Renting a car can be quite a budget when planning a vacation or weekend getaway. However, there are simple tips to limit the bill while taking advantage of rental services’ quality. If you don’t know how to get a cheap car rental, discover below our 8 tips for renting a cheap car and enjoy the freedom that a rental car offers without spending half your PEL!

CHEAP CAR RENTAL: 8 TIPS TO KNOW

1. BOOK IN ADVANCE

It’s the basics for all reservations, whether it’s a car, a flight or a hotel. Renting in advance (at least 2 months) will give you access to even lower prices. Especially if you have to rent a car during the high season. In addition to the attractive prices, you will especially have access to the cheapest vehicle categories, of the “city” or “economic” type, often booked first because of their attractive price. If you don’t need a lot of space, this category is ideal because these vehicles, in addition to being the cheapest to rent, generally consume little fuel.

2. CONSULT “SPECIAL OFFERS” SECTION

Did you know, some rental car companies regularly offer discounts via special offers? To keep up to date, you can visit their website Special offers section to take advantage of cheaper car rental. You can also get discounts with their seasonal promotions featured on their website.

3. RENT OUTSIDE OF RAILWAY STATIONS AND AIRPORTS

For cheap car rental, choose downtown as the pick-up location, rather than the airport.

First, it’s best not to clutter up a car in city centers. Because it is safer as you may be affected by jet lag. It also saves parking costs for your car. Many hotels do not include parking fees.

Your car rental will also be cheaper because we often stay 2-3 days in the first city of our destination. Therefore, you will not have to pay unnecessary rental costs for these days, which you will not use anyway.

4. CHOOSE YOUR DATES INTELLIGENTLY

The rental day begins at the scheduled pick-up time and ends at the same time the next day. So if you rent a car at 10 a.m. and return it at 10 a.m. the next day, you will be billed for 1 day of rental. But if you return it at 10:30 am, you will pay 2 days of rental! To meditate before planning your trip because you can win a rental day by choosing to return your rental car a little earlier than expected.

5. BE ON TIME!

This advice echoes tip number 4. If you want to avoid paying an extra day because you left the car an hour later than expected … be punctual! To avoid unpleasant surprises, we advise you to always take a margin in relation to the return time, especially if you have some way to go before returning to the agency. So leave early enough or postpone the restitution by one or two hours so as not to stress yourself out on the road.

6. USE YOUR OWN INSURANCE

If you’ve your own car insurance, it may likely cover you when you rent a car. Your good driving record will also prevent you from paying extra. 

If you use your cards to pay the vehicle’s rent, you’ll get basic insurance coverage. Some cards also offer comprehensive coverage to give you peace of mind. 

7. FORGO THE EXTRAS

Roadside assistance, satellite radio, Wi-Fi device, and GPS navigation can cost you a lot. Rental agents make more money on selling these types of facilities.  So, it’s crucial to avoid these types of extras.

8. STICK TO ONE DRIVER

Most rental companies charge extra fees on the addition of extra drivers. Hence, it is vital to stick with only one driver to reduce your rental car fees.

Otherwise, leverage with other memberships, such as USAA, AARP, AAA, or Costco, to get the extra driver from rental car companies.

Hoping that reading this article has succeeded in saving you a few bucks. I wish you a nice trip with us, in the land of the great outdoors.

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