10 things to avoid when renting a car for a road trip
There is nothing more satisfying than arriving in a new city, getting off the plane with your bag in your hand, and then taking the next step to get behind the wheel of a newer car. Your rental is now yours, the road is your guide, and you have no worries, it is, after all, a rental.
There is a bit of dirt on the floor of this new car, but you know it’s surface stuff. Beyond that and deeper into securing that rental, there may be issues that you are not aware of. Here are a few things to avoid.
ten Choosing an unreliable car rental company
There are many well-known brands in the car rental industry like Hertz, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, etc., and they are well known for spending a lot of time and money on developing the service they provide to. their clients.
Unfortunately, they’re not always the cheapest, and sometimes the oblivious traveler will find a deal too good to be true with an unknown company. As the savvy traveler knows, “If it’s too good to be true, it probably isn’t. Stick with well-known suppliers.
9 Choosing the wrong car
There is probably nothing more negative than getting your family members into the car with all the luggage and then being a few miles from the rental desk when you realize, “This just won’t work. Either the car is too small or you really don’t need all the size you’re pushing on the road.
Most car rental companies with an online service tell you how many seats are in the car, how much luggage can fit, and some even suggest which size to choose based on your plans.
8 The mystery of auto insurance
Once you get to the car rental counter, you can always expect a chat about auto insurance. There are usually several options to choose from, so it’s always in your best interest to do your homework before standing with your family.
If you are tired of a long line upon arrival at the airport, or are in a hurry to hit the road because the family is waiting, you may be making the wrong decision about which insurance to buy. you need.
seven Not doing a thorough inspection
It takes about 15 to 20 minutes to do a full vehicle inspection which includes all fenders, tires, interior, and even safety equipment. In fact, the rental representative will likely have a checklist for you to approve. To protect yourself even more, take a photo both when picking up the car and before dropping it off.
There have been cases where ignorant and confident customers received repair bills long after the trip was over. It is always wise to be vigilant here!
6 Pay for gasoline in advance
In most cases, it’s never a good idea to pay for the gasoline you’ll use when you rent the car. There is usually an additional charge from the rental company, and it could cost you a lot of money depending on how many miles you put on the car.
The rules of normal car use can really help. Since you can refuel once or twice during your trip, it’s also easy to stop at a gas station right before you get in the car and refuel.
5 Not confirming the pickup point
Unless you are very familiar with the airport and the area where the cars are ready to be collected, it is best to have a discussion about where you are going to collect the car.
Sometimes you have to walk to a waiting room where you have to wait 15 minutes to an hour for a shuttle and then it may take another 20 minutes to the parking lot where you collect the car. This will all depend on the location of the rental counter and the size of the airport.
4 Airport rental
When you are waiting to rent a car, once you arrive at the rental car counter, there will usually be surcharges added to your bill that could cover items such as airport user fees, airport taxes, and more. ‘other hidden costs for the prime location.
Planning ahead and reserving a car from an offsite location may be in your best interest. However, always check the shuttle fee, if applicable, and make sure the distance to and from the off-site rental desk matches your travel needs and time requirements.
3 Pay for expensive accessories
When you are away from home, there can be tradeoffs in how you choose to travel in a rental car. Be creative. Some savvy travelers have found that they can buy a new car seat for their child once they arrive for less than they could have rented.
In addition, extras like a GPS or other directional devices can be eliminated by purchasing a SIM card to allow the use of WAZE or Google Maps. Bluetooth, Wifi, ski racks, luggage racks, and other items on your wishlist should also be taken a close look.
2 Do not join the rewards program
Car rental companies want to retain their customers. Keeping this in mind can save you time and money. Rewards programs for car rental companies can offer many different types of benefits depending on how you like to manage your finances and how you travel. Some will offer points on the next rental, a discount, or even allow you to “jump to the front of the line”.
In most cases, there is a nominal or nominal fee for membership. and the returns can be significant, especially if you drive a lot.
1 Do not check your documentation
Your credit card is your currency for car rental. There is no situation more frustrating than being at the rental counter only to find that it has been refused. Check that your card has been approved for international travel if this is part of your itinerary.
Also, whether national or international, make sure that your driver’s license, passport and other documents are up to date and that they contain your name, address and date of birth. In most places, you have to be 25 to rent a car.
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