Getting the right price when hiring a car is about much more than what size or make of vehicle you choose.
Here are a few simple tips from Sixt rent a car to help you save money and make the most of your rental.
Booking
The earlier you book a rental car, the cheaper it is likely to be.
This is especially true if you require a hire car during school holidays, when demand is much higher.
Planning in advance is vital for all aspects of holidays, including renting a car.
Booking online also usually cuts the cost of a car rental and it makes it much easier to compare deals from rival companies.
Look carefully at the dates you will need the car from. Prices are always higher over the weekend, as again demand is higher.
Friday is always included in the weekend when it comes to car hire.
At times, it can even be cheaper to rent a car over a full week rather than the weekend, even if you only use the car on the days you had originally planned.
Take a careful look at where you are picking up the car – airport rental sites often charge an extra fee.
You may be able to get around this, perhaps by taking public transport into town or a shuttle bus to your hotel, picking up a car at another location can make a huge difference in the daily price of rental.
Extra charges
Probably the biggest cost of renting a car is in the insurance.
This is usually offered at the check-out, and can be delivered along with a fear-tactic speech about past clients’ experiences.
Make certain to check out your own car insurance policy, as many of these cover driving rented cars.
Otherwise, carefully evaluate the insurance offered to see whether it suits your needs.
Most companies these days have full-tank policies, which require the petrol tank to be filled before being returned at the end of a rental.
If it is not, they will charge accordingly (usually at premium prices) and add on an administration fee.
Similarly, renting a car at one location and dropping it off at a different one can add on large charges.
Written by Charlotte Scheggia of Sixt rent a car
