Renting a vehicle is not the same as renting any other property type. You can’t just rent a car like you would a hotel room or an apartment. There are many things to consider when you plan to make a rental.
Pickup time
The pickup time can affect the price when you are renting a vehicle. If you pick up before 8 am, you will likely have to pay a premium. The same goes for after 8 pm—if you’re planning on leaving at that time, expect to pay more than usual.
Before booking your rental, get an idea of what pickup times will cost so that it doesn’t surprise you when it’s time to check out the vehicle.
Type of vehicle
SUV
A sports utility vehicle (SUV) is a vehicle that combines the passenger and cargo carrying space of a sedan with the off-road capability of a light truck.
Minivan
Minivans are automobiles that can carry up to 8 passengers but are classified as light trucks by the U.S. federal government because they share much in common with SUVs and vans.
Compact car
A compact car is typically a four-door family sedan that comes in at around 4,000 pounds or less, offers good fuel efficiency, has seating for 5 or 6 passengers, provides visibility for easy parking, and has enough room for everyone to fit comfortably inside without feeling squished together like sardines in one can.
Make & model
One of the most important things to consider when renting a vehicle is the make and model. You should know what you are getting before signing any dotted lines. It’s also helpful to see whether it has a roof rack so that you can plan for anything that might require extra room (such as kayaks or skis).
Pickup location
The pickup location should be convenient. You want to get there easily and quickly, so you won’t waste any time on your drive. This means that you don’t want to spend forever in traffic or take a bus or train to get there.
The pickup location must also be safe. If it isn’t, you’ll have an accident on the way home from getting the car rental and waste money on insurance coverage just in case something goes wrong. They might not even let you pick up your vehicle if they overthink the risk of driving off-site!
Finally, ensure all of these requirements are met before choosing where exactly you’re going.
Satellite office location
The satellite office location is important because it may not be the same as your pickup location. You can get directions to the satellite office from your rental car company or Google Maps, but ensure you know how to get there if something goes wrong.
What if I need an exchange or return? If you’re renting a vehicle for several weeks, this could be an issue if you need to exchange it mid-way through your trip. Make sure they have somewhere nearby to take care of this on short notice. They should also let you know their policies in case of emergencies, such as getting into an accident with the vehicle or returning early because of illness or inclement weather conditions (if applicable). It’s not ideal if there aren’t any options nearby because they’ll have no choice but to keep charging us until we find one!
Where do I park? Most people don’t know where they’re going when they return their car and end up parking somewhere random outside an exit ramp because all signs point them toward “parking.” Don’t let that happen! Take note of what kind of spot was designated for me before leaving so I can go back later without messing up my plans by trying out new places again, like last time when my friends got mad at me because it took twice as long than usual.
Other fees
When you book your rental, ask about additional fees such as fuel, insurance, and taxes. You may be able to request that the rental company waive these charges when you book online.
Before leaving the counter, make sure you know your total cost for everything, including mileage and other charges that may apply.
There’s a lot more to consider than just the price
When you’re planning to rent a vehicle, there are many things to consider. The price is important, but other factors can affect your overall pay.
You should also consider:
Pickup time
If you need your rental on a specific day and time, be sure the company offers it. And if not, find out if they have another location nearby that offers that service so you can avoid paying for an extended rental period or overnight stay at a hotel.
Type of vehicle
Some companies only offer certain vehicles at their locations or satellite offices (e.g., pickup trucks only). Make sure that the type of car or truck that works best for your trip will be available when it comes down to making your final decision between two competing rental places in one city or state.
Conclusion
We hope this article has given you some insight into the rental car process and how it can save you money. If you have any questions about renting a vehicle, we’re here to help! Contact us today, and one of our experts will help answer any questions. Or, you can check out our other articles for more tips.
