If you think that renting a car is as easy as just booking one, you're wrong. Whether it's a house or a car, renting has always been seen as a time-consuming process. Given all the factors that you have to consider in getting your car, making sure you get a good deal can be overwhelming.

So, to help you with booking a rental car for your trip, we've compiled a few tips to help you find the best deal out there without stressing yourself out. 

Why Not Buy Instead of Rent?

If you're always on the road and looking for a new adventure, buying can make more sense than renting. Sadly, this option isn't always available for people who are still in the process of rebuilding their credit scores.

Financing a used car with poor credit is one of the options that you can explore if you want to own a vehicle. You can set the amount you want to borrow, the length of the contract, and your credit profile to get a real-time estimate.

But if you're just looking for a roomier vehicle to take the whole family on a trip, renting is definitely the smarter option. The next section will cover useful tips you can try when you're shopping for a rental.

7 Things to Keep in Mind When Renting a Car for a Vacation

Enjoy a smooth-sailing trip by keeping these tips in mind before and during the rental:

1. Determine the Purpose of Your Vacation

This should always be the first thing you do. What will be the best car for your trip? Different trips require different cars. 

For example, if you're going to a camping site and planning to use your car, select something with a roomy boot. Meanwhile, you'll want a vehicle with waterproof car seat material if you expect to get drenched during your activities.

2. Make Sure the Car is in Good Condition

The best way to ensure this is by getting it from a reputable dealer that has been in the community for a while. If you don't know a lot about cars, it may be impossible for you to determine any underlying issues. Ask friends for recommendations. Use their experience to guide you in making your decision.

Ideally, you can take someone with you to inspect the vehicle on the day itself. It also helps to make a video to document the condition the car was in when you took it.

3. Plan Ahead

If you don't envisage anything changing in the near future, planning ahead will always be a good idea. Being prepared prevents you from being caught off-guard by an unforeseen issue.

By getting a head start with renting a car, you're most likely to get the car model that you want at the best rates possible. This is because people usually wait until the last minute to get everything done. Plus, you'll have more time to shop around for the best price.

4. Shop for Car Insurance

The rental company that you choose will most likely offer rental car insurance as well. But chances are you won't get the best deal from there. They're banking on your desire to close the deal in the most convenient way possible. That's why rental insurance with them normally costs more.

If you want to get the best fit, check what your current insurance already covers. Then, get quotes from different providers. Compare their coverage as well before selecting one. Some credit cards already provide rental car insurance for free. Call your credit card provider to see if this is something that they offer.

5. Don't Pay Full Price

There are so many discounts that you can apply to your rental fee. Make sure to scour the internet for these potential discounts before sealing the deal.

The rental company itself may even have some discount coupons on their website! To further maximise your savings, you can also use a cashback credit card. 

6. Don't Rent from the Airport

As convenient as it may be to just be able to drive to your destination after a long flight, the premium cost associated with car rentals there may not be worth it. This is especially true if you're not travelling alone.

The rental places right across the street are generally cheaper. Instead of renting at the airport, other people on the trip can just watch over your stuff, so you don't have to carry anything with you.

7. Learn All About Associated Expenses

The price that they advertise is rarely the final price that you have to pay. So, when you're looking for the best deal, don't forget to find out the final price before finalising a deal.

They may even incorporate a few optional add-ons to your quote even if you didn't ask for them. So, if any of the fees don't make sense to you, ask about them.

8. Plan Who's Going to Drive

In the end, it will always depend on who's willing and able. But if minimising costs is a concern to you, limit the number of assigned drivers to only what you need.

Ideally, they should all be above 25 as well because rental companies charge more for younger drivers. 

Final Thoughts

To summarise, getting a great deal on a rental car depends on your ability to plan, rate, shop, and document. We hope that the tips we've included here will help you find an amazing deal for your holiday. Have a happy trip!

