Knowing how to find discount rental cars can help you save lots of money when traveling. In the car rental business, you often pay a premium for convenience, which is why you don't find the best rates at most airports. It pays to shop around though, as prices can change quickly for various reasons. Sometimes, you can find excellent discount rental cars away from the airport. If you want a car delivered to you, that also costs more in the rate you will pay. There are several things you can do to get the best prices or discounts on rental cars. Shopping around is the best strategy, but even then, how you shop around can make a difference in how good of a discount you can get. Read on for more information about getting a discount rental car.
Most rental cars are a year or two old. There are some rental companies that specialize in cars that are a little older. This can result in lower prices, but not always. It is still worth a try.
Surprisingly enough, the car rental websites offer great prices at times. Companies like Hertz or Avis, advertise good rates. Also general travel websites such as Travelocity, compare prices and can offer very good discounts. The key is to check several places. Shopping around is the best strategy.
If you are flexible, and have no preference for which company the car comes from, there are some "name your price" sites that can have good deals. Priceline and Hotwire both offer similar deals, where you offer a price and see if anyone will accept it. This can be a great deal even at an airport.
Yes the further you can rent ahead, the better price you can get. If you can make plans early, you might find the best discount car rentals. Also at times there are last minute rentals available, which is risky but may be worth a try. Last minute deals are fairly rare, so don't count on them.
If you are a member of any association, like AAA, or even a shoppers club like Costco, there may be discounts available on rental cars. Also check with your employer, who may also have some access to discounts. They key is to look different places. The only downside to this is you may usually only use one discount per transaction, so this may be a last resort if you have not found a good deal yet.
The cheapest cars to rent are compact cars. Consider the size and type of car you really need. The smaller the vehicle the lower the price. Sports cars, or other specialty cars, are also more expensive. Watch out for a fee upgrade, which may not always be a good deal. You may be forfeiting a bigger discount, and it cost more to run a larger vehicle.
Yes, very much so. Many companies offer package deals. You may get a package that includes airfare, hotels and car rental all at one price. There are also deals that include hotel and car only. These often result in a nice discount for each part. A combination is always lower priced than if you purchased each one separately. Also compare packages. Some airlines offer packages, as do major hotels, even car rental companies offer packages.
No, the cars are all the same, and for the most part area all maintained the same. The difference is, you pay more for convenience and location. A mid-sized Ford sedan, for instance, will be the same car no matter where you purchase the rental.