Car Rental Tips

On a recent trip back East, we rented a number of cars. Car rental is relatively easy these days. You can do an internet search for the best rate, book it, add your frequent flier number and confirm. You can even modify and cancel online easily. Just watch out for the nasty $50 cancellation fee.

But here are a few tips to get the most out of renting your car.
1. When you do the internet search, check portals to see if you can get a miles or points bonus for your rental. But it doesn't always make sense to pay a higher rate to get points. Southwest car rental rates are way higher than Costco car rental rates so why would it make sense to pay so much extra for Southwest points.
2. When you arrive at the counter, confirm that your frequent flier number is on the reservation. It's way easier to have it on the reservation than try to add it later. All the rental car agencies will give you frequent flier points.
3. If the car rental agency offers to pre-pay your gas before you return, it's usually a good deal. I always ask the price per gallon and so far, it's been worth it every time. Plus if you don't have to stop to fill up the car right before you return, it saves you time.
4. If the car rental agency offers you an EZ Pass, take it. I have learned this one the hard way. If they offer it, that means you may run across toll roads on your drive. Toll roads only take cash or EZ Pass. Some don't even take cash anymore at all. Plus some are not obvious. I missed one and arrived home to a letter informing me of a ticket for failing to pay the toll. The EZ Pass is not extra, it just charges the tolls to your credit card automatically. Awesome!
5. Pay close attention to your pick up and drop off time. Car rental agencies now give you a 29 minute grace period and then start charging you an hourly rate. Ouch.
6. Last, remember to charge your rental car to the right credit card. Are you trying to reach a minimum spend, do you want cash back or travel credit i.e. Barclays Arrival card?

Remember it's all about leveraging your spending on the things you are going to buy anyways to get almost free family travel!