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DestinationVillas.com Reveals 10 Tips to Finding Budget Rental Cars
10 Road Trip Car Rental Tips to Stay on a Budget
Before your drive off into the sunset in your rental car on a road trip we have a few basic tips that could save you a bundle and take the sticker shock out of your next rental car contract. Make your next car rental cheaper. DestinationVillas.com offers budget car rental tips that can save you plenty.
1. Always Ask for Discounts: most rental companies offer sizable discounts for association memberships in AARP or AAA, but you have to ask to receive.
2. Local’s Discounts. If you own vacation property in a Hawaii ask about getting a Kamaina (pronounced Ka-ma-i-na) discount, it will reduce your total bill by as much as 35%. Other destinations offer long-term discounts, so be sure to inquire, as policies will vary by location.
3. Don’t Super Size Just Yet. If you want to save money on a larger vehicle, pre-select a smaller car when you book the reservation. Once you arrive at the rental desk, you can often negotiate an upgrade for far less than you’d pay if you ordered the larger vehicle outright. (Average savings of $100 per weekly rental)
4. Do Your Homework. Prices and discounts vary widely from company to company. Find the cheapest car rental rate with just one click at Priceline.com or Travelocity.com Remember, once you have narrowed down your options it still pays to call and speak to a representative who can offer more specialized discounts and bargains to get you the best rental cars deals.
5. Join the Club. Most rental car companies offer club memberships that include discounts and other perks. Usually they are free to join. Membership does have its rewards, so be sure to join prior to your departure.
6. Insurance Costs Add Up. Rental companies profit by selling you insurance coverage for the duration of your rental. Know before you go…call your insurance company at home to find out if your personal policy will cover rentals as well. The savings can be as high as $37.00 per day!
7. Calculate Fuel Costs. Get a good gage on what it will cost to fuel any vehicle using a great tool provided via RoadTripAmerica.com’s Fuel Cost Calculator.
8. Pick Up Your Rental at a Nearby Hotel. If you can take the free hotel shuttle from the airport, you can save on a day’s rental cost, not to mention the hassle of driving from the airport. Most vacation properties are in close proximity to a hotel that has car rental offices right on the property.
9. Inspect the car with the agent. It’s a good idea to preview the vehicle with the agent to take note of stains, scratches or dings so that you are not held responsible. Never accept a vehicle that is in poor condition.
10. Access our Rental Car Resource Page. Our rental car resource page offers a complete listing of 800#’s and web addresses.
About DestinationVillas.com
Find a vacation rental home, villa, cabin, or beach house and save up to 70% when you rent by owner. Destination Villas offers a comprehensive listing of vacation villas and homes coast-to-coast, plus helpful tools such as a Last-Minute Deals and destination guides.
Destination Villas, founded by a vacation rental homeowner, is dedicated to providing tools that help vacation rental homeowners manage and maintain Profitable Properties.
Contact:
info@destinationvillas.com
Tori Milan
609-392-3703
