Six Money-Saving Tips For Cheap Car Rental 

Finding a car rental company with affordable prices isn’t only about finding the lowest rates because your quotation will also include costs according to your preferences. It also includes the car you’re renting, the time period, usage, fuel and other factors that are unique to you. But you can still look for cheap car rental if you follow these guidelines.

1.     Get Comparative Quotes 

When you’re working with a budget, you don’t have the luxury of finding the first car rental company and using their services. To make the most of the money you have available, you’ll have to shop around. Look around for cheap car rental companies in your surrounding areas. When you’re sure of what kind of car you need, and what you can afford, start getting comparative quotes from as many rental companies as possible.

You should also look for online reviews – what you find might sway your decision because, remember, cheap doesn’t always mean that it’ll be worth it. Once you start getting some quotes back, you’ll get a clear idea of how much you can get away with spending.

2.     Sign Up For Company Emails 

If you need to utilise cheap car rental services regularly, it would be better for you to use the same rental company each time. That way, you can build a relationship with them. If they know you, they could be more forgiving if you have a problem, or if you need discounted rates. Using the same provider also means that you don’t need to go through the whole process of finding a company and getting quotes every time you need a cheap car rental. Sign up for their email or newsletter service. You might be able to claim discounted rated or reduced deposits when they come around because they’ll be advertised in their newsletter.

3.     Book Early 

As a rule, booking early is a smart move to prepare for when you need to rent a car because you have a better chance of getting the vehicle in the price range you’re looking for. Not only that but when you book early, you can get discounted rates.

4.     Choose Your Car Carefully 

Rental rates for cars depend on how big the engine is, and it’s capacity. That means that if you want to hire a car with a bigger engine, you’ll have to pay for it. If your funds are limited, it’s best to hire a car that’s perfect for your needs, and not the one you’d prefer. For example, if you just need to run a few errands while your car is in for repairs, a compact city car will do. If you’d prefer a modern SUV, you’ll have to pay extra for it. Think carefully about what you need the car for, where you’re going, and how the vehicle will be like to drive in that environment so that you choose a rental car that’s perfectly suited to your needs.

5.     Know The Fuel Policies 

When you hire a car, you also need to set money aside in your budget for fuel. All rental companies set their rates differently, and that includes their fuel policies as well. Some companies charge for fuel, and some provide the car with a full tank and request that it’s refilled when you return it. Other companies offer free petrol for the first 10km you drive. For you, some of these policies will be more cost-effective than others, so make sure that you understand them before you sign a contract if you can’t afford to adhere to their fuel policies.

The mileage policy is the same – each rental company determines the rates, so with some, you might have unlimited kilometres, and with others, you might have to pay the average mileage rate according to how far you’ve driven. Know about their policies before you sign the agreement.

6.     Additional Drivers 

Will you need an additional driver? If so, then they need to be present when you do the paperwork. When you’re signing the rental agreement, you need to provide a drivers’ license. If another person, who has not been allocated as a second driver on the contract, drives the rental car and has an accident, the insurance won’t pay out, and you’ll need to foot the bill.

Cheap car rental is possible if you know what you’re doing. By booking ahead, understanding peak and off-season rentals, and knowing what you’re paying in fuel and mileage, you can work a car rental within your budget without spending more than you can afford.

Johnson

As a mechanical engineer turned blogger, Charlie provides readers with a technical, yet accessible look into the world of automotive engineering and design. His insightful posts make complex car technologies understandable.