Hi there, new car renter! If you’re looking for help with car rental abroad or domestically, you’ve come to the right place.
Renting a car can be a little nerve-wracking, especially if you’ve never done it before. To make the process better, we’ve put together a list of everything we’ve learned to help you have a good experience. Our goal is to help make your vacation better than it would have been otherwise!
Listed below are some tried-and-true tips that every first-timer needs to know.
Avoid Paying Airport Surcharges
If you can, avoid renting from the airport. Airport rental fees are usually higher than those at off-airport locations.
You May Be Able to Skip Rental Insurance
Car rental companies are very eager to sell you on a car insurance plan. But if you already have auto insurance, it may cover the cost of collision damage to a rental car and even personal liability. It’s worth calling your insurance provider to see what coverage you have. Additionally, many travel credit cards offer secondary CDW as a benefit.
Get the Right Credit Card
We recommend renting a car with a credit card that includes primary rental insurance. The Chase Sapphire Reserve is our top pick because it offers many valuable benefits, including primary rental insurance. When you use it to rent a car, you get primary coverage around the world up to $75,000.
Do Your Research
Start by looking at a site like Discover Cars or other price comparison websites to get an idea of how much you’ll pay for a rental. Renting a car can be stressful, but if you go with a well-known company, such as Alamo, Enterprise, Avis, or SiXT, you can expect high-quality, hassle-free services. These companies also have websites that you can check and compare prices against.
When researching car rental companies, read reviews of the exact branch you plan to use.
Fill up The Tank Yourself
If your rental car comes with a full tank, you should plan to fuel up at a local pump before you return it. Rental car companies will charge a premium on gas if you fail to do so.
It’s Best to Have One Driver for Your Vehicle
If you plan on adding a second driver, ask your rental car company about the additional driver fees before you arrive at the lot. If it’s not a long-distance trip, it may be more economical to designate a driver who’ll stay behind the wheel rather than pay for the extra person.