Many people think renting a car is a strenuous and complicated task. This might have been true for a decade ago but now things have gotten a lot easier. You can compare rates and get the car you want on just one click.
After using the car rental services hundreds of time, we are sharing 7 tips with you that will come in handy the next time you go rent a car:
1. Do you really need that insurance?
Car rental companies will try to entice into buying car insurance. The salesman will keep selling it until you buy it — from the time you start the booking to the time the car arrives at the pick-up location.
Driving a rented car without insurance is stupid, especially when you are renting for a few days or going for a long drive. However, if you already have your own insurance, it does not make sense to buy another.
First, check with your auto insurer whether he will cover you for the commercial car insurance. Don’t forget to check with your credit card provider. Some credit cards cover collision damage.
2. Research is tedious but it’s important
Start by searching for rental cars online. Many third-party websites allow you to compare car rental prices from different companies. You will also see many small companies. While these may cost less, they can be unreliable. So, it is better to rent from a credible company even if you have to pay slightly higher.
- The next step is to look for the right car. Start by looking at your needs, how many people will be sitting in the car? Are you alone or are you accompanied by other people?
- Do you need an all-wheel-drive car?
- The type of car you need – An SUV, a minivan or simply a compact sedan
3. Fill the gas tank before returning the car
If you have never rented a car before, you might believe that the car rental company is responsible for filling the gas tank. Don’t be fooled by this notion. Car rental companies will charge you if you come back with a half-filled or empty gas tank. A car rental company once asked us for the slip. So, it is always better to leave half an hour early and get your gas tank filled on the way when you are returning.
4. Don’t buy an additional driver
If you want to add another driver, car rental companies will charge you an additional driver fee. Most of the time, you are not going to need another driver so it is useless to go for an additional driver.
However, if you have planned a long trip and you feel the need of having another driver in the car then there is no harm in paying the additional fee.
5. Book in advance
Car rental companies provide discounts to people who book in advance. If you are hiring a car on short notice, you will have to pay more. For instance, if you go online and hire a car instantly, car rental companies will charge you more. On the other hand, if you book a for a week later, you will find many cheap deals.
6. Never rent a car at the airport
When you book a car from the airport, the car rental company will charge additional money for picking you up from the airport. This comes as no surprise because everything at the airport is overpriced, from a candy bar to a book.
While sometimes it makes sense to book a car at the airport, we found it more affordable to book a car by reaching the nearest car rental outlet.
When we landed at the Al Hamad International Airport in Doha, we searched for the best car rental on google and reached best Car Rental Services.
So, next time you think of hiring a car directly from the airport, search for the car rental companies near you, and compare rates to get a good deal.