Renting a car can be expensive – with an unpredictable pricing structure and a deliberate lack of clarity, it can seem difficult to avoid high rates.
These tips can help you make sure you’re getting the best rates available, hopefully saving money.
Tip number one is to use – you won’t know the exact rental agency until you make the reservation, but you will get a much better rate and still know important details such as where to pick up / drop off. Also, book as early as possible.
Renting a car can get expensive, but it’s often a necessary part of a trip. Much like airfare or hotel rates, car rental rates can be relatively opaque, and it can be difficult to understand rules like timing and money-saving tips.
While it can be difficult to determine and predict car rental rates, there are still a few easy ways to save money without having to make major adjustments to your travel plans.
Here are some car rental tips that will save you money:
1. Always compare rental companies – including less common ones.
Almost everyone is familiar with the big brands – Carlay Car Rental, etc. – but many less obvious brands may offer better prices.
2. Choose an “opaque” reservation.
It offers big discounts through “opaque booking,” a practice where you make and prepay a reservation without knowing exactly which agency you’re booking with – it will still be a large agency.
While it might sound risky, it’s perfectly fine – you’ll know exactly how much you’re paying, where you’re going to pick up and drop off, what class of car it is (and sometimes the specific model), and all terms. Unless you are determined to go with a certain agency, this is a great way to save a fortune.
3. Decline rental insurance – you may already be covered.
Chances are your home auto insurance policy covers the rentals you drive. While the rental agent may try to push you into purchasing additional coverage, this is often unnecessary and redundant to your existing coverage. Just be sure to check your policy before assuming you’re covered.
If you don’t own a car or your home policy doesn’t cover the rental, you can still get coverage.
To activate the insurance provided with a credit card, you will need to use that card to pay for the rental and decline General Rental Insurance, also known as Collision Damage Insurance. If you don’t have your auto insurance, you can still consider adding liability insurance.
4. If you can, pick up your rental downtown rather than at the airport.
This is not a hard and fast rule, but in general, rental rates at airports are more expensive than rates a little further away. Try to find rates from pick-up points closer to your hotel or even downtown.
Make sure you compare them to airport agency rates – sometimes the price difference will be negligible, or the airport might be cheaper. Remember that you will need to arrange transportation to the rental agency, whether you can take a hotel shuttle or need to pay for public transit or a taxi into town.
5. Avoid the extras – your smartphone does it all.
GPS navigation. Satellite radio. Speakerphone. Car rental companies may offer these features when you collect your car but be warned, they all come with additional fees that can add up quickly.
Nowadays, there is no need to pay extra when you have a smartphone that can do all of this and more.
6. Check the weekly rates – even if you only need the car for a few days.
It may sound counterintuitive, but it can be cheaper to rent a car for longer.
Indeed, most people who rent a car for a few days at a time are business travelers, who are less cost-conscious because their offices are paying or the trip is last minute and urgent.
Conversely, many week-long renters try to save money, as they are usually leisure travelers. For this reason, the weekly rate is often cheaper than the rate for only three or four days.
Looking for the best rent a car in Lahore? Carlay Car Rental is just right for you. We provide excellent car rental services with an affordable price range and provide all the necessary services to make our customers ride better.
Digital Bash 