7 Ways To Save Additional Money When Shopping for a Rental Car
Written by
Vance Cariaga
Edited by
Maria Concepcion
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Rental cars offer a convenient way to get around when you’re on vacation or a business trip, but they don’t always come cheap. The average cost of a rental car in the U.S. is about $50 to $80 a day or $500 a week, according to data cited by Fidelity Investments. The amount you pay depends on factors such as your location, the rental car company, the time of year, the type of car and when you book it.
Because summer is a busy travel season with heavy demand for rental cars, you’ll probably see higher prices than at other times of year. However, that doesn’t mean you’re stuck with those high prices. There are plenty of ways to cut costs with the right planning.
Here are seven ways to save additional money when shopping for a rental car.
Also learn how to get an upgraded rental care for the price of economy.
Shop Around
This is an obvious strategy but many consumers skip when it comes to renting cars because they opt for convenience over price. But the first thing you should do is compare prices at different rental car companies in the area. Prices can vary from one company to the next and you can save a lot of money by finding the right one.
Get a Discount Membership
As CBS MoneyWatch reported, consumers can get some of the best rental car deals through memberships to Costco, AAA, the AARP and other organizations. For example, with a Costco Travel membership, you can get 15% to 20% rental car discounts.
AAA has relationships with Hertz, Dollar Car Rental and Thrifty Car Rental, as Forbes reported. When you rent with AAA you can unlock exclusive savings of up to 20%. Similarly, memberships to the AARP, USAA and BJ’s Wholesale Club give you access to rental car discounts.
Join a Car Loyalty Program
If you want to skip the membership route, another option is to join a car loyalty program. For example, the three-tiered National Car Rental loyalty program offers free rental days and discounted rates, according to Forbes.
Don’t Rent at the Airport
Yes, renting your car at the airport when you fly into a destination is convenient – but it’s also more expensive. Most major car rental agencies have locations about five miles away from airports, where you can find much cheaper prices, according to CBS MoneyWatch.
Skip the High-Tech Amenities
If you want GPS or Bluetooth connectivity in your rental car you can expect to pay more than you would with a car that only offers the basics. To save additional money, buy a cheap map and listen to the radio instead.
Don’t Prepay
Although you should lock in a rental car ahead of time to ensure one is available, you don’t want to pay in advance. For one thing, if you cancel you might face a cancellation fee. For another, you’ll miss out on any future discounts.
Buy Your Own Gas
Rental car companies typically offer you the option of paying an additional fee that lets you bring the car back without a full tank of gas. But as CBS MoneyWatch noted, you’ll usually pay less if you gas the car up.
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