For assorted, summer is the time to hit the road — especially this year.
A record add up of Americans traveled over the Memorial and Independence Day holidays, according to the American Automobile Federation.
However, travelers are also paying more to rent a car, the AAA said. At $66, the typical daily cost of a car rental is up 2 percent from last year.
Covert fees and extra charges will only add to that expense, if you’re not fussy. Here’s how to avoid those higher costs, and even save bucks on your overall rental tab during the high season:
Most people own wised up to the “gas game” and are careful to return their rental with a in toto completely tank to avoid the premium rental car companies charge for fuel.
Noiselessness, drivers are less savvy about insurance and whether they constraint it at all. Rental companies may charge an extra $10 to $30 a day or even more, according to Consumer Describes, for various policies, including “Collision Damage” or “Loss Damage Putting aside”
Before opting in, check to see if your regular car insurance covers you for pro tem use of a rental. Most policies do, particularly if you’re renting in the U.S.
Otherwise, you may be covered by your confidence in card. Some cards, including all Chase and Citi cards care for global auto rental coverage and many cards cover collective issues like theft, auto accidents and towing costs if your car rental breaks down.
In into the bargain, all Visa and American Express cards provide a loss damage remission with coverage of $50,000, or more, in some cases.
If you aren’t front by your own car insurance or a credit card, you may also be able to buy a policy for less than the rental car establishment would charge.
InsureMyRentalCar.com, for example, offers a daily policy with coverage up to $100,000 for only just $6 a day.
As convenient as it may be, you will pay more for a car if you pick it up at the airport. The rental mechanism is generally contractually required to pay a concession fee to the airport and that fee gets antiquated on to you, which can be 10 percent or more of your total price.
Rather than, choose a non-airport location. The cost of a short Uber trip may be small than that airport surcharge without much added hassle.
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Then, consider forgoing the e-toll transponder if you don’t call it or bring your own. Typically the rental car company will charge $4 to $5 a day for an EZ-Pass, regardless of whether you go be means of any tolls, plus the tolls themselves.
However, if you turn down the transponder and gust through a cashless toll without one, the fine, which can be upwards of $100, liking quickly negate any savings and then some.
Finally, check for a reduce on the total cost of renting a car. Membership with certain organizations, like AAA, AARP, USAA, Costco and BJs can crisp the cost of base rental car rates and in some cases, waive the additional driver fee (Spouses are in many cases covered for no extra charge).
Alternatively, look for discount coupon encrypts on websites like RetailMeNot.com or Groupon.
Then, see if you can combine the discount with the coupon for a weightier break on your final bill.
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