Road trips are awesome – especially when you get to use your own car; but sometimes when you’re stuck further away from home, it’s just as well to rent a car. From time to time, we like to post some tips on how you can save a dollar or two on your car rental, and yet again – we’re going to offer up some more advise this week. By the time you book a flight and choose a hotel, you’re out an awful lot of money! Saving a buck here and there can really help you get the best out of your experience and if you have a good experience – we hope you come back and use us again!
So with that said – here are four more ways you can save a few dollars on your next car rental:
Don’t use the debit card
We always tell people to use their credit card – and for a few reasons. For one, there’s the added consumer protection that comes along with using them. But there’s also reward points that can add up over time. Maybe at some point your rental car or plane ticket is free! But more importantly when we swipe a debit card, we have a hold on your deposit and with any deposit-based system, it can take a few days for it to return. And when you’re traveling, having access to cash is important. So every time someone hands us a debit card, we’re sure to ask them if they’d rather swipe credit instead.
Ask about specials
We get so many customers who more or less come in and take sticker price and don’t advocate for themselves. We offer a whole range of specials that have been leveraged in the past – from senior citizen discounts and AAA to credit card and frequent flier program discounts and add-ons. All these things can add up when you’re traveling on a budget.
Check fuel policy options
We have a policy we like to stick to – but with other agencies it can vary greatly. Some companies want you to return the car with the same amount of fuel you picked it up with. Some want you to fill the tank. Some want you to pay for the first tank and then you can drop it off on ‘E’ if you’d like. While one isn’t necessarily that much better than the other, it’s important you know what the deal is so you don’t overbuy on fuel. You might not get a chance to get a refund on the gas you didn’t use. Or if the company charges you for gas – the price might be more expensive than at the local gas station. While there’s no magic hack to extreme cost savings, here; it’s just wise to know the policy so you don’t end up overspending.
Avoid the airport and comb the local neighborhood
OK, we’re biased here, but the math isn’t. Off-airport locations are almost always cheaper than your typical on-site locations. You can take shuttle services to us and a whole other swath of local agencies, so take advantage of it. In our case – if you’re looking for a pensacola car rental, we’ll pick you up at the airport and bring you to us! So by staying away from the airport, you could save yourself a hefty sum in ‘convenience’ fees.