How To Save Money When You Rent A Car

You can save a bundle when renting a car by shopping around and skipping add-ons. You also need to compare total costs -- including fees and taxes.

Some rental companies place a block on the debit or credit card for more than the cost of the rental, so be careful if your bank account is low.
Paying in Advance
When shopping for a car rental, there are a lot of options to consider. One of the biggest choices is whether or not to pay in advance.

Prepaying for a rental car offers benefits to both the renter and the agency. For the renter, it's guaranteed money in the bank and allows them to avoid price fluctuations.

It can also save on time at the counter and give the renter more vehicle choices. But it does come with some downsides, such as higher cancellation fees and a lack of flexibility on dates.

Some opaque booking sites, such as Priceline and Hotwire, offer deep discounts in exchange for a prepaid reservation. These deals are often non-refundable, so it's important to be sure your travel plans are firm before using them. And car hire Paris beware of adding extra drivers or equipment, as these can add up quickly. In addition, many companies place a block on your card to protect themselves in the event that you don't return the Car Hire Paris as agreed.
Booking Directly
Many rental car companies charge high fees and require people to stand in long lines. If you are looking for a better alternative, consider renting from an individual through a peer-to-peer platform such as Getaround or Turo. This type of rental allows you to avoid the counter altogether and communicate with your host directly.

It is also worth checking with your credit card company to see if they have any special deals available for rental cars. In addition, be sure to check for extras such as mileage limits and required taxes.

When renting a car, it's best to use an incognito or private browser to prevent companies from scanning your computer and raising prices based on your previous searches. Also, be sure to sign up for a Rentalsystems account to make it easier to manage bookings and payments. You can even embed your calendar on your website so guests can search for availability and book instantly.
Using a Credit Card
Many rental companies require a credit card to rent a car. Some even refuse to rent cars to people who pay by debit card, especially at airport locations. You'll likely have to undergo a credit check and present additional forms of identification, such as a boarding pass or ticketed itinerary showing your return trip date.

Budget has more flexible requirements for debit card rentals than most other rental car companies, but it still requires two forms of ID and a return ticket. You'll also likely have to pay a deposit at pick-up that takes up to 20 days to refund.

Hertz requires a deposit of the estimated rental charges plus $500 at the time of pick-up, and it may perform a hard or soft credit check. It might also ask for a recent utility bill, paystub and references. Renting without a credit card is possible, but you'll forgo valuable protections like collision damage waiver coverage and lost vehicle assistance services.
Avoiding the Additional Driver Fee
The additional driver fee is an annoying and unnecessary extra charge, especially if you are renting a car for a short amount of time. However, there are ways around it.

For example, some credit cards provide their cardholders with rental car insurance that can be declined at the counter and used to avoid paying an additional driver fee. This option is a great way to save money and still have the peace of mind that comes with having your own rental car coverage.

Also, some rental car companies will waive the fee for certain types of qualifying additional drivers. Hertz, for instance, doesn’t charge the fee for a renter’s spouse or domestic partner. Similarly, Avis, Hertz, Dollar and Alamo don’t charge the fee for additional drivers who are members of their loyalty programs. In addition, some rental car companies, such as National, waive the fee for a renter’s business associate or employer (if rented under a corporate contract).