The Dos and Don’ts of Choosing a Rental Car: Tips from Experts

Renting a car can be a great way to explore new places, enjoy the freedom of the road, and save money on transportation costs. However, renting a car can also be a daunting and confusing process, especially if you are not familiar with the rules, regulations, and options involved. To help you avoid common pitfalls and make the best decision for your needs, here are some dos and don’ts of choosing a rental car, with tips from experts.

Do: Compare Prices and Options Online

One of the best ways to find a cheap and suitable rental car is to compare prices and options online before you book. There are many websites and apps that allow you to search for rental cars from different companies, locations, dates, and categories. You can also filter your results by price, rating, features, fuel policy, insurance, and more. Some of the most popular websites and apps for comparing rental cars are:

Discover Cars: This website allows you to compare prices from over 500 car rental companies in more than 10,000 locations worldwide. You can also find deals, discounts, and free cancellations on most bookings.
Rentalcars.com: This website is one of the largest online car rental services in the world, offering over 900 car rental companies in 160 countries. You can also access customer reviews, ratings, and support.
Kayak: This website is a well-known travel search engine that lets you compare prices from hundreds of car rental companies across the globe. You can also find flexible options, such as pay now or pay later, free cancellation, or no booking fees.

By comparing prices and options online, you can save time and money, as well as find the best deal for your needs.

Don’t: Rent at the Airport Without Checking Other Options

While renting a car at the airport may seem convenient and easy, it may not be the cheapest or best option for you. Many airports charge a premium for renting a car there, as they have higher taxes, fees, and demand. According to The Points Guy, renting at the airport can cost you up to 50% more than renting elsewhere.

Therefore, before you rent a car at the airport, check other options nearby or in the city center. You may find lower rates and better availability there. You can also use public transportation or a taxi to get to your alternative pick-up location, which may still be cheaper than renting at the airport.

Do: Choose the Right Size and Type of Car for Your Needs

Another important factor to consider when choosing a rental car is the size and type of car that suits your needs. Depending on how many people you are traveling with, how much luggage you have, where you are going, and what kind of driving experience you want, you may need a different kind of car.

For example:

If you are traveling alone or with one other person, and you don’t have much luggage or need much space, you may want to choose a small or compact car. These cars are usually cheaper to rent and more fuel-efficient than larger ones.
If you are traveling with a family or a group of friends, and you have a lot of luggage or need more comfort and safety features, you may want to choose a medium or large car. These cars are usually more spacious and comfortable than smaller ones.
If you are traveling to a place with rough terrain or weather conditions, or you want to have some fun off-road adventures, you may want to choose an SUV or a 4×4 car. These cars are usually more powerful and durable than regular ones.

By choosing the right size and type of car for your needs, you can avoid paying for unnecessary features or compromising on your comfort and safety.

Don’t: Pay for Extras You Don’t Need

When renting a car, you may be tempted or pressured to pay for extras that you don’t really need or want. These extras may include:

Insurance: Car rental companies often try to upsell you on their insurance plans, which can be expensive and redundant if you already have your own coverage. Before you rent a car, check if your personal auto insurance policy or credit card covers rental car insurance. If they do, you can decline the rental company’s insurance and save money.
GPS: Car rental companies often charge extra for providing GPS navigation systems in their cars, which can be useful but not essential. If you have a smartphone, you can use it as a GPS by downloading maps and directions offline or using mobile data. You can also bring your own GPS device or buy a local map.
Child seats: Car rental companies often charge extra for providing child safety seats in their cars, which can be mandatory if you are traveling with children. However, you can also bring your own child seat or buy one locally, which may be cheaper and safer than renting one.
Toll passes: Car rental companies often charge extra for providing toll passes in their cars, which can be convenient but not cost-effective. If you are driving on toll roads, you can pay for the tolls yourself at the booth or online, or avoid them altogether by taking alternative routes.

By paying for extras you don’t need, you can end up spending more money than you planned. Therefore, be careful and selective when choosing extras for your rental car.

Do: Check the Fuel Policy and Mileage Limit

Another thing to pay attention to when choosing a rental car is the fuel policy and mileage limit of the car rental company. These policies can affect how much you pay for gas and how far you can drive.

The most common fuel policies are:

Full-to-full: This means that you pick up the car with a full tank of gas and return it with a full tank of gas. This way, you only pay for the gas that you use, and you don’t have to worry about refueling charges or penalties.
Full-to-empty: This means that you pay for a full tank of gas when you pick up the car and return it as empty as possible. This way, you don’t have to worry about refueling the car, but you may end up paying for more gas than you use, especially if you don’t drive a lot.
Prepaid: This means that you pay for a certain amount of gas in advance when you book the car, and you can use it as much as you want. This way, you can save money if the prepaid price is lower than the market price, but you may lose money if the prepaid price is higher or if you don’t use all the gas.

The most common mileage limits are:

Unlimited: This means that you can drive as far as you want without paying extra fees or penalties. This is ideal if you plan to cover long distances or explore different places.
Limited: This means that you have a maximum number of miles that you can drive per day or per rental period. If you exceed this limit, you have to pay extra fees or penalties. This is suitable if you plan to stay within a certain area or drive short distances.

By checking the fuel policy and mileage limit of your rental car, you can avoid surprises and extra costs when returning the car.

Don’t: Forget to Inspect the Car Before and After

One of the most important things to do when renting a car is to inspect the car before and after your rental period. This can help you avoid problems, disputes, and charges related to the condition of the car.

Before you pick up the car, do a walk-around inspection and look for any visible damage, such as scratches, dents, cracks, stains, or missing parts. Note any problems on the contract and take photos or videos as evidence. Make sure that the headlights, windows, power steering, brakes, and other features work properly. Also note the location and operation of the gas tank, trunk, doors, and locks.

After you drop off the car, do another walk-around inspection and look for any new damage that may have occurred during your rental period. Report any problems to the staff and take photos or videos as evidence. Make sure that the gas tank is filled according to the fuel policy and that the car is clean and tidy.

By inspecting the car before and after your rental period, you can protect yourself from being held responsible for any damage or issues that are not your fault.

Conclusion

Renting a car can be a great way to travel and enjoy your trip. However, it can also be a challenging and stressful process if you don’t know what to do and what to avoid. By following these dos and don’ts of choosing a rental car, with tips from experts, you can make the best decision for your needs and budget. You can also have a smooth and hassle-free rental experience.

FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions about choosing a rental car:

Q: How do I find the best deal on a rental car?
A: The best way to find a good deal on a rental car is to compare prices and options online before you book. You can also look for discounts, coupons, or loyalty programs that can save you money.
Q: What documents do I need to rent a car?
A: The documents that you need to rent a car may vary depending on the country and company that you rent from.