As with anything, renting a car when traveling has its own
pros and cons.
On the more positive side, when you use a rented car when you travel, you have more
freedom and control. As opposed to using public transport, you do not have to follow strict
schedules and you have the luxury of traveling at your own pace. You can stop to have
an impromptu picnic at the flower-filled valley you happen to accidentally stumble upon.
With rented vehicles, you can, literally, stop to smell the roses. Similarly, with these
vehicles, you aren’t confined to a plane or a bus and thus, you are able to appreciate the
scenery, and the journey as a whole, better.
Another argument made by those who favor hiring rent a car services is the fact that when
they break down while you’re using them, the rent a car company would immediately hand
over a new vehicle to you. You wouldn’t have to worry about repairs or finding yourself
without an alternative form of transportation—the rental company will take care of all of
these for you.
When you rent vehicles, you also get more options and you are able to choose which car
would suit your trip better. You can pick a more rugged vehicle or a more luxurious one.
You can choose how big or small you want your vehicle to be. If you’re going on a trip to
see the Rocky Mountains for example, do you really think it’s wise to drive there in your
Maserati Quatroporte? I don’t think so.
Renting a car to use on your trip, many point out, also saves your own car from incurring
more miles and, if you are planning on driving on tough terrain, potential damages.
On the flip side of the coin of course, are the disadvantages of renting a car when you’re
traveling, the first being, the higher costs of renting a car. While there are affordable rent
a car services available, they are still considerably more expensive than traveling using
your own car.
Another disadvantage is the added task of having to familiarize yourself with the car’s
controls—a tedious task that you nevertheless have to do. You don’t want to end up
fidgeting with your car’s buttons, looking for the knob that controls the heater while you’re
driving in the middle of a busy road, do you?
Also, there is the added hassle of having to actually rent a car. While many companies
now allow clients to make reservations online, renting a car still requires considerably
more effort than just entering your garage and turning the ignition of your own vehicle.
To rent or not to rent? Weigh these pros and cons carefully and find out what choice
would help you enjoy your vacation to the fullest
pros and cons.
On the more positive side, when you use a rented car when you travel, you have more
freedom and control. As opposed to using public transport, you do not have to follow strict
schedules and you have the luxury of traveling at your own pace. You can stop to have
an impromptu picnic at the flower-filled valley you happen to accidentally stumble upon.
With rented vehicles, you can, literally, stop to smell the roses. Similarly, with these
vehicles, you aren’t confined to a plane or a bus and thus, you are able to appreciate the
scenery, and the journey as a whole, better.
Another argument made by those who favor hiring rent a car services is the fact that when
they break down while you’re using them, the rent a car company would immediately hand
over a new vehicle to you. You wouldn’t have to worry about repairs or finding yourself
without an alternative form of transportation—the rental company will take care of all of
these for you.
When you rent vehicles, you also get more options and you are able to choose which car
would suit your trip better. You can pick a more rugged vehicle or a more luxurious one.
You can choose how big or small you want your vehicle to be. If you’re going on a trip to
see the Rocky Mountains for example, do you really think it’s wise to drive there in your
Maserati Quatroporte? I don’t think so.
Renting a car to use on your trip, many point out, also saves your own car from incurring
more miles and, if you are planning on driving on tough terrain, potential damages.
On the flip side of the coin of course, are the disadvantages of renting a car when you’re
traveling, the first being, the higher costs of renting a car. While there are affordable rent
a car services available, they are still considerably more expensive than traveling using
your own car.
Another disadvantage is the added task of having to familiarize yourself with the car’s
controls—a tedious task that you nevertheless have to do. You don’t want to end up
fidgeting with your car’s buttons, looking for the knob that controls the heater while you’re
driving in the middle of a busy road, do you?
Also, there is the added hassle of having to actually rent a car. While many companies
now allow clients to make reservations online, renting a car still requires considerably
more effort than just entering your garage and turning the ignition of your own vehicle.
To rent or not to rent? Weigh these pros and cons carefully and find out what choice
would help you enjoy your vacation to the fullest
Auto Rentals 101
Illustration by Carl WiensRenting a car can leave even the savviest traveler itching to
hit the brakes. Rates change often, and fees and taxes can drive your bill 30 percent or
more above the base rate.
You will save money if you take the time to:
Compare. Use Travelocity.com, Expedia.com, or similar sites to search for rentals. Take
the three best deals you find and go to the rental companies' Web sites or call their
toll-free numbers to ask for a better rate. Then call the local office of the company with
the lowest price, and see if the agent there will beat it.
Forget labels. Some rental outfits aren't name brands but they might offer good deals.
Go to CarRentalExpress.com, CarRentals.com, or similar sites for the names of such
agencies. Consider Hotwire.com, which offers deals without revealing the name of the
rental agency until you've booked.
Ask for discounts. Most agencies give them to members of AAA, AARP, or warehouse
clubs.
Be on time. If you show up after your scheduled return, you could pay for an extra
day. (The grace period is often just 30 minutes.)
Avoid the airport. It's often cheaper to rent from an off-site office. Some rental
companies, such as Enterprise, will pick you up and drop you off at no charge.
Book small. If that teeny Geo isn't available on time, you could well be bumped up to
something spacious for the same price.
Say no to insurance. Most private auto-insurance policies cover rental cars as long
as the person who signs the agreement drives. Then again this is something which you
can only decide on. Talk to your auto insurance agent and get a professional opinon.
Inspect the car. Make sure the rental rep sees any nick or scratch before you leave
and notes them on the agreement.
Gas up before returning. A rental-car agency might charge two to three times what
you'd pay at the pump. Note nearby gas stations as you're leaving the rental lot.
Returning the car. In clean condition don't give them a reason to charge you more
then the contracted price.
Illustration by Carl WiensRenting a car can leave even the savviest traveler itching to
hit the brakes. Rates change often, and fees and taxes can drive your bill 30 percent or
more above the base rate.
You will save money if you take the time to:
Compare. Use Travelocity.com, Expedia.com, or similar sites to search for rentals. Take
the three best deals you find and go to the rental companies' Web sites or call their
toll-free numbers to ask for a better rate. Then call the local office of the company with
the lowest price, and see if the agent there will beat it.
Forget labels. Some rental outfits aren't name brands but they might offer good deals.
Go to CarRentalExpress.com, CarRentals.com, or similar sites for the names of such
agencies. Consider Hotwire.com, which offers deals without revealing the name of the
rental agency until you've booked.
Ask for discounts. Most agencies give them to members of AAA, AARP, or warehouse
clubs.
Be on time. If you show up after your scheduled return, you could pay for an extra
day. (The grace period is often just 30 minutes.)
Avoid the airport. It's often cheaper to rent from an off-site office. Some rental
companies, such as Enterprise, will pick you up and drop you off at no charge.
Book small. If that teeny Geo isn't available on time, you could well be bumped up to
something spacious for the same price.
Say no to insurance. Most private auto-insurance policies cover rental cars as long
as the person who signs the agreement drives. Then again this is something which you
can only decide on. Talk to your auto insurance agent and get a professional opinon.
Inspect the car. Make sure the rental rep sees any nick or scratch before you leave
and notes them on the agreement.
Gas up before returning. A rental-car agency might charge two to three times what
you'd pay at the pump. Note nearby gas stations as you're leaving the rental lot.
Returning the car. In clean condition don't give them a reason to charge you more
then the contracted price.
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