Guide To Renting A Car - Part 2
Guide To Renting A Car - Part 2
Rental car rates can vary by 50 per cent or more between agencies at the same location. For example, in Tampa an economy car may rent for as low as $79 a week or as high as $149 per week on the same day. To get the best deal, reserve your car at least a week in advance, especially in destinations as competitive as Florida.As you surf from one Web site to another, you'll notice that most rental agencies offer "hot deals" or "specials" or other enticements to earn your business. In one sitting, I found a one-week compact car rental in Florida for $129 US from Alamo and the same size car from Preferred Rent-A-Car (serving the Tampa and Orlando airports) for $138 US.
Online travel agencies offer one-stop travel shopping, allowing visitors to book everything from accommodations to flights to car rentals from one site. Here are just a few:
* Biztravel.com
* Expedia
* Internet Travel Network
* Preview Travel
* TheTrip.com
* Travelocity
* The Hotel Reservations Network
Though this travel consolidator specializes in affordable accommodations, you can also find great deals by booking a car rental through their Web site.
We also stumbled across a Web site called USA Please Visit! (www.usa.pleasevisit.com) which describes itself as " a guide to tourism in all 50 United States" and offers bookings for flights, trains, cars and hotels. Simply plug in your information, including destination, dates, choice of car and pick-up location, and the site conducts an extensive search of car rental agencies, some lesser known than others.
Our search for a one-week compact rental in the Tampa area resulted in rates that started at $119 US per week from InterAmerican and ran as high as $293.99 from Hertz. Five different companies offered cars for less than $200 US per week.
Keep in mind that the rates provided are only base amounts and usually don't include taxes, surcharges, insurance, gas and extra equipment. Most companies do offer unlimited mileage, but double-check before you drive away. Expect to pay in the neighborhood of 10 per cent in airport tax, a seven-per-cent state tax and $2.35 per day in local government surcharges and licensing fees.
Other extra costs may include car insurance, gasoline, infant and child safety seats ($2-$10 per day), fees for extra drivers or cellular phone rentals. Fill the tank before you return the car to avoid a refueling fee.
Before you pay for insurance through the rental company, check to see if your regular car insurance covers you in a rental car. It's also a good idea to find out if your credit card company will provide coverage if the cost of the rental car is charged to your credit card.
If possible, reserve your car for a week to get the best deal. Weekly rates usually mean keeping the car from five to seven days. But be aware of the "24 hour clock rate" which most rental car companies use when determining your final bill. If you're late returning the car, the company may charge an additional day's rate. Find out the exact time the car has to be returned to avoid extra costs.
Here's an added bonus: If the rental car company is out of the class car you reserved, you should be able to upgrade at no additional charge depending on what is available. The company is obligated to provide you with a car of similar or higher value.
LivingToday.tv - February 22nd, 2005
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