Be Smart and Save Money With Free Car Rental Tips

It should be made clear at the outset that no one company can be singled out as to be he best car rental agency. Each company has their own special deals and services and it depends more on the customer and his specific needs as to what agency to go for. But one simple thumb rule can be, that, if you are renting for less than a week it is better to go for a major company like Avis or Hertz. And in case of a longer period any local company generally proves to be much more cost effective. But before you go for a local company you should understand that these companies do not have a strong support service system, so it is always better to avoid such agencies in case you are planning for extensive travel.

Having decided on the agency the nest thing that needs to be sorted out is the car. Generally all the agencies provide with cars fitted with automatic transmission engines. So if you are looking for one with standard transmission you should inform them of your choice well in advance and even then you might be refused as such cars are extremely uncommon these days. Another thing to be kept in mind is to request for a child's car restraint seat in case you are traveling with children below two years. It is mandatory to have that arrangement in most states of the USA.

Next comes the issue of license. One does not require an International License while driving in the US as any national driving license is considered valid. But it sure does help to carry an International License as it is much easier to convince the agent of a rental company that way, who otherwise might not be able to make much sense of licenses issued from other countries.

The most important decision regarding renting a car is about the price. Rental prices offered by the companies across the board are very competitive. So the deciding factor often becomes the various discount offers that are being made and among them which ones you can avail. If you work for a company that is a regular client of any rental agency you might be offered a discounted price. Again there are also package offers where your airfare and car rent could be bundled together at a lower price. In any case you need to invest your time wisely and do an initial research before you finally opt for an agency. The Internet can be a great help while you research.

The rental agencies do offer insurance but they charge a stiff price for the service. It is a much better option to get your own automobile insurance cover you anytime you are driving within the US. Another alternative would be to use the right credit card as many banks provide you with insurance against collision damage or theft if you use their card to rent a car.

Before you pick your car from the station be sure to look for any damage on the body or in the interiors and if you do find any report immediately to the agent. You should also check if all the lights are working properly. Upon return get the check-in attendant to examine the car in front of you and settle any disputes then and there. And finally, be sure to return the car early, or else you might have to pay a heavy penalty.

For more information about other travel and vacation ideas choose from one of the following pages: