Introduction
Renting cars became more popular during the pandemic, as people wanting to travel found exactly what they were looking for: utmost privacy!
Considering more and more people are now aware of self-drive car rentals, it has become a global phenomenon and travelers just cannot stop anymore! Because once you rent a car for any of your trips, there is no going back. Before starting on how to save on rental vehicles, let’s briefly touch on the aspect of benefits of renting a car, so you know your decision to rent is undoubtedly a smart one:
Why renting a car is simply awesome?
- Pack your bags, hop in, and take that much-needed vacation with a rental car.
- Day or night a rental car ensures a safe traveling experience.
- Cruise around town and make a lasting impression with a luxury car rental.
- Easily reach places where public transit doesn't operate.
People who have been renting since before 2019-20 may now have experienced a hike in rental car prices. For some reason or the other, we know the costs of hiring cars are not the same as before. Not that we can control how the prices in the industry rise, but we sure can help you with some useful ideas that will help you lay off some burden and save more on the rental costs. Hope you are ready for some insiders, not just to save money but also to have a great overall journey!
Have a look at our take on how you can book a cheap rental car.
Compare prices from multiple suppliers
Compare, compare, and compare. When it comes to looking for the best car rental deal, the foremost thing you need to do is compare as much as possible. All the suppliers have car segments for all sorts of travelers, they understand the demand for cars varies from economy to luxury, which means you will find your ride easily, no matter which supplier you are looking at.
Let’s understand this with very specific steps you can follow:
- Search: There are aggregators or supplier websites that you can visit. We would recommend finding an aggregator’s website, as they have multiple suppliers available.
- Compare: Then search for the location you are looking to rent a car for, and voila! You have reached a plethora of suppliers where you can compare cars. Trust us when we say it’s much easier to book through a broker.
- Book: Once you find a deal that meets your travel needs at the best available price, reserve it in advance. When booking through a broker, you can usually choose between paying a partial amount upfront and the remainder at the rental desk or completing the full payment at the time of booking.
In today’s day and age technology has allowed us to find products that suit our requirements aptly through customization or per se algorithms, so why not utilize it the way it is supposed to be utilized?
Duration of your rental matters
Your rental duration has an impact on the total cost and while you may be under the impression that longer durations may lead to heftier amounts, the reality is quite the opposite. Industry data indicates that -
- Long-term rentals typically offer lower per-day rates than short-term rentals.
- Monthly rental plans can reduce daily costs by 30–50% compared to multiple weekly or daily bookings.
- The cost structure of extended rentals provides greater overall savings for customers.
- These reductions make long-duration rentals economical especially for extended trips or vacations.
Like any other product out there in the market, it's common knowledge that when you are buying/booking in bulk it's usually cheaper, rental cars also work similarly.
Reserve your rental early
Booking a rental car in advance is your best chance to grab an apt deal that suits all your requirements well. Including the fact that these deals are comparatively cheaper, you get to pick from a wider fleet of cars as well. The more the inventory is available, the more choice you have.
Factually, online reservations made at least 2-3 weeks before the pick-up date shall help your cause.
Airport locations vs other pick-up locations
Suppliers have their offices dotted in different parts of the cities, including airports, downtowns, train stations, bus stations, and other pin locations. You will notice a slight difference in the prices for each location with airports being a bit more expensive than other available points. In cases where the supplier’s depot/counter or the parking is at a distance from the airport, you are offered a free courtesy shuttle to reach the supplier.
This surge in prices is due to the airports charging a certain fee called ‘Airport Fees’ for the convenience of the customers to be able to pick up the rental car directly from the airport premises.
Having said that, it is advised to compare both the airport and other city deals for the preferred cities and make a smart decision based on what is your priority, budget or convenience.
Add additional drivers based on your budget
Adding an additional driver is optional when it comes to renting a car and mostly, suppliers collect a fee for each driver you add to the deal. If you are traveling in a group and taking on a long journey, you can consider adding additional drivers but to avoid extra charges, keep the number to a minimum.
If you are okay with driving longer distances with halts in between, a single driver (the main driver) would work for you.
While renting a car, age matters
Usually, renters below the age of 25 and above the age of 65 are required to pay an extra ‘Young Driver Surcharge’ and ‘Old Driver Surcharge’. This is done to protect the supplier's liability. If you have the option of booking a car in the name of the person who fits the age bracket (involving no Young/Old Driver Surcharge), consider opting for that to save extra.
Economy car category (Every budget traveler’s best friend)
When traveling on a budget, the best suited category is the economy. As suggested by its name, this category is the most sought-after for people with fixed budgets and offers decent space (mostly 4-5 seats).
