Movements start
again, short-term car rental also starts.
Whether it's a
long journey, a business engagement or any special occasion, there are always -
from case to case - numerous advantages when considering whether or not to rent
a car for your travels.
There are also
numerous doubts related to this choice: where is it convenient to rent? Is it
good to choose additional insurance? Which medium makes sense to choose?
The current
rental scenario requires the same precautions as always, with the addition of
greater control by users over the sanitation and sanitation processes.
Therefore, the
need for protection on the part of users does not change, and for this reason
we have updated our ten simple but useful tips when they turn to a new
rent-a-car.
Offers online
Now for any
service it is worthwhile to take a look online first.
There are
discounts, coupons, offers related to newsletter subscription and so on. Not to
mention the price comparators, which at a glance allow you to quickly
understand what to do. Even Amazon has recently taken the field with forms of
rental yet to be tested.
The simplest
advice, therefore, is to browse a bit by comparing prices and conditions in the
various comparators , such as Rental cars, Expedia, Kayak and directly on the
rental companies' sites.
You don't just look at the price
A bit like with
the purchase of flights, it is good to pay attention to the various
commissions, taxes, various taxes and accompanying services - sometimes
mandatory - at the time of purchase
It is worth
doing some proof of purchase to see what the lowest price online really is,
provided you are looking for that.
Small car rentals or ... more well-known brands?
Car
sanitizationThe small car rental always seems the best choice for those who
value only the price, even if in reality there are low prices and bargains even
in the most famous car rental brands .
Our advice,
which must however be weighed according to your needs, is: for short, local
trips, also rely on small car rentals; for long journeys, with an itinerary yet
to be defined precisely, better large car rentals (you will easily find the
various Europcar, Avis, Hertz and company companies also in other cities and at
the airport).
Obviously this
is subjective advice, which varies according to the situation. Get objective
guarantees on the sanitation processes.
Rent a car at the airport?
Renting a
vehicle at the airport can lead to surcharges, due to higher fares (although
this is not always the case).
If you have the
opportunity to travel by public transport and you are not particularly in a
hurry, you could consider the rates offered by car rentals in the small city
centers near the airport areas.
Obviously, only
if the savings are sufficient to motivate the move (ask for quotes before
leaving!). At the same time, pay attention to the fact that by booking online,
you may find price cuts: at that point, it doesn't matter where you book.
Despite this suggestion, comfort often prevails: the statistics of car rentals at the airport speak for themselves...
Search online at different times
On the Net you
can find different prices on the same vehicle: the fluctuation of prices
depends on the automatic discount dynamics applied by the various sites and, as
we now know, on the famous yield management, which tracks all our requests and
evaluates the importance attributed . Normally, prices may vary based on
availability, the time you do the search and the advance with which you move to
look for your vehicle.
Try it out,
maybe surfing anonymously, saving is just around the corner!
Take some pictures of the rental car
To avoid
discussions during the delivery phase, it would never hurt to photograph your
vehicle from every angle. A smartphone is enough to easily demonstrate - in the
event of disputes - any blows and signs that may have escaped in the previous
damage analysis sheet that you deliver to the collection of the machine.
What kind of machine to choose? And when to choose it...
two boys with
broken down cars Of course it depends on whether you want convenience or
savings; whether you are in a hurry or not; if you need a large trunk and how
long your journey takes. For one-day rentals, it's not a good idea to go too
thin; the situation is different when it comes to rentals for several days or
to reach inaccessible areas.
There is no
shortage of economic and "comfortable" solutions (7 and 9-seater vans
can be found without problems) but in the end the choice must be weighed, you
have to find the right compromise between comfort and costs. Incidentally, an
economical small-displacement car is likely to be inexpensive if you drive a
lot on the highway, because fuel consumption at high engine revolutions will
more likely increase.
In any case,
whatever choice you make, act in time: book the type of vehicle online, vice
versa you will have to settle for what remains ...
Read
also: How to rent a car cheaply
Automatic gearbox vs. manual gearbox
If you are used
to automatic transmission, it is better to avoid the manual which always
requires a minimum of habit. But even if you are not and you already know that
you will spend several hours in traffic, why not consider an automatic
transmission? The driving experience will certainly be more relaxing!
Careful reading of the contract
It is always
wise to read the contract carefully, to avoid running into clauses that you do
not like.
Waste a few more
minutes, but at least you know for sure what you are signing, especially in
terms of deductibles and procedures in case of damage .
Get a phone
number to answer someone to help you : with the big rental companies this is no
longer a given.
At an insurance
level, it is better to be sure of what is "covered" by the insurance
included in the rental of the vehicle and what is not and also how the
procedures are implemented, who covers the damage, when and how.
Switch with your
bank / credit card as well, as some offer additional insurance when renting a
car.
Navigator yes or no?
If you want to
save something, bring it from home or simply use the maps on your smartphone.
In general, it
is better to be organized: vice versa, any additional accessories you ask for
will be charged at a high price.
Read
also: Long-term car rental: an alternative to
buying
