Explore simple ways to spend less on car rental.
Prices in car rental services seem to be growing all the time. The average cost has increased from $46 to $81 from 2019 to 2021. This year, it wasn’t better – more than $56 and sometimes exceeding $85 a day. The average price per day in 2023 won’t drop too.
While it is not the kind of expense that makes the biggest part of the overall travel cost, knowing how to save a little bit and use your budget wisely matters. So, explore simple ways to spend less on car rental.
1. Use credit card rewards.
Credit card payments unlock plenty of rewards and bonuses. For example, if your card is high-class or you have a decent credit score, you might get cash back or even use rental insurance.
If you’re eligible for benefits like this, this means not only minus a part of your bill but also getting reimbursement if any damage happens.
It’s best to know how much you’ll pay at once: with services such as Carngo that have calculator tools for estimating car rental prices, you’ll get more accuracy and know what to expect.
2. Book earlier
Rental prices are flexible, and they change depending on the season. For instance, renting a car in subtropical regions will always go up in summer and often reach their peaks in August. In places where the demand for vehicles is crazy, book in advance.
Book a few months ahead if you head to New York a week before Christmas. Three months in advance would be a good time to do it. This gives you more chances to drop the rate and, if not, get the cheapest options, and have an acceptable rental price before it grows even more.
3. Look for the best deals & compare
Despite higher costs every year, car trips still beat flights.
The market of services of this type is wide enough to pick a deal that comes close to the budget you planned for your trip. Googling companies and making your research fit for specific needs (and dates) will do you a big favor.
Make sure to find out details such as prices for drivers under 21, fees for second drivers, and especially how many locations around the city they offer.
4. Mind locations
Rent prices tend to be higher in airports. Just to compare, the prices for car rental in 2022 in Glacier Park Airport (FCA) in summer haven’t been lower than $197 per day. That’s more than twice the regular price at the airport in New York.
Carngo shows rental locations worldwide so that you can pick the best one.
5. Choose the right size
A fancy sports car might look great, but is it worth paying over the odds?
Big and four-wheel drive cars are fuel-consuming. For a lot of city driving or reaching far-away destinations, use models with a weaker appetite for patrol.
Use these tips to plan your journeys and pick the most convenient and cost-effective travel options!
