Cheapest Way to Rent a Car
Renting a cheap car can help you save money on your next trip. You can rent a car at a fraction of the price of a high-end vehicle. However, you have to be a bit flexible with your rental requirements. You might need to have a smaller car for your trip, or opt for an economy car if you’re traveling with a smaller group.
Kayak
Kayak searches hundreds upon hundreds of car rental sites to find the best deal for you. You can rent a sports car, a compact, or an exotic car from a host local to you. You can also filter your search for specific features such as how many passengers you would like to bring and how many bags you would like to bring.
U-Haul
U-Haul has many rental options, and their restrictions are less restrictive than other rental companies. U-Haul only needs your signature. While other companies may require multiple forms such as a credit card, clean driving records, advanced insurances, or IDs, U-Haul does not. This means that theft is much less likely. Another advantage of U-Haul is that you can get a rental at very low prices.
AutoRentals
AutoRentals is a well-known car rental website that covers major cities all over the globe. It provides a comparison shopping feature so you can find the best deal. It also links directly to vendor websites. This allows you to search through hundreds of rental car companies. It is important to note that not all their “best deals”, may include all the fees and taxes that you would expect. If you cancel your reservation, cancellation fees could apply.
Peer to peer
Peer to peer car rental is a service that matches renters with car owners, often with lower prices. Peer to peer car rentals are not subject to a deposit and can be rented the same day. These services are also available to travelers who can pick up vehicles at certain airports.
Lyft
Lyft is a great option if you need to rent a car for a low price. Similar to Uber, you can download the Lyft app and apply to rent a car. To reserve your car, you will need to provide a credit or debit card. This service does not accept cash or prepaid cards. You’ll also have to show your ID on site and pay with the card you used to book the rental. Additional drivers cannot be added to the rental without a valid driver’s license.
Credit card discounts
Using a credit card to rent a car can be a great way to save money on car rentals. Most cards offer rental car discounts and upgrades. However, many charge hefty annual fees. These fees can be worth it if you frequently rent a car. Some cards only work with certain car rental companies. So, even if you have a credit card with premium rental car benefits, you may still spend more than you would with a more affordable option.
Airport pickup
Renting a car from an airport is often the cheapest option because the rental car fleets are much larger than those of city car rental agencies. You can even earn frequent flier miles, which can add up to a few dollars per day. A GPS navigation system and satellite radio can be purchased for $5 per day. You can also save money by getting gas before you return your car. Websites such as GasBuddy, GlobalPetrolPrices and others can help you find the best prices.
Adding a driver
If you want to add an additional driver to your rental car, you can do so for free in some states. Additional drivers do not need to be paid extra in California, Illinois and Indiana, Missouri, Utah, or Wisconsin. However, in some states you will have to pay an additional driver fee.
