Why not try a budget car rental and enjoy the independent experience it offers; the convenience of having a car whenever you need to travel should not be underestimated. The problem is finding a company that doesn't rent budget cars, you know, the sort that sound like they should be mowing the lawn. Perhaps a slight exaggeration on my part but when renting a car you do have to be careful. Just so you do not get caught out with your rental car I have decided to pass on a few pointers that may be of assistance.
One way that can help is to use a web site for budget car rental that allows you to set your own upper spending limit. Some of these sites are just comparison sites but well worth your time as they have done all the hard work for you. When you look, pay attention to the fly-drive packages as they will often discount car rentals although the airlines are not so accommodating. Of course the airlines realize they have a captive audience when people visit their site to book a flight and do not need to discount their car rental.
Just remember that you are likely to come across some amazing budget car rental deals on the internet if you look. In fact many car rental web sites will only give a discount if you book online with them. Shopping around on the internet can be fun and save you money as there is almost always a special offer available with one car Rental Company or another. Don't forget that the only effort required to find these car rental deals is to logon to the internet, how easy is that.
Sometimes, just when you think you have managed to get a really good deal. You find your credit card company has another surprise when it has organized a discount with the budget car rental company on top of any you have already arranged. It is quite common these days for a company to have made an arrangement with other companies to give discounts to their employees or members so you may be lucky enough to receive a further discount here.
Another tip is to check you rental car carefully and let the company know of any damage you find before you drive away. In addition, try to check out all the accessories, wipers, radio, brakes, seat belts etc, to familiarize yourself with them, and also to check if they work, like the previous tip, you might be charged for this if you don't inform them.
Before you decide to use the rental company's insurance plans, take a look at your own policy as you will probably find that it covers rental car insurance as well. Rental car insurance doesn't cost much, but if you already have one why buy another; always make sure you have auto insurance anyway, as the penalties for driving without adequate cover are severe.
By Francisco Segura