For millions of people, a vehicle is a necessity for everyday living. However, if you only needed a car once or twice a month, it would be a ridiculous waste of money to buy one, which is why it would be more affordable to rent one. If you’re working on a tight budget, it is possible to get cheap car rental, as long as you follow these four tips.
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Rent The Car That You Need
If you enjoy driving and have a love for cars, it can be an enjoyable experience to rent a car. Driving provides a valuable sense of freedom and feeling of having control over your own life, which is why it can be difficult to rent the vehicle that you need, instead of the car that you want.
There are some really impressive vehicles out there, and you might enjoy the added benefits of power steering, air conditioning, or reverse sensors if you’ve never experienced these features before. However, as much as these features add to the experience, they also add to the cost of a rental.
If you’re looking for a car rental that’s also inexpensive, it’s best to go with what you need, over what you want. What you need is a vehicle that will get you from one place to another, at a cost you can comfortably afford. So when you’re looking for cheap car rental, keep in mind that your budget is tight, and get a rental that you need, instead of one that will get you from A to B at a higher cost.
Find A Rate That’s In Your Budget
If you know that you can’t splurge, it’s best to set a budget. And even though you’ll be able to find different rates from various rental companies, it’s good to know how much you can spend. When you know what you can comfortably afford, you’ll be able to find the right cheap car for your purposes. Most rental car companies have a range of budget hire cars, so you might even find one under budget that allows you to make an even more significant saving!
You should also familiarise yourself with deals that different companies provide to find one that works best for you. Rentals can either be charged as a flat rate per day, and others are by the hour. If you need the car for two or three days, it would be more affordable to pick a rental company that charges per day. If you only need it for an afternoon, the hourly rate would be better for you and your pocket.
Compare Rates
When you know how long you need the cheap car rental, and what kind of car you’re looking for, you can start getting comparative quotes. Fortunately, there is always more than one option to choose from. Their rates will be competitive, so make sure to spend time getting enough quotes for you to work with. Some companies even have a policy that they will beat a quote that you get from somewhere else, which might get you a discounted rate, or a vehicle in their budget range that isn’t displayed on their website.
You can even save some money on additional accessories that they don’t tell you about. For example, some rental cars come with a GPS that you’re charged for. Make sure to look into what you’re charged for, to see if you can make a saving without it. If you need a GPS, you can borrow one from a friend, or use a bracket and the GPS on your smartphone. The additional accessories are nice, but they cost more, so be wary of what you’re being charged for when you start getting comparative quotes.
Save On Fuel And Distance Travelled
Some rental companies include the mileage in their fees, so if you’re not driving around locally, this could be added to your bill. Some also provide a full tank of petrol to your quote, while others request that you fill the car when you return it. Be wary of their fuel policies, especially if they charge you for a tank of fuel because they might put a mark-up on it. If you fill the petrol tank yourself before you return the car, you’ll pay a flat rate.
Renting a car will cost you money, but you can get away with making a saving and getting a car rental for cheap if you follow these tips. With your budget in hand, you can find something that you know you can afford while keeping fuel and return policies in mind.