Rental car can be a big vacation expense if you are traveling on budget. Getting the best deal on the transportation is very important to keeping your vacation fun while staying within budget.
One way to keep costs as low as possible is to choose the smallest, most economical car you and your family are comfortable with. Choosing a compact, subcompact or economy car makes sense on a number of levels. For one thing, such budget rental cars are generally less pricey to rent in the first place.
The other important consideration, however, is a gas mileage. You as the renter of the car will be responsible for keeping it gassed up, including topping off the tank before returning it.
Buying a car that gets great mileage will definitely help your travel budget stretch farther.
If you need a bigger rental car or minivan, it is important to shop around for the best deal you can find. While it is important to shop around no matter what type of car you are considering, it is even more important when trying to budget rental cars for which there is a lot of demand, like convertibles, minivans or SUV's.
Shopping around at a number of travel-related web sites, as well as at the web sites of the budget rental car companies themselves, is usually the finest way to grab the best deal.
1. Weekly budget rental cars
The length of the rental can have a huge impact on the cost as well. Weekly rentals are often far less costly than a comparable daily rate spread over a week. So if your vacation plans are for a week or more, be sure to inquire about special rates.
2.Joining Renter Club
Joining the frequent renter club or using the same rental car company each time is a great way to get some special coupons and some very good deals.
In addition, most budget rental car companies associate with at least one airline to provide frequent flyer miles or other types of rewards when you rent a budget rental car.
In addition, many airlines run bonus programs where you get extra miles or extra credit. So be sure to inquire about these bonuses when making your reservation.
3.Insurance Coverage
Another great way to save money and keep your budget, while taking rental car, low is not to buy things you do not need. In most cases, this means waiving the optional collision insurance coverage offered by the rental car company.
Many budget rental car companies really push this insurance, but in most cases you are already covered and can securely decline it. For example, most automobile insurance policies already provide collision coverage for budget rental cars, so be sure to check with your car insurance company before starting to plan your vacation.
Even if your insurance company does not cover your rental car, chances are one of your credit card companies does. Many credit cards provide coverage for rental car paid for with the card, so be sure to check with your credit card company to see if they offer this coverage.
4.Going for Used Rental car
Another method to keep rental car costs to a minimum, and one that many people are unaware of, is renting a used budget rental car.
There are a number of large national companies, and a number of smaller local companies as well, that rent used rental cars at a much lower price than comparable new cars. In most cases, these rental cars are only a few years old, and they provide the same protection, and the same transportation as more costly new budget rental cars.
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U Drive Takes The Waiting Out of Online Car Rental in Ireland
(ContentDesk) February 15, 2006 -- UDrive Ireland, a car rental enterprise, this week announced its launch in Ireland, marking one of the latest entrants to the online car hire sector in the Irish travel market. The emergence of online car rental in recent years, particularly across the world's developed markets, has prompted consumers to shop around for the most competitive car hire deals according to Tony Russell, managing director of UDrive Ireland.Speaking at the launch of the company's web based online booking facility in Limerick - http://www.udriveireland.com - he said that they had a proven business model and were confident it would prove hugely successful with both business and leisure travellers to Ireland."We see tremendous opportunity here and our move into the car rental market in Ireland is the next logical step for us. We are already servicing the commercial hire market with our fleeet of vans and we are confident...
U Drive Takes The Waiting Out of Online Car Rental in Ireland
Is Your Last Minute Travel Always More Expensive Than A Well-Planned One?
Last Minute Travel doesn't have to lead to expense. Let us show you how to get the best deals and bargains without the stress. For any last minute vacations, it pays to know when the most expensive travel periods are. The high demand for travel during certain periods drives the prices up for most essentials like airline tickets, cruises, hotel rooms and rental cars. Fortunately, there are a few free tools, tricks and sites that you can use to make your last minute travel cheaper, faster, easier and more fun! The other alternative is to buy last minute vacation packages.
They are generally good but only if you cannot locate a cheap airfare. And an understanding of how the airlines operate will help you get that cheap last minute airline tickets. As for hotel reservations, it's true that most often you do get a better rate by simply picking the phone either from a phone booth nearby to book rather walking to the reservation counter. Another way you can save on your car rental is...