7 Tips You Can't Miss When Renting a Car for a Hassle-Free Vacation

If you think that renting a car is as easy as just booking one, you're wrong. Whether it's a house or a car, renting has always been seen as a time-consuming process. Given all the factors that you have to consider in getting your car, making sure you get a good deal can be overwhelming.

So, to help you with booking a rental car for your trip, we've compiled a few tips to help you find the best deal out there without stressing yourself out. 

Why Not Buy Instead of Rent?

If you're always on the road and looking for a new adventure, buying can make more sense than renting. Sadly, this option isn't always available for people who are still in the process of rebuilding their credit scores.

Financing a used car with poor credit is one of the options that you can explore if you want to own a vehicle. You can set the amount you want to borrow, the length of the contract, and your credit profile to get a real-time estimate.

But if you're just looking for a roomier vehicle to take the whole family on a trip, renting is definitely the smarter option. The next section will cover useful tips you can try when you're shopping for a rental.

7 Things to Keep in Mind When Renting a Car for a Vacation

Enjoy a smooth-sailing trip by keeping these tips in mind before and during the rental:

1. Determine the Purpose of Your Vacation

This should always be the first thing you do. What will be the best car for your trip? Different trips require different cars. 

For example, if you're going to a camping site and planning to use your car, select something with a roomy boot. Meanwhile, you'll want a vehicle with waterproof car seat material if you expect to get drenched during your activities.

2. Make Sure the Car is in Good Condition

The best way to ensure this is by getting it from a reputable dealer that has been in the community for a while. If you don't know a lot about cars, it may be impossible for you to determine any underlying issues. Ask friends for recommendations. Use their experience to guide you in making your decision.

Ideally, you can take someone with you to inspect the vehicle on the day itself. It also helps to make a video to document the condition the car was in when you took it.

3. Plan Ahead

If you don't envisage anything changing in the near future, planning ahead will always be a good idea. Being prepared prevents you from being caught off-guard by an unforeseen issue.

By getting a head start with renting a car, you're most likely to get the car model that you want at the best rates possible. This is because people usually wait until the last minute to get everything done. Plus, you'll have more time to shop around for the best price.

4. Shop for Car Insurance

The rental company that you choose will most likely offer rental car insurance as well. But chances are you won't get the best deal from there. They're banking on your desire to close the deal in the most convenient way possible. That's why rental insurance with them normally costs more.

If you want to get the best fit, check what your current insurance already covers. Then, get quotes from different providers. Compare their coverage as well before selecting one. Some credit cards already provide rental car insurance for free. Call your credit card provider to see if this is something that they offer.

5. Don't Pay Full Price

There are so many discounts that you can apply to your rental fee. Make sure to scour the internet for these potential discounts before sealing the deal.

The rental company itself may even have some discount coupons on their website! To further maximise your savings, you can also use a cashback credit card. 

6. Don't Rent from the Airport

As convenient as it may be to just be able to drive to your destination after a long flight, the premium cost associated with car rentals there may not be worth it. This is especially true if you're not travelling alone.

The rental places right across the street are generally cheaper. Instead of renting at the airport, other people on the trip can just watch over your stuff, so you don't have to carry anything with you.

7. Learn All About Associated Expenses

The price that they advertise is rarely the final price that you have to pay. So, when you're looking for the best deal, don't forget to find out the final price before finalising a deal.

They may even incorporate a few optional add-ons to your quote even if you didn't ask for them. So, if any of the fees don't make sense to you, ask about them.

8. Plan Who's Going to Drive

In the end, it will always depend on who's willing and able. But if minimising costs is a concern to you, limit the number of assigned drivers to only what you need.

Ideally, they should all be above 25 as well because rental companies charge more for younger drivers. 

Final Thoughts

To summarise, getting a great deal on a rental car depends on your ability to plan, rate, shop, and document. We hope that the tips we've included here will help you find an amazing deal for your holiday. Have a happy trip!