TechsMagazine 
Rental car prices fluctuate daily, so it’s crucial to compare rates. Websites like Kayak and Priceline are great for doing this. Also, check out Autoslash (it tracks your booking and automatically cancels it if you find a better price).
Another money-saving tip is to enroll in a rental car loyalty program. It usually takes only a few minutes and can save you big.
Book Early
If you’re going for a while, booking your car rental as soon as possible makes sense. The possibility makes sense; you can be sure that the type and size of vehicle you want are available. Also, you can take advantage of any special deals that may be available. Make sure to compare prices on several websites and double-check that the quoted price includes all taxes and fees. Many companies charge them for things like mileage and vehicle licensing. When you pick up the automobile, many will block your credit or debit card so they may charge you for any additional costs later. To gain insights into potential charges and navigate these aspects effectively, consider referring to information available at https://www.retailmenot.com/view/budget.com.
Use Your Toll Transponder
Some states allow drivers to rent electronic transponders on their own state’s toll roads. The problem is that they often don’t work outside their region. Zipping along the Massachusetts Turnpike with a transponder bought in Illinois, for example, unsuspecting travelers encounter a toll plaza that charges them the cash rate.
Rental car companies have spotted this as an opportunity to make money. Some charge a fee for each day the transponder is in their vehicle (never mind that actual tolls will still be charged to your credit card).
The solution is simple: bring your E-ZPass or other transponder. Just be sure to add the temporary license plate number to your toll tag account and remove it after the rental is done. A site has an easy-to-follow guide to ensure you are not billed post-rental. It even works on motorcycles, though you might need to improvise and hold your transponder more firmly on the windshield.
Bring Your Insurance
When you arrive at the rental car counter, an agent might ask if you want to purchase the company’s insurance. The price, coverage limits, and types vary by location and company. The best advice is to review your existing coverage with your auto insurer and credit card provider before you decide on the counter.
Generally, the liability protection in your auto policy will cover damages to others caused by your use of a rental vehicle. The same applies to comprehensive and collision coverage, which protects against theft, vandalism, fire, or weather-related damage to your rental.
Rental car companies offer these extra policies for a fee. Still, the coverage they provide is often secondary and may only kick in after your auto insurance or other sources of coverage have been paid. It’s well worth the time to quickly compare your options and decide what is right for you.
Don’t Be Pressured
An adage says, “If you don’t ask, you will never know.” This also applies when booking a rental car.
Many rental car agents are compensated on commission and may try to sell you extras like roadside assistance or GPS navigation. Resist their spiel and save money. You may already have coverage through your policy or the credit card you use to pay for the rental.
Another common trick is to charge a premium for prepaying fuel. This may not sound bad until you’re cruising and want to stop at a cheaper gas station. You’ll have thrown your prepaid money in the void if you do. In the consumer advocacy world, that’s known as a rip-off. So, avoid this one by only purchasing a full gas tank when you pick up your rental. Then, you can always fill up with the more affordable gas when you return the vehicle.
Ask for an Upgrade
The man or woman behind the counter has considerable discretionary power when assigning you a vehicle category. Be nice to them, and they may give you an upgrade for free. If you’re a regular customer at a particular location, you can also try reminding them when you arrive. This works particularly well if you rent at a busy time like Friday afternoon.
Similarly, if you’re renting for a very long period, they might be willing to upgrade you to a bigger car as part of the deal. This can be especially useful if you rent in the middle of winter when more people are renting, and they might run out of the vehicle class you originally booked.
Do your homework and view quotes for higher-end vehicles shortly before you arrive at the rental agency. This will give you a baseline price for what the upgrade should cost and provide you with leverage during negotiations.
Negotiate
Car rental companies are notorious for offering lots of add-ons that can be expensive, like insurance and GPS tracking. Decide what you need and can’t do without; don’t hesitate to negotiate prices on those extras.
Some rental car companies offer no-haggle buying, which is convenient for many people who don’t want to stress about negotiating. If this is your situation, you should be aware that the resale value of rental cars is usually lower than regular vehicles. It may be worth getting the vehicle inspected by a professional and requesting maintenance records before purchasing it.
If you can compare online prices from different rental car companies, do it. Showing the reps that their competitors have lower prices is also an excellent way to encourage them to lower theirs. It’s also important to know that online prices don’t always include fees and options, often added when picking up the car.
