How To Save Money On A Car Rental: 7 Valuable Tips

As summer quickly approaches, the entire travel industry is ramping up its fares in anticipation. Car rentals are no exception, as the demand quickly overtakes supply. The average price of a car rental increases by as much as 56% from March to July, according to Abrams Travel Data Index.

Tip #1: Avoid Brand Names
Most rental car companies get their inventory from similar sources, and they all need to undergo a professional inspection. So why pay up to twice as much for a well known brand? Booking at rental agencies such as Payless and Fox Rent A Car can save you hundreds of dollars on the same model or style of car.

Tip #2: Look For Online Deals
Search for discounts and coupons on sites like Promotionalcodes.com and CouponWinner.com, or type in the name of a rental company and “coupon code” into Google to see what turns up. Also try frequent flier sites and others - savings can up to more than 50%.

Tip #3: Use Autoslash.com
As experts have known for a while, Autoslash.com is a very valuable tool to keep on top of any rate changes, as well as the most competitive rates in specific cities and airpports.

Tip #4: Don't Rent At The Airport
It's easier said than done at many small cities, but most larger cities offer convenient public transportation and/or a reasonable cab fare into town. Once away from the airport, the rates can be reduced drastically.

Tip #5: Add A Day To Your Rental
It's an odd concept, but adding a day to your rental may lower the average rate drastically. The strategy takes advantage of lower prices aimed at leisure travelers who are more likely to travel on weekends.

Tip #6: Negotiate
This underused tactic can snag you a free upgrade if other travelers are forcing issues with the inventory. There are many reasons that an agent may offer you a different vehicle, but without asking you'll never know.

Tip #7: Prepay For Your Car
Companies love to receive payment as quickly as possible, and will offer discounts if the amount due is paid up front. In a recent search for weekly rentals at Boston Logan International Airport in mid June, for example, Hertz was offering economy cars for $173 a week at the “pay now” rate. The “pay later” rate was about $30 more.

For more general travel info and Jewish travel tips in particular, head over to Kosherica.com.