Unless you are in a remote area, zip cars are limited in inventory and quickly booked, especially during peak times. Rental car companies have extended their reach by opening locations in neighborhoods, not limited to airport locations. In addition, they have a larger fleet selection.

Rental cars allow for multiple day rentals and one way rentals. Zip cars, due to their limited availability, are difficult to rent for multiple days at a time and must be returned to their original location. This proves difficult if you are traveling.

For anyone traveling, rental cars are a necessity unless you have friends and family in the area to pick you up and chauffeur you around. Your freedom diminishes as well. You’re reliant on others.

Rental car companies have special promotions and ongoing promotions for great savings, which anyone can find online. It is worth searching around to find the best deals. This is easy as one just needs to search for key phrases such as Enterprise rental coupons which will cover Enterprise Rent-Rent-A-Car and Thrify rental coupons that will cover Thrifty Rental Car Systems.

So when you need a vehicle for transportation, consider a rental car before a zip car.

Renting a car can either make a vacation tons of fun or just plain miserable. It is the same way for just renting a car for any occasion. When considering going on any of type of trip you may want to consider renting a car, just to make your trip easier than in your own vehicle.

When it comes to making the right choice on renting a car for your trip, you may consider talking to your travel agent if going through one to find out the best possible car to rent and the best deal that you could get on a vehicle. When it comes to using a travel agent they may be able to save you money on your rental purchase. They may also know if some type of promotions are running in and around the time frame that you are going to be traveling that are not going to be posted to the public, just travel agencies.

There are a couple of different types of way that places will charge their customers their rental rates. Usually the most popular type is daily rate with a mileage rate charge. This means that you are charges a daily fee for the car and also whatever mileage that you put on the car you are going to be charged a certain amount for what you put on the car. Another type of rental rate that you may be charged will be a daily rate this charged along with a certain amount of mileage they are not going to be charging you for. This is one of the better ways to rent your car. It basically means that you will be charged a daily rate along with only having to pay for a certain amount of mileage. You have to pay for some mileage but not all of it. This rate is usually charged when you will not be taking the car on a very long trip, just general use. You can also get a deal where mileage is charged over an extended period of time. This usually is quite a large amount that will probably be due monthly or when you return the car.

Rates will you be charged on the bases of the car. Meaning whatever kind of car you use and how long. There are many different types of cars that you can rent such as: economy, compact, intermediate, and deluxe cars. Usually what you rent is based on your family size and what type of trip or purpose you are going to be renting the car.

You must remember that you may have other types of fees that are usually added into the rental price. Such as taxes or drop off charges.

When renting a car you will of course have to pay some type of insurance to make sure you are covered for all types of problems or damages that you may incur. It really depends on the type of car and the type of coverage that the rental place offers. Usually you are liable for the first several hundred dollars and then the rest is covered. It just really depends on the coverage and the type that is offered.

Renting a car can make everything easier on you when it comes to taking a vacation or just needing a car for a few short days. It can run all kinds of different prices. Car rental companies all charge different fees so there is no for sure way of telling you a price. You may want to consider looking on the Internet and comparing different companies before deciding which one to use.

Ultimately you want to find a company that combines a low price with good levels of service. In addition, it is important to recognise what type of car you will need and any insurance inclusions you will need to add to the rental agreement. Hopefully the following information will give those in the UK essential advice to enable them to have a stress free and enjoyable car hire experience.

The first consideration when looking at hiring a car is to decide exactly what you will need the car to do. If you are returning to the UK from holiday then it is likely you will have a large amount of baggage, hence choosing one of the larger vehicles in the range will be an advisable course of action to follow. Additionally if you are travelling with the family, ensuring the vehicle is large enough to seat everyone comfortably is preferable. For many, having an environmentally friendly car will be important. If this is the case, thankfully there are some car hire companies in the UK that now supply hybrid vehicles to renters. Make sure all these considerations are made before booking the vehicle.

