5 Easy Ways to Reduce a Vacation Car Rental

Last Updated on October 25, 2022 by Jonathan

Photo credit: Shutterstock

How much will your holiday car rental cost? Since Labor Day, travelers have seen lower car rental rates and better availability.

But with the holidays just around the corner, AutoSlash is seeing sky-high rates coming back. It’s not unusual to find rates in the $50 to $75 per range for Thanksgiving and Christmas, and with inventory tightening in the coming days and weeks, we expect average rates to top $100 per day in many parts of the country. In fact, we’re already seeing rates between $125 and $150 per day over Thanksgiving in the New York City metro area.

Ask AutoSlash for a Quote on a Cheap Car Rental

Meanwhile, holiday car rental rates at major Florida airports often exceed $100 per day, and Hawaii airports are higher still at over $115 per day — and that’s where you can even find a car. The island of Kauai is already completely sold out for both Thanksgiving and Christmas and many dates in between.

How can travelers protect themselves from higher rates and a general lack of availability? Here are a few simple strategies to save money:

Plan ahead and avoid prepaying

Our advice is to plan as far ahead as possible and always book a pay-later car rental which does not require you to give your credit card to secure the reservation. This not only allows you to retain flexibility if your plans change, but it also allows you to use a service like AutoSlash to monitor rates and re-book anytime a better deal comes along.

Take advantage of all eligible discounts

Organizations like AAA, Costco, AARP, USAA, and even frequent flyer programs and credit cards all offer discount codes that can yield significant savings on your rental. We’ve seen cases where a given discount code can drop the rental car price by more than half. Some companies even let you apply coupons in addition to a discount code for further savings. Tell AutoSlash about your memberships and we’ll automatically apply the best coupon codes for which you are eligible.

Check off-airport locations

When airport rental car locations are sold out or just too expensive, investigate off-airport locations. You can avoid many of the taxes and fees rental companies charge at the airport, and it can even be a more convenient option since you can avoid the lines and airport shuttle buses by taking a cab or rideshare to a nearby local office. You can even rent one-way and return at the airport. Just remember to add on the cost of transportation to the location when comparing options, and keep in mind that off-airport locations often have more limited hours than the airport.

Sign up for rental company loyalty programs

Between high holiday demand and fewer vehicles available this year, renters are in for long lines at the rental counter. A simple way to get preferred treatment is to sign up for car rental loyalty programs that let you skip the counter entirely. These programs are free to join and let you choose your own vehicle in many cases so you can be on your way quickly. For those who miss this crucial step, many companies also allow you to check in online ahead of time, which can also get you on your way more quickly.

Be smart about add-on options

We recommend filling up the car yourself at the end of the rental. Prepaying for a tank of gas is almost never a smart move despite what the rental company may tell you. If you need a child car seat, Dollar has a fantastic deal this holiday for $1-per-day car seats (no limit). If you’re an AAA member and book with the
AAA discount code, that price drops to free with Dollar, Thrifty, and Hertz.

Let AutoSlash Track Your Car Rental for Price Drops

With a bit of planning and choosing wisely, travelers can avoid both high prices and stress when renting a car for the holidays. AutoSlash makes the process fast and easy by searching for available discounts and letting you know when prices drop so you can re-book and save. Travelers who use AutoSlash save an average of 30% over other car rental booking sites.

Related:

• The Ultimate Holiday Road Trip Playlist
• Should You Buy Car Rental Insurance?
• Check Out AutoSlash’s Airport Car Rental Guides

The post 5 Easy Ways to Save on a Holiday Car Rental appeared first on AutoSlash.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I rent a vehicle in Italy and have it returned to France?

Renting a car from an Italian company and driving it across Europe may not be possible. Europcar offers rental cars all across Europe, so you might consider using it. Contact them for details on renting cars in Italy, and dropping them off at other locations.

Can you rent a vehicle in Portugal and pick it up in Spain?

You can, and it's possible. It's called "car hiring". Many companies offer this service online.

You just need to check if the Spanish and Portuguese authorities license them.

Contact them on their websites for the best way to get this information. You should be able to contact them directly on their websites.

Do you need a car in Europe?

It all depends on where and what you are looking for. A typical European city might have different priorities from a rural area.

Consider how long you intend to stay in each place. An economical car might not be the best choice if you plan to travel frequently or if you intend to stay in one location for a long time.

In most cases, buying a second-hand car is better than renting one. It is often cheaper to buy a used car than rent one in Europe. For instance, you save money on fuel, parking fees, maintenance costs, insurance, taxes, etc.

Another benefit is that the car can be driven safely.

You can find excellent information on car rental in Europe on a variety of websites. Our recommendations are below.

Statistics

• You can rent an automatic but these cars can cost as much as 50% more than a manual vehicle. (earthtrekkers.com)
• I'd say 70% of the time, we have a hassle-free encounter, but there have been certain companies that we prefer not to use anymore. (theworldpursuit.com)
• The perks vary from partner to partner, but you can expect discounts of up to 35 percent on some rentals and the ability to earn anywhere from 50 bonus American AAdvantage miles per day or 500 per rental. (afar.com)
• If you're a member of AAA, you might also be able to snag discounts of 10 percent at Thrifty, and 8 percent at Dollar. (afar.com)
• For example, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express earns 3 percent cash back on purchases at U.S. gas stations (terms apply), and the Citi Premier® Card earns three points per dollar at gas stations, too. (afar.com)

External Links

jdpower.com

• 2021 North America Rental Car Satisfaction Study
  
• 2019 North America Rental Car Satisfaction Study | J.D. Power
  

enterprise.com

• Home
  
• Enterprise Rental-A-Car
  

avis.com

• Book Online Now & Save With Avis Car Rents
  

alamo.com

• Alamo Rent a Car - Cheap Car Rentals in the U.S.A, Latin America & More
  
• Get Low Car Rental Rates with Alamo Insiders - Alamo Rent a Car
  

How To

How to book a rental car

What should I consider before booking a rental car?

You must consider the following factors when you book a rental car.

1. You can choose between different types of cars, including small compact, medium-compact, large compacts and SUVs.
2. The price of renting depends on the type of vehicle. For small vehicles and compact cars, it starts at $15 per hour. Larger vehicles will cost more.
3. Additional charges, such as mileage fees, will be added to the daily rental price.
4. You will be charged additional fees if your vehicle is rented.
5. You can rent a car to go anywhere at any time of the day. However, this option comes with some limitations. You cannot rent your car during rush hour.
6. Be sure to choose a model that suits your budget before you commit to buying a car. It is also important to check whether the car features air conditioning. This is especially useful during hot weather.
7. If you need a specific kind of car, make sure to reserve it well in advance. Some people don't realize they need one until the last minute.
8. Rental cars come with many safety features. A blanket and first aid kit are still recommended for emergencies.
9. You may want to consider adding a collision damage waiver to your rental. This is optional, but you will save money on your insurance policy.
10. If you have specific needs, you can make a request during your reservation or at arrival.
11. Before leaving the airport, pack all your belongings and take your ID and credit cards with you.
12. You must be alert when driving. Avoid distractions and remain focused.
13. Contact the police immediately if you are involved in an accident.
14. You must turn the car in after you are done with it. You could face a stiff fine.

Did you miss our previous article...
https://rentacar24.org/car-rental-news/mercedes/

https://rentacar24.org/rent-a-car-europe/5-easy-ways-to-reduce-a-vacation-car-rental/