What are the best ways to avoid unnecessary fees when renting a car?

Renting a car can leave even the most savvy of travelers confused and frustrated. But the following tips should help you avoid fines, anticipate hidden costs, and make the most of discounted rates the next time you rent a car.

Probably the best thing you can do is make your reservations as far in advance as possible. Major rental companies adjust their prices according to the supply of cars available to them. If you've locked in a rental rate, you can always call back later and have your reservation price amended if the rate goes down. If the price goes up, you will not be held responsible.

It goes without saying that all renters should read the fine print contained in all car-rental advertisements. It's likely that the great deal you find in the Sunday paper makes little mention of any airport surcharges, state and local taxes, additional driver fees, insurance costs, gasoline bills, and drop-off penalties.

Be sure to ask about discounts for members of national organizations (such as the American Association of Retired Persons) and credit-card and frequent-flyer partnerships that may reduce your rate even further. If your company frequently rents cars through a particular agency, you may be able to take advantage of the low negotiated rate.

While discounts might help reduce your overall rental cost, they won't help you evade fines such as late fees. Be aware that most car-rental agencies charge daily rates in 24-hour increments, so extra hours can add up fast. If you rent a car at noon, try to return it by noon on the drop-off day. Many of the major rental agencies give you an hour's grace period, though you can be charged for a full day's rental even if you're just a few hours late.

Unless you'll be traveling with extended family or a large group, ask for a smaller car than you would usually request. Car-rental agencies usually have a surplus of mid-size and larger vehicles, which means you may be able to receive a free upgrade upon your arrival.

Don't automatically purchase a gasoline plan, as the agency may charge an additional service fee per mile and they often charge high per-gallon gas prices. However, if you plan on using an entire tank of gas, it may pay to purchase the pre-paid gas option. Look over the rental policy carefully and determine what option is best for you before you leave the lot.

The same advice goes for optional insurance plans offered by the car-rental agency. Don't automatically sign up for one, as it's likely that you're already covered for collision damage by your personal auto-insurance policy or a major credit card. When in doubt, ask your insurance agent or charge-card representative about your specific coverage.

If you're traveling to a major city and your schedule is somewhat flexible, you may want to take a shuttle van or public transportation to your hotel and rent your car once you've reached downtown. By doing so, you can avoid any airport surcharges and may even secure a lower rental rate. However, it's possible that the airport rate may be more competitive than the one offered in town--so do a little comparison shopping before making your decision.

Before signing on the dotted line, make sure you examine your rental agreement carefully and make note of all rules and restrictions associated with your reservation. Some questions you should be asking are: What's the fee for additional drivers who use the vehicle? Will your 22-year-old son be allowed to drive the car, and if so, at what rate will he be charged? What's the fee to rent a car seat for your infant? Will you be penalized for not showing up at the rental agency on time? What's the drop-off charge for one-way rentals? These and other hidden costs should be discussed before you drive away.

Once you've been given the keys, inspect your car for bumps and bruises before leaving the lot and save yourself a costly fine by reporting any body damage to the rental agency at once.

And, of course, you should always check out AAA Rental Cars, which searches the major car-rental agencies to find the best rates available for top domestic and international airport locations. Once you've found the lowest advertised rate, use AAA Rental Cars reservations system to secure that price for your specific itinerary.

 

 

Hotel Selection | Transportation | Home | Car Rental Guide | Other Resources