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How To Save Time Money On Car Rental
owest Rates Vs. A Good
Bargain
Don't get us wrong, we don't like
to pay higher prices more than
Many people approach Car Rental you do. We do recommend to shop
as a lowest-price-possible around and check the various
contest rather than to rates available, especially when
concentrate on the value of the it's so easy to do it via the
deal they eventually would get,in Internet at comparison sites.
terms of what type of car, what's
included (air conditioning, All we say here you need to
automatic gear shift etc') as consider other things beside the
well as what type of service they price and when you compare please
are buying. make sure you compare apples to
apples and not apples to pears.
The thing is, Car Rental market
is very competitive one and rates Things to consider when ordering
differences for comparable a rented a car
quality and service are
relatively small, sometimes as Who is using the car, are you by
small as $10 to $20. These minuet yourself on a business trip or
price differences are going to you are traveling with the whole
vanish in the wind when you family? How much luggage are you
consider the long lines and lost going to have, does the car you
time at the cheapest renter are thinking about is big enough
counter, drop charges for remote to have you all plus all your
destinations, late return fines, hand luggage and big suitcases?
and gasoline inflated rates as If not, consider to change to a
well as other service charges you mini van or a car with extra
didn't think about when you large trunk.
shopped for the "best deal".
Do you need an Infant seat or a the problem is that it's not
child booster? make sure it is available in all destinations
mentioned clearly with your like in some European countries.
order, usually there is a
shortage of these seats and they Most major rental car companies
are provided for extra charge. allow for unlimited mileage in
Check the state laws for where the same state, but it's a good
you are traveling. A new law in idea to check their policy before
Denver for instance, requires confirming. Many smaller local
Booster Seats for all 4 and 5 independent companies charge
year olds who are not 55 inches mileage after 100-200 free miles
tall. per day.
Do you actually need the car in As mentioned before price is not
the town or city at the first few the only factor to consider when
days? If not, consider to take a choosing a car rental company. If
taxi, a bus, a train or the hotel you choose a very small, no-name
shuttle into the city and when company, don't expect them to
it's time for you to go out of provide you with service across
town and travel around, then, all nation or continent, what
rent the car from the city would you do if the car is needed
location and by that save up to to be replaced or serviced for
15% on Air-Port charges as well some reason?
as on city parking fees.
Frequent or Preferred Renter
Are you going to a very warm and Programs and affiliations
humid destination? If yes, it's
recommended to order a car with Frequent renter programs, Like
air conditioning, usually the airlines and hotels, major car
price difference is negligible, rental companies track their
customers' rental histories and possible to avoid the membership
offer preferential service to fee by simply writing or calling
loyal customers. Most of the your car rental company and
major companies offer frequent asking them to waive it. They
renter programs that are similar will do it because the car rental
to airline frequent-flyer industry is very competitive, and
programs and hotel frequent-guest they want your business
programs.
If you're still faced with a
Preferred renter clubs, Most steep rate, try getting discounts
major car rental companies also based on your affiliations with
offer preferred renter programs organizations like AARP, AAA or
or clubs (one example is the others. These discounts are
Hertz #1 Club). When you belong usually not great, but they are
to one of these clubs, you get better than nothing.
preferential treatment, including
automatic upgrades when those In addition, always check for
cars are available. You can join corporate rates if applicable to
these programs at any time, even your situation.
if you are a first-time renter
with that company. Car Rental Insurance
While basic-level club Some of the Insurance terms seem
memberships are often free, to be confusing, let's try to
higher-level memberships (as in clear them out first.
the Hertz #1 Gold Club, which
allows you to bypass the rental CDW - Collision Damage Waiver.
counter) generally come with a
price tag. What most people don't LDW - Loss Damage Waiver.
realize is that it's often
PDW - Physical Damage Waiver.
Important things to check and do
PAI - Personal Accident before leaving the Air-Port
Insurance.
After a long flight and the
PEC - Personal Effects Coverage. waiting in lines for your luggage
and afterwards for your keys at
ALI - Additional Liability the car rental counter, it is
Insurance. understandable you just want to
take the rented car and drive
Many of the Credit Cards have away to your hotel, but wait!
most of these coverage, therefore Here is a list of things you must
it's not mandatory to purchase check first.
excessive coverage. It's better
to check this issue with your Start by making a careful check
travel agent, insurance agent and around the car, look for any
your credit card company a head small dents or scratches, in case
of time. Some Car rental you find some, don't be lazy, go
companies require that you show back to the office and ask a
proof of insurance. representative of the rental
company to write down all of
Also be aware that your personal these dents, ask for a copy of
insurance probably doesn't apply that report. Other wise you might
to your rental car when traveling be responsible for damages you
overseas. All this is somewhat didn't perform.
complicated and at times
confusing because there are no Open the trunk, make sure you
industry standards for have a spare tire, a jack and set
terminology and policies vary by of tools, there is noting more
locations. irritating than to find out in
the middle of nowhere that you park the car in the parking lot
don't have a jack when you need and go for lunch, in many
to replace a flat tire. countries, this is an easy target
for the thieves, It's better to
Many car companies will provide buy some sandwiches and beverages
you with an extra key if you ask in the air-port, or stop
for one. This can come in handy somewhere along the way for
for some of us who are absent refreshing but never leave the
minded. car unattended.
It is recommended to spend some In case you are involved in a Car
time to get acquainted with the Accident
cars' features and switches, make
sure you know where the lights These are the most important
switches are, how to operate the pieces of information to collect
windshield wipers, the air from the involved parties: full
conditioner and even set your name, mailing address, telephone
favorite radio stations as well number, insurance details, and
as set your side mirrors. It drivers' license number.
might be quiet frustrating to
fight with the new switches while Also try to get the names and
driving, when all of a sudden it contact information of anyone who
starts raining. witnessed the accident. Make a
note of the vehicle's make,
Make sure you have a map and it's color, brand and license plate
better to spend few more minutes number.
and plan your driving route.
Try to pinpoint the exact time
Last but certainly not least, If and location of the accident. If
you have a lot of luggage, don't the police get involved, ensure
that you receive a copy of their the accident, identification of
report. Don't forget to inform the autos and people involved,
your insurance agent immediately and the names and badge numbers
and notify the car rental of all emergency personnel.
company.
They will let you know about Take pictures if possible. If you
their accident procedure. are on vacation, you will
probably have a camera handy
If you purchased insurance already.
through the car rental company,
they will have to make the claim. File an accident report with the
If there is damage to the rental police, and report the claim to
car, there will be much paper your own credit card company or
work to complete insurance company.
Make sure any involved parties When returning the Car
are ok. Any injuries should be
taken care of ASAP. Make all necessary arrangements
to return the car on time, that
Call the police and/or ambulance includes looking the location in
(if necessary), and then call the the map especially if you return
car rental agency. Be as the car in a foreign city.
cooperative as possible. The car
rental agency will have its own Late return charges are high and
policies regarding accidents. arbitrary, secondly, if you are
late, you probably won't have the
Exchange information with the time to fill the car with
affected parties. Try to record gasoline yourself and the rental
everything on the scene. Your company will charge you
notes should include details of exorbitant inflated gasoline
rates. dashboard, this is your recorded
time of arrival.
In case you return the car in a
city location on Sunday, it might In addition, lock the car, take
be that the station will be the keys plus your rental
deserted, it will let you in via contract and insert them into the
automated gate, make sure to take designated box.
the card and leave it over the
About the Author:
Amit Laufer is a Writer, Internet Marketer & Netpreneur. MBA & Bsc. Computers Science. Owner Editor of: Car Rental Advice
Source: www.isnare.com
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