There was a time when renting a car on a trip was an automatic "requirement." With the gas prices we have come to loathe continuing its upward spiral, deciding on whether to rent a car or pay for a cab is becoming more and more muddled. And do we really need a car in some of those cities anyway?
Cities like Las Vegas, San Francisco, New York, Paris, London and many others have fantastic public transportation systems that are often traveled by tourists to get around. Not only that, these same cities often are difficult to drive in and the parking is expensive, thus municipalities have invested in public transportation for the common folk to get around in this environment. To accentuate the point, lets discuss Waikiki, Hawaii.
Granted, cars are the last thing on your mind when your in the sunshine and surf, but it should be. Parking a Car in Waikiki is starting to edge close to 20 dollars a day just to guarantee a spot for your car to hide when your not driving around at $3.50 per gallon gas rates. tour junkets and bus rides can get you pretty much anywhere on the island for under 20 bucks a day, so you really only need a car for one or two days for when you go out exploring on your own. If you vacation for a week, cutting down your rental needs from seven to two days can save you as much as 500 dollars in parking, gas, rental, and insurance.
So is it necessary to rent a car? That decision is up to you. Sure, I could tell you that you NEED to rent a car on your trip, but its not always that clear cut. After examining your needs, and you realize you indeed need a car rental, there are several basic rules of things you need to consider to keep your costs down.
So now you know what and for how long, now les work on the price. These steps are essential to consider for any affordable car rental episode:
1. Agencies vs. Airports. Car rental agencies must pay a fee for operating at the airport. This fee is allowed by law to be passed onto the renter. Renting away from the airport will often yield rates (and tariffs) savings as much as the car rental itself. Often there are car rental agencies near or in your hotel in many of the major tourist areas, so consider finding alternate transportation to and from the airport and rent from an agency.
2. Choose a car that fits your needs, not your eyes.The most common rental class nationwide is the intermediate. Often a compact car will save you 3-5 dollars per day and gets 5-6 miles per gallon more than an intermediate, yet they often seat the same number of people. Also, the cost in buying a compact vs. an intermediate is often nearly the same, so some rental agencies overstock in the mid size, knowing that they will upgrade you for free into the mid size car.
3. Consider small market companies. Some smaller companies that operate on and off airport grounds are cheaper and have the same cars as the larger nationwide brethren. Take a peek at that company you've never heard of. You may find a gem.
4. Shop around for car rental discount coupons. This is a whole discussion on its own. Many Car rental agencies have discount codes they give to businesses and groups to promote business with that rental agency. Call and ask each rental company if your employer has a discount code. also ask your favorite club shopping company, entertainment book, Wholesale shopping club, Co-op or insurance company. Often they all have some sort of deal that they can share.
5. Prepaid Gas vs. filling up on your own. Car rental companies often try and get you to buy a full tank of gas at the beginning so you can return it empty. Ever try and empty a car tank? not the easiest thing. The only sure bet is to fill it up yourself. Decline.
6. Rent only when you NEED a car. Self explanatory. If you are going to a conference, you don't need a car for the first three days when you are spending every single daylight hour in the event.
7. Car Rental Insurance. Another "whole class on its own." The best thing to know is that your credit card or your own personal car insurance will likely cover you in case of an incident. Check with both before you go to decide if you need to purchase additional coverage.
8. Remember, the agents work on commission. Although they may seem they have your best interests in mind, do NOT blindly follow their recommendations for add on services. Do your homework and decide in advance before you arrive at the rental counter.
Follow these rules, do your homework, and your car rental costs can be limited greatly to what you really need, instead of what you think you need.
www.carrentalinsider.com
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Using Discount Codes
Car rental companies often use promotions and discount codes to drive business. These discounts have created their own subculture on the Internet. Many travel sites openly discuss and share discount codes with other travelers in the hopes of making the travel experience more affordable to all.
Pretty much every employer that boasts more than 100 employees usually has some sort of discount they can apply for or has already. So if you work for any Government Agency, Big box retailer, fast food chain, tech company, sales company, manufacturer, or even janitorial company, its likely you qualify for a discount of some sort. Not only do some of these company codes offer discounts on price, some of them offer additional services as well.
Some of the largest companies have negotiated other "perks" into their price. Rental Car Companies like Hertz and Avis cater directly to Businesses and often against each other for the same company. In exchange for signing multi-year guaranteed business deals with some of these corporations, Rental car companies will offer things like free tank of gas, free insurance, no one way fees, or even free upgrades into the Corporate Discount contract. Often if you are an employee with these companies, even if you were just hired and your job duties do not require travel, you qualify just by showing your work badge.
While using some of these codes without proper credentials can cause you to violate some of the car rental agreement, others are openly offered to any person who qualifies with as little as having membership in a particular club or organization. Costco, Sam's Club, G.E.I.C.O., Citibank Credit cards, Even buying the Entertainment Book can lead to some tantalizing coupons in addition to Corporate discounts in some instances. Known coupons include free tank of gas, free weekend day, dollar off weekly rentals, free upgrades in car class.
Simply ask your rental company before you begin your travel planning to determine exactly what kind of discount could be available to you. Once you have found a few discount codes that you can use, try obtaining quotes under each qualifying rate. Discount percentages will vary even with the same code depending on type of car, day of week, city, and time of year. Due diligence is a great thing when it comes to searching for travel. An hour plugging in discount codes for car rental companies (even for hotels) could save you hundreds, or even thousands depending on how long the trip is and how many people/vehicles are involved.
Remember that the more effort you put into this search, the more likely you will be to finding a rate that not only works for you on one particular trip, but for all your trips.
www.carrentalinsider.com for more information
Pretty much every employer that boasts more than 100 employees usually has some sort of discount they can apply for or has already. So if you work for any Government Agency, Big box retailer, fast food chain, tech company, sales company, manufacturer, or even janitorial company, its likely you qualify for a discount of some sort. Not only do some of these company codes offer discounts on price, some of them offer additional services as well.
Some of the largest companies have negotiated other "perks" into their price. Rental Car Companies like Hertz and Avis cater directly to Businesses and often against each other for the same company. In exchange for signing multi-year guaranteed business deals with some of these corporations, Rental car companies will offer things like free tank of gas, free insurance, no one way fees, or even free upgrades into the Corporate Discount contract. Often if you are an employee with these companies, even if you were just hired and your job duties do not require travel, you qualify just by showing your work badge.
While using some of these codes without proper credentials can cause you to violate some of the car rental agreement, others are openly offered to any person who qualifies with as little as having membership in a particular club or organization. Costco, Sam's Club, G.E.I.C.O., Citibank Credit cards, Even buying the Entertainment Book can lead to some tantalizing coupons in addition to Corporate discounts in some instances. Known coupons include free tank of gas, free weekend day, dollar off weekly rentals, free upgrades in car class.
Simply ask your rental company before you begin your travel planning to determine exactly what kind of discount could be available to you. Once you have found a few discount codes that you can use, try obtaining quotes under each qualifying rate. Discount percentages will vary even with the same code depending on type of car, day of week, city, and time of year. Due diligence is a great thing when it comes to searching for travel. An hour plugging in discount codes for car rental companies (even for hotels) could save you hundreds, or even thousands depending on how long the trip is and how many people/vehicles are involved.
Remember that the more effort you put into this search, the more likely you will be to finding a rate that not only works for you on one particular trip, but for all your trips.
www.carrentalinsider.com for more information
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