Last-minute car rentals may save money

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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
   

Click here for additional money-saving tips.

Six tricks to avoid when renting a car

Renting a car this summer travel season? Get your motor running.

But, before heading out on the highway, make sure you avoid the games car rental companies are playing to raise revenue from unsuspecting consumers. Yep, rental groups are getting creative with a slew of odd add-on fees and wacky rules in an apparent attempt to lift their profits.

The folks over at CNN serve up a list of six odd rules consumers should steer clear when shopping for a summer car rental:

1. The price game
Agents are charging exorbitant late fees, like $1,000 a day with one example in Dayton, Ohio, and are even raising rates if patrons return their rentals early. The remedy? Secure a rate online using a site like Priceline or CheapOair.

2. Age limits often apply
Under 25-years-old? You may have to shell out additional cash. Car rental companies often add a $20 a day or more surcharge to your bill. If you're younger than 21, it may be almost impossible to score an auto.

3. Additional drivers cost more
Plan to share the wheel with another driver? Buyer beware. If there's a second driver, car rental groups often charge additional fees running about $10 to $12 per day.

4. Child safety seats cost more
Even though safety seats for children is a requirement, some car rental companies are tagging on a surcharge for upgrading car seats for kids.

5. Car sizes redefined
Some sneaky car rental companies are changing the class of the vehicle--from compact to a mid-size auto-- in an attempt to raise rates for unsuspecting consumers.

6. Short trips penalized
Plan to drive under 75 miles in a rented car? You may be penalized. Rental companies are charging an automatic refueling service charge for those taking shorter trips.

Click here for the lowdown.

Weekly Deals: Skype, flights and car rentals

Deal Of The Week:
Skype: Consumer United members can save 33 percent off three or 12-month calling subscriptions with Skype, the Internet voice and video conferencing firm that initially operated on a pay-as-you-go basis, until June 1, 2010 here.

Other Weekly Deals:
Restaurant.com: Score $25 gift cards to restaurants around the country until Monday, May 17 for only $4 using Consumer United's special promo code INDULGE here.

Flights: Big savings on Spirit Airlines! Extra $15 off when you book your tickets with CheapOair.com

Car Rentals: Save up to 40% on seven major car vendors at CarRentals, LLC

Morning Deals: Maid service, car rentals & flights

Deal Of The Day:

Maid Service: Free maid service For a lucky winner at Cleaningforareason.org

Other Morning Deals:

Car Rentals: Car rentals from $8.98 a day: 7 major car vendors, 15,000 locations!

Flights: Save big on Memorial Day airfare deals- plus extra $24 off. Promo code MEMORIAL9 and up to $15 off!

Morning Deals: Portraits, flights & car rentals

Deal Of The Day

Portraits: Free 8X10 portrait from the Picture People

Other Morning Deals:

Business Flights: Save big on business class airfare - plus use promo code BIZ35 to get additional $35 off- book now with CheapOair.com

Car Rentals: Rentals from $8.98 A Day: 7 major car vendors, 15,000 locations, save up to 40%!

Morning Deals: Shampoo, flights & car rentals

Deal Of The Day:

Shampoo: Free Pantene Shampoo from Vocal Point

Other Morning Deals:

Flights: CheapOair.com round trip flight deals under $150- book flight tickets for less than $150!

Car Rentals: Book cheap car rentals on CheapOair.com- starting at just $13 per day

Morning Deals: Turbo Tax, flights & car rentals

Deal Of The Day:

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Other Morning Deals:

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Car Rentals: $8.98 A Day- 7 major car vendors, 15,000 locations- save up to 40%

Morning Deals: Restaurant.com, hotels & car rentals

Deal Of The Day:

Restaurant.com: Free $25 gift card for first 500 people

Other Morning Deals:

Hotels: Save between $20 and $100 on all hotel bookings now!

Car Rentals: From $8.98 a day- save up to 40% on 7 major car vendors at Car Rentals LLC

Money-saving tips to curb car-rental costs

Renting a car this holiday season? Get your motor running. A columnist at USA Today serves up several money-saving tips to help curb costs for those renting a car.

Here are a few highlights:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
   

Click here for additional money-saving tips.

Morning Deals: Chi Chi's, flights & rentals

Deal Of The Day:

Chi-Chi's: Free reusable bag

Other Morning Deals:

Flights: Florida fares from $44 into December at Travelzoo.com

Rentals: Car rentals from $8.98 a day- save up to 40%.