| Rental cars are a steep cost of doing business. | | | | inconvenience when traveling with children but try |
| While easy to overlook when the employer is | | | | to take the shuttle from the airport to the rental |
| picking up the tab, these prices become painfully | | | | agency in town. Many travelers would be amazed |
| obvious when one has to open the wallet | | | | at the savings they can achieve by taking |
| themselves. However, vacationers and the | | | | advantage of in-town pricing. |
| self-employed do not have to resign themselves | | | | 4. Discounts |
| to these exorbitant rental car fees. Here are six | | | | Discount codes for rental car agencies were once |
| tips one can employ in order to limit the damage. | | | | limited to businesses and frequent travelers. |
| 1. Weekend Warrior | | | | However, the Internet has changed this and now |
| Choosing when to travel is not always an option. | | | | there are websites that specialize in these types |
| When it is, consider taking advantage of | | | | of discounts and codes, making them available to |
| weekends. Discounts are available across the | | | | everyone. Begin monitoring these sites as soon as |
| traveling board on the weekends and this is | | | | possible. The discount codes often have long life |
| especially true concerning rental cars. At high | | | | spans. Moreover, continue monitoring even after |
| profile rental car agencies, weekend discounts on | | | | the booking is complete. Many rental agencies will |
| compacts and similar vehicles reach as high as | | | | allow you to apply the discount at the time of |
| fifty percent. | | | | pick-up on top of already established savings. |
| 2. Book Ahead | | | | 5. Eschew Insurance |
| Many travelers approach the car rental as an | | | | Despite the agencies trying to sell it to everyone, |
| afterthought but travelers should book them in | | | | most people do not require rental car insurance. |
| advance just as they would rooms and flights. | | | | That's because most everyone with personal |
| When purchasing a flight and room package | | | | automobile insurance policy gets rental car |
| through major booking sites, customers can often | | | | coverage included. In many states, it's a law. |
| have the rental car factored in. Many bundled | | | | Travelers should verify this with their insurance |
| discounts will essentially include the car rental free | | | | company so that they know whether they need |
| of charge. Even if you do not book the flight and | | | | to pay this additional fee. |
| room in advance, save money by booking the car | | | | 6. Walk Around |
| rental ahead of time through the rental agency's | | | | Make sure to have a camera phone or digital |
| website. Make sure to consider the third tip when | | | | camera with you when you pick up the rental car. |
| doing this. | | | | Take the necessary few minutes to walk around |
| 3. Take the Shuttle | | | | the car with the agency representative and note |
| Whether one rents the car ahead of time or at | | | | any damage. Photograph the car from all |
| arrival, avoid using the car rental agencies at the | | | | reasonable angles and have the sales rep sign off |
| airport. The on-site agencies pay a premium to | | | | on it. People who do not travel frequently might |
| the airport that they pass on to the customers in | | | | be amazed at how often rental car agencies apply |
| the rental fees that they charge. It can be an | | | | surcharges for small damages. |