Travel

Smart shopping can uncover rental car bargains. (Photo: car image by Brett Bouwer from Fotolia.com )

• Computer with Internet connection
• Telephone
• Discount cards Organization membership cards

Step 1

Explore online travel sites and mega-search engines. Kayak, Expedia, Orbitz and Travelocity are just a few popular sites that allow you to compare rates on cars from multiple rental agencies. Search more than one site, as different sites offer specials at different times.

Step 2

Consider rolling your rental car into a vacation package. Many airlines, including juggernaut Southwest Airlines and legacy American Airlines, offer packages that include a flight, car rental and even hotel. Package savings can be significant.

Step 3

Know your discount eligibility. Car rental agencies frequently offer lower prices to military members, those who hold the rental company s preferred credit card, and members of organizations such as AAA, AARP or Veteran s Advantage. You may need to visit the rental agency s website or reserve by phone to get the discount.

Step 4

Consider bidding on a car rental. If you are not particular about the specific car that you get, bidding sites such as Priceline.com can save you as much as 50 per cent on the cost of the rental. Read the fine print before making a bid to make sure you are aware of the terms and conditions.

Step 5

Consider renting outside of the airport. If you need the car in a city with good public transportation, renting your car from a city location rather than the airport can save money. Just remember to factor in the cost of getting yourself and your luggage to and from the rental agency.

Compare total costs, and also consider any limitations imposed by the car rental company. Some agencies limit the number of miles that you can drive per day. Some allow you to drive the car only within the state in which it was rented. Some require a surcharge for drivers below age 25, others charge per day for additional drivers. A promotional offer might provide a free GPS or other benefit. Select the options that you want for each rental you are considering and compare the total prices.

Look into weekly rentals. Even if you only need the car for five or six days, ask for a quote at the weekly rate. Paying for a week and returning the car early may actually be cheaper than paying the daily rental fee.