Travel

A rental car for vacation gives you more flexibility than relying solely on public transportation. (Photo: luxury car - model toy car image by alma_sacra from Fotolia.com )

On some vacations, you need to rent a vehicle. Of course, you would prefer to spend vacation money on fun things: activities, dining or souvenirs. The good news is that with a little work, you can secure a good deal on your next car rental and save more of your vacation money for things that count.

Step 1

Book the car rental in advance of your trip. That way, you can keep an eye on the rates through the car rental company that you have chosen. If the rates drop between the date you book and the date you are supposed to pick up the car, cancel the original rental reservation and rebook at the lower rate.

Step 2

Ask about the cost of a weekly rental instead compared with a daily rental. Weekly rentals often have a lower price-per-day, and many rental companies offer the weekly rental rate for periods starting at five days.

Step 3

Check rates at several rental locations in your destination city. While the airport car rental desk might be the most convenient, the airport location might not have the best deal. If you find a lower rate at another location, remember to factor in the cost of transportation to get there as you calculate which site offers the best deal.

Choose a vacation package that includes a car rental. By booking your flights, hotel and car rental together, you could save money overall. However, don t assume it s a better deal. Check the price of each item in a package deal to make sure you are really saving money.

Use a third-party site, such as Travelocity or Expedia, to compare rates at car rental agencies. On Hotwire, you see the price and type of the car, such as compact or SUV, but you do not see the name of the rental company until after you have already paid. You can also try bidding a low price for a rental car on Priceline. As with Hotwire, if your bid is accepted, Priceline will immediately charge you for the rental, and the money is nonrefundable.