Picking the Right Rental Car Company

By Amy Nutt

Are you looking to hire a car for your next vacation or business trip? Remember to rent from a well-known outlet that offers a wide selection of models ranging from fuel-efficient compacts, up to roomy (but gas-guzzling) Sport Utility Vehicles. Check for comfort options like air conditioning, power steering and automatic transmission. Some rental agencies offer services such as roadside assistance and locksmith calling as part of their rental packages, and these features can make or break your vacation.

It’s important to ask a lot of questions and find out as much as you can before making reservations to rent a car from any agency. Booking your rental long in advance will ensure that you get a discount of some sort for your rental. This will also help you to have the widest selection of models, especially during peak holiday rental times. Most rental vehicles come with at least AM/FM radios and many also have CD players. Some even sport MP3 player input jacks so you can play your favorite downloaded songs on your trip. Another thing to remember is if you’re not familiar with manual gearing, don’t try and learn 'stick shift' on the road. You’ll only end up with more stress than you bargained for and you may end up in an accident.

Think long and hard about the time you may be spending in the vehicle and how much space you will need for yourself, your passengers and your luggage. You can then make your choice based on comfort and not just price. If you end up jammed into a vehicle that is smaller than you planned on, it could really spoil your holiday. Even though it may cost less to rent a smaller vehicle, it won’t be worth it if there’s little or no comfort for you and your passengers.

For example, compact cars may save you fuel, but if you’re six feet tall, they would kill your knees, especially if you're driving a long way. If you don’t like the model that you reserved, talk to the rental agency staff. They will try to get you into a car that’s more suitable for you. However, there may be an extra fee to pay if you choose to upgrade to a larger vehicle.

If you book your rental vehicle directly online, you may qualify for special offers. Also, just like when you buy anything else, you should shop around for the best bargains that car rental agencies have to offer. Remember, availability of these promotional rates may be limited, so the sooner you call, the more likely your chances are of getting them. Your travel agent can help you look for deals online, and save you from calling number after number.

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