about one-half to two-thirds less. Go online and search “car rental insurance” for options.
#2 Pickup Location Matters
It’s easy to fall into the trap of picking up a rental car at the airport, but often there can be cheaper options if you’re flexible on location, a very clever car rental hack. For example, our three-day rental benchmark (using a medium sedan) picked up at O’Hare Airport costs $260.30. But renting the same type of car at the Hertz location near Lincoln Park runs $233.66.
However, heading out to the suburbs really makes a difference. Hertz in Downers Grove, Illinois, about 18 miles south of O’Hare, charges $171.56 for the identical rental.
#3 Car Size Matters
While the smallest cars are often the cheapest to rent, this isn’t always the case. Sometimes rental companies have a surplus of a particular vehicle size, which can lead to lower prices. For instance, renting a medium sedan from Hertz at O’Hare costs $260.30, but you can rent a large sedan for $248.65.
When searching online, sort by price, so the best rates are easy to find. Otherwise, websites may steer you towards less-favorable offerings. If you’re not particular about vehicle size, try a favorite car rental hack and pick the “manager’s special,” which means you’ll get whatever car they have available. Importantly, compare this promotion to other rates because sometimes “special” isn’t always special.
OTHER CAR SHOPPING APPS ARE OUTDATED
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#4 Rental Length Matters
You’ll pay a premium for shorter-term rentals at Hertz, Avis, National, Enterprise, and most other companies as assume these transactions are for business customers (who aren’t always price-aware). Therefore, renting a car for a week or more can add to significant savings if your schedule permits.
Let’s head back to Downers Grove to see the difference. The total cost for a three-day rental is $171.56, or about $57.19 per day. But you’ll pay $240.96, or $34.42 per day, to use the same car for a week. That’s 40% less on a daily basis.
#5 Buy Gas Elsewhere
Nobody likes paying a high gas price, which is never more evident when allowing the car rental company to fill up the tank at the end of the rental. In this situation, it’s not uncommon to pay double what you’d pay at a gas station. And that can add up when you’re buying 10 or 15 gallons of gas.
Instead, find a gas station near the rental car drop-off location. However, don’t pick the absolute closest filling station because the prices there can be inflated, too. Look for a spot that’s a few blocks further away. And here’s a related car rental hack: save the gas station receipt. You may need it to prove the car was filled up.
#6 Use a Coupon Code
Rental car promo codes are a dime a dozen. So, you’re wasting money if you fail to reserve a car without one of these discounts. Check your credit cards or membership organizations for possible savings.
AAA and Costco also offer substantial car rental discounts, as does AARP. And most people don’t realize that you can join AARP at any age. So, the $16-a-year membership fee can open up significant travel savings.
THE BEST SEDANS WITH HIGH GROUND CLEARANCE
There are plenty of vehicles on the market that let you tower over obstacles without losing the convenience of a compact car. Therefore, we’ve put together a list of our favorite new sedans with high ground clearance.
#7 Explore Flight Combo Deals
It occasionally pays to pair a car rental with a plane ticket. Before confirming travel plans, search for the best stand-alone car rental rate as a baseline. Then, book your airfare to see if any combination deals pop up with a better rate.
Third-party websites like Expedia and Travelocity are very good at pushing these pairings, and more and more airlines are getting in on the action (if you book direct).
#8 Earn Points or Miles
Squeezing every possible benefit is another car rental hack, which means earning all the points or miles you can. Begin by charging the rental to the credit card that offers the most points or rebates. In particular, travel-oriented cards provide as much as a 5% rebate for car rentals, with some giving generous points when you book through their travel service (but compare rates).
Alternatively, you can link your frequent flier account to a car rental to gain airline miles, but you’ll need to set up a membership account with the car rental company (see below).
#9 Become a Member
Even occasional customers can benefit from joining a car rental company’s membership program. These “clubs” are free to join, and you’ll enjoy increased perks based on rental activity. Upper-tier members often get to skip the lines and get free vehicle upgrades.
Look for credit card benefits that include higher-level memberships with car rental firms.
HOW MANY SPARK PLUGS DOES A DIESEL ENGINE HAVE?
The answer to this question isn’t as simple as you’d expect. Let’s look explore the difference between gas and diesel engines and explore just how many spark plugs a diesel engine actually has.
#10 Be Lawful
Car rental firms love to tack on administrative fees for dealing with parking citations and traffic tickets. So, avoid parking where you shouldn’t or speeding so you don’t have to pay for the infraction, plus a $50 or greater penalty fee to the company.
Also, be alert for toll booths that bill the highway fee to the license plate. About one to two months after the rental, you’ll get hit with the toll and a pesky administrative fee.
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