Many people will only be booking a car for a short period of time; if this is the case then one of the major rental companies is better as they can usually provide the lowest prices. Those hiring for a longer period of time however may want to undertake a little more research and find a local company. In smaller companies however the service offered varies greatly, hence finding an efficient and affordable one can be hit and miss. Remember that break down cover should be considered, normally larger companies will be able to provide better break down assistance than local companies. The major point here is to research each and every company extensively to ensure you find a good balance between service and cost.

Part of this research will undoubtedly take place on the internet; most UK companies have websites with the option to book online. This is usually advisable as many of the large companies will offer discounts to those booking over the internet. In some cases this can be as much as ten percent. Other ways to gain discounts is to use loyalty clubs, for those who use hire cars regularly; this can be extremely beneficial in the financial sense.

Whenever booking a vehicle it is vitally important to take time over the rental agreement; this will define the services you will receive and the costs you must pay. Gain an understanding of exactly what you are paying for and whether any additional charges may be applicable if you have to cancel at the last minute or are late on arrival. At this stage it is advisable to take a note of the booking conformation number, when booking online this will normally be sent by email although those booking over the phone will have to record it manually. In effect this number is your proof of purchase and hence it is important to have it on your arrival at the outlet.

Hopefully this information has given those hiring cars within the UK a better understanding of the rental process and ways to find the best deal. As previously stated the ultimate objective is to find a good balance between costs and service. The cheapest price does not always represent value, in some cases: paying a little more can lead to a far more rewarding experience.

About the Author: Travel and consumer advice expert Thomas Pretty looks into the car hire UK services and ways to find the best deal. Article Source: Content for Reprint

Prior and during Booking

Think carefully about what kind of vehicle you’ll need. If you’re traveling with children or with a lot of luggage, you may want to rent a station wagon. If it’s just for you and another person, rather go for a smaller model which uses less petrol.

Surf the Internet and compare rates from various suppliers in the calm of your home. You can go direct with reliable car rental companies or often better, use a car rental broker working with trustworthy car rental companies. Some car hire broker use what is called Dynamic Pricing. Everyday they compare the rates of the market and adapt pricing accordingly to offer best rates and often a Price guarantee. However if you get a good offer, book immediately as rates may change at any stage. Always make sure you compare apples to apples as some offers do not show inclusions and exclusions and you may up paying much more than you think. Always ask for all details and extra applicable costs of the offer. Some car hire companies offer one free extra driver, some even more. Some charge extra for additional insurance options. The list can be long, insist on a detailed offer showing all charges and services.

Rates are typically cheaper on weekends. If you are flexibility with your rental needs, opt for weekend rental. You can save often around 20, sometimes even more.
Choose the right insurance option. When renting a car, you usually have a collision damage waiver (CDW) and a loss damage waiver (LDW). The first covers you in the event of a collision, the second covers any loss to the rental company. If you’re paying the car with a credit card, you may be covered for damages associated with an accident. Check with your card company to make sure what is included and what not. Check always very carefully the Excess amounts for any insurance as sometimes they may be very high and be used as security with your credit card at the time of starting your rental. Some rental companies or car rental brokers offer refundable excess without excess options. Often it is only a small additional charge but may be worth the possibility of very high excess charges in case of any damages. Also check if Windscreen and any other insurances are included.

Book early. It’s not just a cliché; early bookings pay off and prove to be cheaper than last minute reservations. Rates depend on the amount of vehicles the company has available, so sooner is better. Reserve your car at least a week in advance.

Most rental cars have manual transmissions

The USA aside, most cars are manual. Although automatic cars can be found, the price difference is often huge. If you can, always choose manual cars as it is cheaper. Remember also that in some countries driving happens on the other side of the road than where you come from

You may want to take advantage of getting miles credited to your frequent flyer program when using a car rental but inquire prior as car rental companies often charge a small fee when you request frequent flyer miles for your rental.

Consider upgrades to larger vehicles

Sometimes rental companies will offer free upgrades. It is usually done as the category you booked is in high demand. It may seem like a great deal for you. If you really need a larger vehicle then take the upgrade. But if you don’t need more space, rather stay with the smaller vehicle as petrol consumption will cost you less than with the upgrade.

