Whether you're renting a car for a vacation or taking a short trip with a convertible, here's what you should keep in mind when booking in order to avoid additional costs and unnecessary risks.
FAQs
How to avoid common pitfalls when renting a car? ›
Check that the car has a full tank of gas (and if it doesn't, be sure it's noted so you don't have to pay for more gas than you used). Also, take photos and a video of the car, noting any damage (including scratches and dents), and make sure they're documented with an agent. Otherwise, you might have to pay.
How do I choose a good car rental? ›Consult Reviews
Explore these on an impartial third party site for unbiased recommendations, where you should look out for mentions of affordability, good customer service and high quality vehicles. Seeking word of mouth recommendations can also help you to find a top company in your local area.
Rental car rates, like hotels and airlines, fluctuate based on supply and demand. When you rent in advance, you can get better prices on certain days of the week and even at certain times of day. Some say that one of the best days to rent a car is on a Saturday.
Does time matter when booking a rental car? ›Do car rental prices go up closer to the date? Actually, not always — and not often. The NerdWallet analysis — accounting for the booking time frame across multiple destinations and car rental brands — discovered that renting a car even three days before your reservation start date can yield significant savings.
How can I avoid getting scammed on a rental car? ›Verify deals with the company directly.
Don't use a search engine result. Scammers can pay to place sponsored ads in search results, so they show up at the top or in the sponsored ad section. Pay with a credit card if possible, and never pay with a gift card or prepaid debit card.
When choosing a vehicle, always consider the type of vehicle required - seating and luggage capacity; the destination and type of terrain; and any optional extras required. Car hire companies offer a wide range of options, from zippy hatchbacks to luxurious SUVs, all with varying levels of space and suitability.
What is the most reliable car rental site? ›What is the best car rental company? Enterprise takes this competition in a unanimous decision. Enterprise offers the largest fleet, the lowest prices, the best rental car loyalty program overall and was also ranked as #1 in customer satisfaction per a study from JD Power.
What is the cheapest time to rent a car? ›Is it cheaper to book a rental car in advance or last minute? In general, booking a rental car in advance tends to be cheaper than waiting until the last minute. Rental car prices often increase as the travel date approaches, particularly during peak seasons or high-demand periods.
Can rental cars see how fast you go? ›The use of GPS tracking devices by car rental companies is one of the primary concerns for many people. These devices allow companies to monitor the location of the rental car, and some may also track speed, fuel consumption, and other data.
How does rental car timing work? ›Generally, rental cars are booked by the day, in a 24 hour blocks. A rental car is booked on the 20th for 5 days. In this example the pick-up time is 8am on the 20th and the drop-off time is 5pm on the 24th.
What happens if you are early to pick up a rental car? ›
What happens if you are early to pick up rental car? If you pick up your rental car a few hours early, the rental company will try to accommodate you if cars are available, but you won't receive a refund for unused time. However, you may be charged an extra day if the rental agency charges on a 24-hour basis.
How long after landing can you pick up a rental car? ›Airport Rental Locations in the US and Canada:
Reservations are valid for 24 hours from the scheduled time of pick-up for delayed flights and charges will not begin until the time of pick-up. Location will remain open for up to 2 hours after their posted closing time to accommodate delayed customers.
The problem is that production of less expensive cars ($25,000 or less) has suffered due to the chip shortage, and cars currently in rental fleets are largely leftovers from before the pandemic arrived. Many of them were also sold during the summer of 2020 as rental companies moved to reduce their fleets.
Why is rental car insurance unnecessary? ›Rental car insurance can be expensive — it can easily double your rental costs if you purchase a full coverage package. You also technically don't need to purchase insurance since rental cars are automatically covered for the minimum requirements in their state. However, it can still be worth it in some situations.
Why are car rentals so difficult now? ›A global microchip shortage that has cut production of new cars continues to deal a heavy blow to car rental companies, but most of the pain is being felt by travelers such as Jimenez who find themselves waiting in long lines, paying nearly double the rates of earlier this year, getting denied the vehicle they reserved ...