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How to Save on a Car Rental
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    How to Save on a Car Rental

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    By Erin Huffstetler
    Updated January 30, 2018

    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.

  • 01
    Book Early

    carrental.jpg
    ••• Car Rental Shop. Photo © Erin Huffstetler

    The cheapest rental cars sell out quickly. Save yourself from the expense of a forced upgrade by booking a car as soon as you have solid travel plans.

  • 02
    Comparison Shop

    Call Center
    ••• 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.

  • 03
    Reserve the Smallest Car Possible

    Compact Cars
    ••• 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.

  • 04
    Compare Daily and Weekly Rates

    Car Rental App
    ••• Car Rental App. milindri/iStock/Getty Images Plus

    Daily and weekly rental rates can vary hugely. Before booking a daily rental, check to see if renting the vehicle for longer could net you a better deal.

  • 05
    Use a Non-Airport Facility

    Car Rental Counter
    ••• 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.

  • 06
    Skip the Rental Insurance

    Woman Signing Rental Insurance Paperwork
    ••• 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.

  • 07
    Ask for a discount

    10 Percent Off Graphic
    ••• 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.

  • 08
    Fill the Tank Yourself

    Woman Pumping Gas
    ••• 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.

  • 09
    Look for a Repositioning Deal

    State Sign
    ••• 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!

  • 10
    Become an Vehicle Transporter

    Driving on Highway
    ••• 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.

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