A friend of mine indicated that car rental rates are “going through the sunroof” as of late. Today the rental fleets are smaller, which means fewer available cars and that subsequently leads to higher prices. Now is the time to be vigilant and do your homework.
How can you keep your rental costs in check? A good start is to surf the ‘net. There are even some websites that will compare rates for various rental agencies and vehicles. Do not be fooled by the initial price a car rental website shows you. Explore sites that use words like discount, specials or deals. Usually the more you work with a specific car rental site, the lower the price in the end. Sometimes the magic words are coupon though affiliation with a specific group or business or coupons for lower rates for certain times of the week. One website that offers discount coupons and car rental discount codes is best-car-rental-tips.com and click on Discount/Coupon Tips.
You will find that car rental agencies located “off-airport” are generally lower in cost. While the location is slightly further off the terminal, a shuttle will pick you up and take you to the rental agency. Another suggestion is to call both the national reservation centre and their local office. There is a chance that one may be offering a better deal than the other. However, it is in your best interest to always ask if that is their very best rate once the initial quote is given — often it is not.
Be smart and look at the total daily or weekly rate you are going to pay for a vehicle. Today there are anywhere from three to eight various local and state taxes, surcharges, fees, license fees, road tax etc. Do not let the seductive base rate be your measuring stick. Compare the real rates. Before you begin your research of car rental rates, please make sure you know the type of insurance you are covered for. Check to see if your personal car insurance or credit card covers some or all of the insurance required. Do not forget to use the credit card with coverage to pay for your rental. Unless there is no alternative, do not accept the rental cars’ loss damage waiver.
During the checkout process, you should go over the gas option(s). The prepaid gas option should never be an option. Indicate that you will return the gas tank full. Be aware that gas stations conveniently close to the airport sometimes set the pumps at a higher price for those that fill their tank before returning the car.
Another tip is to book early. As with airlines and cruise lines, the better fares are farther out from departure. As you get closer to departure, availability tightens and the price goes up. This especially goes for holiday seasons and peak travel periods.
At the car rental counter you will be enticed to a car “upgrade.” You should be prepared to resist, as it will cost you more money and gas. If the upgrade is offered for free, then by all means jump at it.
If you reserve your vehicle over the telephone make sure you get a reservation/confirmation number and an email confirmation. Always take this confirmation with you. Remember to comparison shop your rental vehicle — if you do not have the time or wish further advice, consult a travel agent.
Bill MacDonald is a St. Albert-based travel consultant. He can be reached at [email protected]