If you are particularly traveling alone or as a couple there are small cars made available by the suppliers, and these cars also have cheap rates.
Choose your "Extras" mindfully
Don't know the route? Either rent a navigation system or bring one from home. If you are good at it, you can even opt for physical maps. Taking a trip with a child? Don't forget to bring along a car seat if available as it would save you from the charges of booking one from your rental supplier. “Extras” like these are provided by suppliers at a per-day additional cost to make your traveling experience smoother. So choose carefully.
Remember in many countries child seats are compulsory for certain age groups of children.
Choose Full-to-Full Fuel Policy
Prevent additional costs on your rental by returning the car with a full tank. Many companies charge extra if the rental car is not at the optimum fuel level. Opting for a car rental with a full-to-full fuel policy will offer you the utmost convenience and save you money.
Fuel stations around airports are costlier, so when and if returning your car hire at the airport drop-off location, it's best to fill up the tank beforehand.
Keep some spare time to fill that tank as reaching the return location on time is also important.
There are a few ways you can save some fuel as well:
- Drive on a consistent & standard speed limit and avoid sudden accelerations.
- As fuel is also consumed when the air-conditioning (AC) is on, consider opening windows during the morning or evening time.
- Economy cars have better mileage efficiency.
- Plan your routes to avoid confusion when on the road. Use GPS to find the best routes with less traffic and shortcuts.
Most important tip of all - Read the "Rental Terms" thoroughly
Everything you need to know before renting a car is mentioned along with the deal. These terms are to be read carefully to avoid missing any part of what is included and what is not. Even though everything is clearly mentioned in the terms, it is easy to miss out on a few important aspects.
Keep in mind to specifically not miss:
- Security deposit: While booking, check the exact deposit required at pick-up, as it can vary significantly based on the car type, supplier and rental duration.
- Acceptable payment methods: Many suppliers only accept credit cards for deposits. If you plan to use a debit card or digital wallet, verify this in advance to prevent issues at the counter.
- Young driver or senior driver surcharge: Drivers under 25 years or above 65 years may have to pay additional charges. Ensure that you confirm these if you fall under this age bar.
- Required documentation: Make sure that you carry all documents such as ID card, passport, driver’s license, etc. to avoid denial of your rental car.
- Inclusions in the rental price: Review what is covered in your rental. These may include free additional driver, Collision Damage Waiver (CDW), theft waiver, location surcharge, etc.
- No-show policy: If you fail to pick up the car on time due to reasons not covered in the terms, the booking may be voided with no refund. Understanding the no-show policy helps avoid losing your prepaid amount.
- Cancellation policy: Many deals allow free cancellation up to a certain time, after which fees may apply. Always check the deadline to modify or cancel your booking without penalty.
Drive carefully
It might seem like the most obvious advice, but in the case of renting a car vigilance becomes one of the most important tips.
For instance, if driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or any other negligent or reckless way (something which in any way breaks the conditions set by the supplier in the rental agreement) the supplier might revoke all the applicable insurance covers, waivers, etc. This means that you as a customer will be fully responsible for any damage to the vehicle or third party.
Taking care of smaller aspects like speed or alcohol limit accepted in the country/region you’re driving in, is also important.
Payable at the rental desk
There is an amount that you pay online and there is an amount payable at the rental desk. The amount to be paid at the rental desk is converted into the local currency (if not mentioned otherwise) of the country you are visiting.
The payable amount at the rental desk might include the extras (child booster seat, GPS, additional driver, etc.) you rent, the security deposit, and the remaining payable rental amount. The exchange rate at the time of the transaction is used to convert the remaining payable amount.
Don't forget to click pictures
As a part of the pick-up process click pictures or make a video of the rental car to ensure that you won’t be charged for the damages you didn’t cause to the vehicle. This is just a precautionary measure to avoid unforeseen charges.
Carefully inspect the car before letting the associate of the supplier hand over the car keys to you.
Enjoying the freedom of driving a car on your own in a place foreign to you is a fascinating idea. Controlling all the conveyance aspects of the trip makes it worth the money you spend, yet it is important to make fully informed decisions. You’ll be surprised by the kind of money you’ll be able to save with the tips mentioned above. Wait no longer and start planning your trip right away!
Takeaway:
- Choose an aggregator website to compare deals through several suppliers under one roof.
- Early car rental reservations allow you to book a deal at a cheaper cost than on the spot bookings.
- The longer the duration of rental, the cheaper the price.
- Very important information related to inclusions and charges is mentioned in the Rental Terms.
