Things to consider when renting a car

by | May 14, 2013 | Travel

Recent Articles

Categories

Archives

Many people get justifiably confused when trying to rent a car online. There seems to be so many variable to consider and with so many choices, it can be overwhelming. It does not have to be this way, you just need to be informed beforehand.

The most obvious consideration is the price. Rental cars can be had for a weekly rate or a day rate, the distance you drive can either be included in the rate charged or the number of Kms can be a shown as a separated charge. There are a number of companies that can use to rent a car online that have packages available that include a fixed number of free Kms after which you incur an additional fee. To make the choice, figure out beforehand the approximate distance you will travel.

The type of vehicle you rent also has a bearing on the cost. Car rental agencies have different types of cars, all come at different rates. Most agencies have economy, compact, mid-size and luxury vehicles. Before you rent, know what your purpose is, this will help you make the right choice of vehicle. If you are renting for a day or two while your car is being repaired or you are just going on a short day trip, an economy car is often good enough. If you are going to rent a car online for a longer trip, a larger car may be more satisfactory as it will be more comfortable.

When you have zeroed in on a vehicle, go online to the various agencies, and select the car that they have that matches your needs. The websites of the major car rental companies are all interactive and within a matter of minutes, you will have been able to visit them, check the prices and make your selection.

You may want to consider calling the agency before you rent a car online. There are times when the agency has offers that only walk-in and phone-in customers get, don’t be afraid to call and ask, usually the phone number that they publish is toll-free. You will want to check the companies policy on petrol, in some cases you take the car with a full tank and you are expected to return it with a full tank as well.