Avoid airport pickups. Usually pickups at airports are more expensive due to taxes and fees. If possible choose a nearby location to save on those charges. There can be a difference of 10% depending on the location. If your first drive will be from an airport to a hotel for the night, perhaps rather take a shuttle to the hotel? Doing this may save you the price of a day’s rental too.

Bring your own child safety seat

Depending on the rental company and location it may be a high extra charge worth taking the child seat with you.

Do you need unlimited mileage or perhaps only 200 km per day? Establish your exact needs prior booking but be aware, extra mileage may cost you a fortune if you exceed the initial package so unlimited mileage options may be cheaper in the end.

Avoid extra day charges

Most rental companies charge per 24 hours. If possible choose to drop your car at the same time or just before the pickup time.

Read the terms and conditions carefully before confirming your reservation and ask about restrictions or possible extra charges. Is there a penalty for cancellation or no-shows? What is the minimum or maximum age restrictions. Are there extra fees if over or under aged, or worse may you even be refused the car at pick-up.

If you return the car at another place than picking it up, it is worth inquiring if a one-way fee applies in your case. When renting more than one week, often one-way fees are waived. Should you travel across boarders they usually always apply and may be very high.

Most car rental companies do not allow their cars on ferries and you are not covered by the insurance. You may consider taking up a separate insurance or rather rent a car at one side and another car on the other side. Also check about restrictions if you cross any boarder with your rented car.

A very good option for medium to long term needs in Europe is to lease a car . You get a brand-new car, all inclusive, can take it on the Ferry, go to most European countries (only few exclusion in the East of Europe) and the rate is really interesting when staying longer.

Make sure you order any needed extras, such as a ski rack, car seat or GPS system at the time of booking as often they are not available at pick-up or will cost you more

Always ask how a company handles accidents, breakdowns or any other unfortunate happenings. If you are traveling to a remote area you want to make sure there is help at hand in form of a extensive network of agencies in the area and usually you get this only by a reputable car rental company

Check the final rate against the advertised one. The rate you see advertised may be without taxes, airport surcharges, additional driver fees, insurance, drop-off charges and any other. You may end up paying more than what you expected. Also, the advertised rate may be valid in one area but not the other depending on seasons and high demand or for a car size that you would find unsuitable. Most of the major car brokers have become more transparent about rates, exclusions and extras, and they now usually show you the total cost of your rental, before finalizing the booking payment. Booking with Auto International will protect you from any unexpected surprises and you can always cancel you rental, 48 prior pick-up and get full reimbursement

Inquire about what documents are needed for taking delivery. If renting in your own country usually a driving license and ID will be enough, however other countries may have different rules especially if your local driving license is not recognized. You will need to apply for an International Driving license well ahead of time. Coming from a non-European country and traveling to Europe and other major countries you usually will need a valid driving license of your country, additional a valid international driving license and a passport valid 6 moths after your return. Copies and temporary documents are usually not accepted. This is a quite new regulation (2008) to avoid fraud.

Find out the latest rules and regulations of the countries you are driving through to avoid any nasty surprises or unexpected costs. For example, theft insurance is mandatory in Italy and there are highway charges for cars driven in Austria or Switzerland ; you’ll need to purchase a sticker to avoid paying a fine. In France since July 2008 all cars need to carry a security kit (reflective vest and safety triangle), non-compliance may cost you a fine of 135 Euros.

Get a confirmed voucher and reservation number.

For pick-up at airports, be sure to give your flight number and arrival time prior delivery. This will avoid any problems if the flight is delayed.

Have a great and safe trip!

www.autointernational.co.za

About The Author:  Andrea Gastaud has been working in and around the travel and tourism industry for more than 15 years. From Germany with French influences sha currently resides in South Africa. Andrea is the founder and owner of Auto International – international car rental company with a wide range of services and model ranges.