Renting a car this fall? Get your motor running.But, before heading out on the highway, it may be wise to rent the car ahead of time and then check back to see if you can snag a last-minute discount.
Unlike flight fees which generally rise as the departure date approaches, a MousePrint.org blogger found that his car rental prices gradually decreased in the days leading up to his pick-up date. In fact, the original price ranging in the high $400s dropped to $267 four days before the rental, which resulted in almost $200 in savings by tracking the car-rental fees.
Looking to save on auto rentals? Here are a few money-saving tips to help curb costs for those renting a car:
- Rent in the city: Columnist David Grossman says he saved $103 on a five-day rental after bypassing user fees on airport rentals and opting for a pick-up location in the city.
- Drop off at the airport: Save money on cab fares by dropping off the rental at the airport instead of the inner-city locale. Most agencies don't charge extra for dropping off at a different location.
- Capitalize on discounts: Many airlines offer discounts on car rentals as a customer-loyalty perk. Also, groups like the American Automobile Association (AAA) and the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) offer group savings.
- Avoid unnecessary insurance: Car rental companies generally recommend insurance consumers may or may not need. However, some auto insurance policies and a handful of credit cards cover car rental insurance. Check with your insurance provider and credit card company before shelling out the extra cash for coverage.
- Book online: Many car rental companies offer discounts for customers who book online versus calling in the reservation over the telephone. For example, Consumer United partner CheapOair offers discounted rates, starting at just $13 per day here.
