If you’re planning to Rent a Car Santa Cruz de Tenerife a car, be aware of the extra fees that can add up. By shopping around, booking early and skipping add-ons, you can avoid racking up expensive fees.
Some rental companies charge for a Collision Damage Waiver (CDW). However, your own personal auto insurance might cover this cost.
Paying in Advance
Shopping for a rental car can be confusing. One of the choices you face is whether to make a standard reservation without providing your payment information or go for a prepaid option that requires you to pay upfront.
Michaels emphasized that paying ahead of time typically costs more, but he noted that some rental companies will offer a 15% discount as an incentive to book early. He also cautioned that it's important to be sure the pick-up and drop-off dates are accurate.
Another factor to consider is the price of gas. Some rental companies offer a prepaid tank of gas that can save you the hassle of having to stop to fill up the tank. However, it can cost more than what you'd pay at a gas station.
Booking Directly
Car rental companies often have difficulty keeping up with demand for their vehicles. This is especially true during high season.
It is important to book directly when renting a car in order to save money and time. When you rent directly, your credit or debit card is used for the entire transaction. This allows how you can help to avoid the extra fees that are tacked on when a rental company uses their own system for handling the tolls and other services.
Renting directly is becoming increasingly popular, thanks to peer-to-peer rental companies like Turo. These services allow you to rent a variety of cars, from high-end Teslas to practical Toyotas and Hondas, from locals who are looking to make extra income. These platforms are similar to Airbnb and offer many benefits, including avoiding the rental counter altogether.
Paying with a Credit Card
Some rental car companies offer prepaid rates that can save you money. However, the total cost can change on arrival if you choose additional options or pay for gas. Also, the rate may be higher than a local pump.
If you don't have a credit card, the rental company assumes more risk, since it can't bill your account later for damages or other expenses. However, many cards provide insurance for rentals that covers the minimum coverage the car rental company must offer.
Some cards even provide coverage for loss of use, meaning the car can't be used while it is repaired. The policies of major rental car companies vary by location, though. They may require that drivers be 25 years old or older, and they may charge for equipment like GPS units.
Avoiding Tolls
When renting a car, it is wise to consider the possibility of traveling on toll roads. The problem is that rental car companies often hide these charges or bury them in fine print, and many customers do not realize they are paying them until they get stuck with them at the counter.
Using the same techniques that you use in your own car, such as changing GPS routes and choosing cash-only lanes or driving at non-peak times, you can save money on rental car tolls. Some mapping programs, like Google Maps and Waze, also offer an avoid tolls option.
If your rental car has a transponder, you can decline to use it and avoid the fee by closing the lead-lined box that contains it when you reach the toll road. This will prevent the electronic sensors from reading it and sending toll bills to your rental company.
Booking for a Week
When it comes to weekly car rental deals, there are no real tricks that help you get a great deal. The prices for this length of time are set by the rental companies, Car Hire Paris and they will increase or decrease depending on supply and demand.
The best thing to do is look for a deal in advance. This way, you can save money on your trip and avoid the stress of trying to find a car at the last minute.
If you can, try to book your car at least a few weeks in advance. This will give you the opportunity to track prices and change your booking if you find something cheaper. It’s much better than waiting until the last minute and finding that all of the cars are already sold out.
