Renting a car can be very stressful and expensive. You may think booking as early as possible is the only way to find cheap car hire.
Timing does affect your car rental costs. But there are other ways to look for cheap car hires and make the costs even cheaper.
If you’re visiting the Gold Coast and looking for cheap car hire, Alpha Car Hire may be your best option. They offer affordable car rental services in Australia near the Gold Coast airport.
Alpha Car Hire also offers free airport shuttle pickup services for convenience.
1. Search For Promos And Discounts Online
You may be able to save a few dollars if you have a coupon or discount code. Many car rental services also offer discount codes.
You can also join car rental companies’ loyalty programs and email subscriptions to get exclusive discounts.
2. Check The Rates Per Day Of The Week
Car hire rates could vary depending on the day of the week. Sometimes, it’s cheaper to book your car rental on a weekday. But if renting it out for 3-4 days, you may want to consider booking the car for the whole week.
One-week rentals may sometimes be cheaper than booking for a short period.
However, double-check the company’s policies if they allow early returns. If they charge an extra fee for this– consider a different method instead.
3. Choose The Smallest Economy Car
Never upgrade if the company upsells you to a higher car model. Always choose the cheapest and smallest car they have.
And if it’s unavailable, the company may automatically ‘upgrade’ you to a bigger car because of unavailability. That’s especially if they’re overbooked.
But don’t risk this if you’re accommodating a big group. Rent an auto that fits everyone comfortably to avoid any problems in the future. Just don’t ‘upgrade’ it to a more premium model.
4. Get A Car With Manual Transmission
Getting a car with manual transmission is cheaper than one with an automatic transmission. Manual transmission cars also use less fuel compared to its counterpart.
If you don’t know how to use manual transmission, you may want to learn how to save money when traveling.
5. Don’t Pick Up Your Car Hire From The Airport
Say no if your car hire allows or asks if you want your car to be available at the airport. Car rental companies may charge you a higher fee for this.
Instead, choose a non-airport location to save costs. Some companies may also offer free shuttle services to their terminal. So you may opt for that instead.
6. Don’t Say Yes To Optional Service Upgrades
Frequently, vehicle upgrades and other extra items for your rented car aren’t a necessity. Some optional services and upgrades include:
- Satellite radio systems
- Car seats for children (if there are no small kids)
- Toll passes
- Car accessories such as phone holders and chargers
- GPS systems
7. Don’t Avail Extra Insurance
Car insurance for rental cars is optional. If you own personal car insurance, your policy may cover your car hires.
But you may want to contact your insurance provider to be sure.
If you don’t have personal car insurance, your travel credit card or travel insurance may include free rental car insurance. Double-check before availing of anything extra.
8. Have One Designated Driver Only
Taking turns with another driver may be a practical choice if traveling long distances.
But your rental car company may charge you more (on a per-day basis) for this. If you can manage with one designated driver, do so. But if it’s impossible, try to negotiate with the company– especially if your partner will be substituting for you.
Also, take note of the age requirement for drivers. Some countries may charge an extra fee for drivers below 25 years old. Others may also require your designated driver to have at least one year of driving experience.
Double-check the rental car company’s policy and designate the most qualified driver to avoid getting charged extra.
9. Return The Vehicle With A Full Tank
If you return your rented vehicle without refueling, the rental car company may charge you an extra fee for refueling. So take an extra stop at the gas station before you return the auto.
Gas may be expensive. But it’s worth taking your time looking for the best deals for gas than letting the rental service charge you more.
Get The Cheapest Possible Car Hires Today
One of the most unique approaches to discovering a new place is on a road trip.
And having your car gives you the freedom to explore on your own and engage in different kinds of thrilling adventures. However, renting a car may be costly.
You must be aware of certain details when renting an auto. That’s so you can avoid wasting precious time, trouble, and money.
And availing of cheap car hires is a great solution to access this unique road trip experience– without sacrificing a lot!