Renting a car? Get the most for your money
Tips for getting the best rental car savings
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At Hotwire, we've eliminated all the grueling research for you -- get a price quote in just minutes! We partner with the top rental car companies -- Hertz, Avis, Budget, and National -- to give you the lowest rate available on a car rental. The price we show you is always the final price -- all taxes and booking fees are included.
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Here are some simple things you can do to make your car rental experience easier on your wallet:
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Booking for a five- or seven-day period may result in a great "weekly rate." Weekly rates can be much better than daily ones -- see the savings for yourself!
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Booking for a weekend may result in a lower rate. Rental car companies generally define weekend car rentals as those that are picked up late Thursday/Friday morning and dropped off late Sunday/Monday morning. Booking for a weekend can yield much better rates than a daily car rental.
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Be aware when you compare. Some online travel sites only show you a base rate for their rental cars and then unpleasantly surprise you later with a total price that is much higher. Hotwire shows you the final price before you agree to any bookings. Plus, unlimited mileage is included with all car rentals.
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Consider searching higher car classes for a better value. Since our rates can be so great, try searching for rental cars that were previously too expensive to rent -- such as premium or luxury cars. At Hotwire, you can choose multiple rental car types during a search, so you've got nothing to lose by just checking the rates. (You may be surprised!)
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Think through both your seating and cargo needs. A smaller rental car may fit all of your passengers comfortably, but don't forget about the luggage, golf clubs, souvenirs, etc. Also, the distance you are driving may be a factor; five people in a mid-size rental car may be fine for a 20-minute drive, but not for a long road trip. Please be sure to read through the descriptions of the rental car types to ensure that you rent the appropriate size car.
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Be prepared. Your car rental pick-up process can be a smooth and easy one if you know what to have on-hand. When you book through Hotwire, you'll need to present your credit card and driver's license at the rental car counter. The fact that you've prepaid on our site means less paperwork at the counter. You will not need to pay for any other expenses unless you request extras, such as mobile phones or luggage racks. Any additions to the rental car should be handled at the counter. Also, check ahead of time to see if your regular car insurance covers rental cars. All of this will save you time when you pick up your rental car.
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Return your rental car on time. Car rental companies operate on a 24-hour billing cycle. Avoid unpleasant extra day and/or extra hour charges by returning your rental car on time. Any extra days are not guaranteed to be at the Hotwire car rental rate you received when booking the reservation, and may result in high charges you didn't expect to pay. So check those watch batteries and be prompt about returns!
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Fill up your car before you return it. If the car does not have a full tank of gas, the rental car company may charge a high per-gallon price.
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