Orange County Car Rental Tips

In a tough economy, travelers are always trying to find the best way to maximize their vacation without throwing away their cash. Finding a deal on a car rental can help you focus the majority of your budget on more important things, like fun activities, sightseeing, and of course beer!! All you need to do is a little preparation in advance and some research. Here are some helpful tips for finding a good deal on your next car rental transaction:

Book your car in advance
Almost everyone knows this, any travel company will offer cheaper rates if you book in advance. Just like buying an airline ticket, reserving a rental car can be cheaper if you do it a month or two in advance. When I worked for Avis in OC, I had customers calling in 3 months in advance to reserve and request their preferred car. These days you don't even have to pick up the phone to make a reservation! Just go on their website and book your car.

Ask/Look for discounts
A good friend of mine always told me that "No's are free!". It never hurts to ask. When you're calling to make a reservation for anything, hotel, airline, or car rental, make sure to ask for a discount. Maybe you're a member of some club that is a partner of that business, just ask if they offer any discounts for the members of club "XYZ". Most companies will give discounts to members of AAA or AARP.

Size doesn't matter
In some special cases this may not be true, but for most renters vehicle size will not matter. If you rent from a small business, you will most likely get a free upgrade! So why would you reserve a full-size or a premium when you can reserve an economy and maybe get the full-size for free?! If you're traveling for business, the economy or compact class is the way to go. You always have the option to ask for an upgrade, either free upgrade or for a small fee (most likely less than the normal price).

Car Rental Insurance
This is where most renters get confused about renting a car. Insurance is a big deal and you should make sure you or anyone else driving your car are covered! All car rental companies offer various types of insurance. If you're travelling to US from another country, it is the law to have at least the liability insurance. But if you drive a car in US and pay for insurance, there is a high chance that you are already covered for liability. Another option most car rentals offer is the Collision Damage Waiver (CDW). This is usually what I get when renting a car. If you purchase CDW, your rental car is covered from bumper to bumper. In most cases, even if the car gets stolen, you don't have to worry about paying for it. Keep in mind that each company has its own terms for insurance and you should read and ask about what each option covers. Overall my recommendation is to always purchase the CDW but if you have insurance on your own vehicle, not to worry much about rental liability coverage. Always ask your insurance company to make sure you're covered before denying insurance on your rental vehicle.

Always read the fine prints!
I know that most of us don't read half the agreements we sign at various places, but at the car rental companies, you should read the whole thing! There is always a hidden cost that is mentioned in the fine prints, and once you sign it, you will have to pay. For example, if you rent inside an airport like John Wayne Airport, you will probably pay around 10% more in taxes and tourism fees than renting from an off-site company! If you're renting a vehicle for a week or more, this 10% could be a big cost that you could have easily avoided. Another thing you need to watch for is the terms about gas, smoking inside the car, and having pets in your rental car. Most companies want you to return the car with a full tank of gas if you got it with a full tank, and they will most likely ask you not to smoke in their cars. Read the agreement and ask the agent if the terms don't make sense.

Do your research and you will find great deals, and understand the terms to make sure you pay the least amount possible. I hope this article helped you in renting your next rental car.