If you’re planning a vacation for Spring Break, paying for a rental car can stretch your budget. Getting a good deal is all about comparing rates and booking early.
Prices fluctuate a lot, so be sure you’re still checking prices even after you’ve booked. You can rebook if a better deal pops up.
Another tip: Make sure you’re not paying for insurance twice. Usually, your own car insurance covers you for rentals, which means you can skip the collision damage waiver they offer you at the counter. Be sure to double-check your own policy.
And if you book with a major credit card, many policies include collision coverage as a perk.
The other big way to save is to fill up the tank yourself on your way back to drop the car off. Those offers to pre-purchase a full tank from the rental car company aren’t such a good deal. It’s almost always cheaper when you do it yourself.
Don’t forget to check for discounts: Online coupon codes, AAA and AARP can all help you save on your rate.
Another thing to keep in mind: Booking a package deal is a great way to keep costs down. You’ll often find savings if you buy your airfare, hotel and car together.
More tips for saving:
- Keep in mind, for peak travel times to get the best rates and best selection of cars, booking six weeks ahead is a good idea. Most other times, two weeks ahead is fine.
- Don’t pay extra for GPS. If you have a cell phone, just download an app for driving directions. For example, AAA offers a free mobile app that provides directions, gas prices and allows you to compare hotel prices.
- Be aware, if you drop off the car off at a different location than where you pick it up, there’s a significant fee you’ll have to pay.
- If you get into an accident with a rental car, many companies stick you with a “loss of use” fee for the time the rental car is out of service while being repaired. Check with your credit card company if that happens, because it will often cover that charge.