Rental Car Tips to Save You Money
In certain locations, it is almost impossible for you to get around without a rental car. These services are a lifesaver in terms of mobility, particularly on vacation. However, there are often hidden fees that can quickly add up. Here are a few ways to save some money on your next rental car:
Do not use the GPS
This doesn’t necessarily mean that can’t use GPS at all, just that youdon’t have to use the GPS that the rental company is offering. You can opt to use your phone instead.
Internationally, GPS can cost you as much as $15 a day. It is often significantly cheaper to purchase a SIM card in the country you are visiting, which will allow you to access the internet and therefore GPS. Many countries offer data plans for $15 or under that will effectively cover GPS services as well as standard data uses like social media and email.
Don’t just fill your tank anywhere
This is a no brainer, but it needs to be said. A lot of the time, travelling can make you unaware of what reasonable gas prices are. The funny thing is that you could be paying a boatload of extra cash and just not know it. So, wherever you’re going, make sure to do some research.
This way, you can easilytell the difference between a good place to fill up and one that is significantly more expensive than the surrounding area.
If you’re going international, don’t get airport pickup
While this isn’t the best news in terms of convenience, it can help save you money. The truth is that if you’re going out of the country and you want to save some cash on your rental car, then you may want to skip the airport pickup.
A lot of rental companies will charge you up to $30 extra just for picking up from the airport. Instead, you can pick up a car at a neighborhood location outside of the airport. If you’re traveling in a city, thenthis should be fairly simple. Many companies choose their location specifically for the proximity to major roads and landmarks, so by sacrificing a little convenience you can save serious cash.
Always ensure that your car is returned full
Apart from the legendary scam of the Nigerian prince, the “pay for gas” option just might be the biggest fib out there. Rental companies end up chargingas much as three times the amount of local gas stations, so if you don’t return the car with a full tank of gas, you will end up paying through the nose just to have them fill it up.
Lastly, never agree to make a pre-payment for gas. Just opt for the “return on full” option, get the car, fill it up when you’re done, and return it.
