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RENTAL CARS -
Getting The Best Car Rental Rates (continued)
3. Now you are ready to conduct a search for the best company/location/vehicle type and rate available. Use the Internet and check as many alternatives as possible. Go directly to the rental car company web sites, as well as going to major travel sites like Expedia.com, Orbitz.com, etc. You may also want to check travel sites like Hotwire.com, CheapTickets.com and Priceline.com, that offer special deals, particularly within a week of your travel date. If you do not use the Internet, call up as many rental companies as possible and ask about rates, or use a travel agent to see what is available.
a. Make sure you get rate quotes that include all charges you will incur for the
basic rental, including taxes, any airport or location charges, any drop-
b. Once you think you have found your best rate, try making a few calls to competing
rental companies to both their national 800-
c. Make sure to investigate any special deals that are being offered before making your decision. But beware of certain blackout dates that may apply. Also, see if you have any discounts available. These can be available from a myriad of sources including employers, credit cards, associations, coupons, airlines, travel clubs, etc. Or just ask the rental car company.
d. If you have accumulated miles from previous car rentals, you may be able to use them for free or reduced rentals, but make sure to check out if there are any black out dates for the location of your rental. Points from airline travel or hotel stays may also be able to be used for car rentals, although the points may be worth more if redeemed for air travel or hotels. In any case, make sure you join the car rental company’s loyalty program to get more points to be used in the future.
e. If your driving record is not good, or a secondary driver you want assigned to
the vehicle has a poor driving record, ask ahead of time if they check driving records
at the rental counter. If so, make sure you will not have any problems. It is not
real unusual for someone to get to the check-
f. When you go to check in, before you tell them you have a reservation, ask them what their rates are for the type of car you want to rent, or if they have any special deals. Often, if they have a surplus of cars, they will offer an extremely low rate at the counter. If it is better than your reservation rate, tell them you will take the counter deal and to cancel your reservation.
One of the mysteries of renting a car is whether you should purchase the different types of insurance coverage offered by the rental car companies. Whether you need the coverage depends on two things. First, if you do run into a problem, and there is a financial loss, can you afford to absorb the type of loss incurred, or are you more comfortable in being covered for the loss. Second, if you do not purchase the coverage from the rental company, are you already covered through other sources. You will be surprised at how often you are already covered for any potential loss, at no additional cost, if you just take a few easy steps to make sure the coverage is there.
1. Collision damage waiver or “CDW.” This coverage provides that the rental
company will pay in full for any damage to the vehicle or vehicle theft, usually
without any deductibles. If you decline the waiver and do not pay for the coverage,
and there is damage to the vehicle or it is stolen, you will be responsible to pay
for the damage and theft. If you do choose this coverage, it will normally cost
$10-
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