How to Find Cheap Car Rentals & Get the Best Deals!

I’m a planner and a saver. So when I have trips to plan for I want to find the best deals! There are good deals on flights, hotels, and rental cars if you know where to find them! Let me help you find Cheap Car Rentals for your next trip! You can also use these genius ways to save money for vacation!

How to Find Cheap Car Rentals & Get the Best Deals!

At some point, we all need a rental car. Maybe it’s because of a car accident or you have a fun family vacation planned and need a rental! There are so many options how do you know where to find the best deal? If you use these tips they will help you save on your next rental!

1. Big Savings When You Plan Ahead 

I know this isn’t always an option when you need a rental car but try to book early. The price is going to fluctuate over time and if you book early it gives you some freedom to cancel and rebook for a lower rate. Rental prices change for a lot of different reasons. Sometimes its simple supply and demand. Some locations are going to charge more simply because of their location. If you are going to Las Vegas or Hawaii expect to pay more for a rental.

2. Use a Club or Organization

One of the best ways to save is by using a club or organization like AAA or Costco! Some of the best AAA Discounts include saving on your car rental! You can save up to 20% and get free unlimited mileage on most rentals. Plus, no charge for additional drivers. They even offer a free child safety seat with every rental. If you have a membership with Costco you can rent just about any kind of vehicle and get where you need to go at a great price. One of the great benefits of booking with Costco is they do not have cancelation fees. Watch the rates and if you find a better deal the cancel and rebook!

3. Check Your Credit Card Reward

Some credit card companies have special discounts for cardholders when renting vehicles. You will be able to score rewards that will save you when renting. Other benefits include secondary insurance that will cover the deductible.

4. Call Your Insurance Company

This one varies between Insurance Companies but a quick phone call to your agent can save you some money and give you peace of mind. Most companies offer extra coverage for rental cars and it’s much cheaper than buying insurance through the rental company! If you rent a car several times per year then ask your agent about adding it to your policy. But if you only rent a couple of times a year then you can add it before a trip and cancel after you return.

5. Can You Be Flexible?

Flexibility isn’t always an option when renting a car but if you can adjust pick up date or drop off date then you can often find a better deal! You will be surprised how much savings can happen from just changing the drop off date by one day.

6. Check Different Locations

Have you heard that car rentals are more expensive at the airport? That is usually true so it’s good to check those offsite locations. Grab an Uber to another location and save on your next rental. 

 7. Car Rental Rewards Program

We love Reward Programs! Most of the major Car Rental Companies have a reward program and it can add up to some nice savings. You will be earning rewards for being loyal to one company. That’s not always a good thing because shopping around is one of the best ways to save on rentals. But the rewards are nice perks.

8. Discount Car Rental Services

Most of us know the big Car Rental companies. They spend a lot of money on advertising and are located all over the country. Don’t miss the smaller companies that might have limited services but the savings are pretty significant. Check with companies like Fox Rent A Car, Rentalcars.com, and Payless Car Rentals!

Also, it’s always good to price check with 3rd party companies like Kayak.com, Priceline, Expedia, and Travelocity.

9. Car Sharing Options

Have you heard of car sharing? It’s very similar to Airbnb but for cars. Companies like TURO can be a great alternative to traditional car rental companies. How it works is people post their vehicles online and you can search through and find the one that works for you. Some of these will be cheaper and some are for splurging on the weekend. Check them out and see if it’s a good option for you!

10. Make Sure to Document Damage

Don’t rush this step! Make sure you walk around the car and make note of any scratches or dents. Check the inside of the car for damage too. Rental companies can really stick you with charges if you do not catch these. 

11. Fill Up the Tanks

I know this seems simple enough but you do not want to bring the rental back without filling it up first! Companies can charge double or triple per gallon if you bring it back on empty! That can be quite the surprise on your final bill.

These are some of the best ways to save on your next rental. What are some ways that you save? Let us know in the comments!