Shop around Rates vary greatly from city to city, company to company and car to car. Check the internet for specials geared toward the length of time you are renting. Print out any information, including reservation codes, that you obtain online and take it with you when you pick up the car.
It can be confusing, but be aware that when you are quoted a "base rental car rate" it does not include rental coverages, sales taxes, airport taxes, airport/concession, vehicle license fees and miscellaneous surcharges. A trend in some cities is to help finance new sports stadiums and other initiatives by tacking on a surcharge. All of these additional charges can increase the base rate by 10-40% depending upon the airport location.
Reserve in advance To get the best rate when applicable, reserve your car at a weekly rate (a week is usually between 5-7 days) instead of at a daily rate and reserve at least a week in advance. Rates are based in part on how many cars the agency has available at your pick up location. Cancel your reservation if you have a change of plans to avoid any penalties.
If you're not sure when you will be returning a car because you may have to stay longer, then it's much better to reserve in advance for a longer time and return it early than pay the "premium daily rates" for returning a car a few days late. You're not penalized for returning it early.
Don’t pay for insurance you don’t need Some upper level credit cards such as MasterCard Gold may be a source for excess or secondary insurance for a car rental, but only if you use the same credit card to rent the vehicle. Some upper level credit cards can be your primary collision coverage in absence of any personal car collision insurance or when you are traveling overseas, where your personal insurance will not apply. Since these policies vary, call your credit card company to find out their policies for car rentals. Also check to see if your personal or business car insurance covers you in a rental car. Your personal or corporate auto insurance may cover Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or Loss Damage Waiver (LDW), Personal Accident Insurance (PAI), Personal Effects Coverage (PEC) and Additional Liability Insurance (ALI). Most of the time these are optional coverages. Some companies require that you show proof of insurance.
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW), in states that allow it, is an optional charge of $9 to $13 a day. Rental car agents may urge you to buy this option. Although they call it "collision damage" coverage, it's not technically collision insurance. Rather, it is a "guarantee" that the rental company will pay for damages to your rented car. By declining the waiver, you accept responsibility for any damages. However, under CDW, the company will not pay for bodily injuries or damages to your personal property. If you do not buy CDW coverage or are not
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