• Know the perfect car for your needs

  Consider renting an SUV or a big sedan for family trips or for travel that require gears. If you would just want to save on gas and rental, find the smallest car.

  Look for environmental friendly vehicles.

  Ask the company if they offer other amenities like a GPS system or a ski rack.

• Know how to and who to rent from

  For short travel rentals, consider the big rental companies, but if you are planning to rent for a week or two, avail local rentals. Take note that some local auto dealers do not have all the support services offered by the major companies.

  Research online for car rental rates.

• Know how to avail discounts like membership from national associations, frequent travel privileges or credit card advantages.

  You can also apply for the car rental companies’ loyalty programs.

• Know the terms and conditions

  Read. Ask. Know about their rules and regulations, policies and penalties. Know if there are interstate travel restrictions. If you are having a one-way travel, know about drop-off charges.

  Always ask for a confirmation number.

• Know the real price of the rental

  Remember that rentals also have taxes, surcharges, additional fees, even insurance and gasoline bills.

  Not all advertisements are available all-year round, many are seasonal only.

  Rental companies have adopted yield management where prices can readjust depending on the available cars for rent.

• Know what to do when picking up the car

  It is smart to take a shuttle from the airport to the hotel if you arrive at night.

  If you have your own auto insurance or a major credit card that covers collision damage, you are safe from availing the car rental’s insurance.

  Before starting your travels, check the rental for any damages, its mileage, and the car model and color too.

• Know what to do when returning the rental

  Return with a full tank.

  Avoid returning the car too early or too late.

  Check the rental before you leave.

  Have the rental attendant check for by damages and be sure that you agree on them.

Enjoying a road trip is good this summer with lower gas prices, just make sure that before your travel you have done your research

Abrams Consulting Group President Neil Abrams said that car rental business is not doing good nowadays.

So this is why the rates have increased, given the fact that the demand is not that frequent.

People do not travel that often anymore. Some companies would normally sell used cars at a lower price, thus they earn less from what they usually make.

Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group Chief Executive and President Scott Thompson said that the current problem is expected to continue until this year.

Here are 7 strategies to avoid spending too much on car rentals:

• Car rentals at the airports charge 3 times higher, so if you want to save more money, go to an agency that is located outside the airport vicinity.
• Avoid paying for extra fees like travel insurance. It is not necessary to purchase because it is already included.
• Make a price comparison because rates among outlets and companies vary. Websites such as BreezeNet, Orbitz, Travelocity and Expedia can make the comparison easier. Check the full rate that includes fees and taxes.
• Bid on Hotwire.com or Priceline.com. They charge only half of what the car rental agencies in the airport do. However, bidding in these websites are non-refundable.
• Make sure to bring card at all times, as members of Costco, some credit card holders, AARP and AAA may be eligible for a 5% discount and up.
• Auto Rental News Editor Chris Brown advised to return the car on time. Avoid the late fees and do not depend on the grace period.
• Check the locations and prices of gas stations that are near the rental place. Business travelers or anyone renting a car must return it with full tank, unless they would want to pay for a per-gallon raise in price for the company’s refueling.

One of the primary essentials of traveling is of course the transportation. Traveling through airlines may be convenient. However, with a limited budget, even cheap flights may come as a huge expense for someone – especially if traveling with the whole family or group of friends.

Which is why, another means of transportation that is always considered for tight budget travel plans is renting a car. Aside from the savings one can get from car rentals, the idea of enjoying even the drive to places with friends or family may be another adventure one can never get through air travel. Although it may take a lot longer than flights, traveling through land seems a more adventurous and laid back at the same time.

However, renting a car may also post some added expenses if not properly planned. To help you maximize traveling with rented cars, here are some tips you can keep in mind:

• Make reservations as early as possible. You can go online to check for the most popular car rentals in your area. Thorough comparison of prices may come in handy, allowing you to get the lowest rates for a good quality car.
• Choose the appropriate car for your trip. Consider the number of people joining the trip and even the luggage you may be carrying with you. The bigger the car, the higher the rate. Choose one that would most comply with your needs.
• Never hesitate to inquire for deals. Some car rental companies offer the same rate for longer rent duration.

With these, you can definitely save a lot of money and still make the most out of your trip even with limited budget.

You will be delighted to know that leasing a car will allow you to save as much as 50 percent compared to renting one. In addition, you will also be enjoying additional perks such as comprehensive insurance, GPS-equipped vehicles, new car models, unlimited mileage, visit 28 countries, 24/7 assistance and no taxes.

You can choose from compact cars, midsize cars and 9-passenger vans. Comparing the cost of renting versus leasing, you will be delighted with the huge difference! For instance, renting a midsize car for 30 days will cost you around $81.45 per day while leasing one will cost you only $50.83.

Of course, the savings are certainly impressive but with the other perks, this deal is certainly irresistible. You can make your travel as comfortable and enjoyable as possible by customizing the vehicles according to your needs and preferences. You can request for a CD changer, luggage racks and car seats for your kids.

Such a deal is possible because taxes for new vehicles in France are quite high and it will be more practical for the car companies like Renault and Peugeot to lease their new cars and then after, sell them to budget-conscious car buyers.

Unfortunately, leasing is an option that is only available to visiting tourists. This means that residents of the European Union are not entitled to such amazing car rental deals. Also, you will have to lease the car for seventeen days or more. If you are on a standard two-week vacation, an extra three days will not really matter considering the savings you will be enjoying.

There are some ways which can help you save money on car rentals, without having to compromise on your vacation. But, the primary requirement is to have knowledge about the car rental industry and, of course, you willingness to resist the temptations offered by the sales manager!

First things first. You should call your neighborhood car rentals agency rather than opting for larger car rental agencies. There is nothing better than dealing with the local dealer face-to-face. This ensures that you will get a great deal.

Next, you should connect to the virtual world and check for discount schemes being offered by car rental companies. This is another super way of saving big on money. Log on to third party travel websites and make comparisons between rates of car rentals. Choose the cheapest and best one.

Finally, book an economy car in advance. Reserving an economy class car well in advance will help you save money on car rental. Economy cars are the first choice for most, and if the car rental agency doesn’t have an economy car for you, they will upgrade you to a higher class car for free!

Just by being prepared can help you make big savings when renting a car.