How to Save Money on Car Rentals

Renting a car is almost always a hassle, and if you have to rent it for a significant period of time, it can get expensive as well. There are a few ways in which you can save money on renting a car, however, and still manage to have wheels for your business trip or family vacation. You just have to be knowledgeable about how the car rental industry works and you have to be willing to resist the temptations of the sales manager.

Call Your Local Company. Rather than working with the 800-number for large car rental agencies, save money on your car rental by dealing with your local rental center. Dealing with a local representative face-to-face will almost always ensure that you are given the best deal and he or she can advise you of what they specifically have in stock. Updates in the national corporate center aren't necessarily updated regularly.

Check the Web for Discounts. Web-only discounts are becoming increasingly common with car rentals, and you might be able to save money by going through third-party sites like Travelocity.com and Expedia.com. These websites also allow you to shop with comparisons so you can see how Hertz differs from Enterprise, and so on.

Reserve an Economy Car. Even if you'd prefer to have one of the larger luxury sedans or an SUV, you can save money on car rentals by booking an economy car in advance. The economy cars are taken more quickly than any other size car, and if the agency is out by the time you arrive, they'll have to upgrade you for free. This won't work all the time, so you might wind up with an economy car after all, but you can decide to upgrade at the desk if you feel the need.

Beware: Some rental car companies will try to convince you to upgrade before they actually tell you there aren't any economy cars left. Stick to your guns to make sure they aren't trying to scam you.

Save Money on Car Rentals

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