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Car-Rental savings tips |
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1) |
Leave the airport. Rental cars at airports, which typically have higher rates and a host of fees and taxes that aren’t charged elsewhere, can cost three times as much as off-airport rentals.
If you want to save take a cab to where you’re going and rent a car, unless the cab fare is $50, which is not unusual in big cities. It pays to know a thing or two about public transportation. Your chances of landing a weekend discount improve away from the airport.
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| 2) |
Avoid the extras. Waivers and insurance to cover collision damage, liability and loss of personal effects can total $25 or more per day. Yet, in many cases, this coverage already is provided by your auto , homeowner’s or renter’s policies. A few premium credit cards might offer coverage, too. Find out before you rent. |
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| 3) |
Shop around. Rates vary among companies and outlets. Web sites such as Expedia, Travelocity, Orbitz and BreezeNet (www.bnm.com) make comparing easy. Make sure you’re seeing the full price, including taxes and fees, which can add 30 percent or more to your costs at airport locations. Although you’ll often find lower prices online, it’s worth calling the rental outlet and your travel agent. |
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| 4) |
Take a chance. You don’t give up much by bidding on Priceline.com or booking through Hotwire.com’s “Hot Rates,” where you find out which company you’re renting from only after you reserve the car. And you can save a lot. One downside is that these “opaque” bookings are usually nonrefundable. |
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| 5) |
Look in your wallet. Members of AARP, AAA and Costco, and some credit-card holders, may be entitled to discounts of 5 percent or more. Make sure to carry your card.
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| 6) |
Follow the rules. Return your car on time or you might get hit with late fees. Don’t count on a grace period. With inventory tight, station managers are much more keeping to the letter of the law. |
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| 7) |
Fill it up. Note the prices and locations of gas stations near your rental site so you can return your car with a full tank. Otherwise, you might get stuck paying a per-gallon markup for refueling , and sometimes a service fee.
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