Everything worth doing is worth spending some time doing – like saving money on car rentals. Since it’s hard enough getting merchant advance funding in this climate, so that you want to make sure that money is well spent and travel is one area that can be managed to produce savings. You will need to do a little comparison shopping to find the best deals and work to build a relationship with your favorite rental outfits. Like you, they are in business and want your business as a repeat customer.

Steps to Start

• Assess need – Obviously if you are going to visit customers make several sales calls, deliver products or transport product, equipment, or provide transportation, you probably need a rental car. If it is just a marketing visit you might not. There are less expensive transportation methods available to get you where you need to go. Can you work with less convenient options, like buses? That is the real question. Can you spend more time to save money?
• Rent only what you need - Determine what kind of vehicle you need. The bigger and better the vehicle, the bigger and higher the cost to you. Explore the rental service outlets for your area. Meet the people in person and discuss the possibilities. You may begin a relationship that could save you money immediately or on future rentals.
• Check online – If you are limited in the local resources or need an immediate rental in a far city use the Internet. Browse such sites as SideStep, BreezeNet and even Hotwire to see how they work and what they offer you. You’ll find deals and these sites often reveal fees and taxes. The sites offered on the Internet by each provider can also help you in finding current deals and specials.
• Reduce extras – Think carefully about options offered. Each one usually involves an increase in the fee. Is convenience like airport availability of rentals a major need? Or could you handle a delay and journey off to a remote location to rent elsewhere and save a few dollars? Some rentals offer an airport tax fee that you can avoid by going elsewhere.
• Explore Perks – Do you get car bargain offerings from your credit card company?

Top Considerations before Renting a Car

• Daily versus weekly rates – Can you avoid paying “daily” rates. You’ll pay less per day if you can take advantage of weekly rates.
• Car insurance costs – Does your car insurance cover you when you rent a car in the US?
• International rentals – Traveling to International markets?  Rentals may be different there.  In most case you will want to accept all the insurance coverage offered unless it sounds strange.  You should have the collision damage waiver, the loss damage waiver, and liability/personal accident coverage when renting outside the US.
• Third party perks – Will you check your various credit cards, organizations, and memberships for possible discounts? Normally you can only claim and use one discount per purchase. If you don’t find useful discounts consider joining a group like AAA that will be useful to you. Additionally make sure your discount applies to the lowest rate. Sometimes they don’t!
• Car examination – If you fail to check over a rental car before you drive it out of the lot or when you return it, you may get extra charges. Go over it and report anything, and keep a list. Take pictures and document any previous damage to the vehicle or problems discovered. This is a renter beware situation!