Get a Great Rental Car Deal Using the Internet and Your Legs
Posted: Monday, March 16, 2009
by Richard Edmunds
Car Rental Guide
When renting a car several things are required. You need a credit card to make the deal, a reservation and confirmation. You can do this on the internet if you have the time. You might find that you get a really good deal and save some money this way. Besides, there is no risk in checking around for the best deal.
Rental companies all want you to believe that the price for car X is always Y, and that the amount is carved in stone. But the reality is that car rental rates are always fluctuating, even within the same company. Watch the rates rise and lower, and in time you'll be able to identify good deals when you see them. This article outlines a technique that is legal and simple to get the best value possible for your dollar. Read on and learn how to save your hard-earned money on rentals!
2. Wear your walking shoes and don't forget your laptop!
3. At the rental car company, use your computer and go to Hotwire, Priceline, or any other discount website. Normally, you are not allowed to reserve rental cars within two hours prior to your pickup time, so be prepared to wait. You might want to bring a novel to occupy your time. At the website, choose a reservation for your necessary length of time. Then pick the class of car just under the one you actually desire.
4. If you use Hotwire you will get a total for the best deal they offer you. From there you can research other companies to try to get a better deal. If you find a cheaper price then go with it and you will save some money. If Hotwire is best, go back and keep that reservation.
5. Shop around and negotiate to get the best price. Reservation price and discount estimate in hand, travel from one agency to the next to get the best price possible. Be creative and polite. Rental agencies want as much traffic as they can, and the more people that visit, the better location the agency will receive. To this end, car rental agencies in airports want to give you a good rate so that you will return.
6. Keep going until you've visited with them every car rental agency. Let them know about the discounts the other companies have offered you. Let Avis Car Rental know that Budget offered you $10 off. They may offer you a lower price. Don't forget, they want you as a customer. Make them compete to be your rental car company of choice.
7. Once you make your reservation you can still search for a better one. If you find that better deal simply call and cancel your original. You have nothing to lose and possibly a better deal to make.
8. As a final attempt to sweeten your deal, tell the agent that you'll only accept the deal if they upgrade you to the next class of rental car for the same price. This is actually the easiest thing for the car rental agent to do. It's usually the agent's decision. Obviously, however, this won't work if they are sold out.
Don't take the first deal you find. There are easy ways to get a lower rate when renting a car. Give yourself time to comparison shop. Practicing this technique will help you save money and will show the rental agencies you won't be pushed around.
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