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01Book Early
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02Comparison Shop
••• Call Center. Image Source/Digital Vision/Getty Images Did you know that the rates offered through a rental company's website, 1-800 number and local office aren't always the same? It's true. To ensure you're getting the best price possible, check all three sources, and then compare those rates to the rates offered through independent travel sites like Travelocity, Expedia and Orbitz.
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03Reserve the Smallest Car Possible
••• Compact Cars. LIVINUS/iStock/Getty Images Plus Reserve the smallest car that meets your needs, and hope for a free upgrade to a roomier vehicle. Rental companies frequently overbook their smaller fleets, resulting in the need to upgrade customers. Roll the dice, and one of those customers could be you.
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04Compare Daily and Weekly Rates
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05Use a Non-Airport Facility
••• Couple Picking Up Keys at Car Rental Counter. Jacob Wackerhausen/E+/Getty Images Airport rental counters sure are convenient, but just how much are you paying for that convenience? To find out, call around, and compare the rates of a few off-site facilities. You may just find that the savings is worth the hassle of a short trek to an outside office.
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06Skip the Rental Insurance
••• Woman Signing Rental Insurance Paperwork. Westend61/Getty Images Rental insurance may not be as vital as rental companies lead you to believe. Before agreeing to extra charges, call your auto insurance provider to find out if your coverage extends to rentals (usually it does).
Note: If you decide to buy the insurance, be sure you're buying it directly from the rental company. Many of the travel comparison sites will try to sell you their own insurance, and it may not be as comprehensive.
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07Ask for a discount
••• 10 Percent Off. 3d-Guru/iStock/Getty Images Plus Want a better price than you've been quoted? Just ask for it. Rental companies have all sorts of discounts – AAA, AARP – you name it. Many will even lower their price to beat a competitor's. Fish around for a better rate, and you're likely to get it.
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08Fill the Tank Yourself
••• Woman Pumping Gas. Classen Rafael /EyeEm/Getty Images Did you know that most rental companies charge a hefty surcharge if you don't return the car with a full tank of gas? As if today's gas prices aren't bad enough! Check your rental contract to see if this is part of the agreement, and if necessary, fill up the car before taking it back.
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09Look for a Repositioning Deal
••• State Sign. miroslav_1/iStock/Getty Images Plus When too many rental vehicles end up at slow locations, they need to be moved to busy locations. One way this is accomplished is by offering renters a special deal on one-way trips. Dig through the deals on Thrifty.com, and you'll find rentals for as little as $1 a day!
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10Become an Vehicle Transporter
••• Driving on Highway. Douglas Sacha/Moment/Getty Images Skip the car rental all together, and become a vehicle transporter. Companies like autodriveaway.com have vehicles that they need to get from one location to another. If you're chosen for one of their transports, you'll get a free ride and a free tank of gas.
How to Save on a Car Rental
Hitting the road in a rental car doesn't have to mean taking a hit to your wallet. Here are 10 simple ways to reduce the cost of your next rental.