Статьи

How to save on car rental?

Package tours are not as popular among tourists and travelers as they used to be. More and more people prefer independent movement in a foreign city or country. It is understandable - wherever you want, you go there; as much as you want, so much and you are in the place you like.

However, the main task of the traveler here remains a vehicle, without which independent movement becomes impossible. Public transport is completely inconvenient for traveling to unfamiliar places, and taxis are not economically profitable.

Another option is to rent a car. But, here it is worth considering some details so that the trip is not too expensive for your wallet.


Tips for car renters

Before renting a car in Kiev or any other city, you should study all the rules regarding the rental of a vehicle and the conditions for its return. For example, some companies may deduct the cost of renting a car for a full day in case of a delay in returning a car. This should be clarified immediately so that in the end you do not have to overpay for the time that you did not use.

However, it is worth considering other features of the rental, which will allow you to manage your finances as carefully as possible.

The first advice is that you should not rent a car immediately upon arrival in a foreign city and a country. After the road, you will need time to rest, get comfortable and look around. After the rest, you can always go online and find a suitable rental company, having carefully studied its conditions.

At the same time, an additional fee may be charged for bringing the car to the hotel. And the first day, as a rule, the rented car will simply stand in the parking lot. Most likely - paid.

Pick up your vehicle the next morning to enjoy the benefits of independent travel with renewed vigor.


Online booking and its benefits

Booking a car in advance makes it possible not only to be sure that the necessary vehicle will be assigned to you, but also to save on expenses.

When the price is set in advance, car owners can no longer raise it on the spot. Moreover, this is very typical for Asian countries. As for the American states and European states, here in general you should regularly study the catalog of free cars. So, different vehicles will be available for different dates, often with a possible price reduction.

There is another significant advantage in booking online - this is information about all the documents that will be necessary for renting a car. For example, there may be certain requirements for a payment card or an international standard driver's license. The rules are determined by the internal policy of each individual rental company.

Most often, to withstand competition, companies provide discounts for a long lease period. The longer it is, the more money the client can save. For example, for 1 week of rental, you can pay significantly less than for 6 days of using a car.

You can also find out about discounts on the official website of the selected company, using simple mathematical calculations to calculate how long it is better to rent a car. However, here you should take into account the penalties for early return. For example, you want to rent a vehicle for a week, but you set off on a journey after 6 days.

Is it worth it to pay rent? Alternatively, try to negotiate with the hotel parking? If it is paid, then you will have to figure out which is more profitable - a six-day rental or paid parking at the hotel.


Savings on car dimensions

Of course, the cost of renting a large car will be higher than the price of a small car. However, the economic benefit is not only in this.

Advice:


  • Large cars are characterized by increased fuel consumption. If you have a lot of luggage, you will have to take a spacious car with a roomy trunk. If there is no such need, then a small car is quite suitable, which will cost less and will save on fuel consumption.
  • It is worth saying that the cost of renting a vehicle with mechanical control is much lower than the price of a car with an automatic transmission. If you are a first-class driver and can easily cope with driving a mechanical car, then there is no point in overpaying for an automatic one.
  • If you plan to transport non-standard luggage - skis, snowboards, then you should ask the managers in advance about the availability of special mounts. Naturally, they will require an additional fee.


Moving across the border - check all the details in advance!

In European countries, it is not difficult to rent a vehicle in one state and return it in another. The boundless zone and wide networks of car rental organizations provide the most comfortable and uncomplicated conditions for the client. But, not everywhere everything is so well-established and equipped as in Europe.

While in other countries, you should check with the property owner in advance about crossing the border and even leaving for another area, region, and state. The conditions may be such that you incur extra costs.

For example, in Asian countries, ferry travel is very developed. But to get there, you need documents and permission of the owner of the car in writing to move.


Insurance policy details

Insurance is something that every vehicle should have. However, it is she who becomes a huge field for all kinds of scams of rental companies.

In order to avoid unpleasant situations due to unforeseen events, you should immediately clarify all the details of insurance for a particular car. What the agent calls "complete" insurance may simply not include damage to small parts such as mirrors or glass. That is when unpleasant surprises begin and, of course, serious expenses for the client.

Before leaving, you can ask your own insurance company if your car insurance can be extended to a rental car. It happens that insurance is already included in the maintenance of a credit account. But, as a rule, the client does not know anything about it.

By the way, you need to pay for the rental of a vehicle with a specific credit card. It is better to check with the banking organization whose card you are going to use abroad.

It is better to pay for car rental with a credit card suitable for international purchases. This is due to the fact that the insurance company can insure and block funds in case of payment of a fine. At the same time, the size of the frozen deposit on credit accounts will be less than on debit ones.

This will not allow you to save money, but it will protect you from the risk of being left without money in your account during the trip. Unblocking of the account is carried out within a month. Therefore, it is more expedient to pay for rental services with a credit card.


What else should be considered when renting a car?

  • Despite all the advantages of online booking and the opportunity to find out about discounts through it, it is still better to ask the agent directly about them. It can be hinted that in another company the same car is rented at a lower cost. It is unlikely that anyone will check the information, and a little trick will help you save a little.
  • In addition, some companies give discounts to a certain category of citizens - employees of a corporate organization or participants in the airline's bonus program. The client may not be aware of this. Therefore, it is very important to clarify about discounts and bonuses directly with the manager.
  • Be sure to check the car from the outside and the interior with it. If there are defects, cracks, scratches, describe them carefully, indicating damage in the contract.
  • Also, check the operation of the wipers, headlights, turn signals, power windows, and signal.


It would seem trifles. However, without them on the road nowhere.

Again, if you return the car and the inoperability of these parts, you will be charged a considerable amount. It is unlikely that later it will be possible to prove that something did not work already at the conclusion of the contract.

Do not be too lazy to fix the level of gasoline in the tank so that when you return, fill in the same amount. Otherwise, the lessor will require filling a full tank or paying for the shortage of fuel at an inflated price. Do you need it?