- How to decide if you should rent:
- Consider what mass transit and ride share options are available
- If trying to cover a lot of ground and see a variety of sights, you will probably want the convenience of having your own car.
- Costs can also be a factor. Sometimes it is cheaper to rent a car to get to and from your destination than ride share or taxis.
- Rental tips:
- Loyalty programs can have advantages for rates and efficiency – often getting to skip past the rental counter and go straight to the car
- Cars may also be cheaper through 3rd party booking sites like Orbitz, Priceline & Expedia
- Prices can fluctuate so it is worthwhile to look frequently in case a better deal is now available. Most reservations can be cancelled ahead of time with no penalty so you may decide to rebook a cheaper rate or to upgrade to a larger car class.
- Reservation tips
- Never pay full price – look for coupons (like in the Entertainment book)
- Pay attention to what kind of deposit the rental car company expects – this can vary greatly when you travel global
- Research the baggage space to know you have enough space
- Smaller cars generally work better in Europe
- Check the car before you leave the lot
- Take picture of any damage on the car before you leave the lot
- Don’t sign a damage form before looking the car over
- Adjust your seat, mirrors, etc. before you leave the rental lot
- The gas gauge tells you which side to pump the gas
Lead. Travel. Pray. 