Is Your Last Minute Travel Always More Expensive Than A Well-Planned One?
U Drive Takes The Waiting Out of Online Car Rental in Ireland
(ContentDesk) February 15, 2006 -- UDrive Ireland, a car rental enterprise, this week announced its launch in Ireland, marking one of the latest entrants to the online car hire sector in the Irish travel market. The emergence of online car rental in recent years, particularly across the world's developed markets, has prompted consumers to shop around for the most competitive car hire deals according to Tony Russell, managing director of UDrive Ireland.Speaking at the launch of the company's web based online booking facility in Limerick - http://www.udriveireland.com - he said that they had a proven business model and were confident it would prove hugely successful with both business and leisure travellers to Ireland."We see tremendous opportunity here and our move into the car rental market in Ireland is the next logical step for us. We are already servicing the commercial hire market with our fleeet of vans and we are confident...
U Drive Takes The Waiting Out of Online Car Rental in Ireland
Rent One Online to Provide Avis and Budget Rental Cars to Vacation Rental Travelers
Scotts Valley, CA (ContentDesk) April 20 , 2006 -- Rent One Online is introducing the ability for travelers to vacation rental properties to get quotes and book Avis and Budget rental cars via Rent One Onlines rental property management and vacation travel software.
Rent One Onlines solution is used by vacation rental managers, destination area real estate offices, resorts and web sites that list vacation rental properties.Rent One Online is the first vacation rental company to directly integrate car rental booking within its web-based reservation and vacation property management software. Rent One Online, and its network of customers, can now offer quality Avis and Budget rental cars to vacation rental travelers from the initial point of booking through the point of stay. Rental managers win by providing better service and by sharing in the travel agency commission received by Rent One Online; the vacation rental traveler wins via the convenience of a one-stop shop...
Global Rental Database Adds New Dimension to Its Website
Why spend your time searching the web for vacation information when you can find it all-activities, attractions, and lodging information-in one stop?
RentalsExpress.com not only offers great deals on top vacation rentals in the most popular vacation destinations, but now also offers informative articles on each state and its top tourism spots.Constantly adapting the website to fit the needs of both vacation rental searchers and the property owners who list their vacation homes, RentalsExpress.com is quickly becoming the most comprehensive vacation rental website of its kind.
No longer will vacationers have to search multiple websites to find tourism information on their destination.
RentalsExpress.com now offers state, regional, and local information on everything from the best antique store to the most magnificent state park.
While searching for a rental property in Vail, Colorado, for example, visitors to the website can also read about the top restaurants...
Vacation Rental For The Family
Opting for vacation rentals is one of the best ways to keep a handle on your family vacation. Vacation rentals, rental cottages or cabins can be a great way to stretch your vacation budget too!
Not only will a week's vacation rental generally cost you less than the same time's stay in a local hotel, you'll save even more on meals because you have access to a kitchen.
Most major resort and vacation areas have dozens or even hundreds of short-term vacation rentals that are available throughout the tourist season, and sometimes year round. Choosing the right family vacation rental is a matter of figuring out what your family wants and finding a rental cottage or cabin that fits the bill. There are some particulars you should consider when looking for last minute vacation rentals.
Location
Where your vacation rental is will be nearly as important as what it is. Look for a rental cottage that's close to major attractions,...
Car Rental Guidelines
Rates for the same-size car can vary widely from company to company with extra costs nearly doubling the basic rental rate. Ask the reservation clerk to calculate the total cost of the rental, including such extras as mileage, insurance, taxes (including airport taxes if the pick-up point is at the airport) and any other charges. Get everything in writing and make sure you have a confirmation numbers. If you plan on extensive driving, get the unlimited mileage rate and watch for extra driver fees, unnecessary insurance coverage, etc. Ask about special deals.
If you're a member of AA, a travel club, a group or association, discounts might be available. Insurance can cost from $5 to $15 a day. Review your car insurance policy. You might already be covered for a rental car. Some credit card companies offer free coverage to Gold Card holders.
Before picking up the car, make a brief visual inspection for nicks, dents, scratches, etc. If you don't spot them before you drive off,...
Car Rental Guidelines