Traveling during the holidays has its own set of problems and frustrations. And, if you’re going on vacation, a holiday automobile rental could be at the top of your list. While most cities now offer Ubers, Lyfts, taxis, and other ride-sharing services, there are times when you just need to hire a car.
It’s not unusual (or even anticipated) for the cost of all travel-related expenses to rise over the Christmas season. This year will undoubtedly bring increased costs, but it will also bring new anxieties. Yes, we are still experiencing a rental vehicle scarcity (due to a general automobile deficit, which means fewer cars are being sold into rental car fleets) — The post-pandemic tourism boom is also driving up demand. Here are a few smart suggestions to help you obtain the greatest deal (and vehicle) on your vacation car rental. CouponPlusDeal offers the best Modanisa Coupon Code and Vogacloset Discount Code for your shopping.
4 Ways to Save on a Holiday Car Rental
1. Skip Airport Car Rentals
While they are handy, automobile rental locations near airports are significantly more costly than elsewhere. In reality, airport fees are frequently added to every automobile rental picked up at the airport. This restriction also applies to non-holiday travel. When I travel into a place where I know I’ll need to rent a car, I always look for nearby regions with a lesser demand for rental automobiles (think closer to the city or suburbs). It may be tempting to simply take a car rental shuttle from the airport, but trust us when we say the extra effort to travel to a non-airport-related car rental location will pay you in the long run.
Simply do the arithmetic to ensure that the Uber or taxi travel from the airport to the vehicle rental office will not cost more than the higher airport rental car fee. Alternatively, ask a friend or family member if they’d be prepared to drive you from the airport to the rental vehicle company. The money you save might not be worth the extra effort for a short-term rental. However, if you multiplied the higher airport fee by a week-long rental, bumming a ride or paying for an Uber may make more sense.
2. Book Your Holiday Rental Car Far Ahead of Time
While this may seem obvious to some, many people are unwilling to book a rental car until the very last minute. This Christmas season, booking a rental car ahead of time is more vital than ever. Uncertainty about flying and the travel snafus many experienced during the high summer travel season may persuade many to drive instead, as have supply chain constraints that have thrown a wrench in almost every industry’s gears. As a result, rentals are projected to suffer as more people hit the road this Christmas season.
By reserving in advance, you may not only be certain that you will have a car once you get at your location, but you can also be certain that you will be paying a reasonable fee rather than the exorbitant walk-up pricing. You can even get a better deal if you book outside of the peak season, and you might be able to organise your vacation trip around that.
3. Search For Military and Veteran Car Rental Discounts
Many businesses, including leading automobile rental companies, provide military, veteran, and first responder discounts. Whether you belong to one of these organisations, check to see if the rental company gives a military or veteran discount before booking your vacation automobile rental. The following are just a handful of the active deals available for this year’s Christmas vehicle rental:
- Enterprise provides a 5% discount off base prices to military, government, and veterans; however, a valid ID showing military, government, or veteran status may be required at the time of pickup. Go here to learn more about Enterprise’s military discount.
- Veterans Advantage members may get up to a 25% military and veteran discount at Avis. To obtain this discount, military and veterans must be enrolled in Veterans Advantage.
- Veterans Advantage members may enjoy up to a 25% military and veteran discount at Budget. Find out more.
- Military and veteran discounts are available at Alamo. Off-duty military personnel must be 21 years old to rent a car; however, charges may be raised for drivers under the age of 25. A valid military or government ID may also be required upon rental pickup. Find out more.
- Sixt provides active military and veterans with a 5% discount on automobile rental rates.
4. Factor in Gas When Selecting a Vehicle
Unless you’re travelling with a family, have a lot of luggage, or want off-road capability, renting a smaller car will not only offer you a reduced daily cost, but will also save you money at the pump before returning your rental. Returning a car with an empty tank nearly always results in a costly fee. When it comes to filling the tank, the smaller the car, the less you’ll be responsible for.