| Around the country, gas prices have been taking us | | | | When you are renting in another country, find out in |
| on a rollercoaster ride. For a few months, we are | | | | advance whether you can choose between paying in |
| paying top dollar for gas, then it backs off a little and | | | | U.S. currency or paying in the foreign currency. Make |
| we are reprieved. Before we know it, we are on the | | | | sure to compare the two rates, and if you choose to |
| same ride over and over again. With such fluctuation, | | | | pay in the local currency, but use a U.S. credit card, |
| many of us wonder if it's even worth it to go on | | | | they will charge you a conversion fee. |
| vacation, especially when we have to add on the | | | | What Are the Restrictions? |
| cost of renting a car. Even though cost is weighing | | | | Especially when reserving a car abroad, you'll want to |
| heavily on people's minds right now, this should not | | | | check out the age requirements and the insurance |
| be the only factor to consider when choosing a car | | | | coverage options. Some credit cards that you |
| rental company and model to choose. When you've | | | | reserve with have restrictions that don't allow |
| found a successful car rental company they will be a | | | | purchasing insurance in certain countries, like Jamaica |
| company that brings together, price, model, service, | | | | and Italy. Other international rental-car companies |
| and timing. | | | | sometimes impose restrictions on older rental drivers. |
| Even if you are an experienced car rental renter, | | | | Lastly, make sure to check if options available in the |
| meaning you rent several times a year, you still may | | | | United States are also available abroad, like unlimited |
| be in for a surprise when you go to rent. Rental | | | | mileage. |
| companies and cars vary so much from city to city, | | | | International ID |
| it's no wonder why renting a car can be a frustrating | | | | Most often, you don't need an international driving |
| situation. | | | | permit to drive abroad, but in the case that you |
| Next time you find yourself renting a car while away | | | | were pulled over by police, it provides a familiar and |
| from home, make sure to get a great price, without | | | | recognizable form of identification. For the low fee of |
| having to go through a shady company. There's | | | | $15, available from the American Automobile |
| plenty that you can do to make the rental-car stars | | | | Association (AAA), it is well worth the sense of |
| align and end up with a lower bill. Here are a few | | | | calmness that it will give to you. |
| steps to take when booking a rental. | | | | There are a number of ways that car rental |
| Book Through Travel Websites | | | | companies are trying to save you money when you |
| When you book your car rental through travel | | | | are vacationing. There are more independent |
| websites like Hotwire and Priceline, you are paying up | | | | companies that are increasing the competition, and |
| front without necessarily knowing the specific car | | | | there are a lot more deal finding tools online to help |
| rental agency you are booking with, but this way you | | | | find that great deal. |
| are guaranteed significant discounts. Even though you | | | | One of the most positive changes that rental car |
| may not know the specific car rental agency, they | | | | companies are making is increasing their inventory of |
| are generally an interchangable commodity. | | | | hybrid vehicles. These vehicles not only minimize the |
| Avoid Airport Rentals | | | | carbon footprint, but they save you considerable |
| When you find yourself renting your car at an airport | | | | amounts of money on fuel. Also, when using a gas or |
| kiosk, you are undoubtedly going to pay significantly | | | | electric vehicle, it's possible to save as much as one |
| more for a rental car than if you were to book it in | | | | day's rental fees when you take a week-long trip. |
| advance somewhere else. It is required by law that | | | | Enterprise Rent-A-Car is planning on doubling its |
| airport rental locations add local and state surcharges, | | | | inventory of 5,000 hybrid vehicles by the end of |
| where you may not get these charges if you book | | | | 2009. They began increasing these cars in the more |
| somewhere else. These fees can hike your rental up | | | | densely populated areas of the country, and now are |
| by about 25-45 percent. | | | | expanding to more rural areas. |
| Rent Locally When Abroad | | | | At Avis Car Rentals, sixty-three percent of their |
| It may be your first instinct to book a car rental with | | | | vehicles are certified by the EPA's Smart Way |
| a local rental company because you are familiar with | | | | program, and 2,500 of these vehicles are hybrids. |
| them and you trust them. But, it may be | | | | The company doesn't offer these vehicles at all |
| adventageous to you to look into booking your rental | | | | locations yet, so the best way to reserve one is to |
| with a foreign company where you are traveling to. | | | | travel to any of the major West Coast airport |
| Most often they will offer you a better deal and a | | | | locations. |
| wider selection of vehicles to choose from. | | | | Hertz has also joined the ranks, offering many hybrid |
| Top Off the Tank | | | | vehicles, more than 4,000 to be exact, and can be |
| Fuel policies of rental companies are quite strict, and | | | | reserved upon request in many major U.S. cities. |
| when you bring back a car without topping off the | | | | When it comes down to it, renting a car is all about |
| fuel, they will most often charge you a pretty steep | | | | providing you a way to enjoy your vacation, so if |
| fee, over what the gas station would have charged | | | | you don't have to worry about how much it's costing |
| you for gas. Keep in mind that you will need to fill up | | | | you to rent, your bound to have a more stress-free |
| the tank at a fuel center close to the rental company | | | | vacation. If you do your homework in advance and |
| station and show them your receipt to prove the | | | | look around for deals, you will pay less for your car |
| action. | | | | rental and have more money to pay for those fun |
| Beware of the Conversion Fee | | | | things while vacationing. |