5 Ways to Save Money on Rental Cars

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Hiring a rental car in Australia can be an expensive experience. However, it can also add comfort safety and convenience to your trip. There are many ways to save money on renting a car, and if you follow these few, simple guidelines you can be assured that you have received the best deal that suits you and your credit card perfectly.

5 Ways to Save Money on Rental Cars

By Chrissy Barton

Hiring a rental car in Australia can be an expensive experience. However, it can also add comfort safety and convenience to your trip. There are many ways to save money on renting a car, and if you follow these few, simple guidelines you can be assured that you have received the best deal that suits you and your credit card perfectly.

1. Do your homework!

Before you even think about giving your credit card details to a rental company, ensure you have done your homework and are signing up for the best deal available. Don't let rental companies push you into hiring a vehicle until you have researched what is actually out there and what company is going to suit you.

Although it may be simple and convenient, do not just look at rates on the Internet. If you are searching for a competitive deal, the best thing you can do is call the car hire company directly and talk to someone in person. They will tell you exactly what the rates are then and there and will talk you through the process, allowing you to gain a clearer understanding of all the steps you need to take.

2. Book Early

When it comes to hiring a car, the earlier you book the better. As rates are constantly changing, there is a much greater chance that these rates are gong to go up and NOT down. Booking early will ensure you get the cheapest rate possible, instead of the only rate that is left, just before you require the car.

It is also wise no book via the Internet or phone, and to not simply just show up at the pick-up depot and hope they have a car available. You will save a lot more money by pre-booking and is will also give you the peace of mind that you have definitely secured the vehicle that you require.

3. Return your vehicle in good condition

All car hire rental agreements will state that the vehicle must be returned in good condition, preferably the same as when you picked it up. The easiest ways to save money in this department is to ensure that the vehicle is clean and that the petrol tank is full.

If you return the vehicle dirty, you WILL be charged a cleaning fee, which is most likely going to be higher then the cost of the local car wash.

Another thing they may charge you for is if the petrol tank is not full. Rental companies charge double the pump price of fuel, and with the ever changing prices of fuel, you can never determine just how much this will be (it may end up costing you over $2.50 a litre).

4. Ask about the rates and deals

When deciding how long to rent the vehicle for, take into consideration how the rates vary according to how long you hire the vehicle for. If you are renting for three or more days, see if a weekly rate is available and if this is actually less then what 3 or 4 days would cost.

This is also the case with extras such as GPS. The daily cost for 4 days may actually be more than the weekly rate, so see if you can pay the lower rate if possible.

5. Book Unlimited Kilometres

In the initial stages of the booking process, when you are trying to decide which vehicle is going to suit you best, be sure to look at how many kilometres that particular vehicle allows. Some vehicles will stipulate an amount of kilometres you are permitted to travel before you start getting charged, and this is what you should choose if you are travelling minimal distances and don't want to pay for what you are not going to use.

However, if you are hiring a vehicle for an extended period, particularly for a sight seeing holiday, the best option to choose is for unlimited kilometres. This will ensure that you can travel as far as you like and you won't get charged for going over the limit. This will save you a lot of money, as most companies charge over 20 cents per kilometre for every additional kilometre, so this would become very costly.

By following these few simple tips, you can be sure to secure a rental car and save time, money and effort all at the same time.

Christine Barton is a Content Writer for Discovery Car Rental Perth, Australia's travel focused online car rental company. She frequently writes information about Car Rental Perth and travel information relating to Australia.

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I hope you enjoyed 5 Ways to Save Money on Rental Cars by Chrissy Barton
Much Happiness and Happy Travels, Tamila

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