Avoid Airport Surcharges
One of our top rental car tips is to avoid renting from the airport if possible. Airports car typically charge a premium for the convenience of picking up your car right after your flight and dropping it off right before your departure flight. Sometimes the convenience for us is worth the fee, but sometimes it’s not. Many times, the car rental offices located inside the city offer lower rates, so weigh your options if it’s worth it for you to get to the city first and then rent.
Do your research
When you first start to plan a trip, there are a lot of things you have to think about. One of those is transportation, whether it’s what type of transportation will get you to your destination.
Remember to do all your homework first. Before you reserve a rental car, do your due diligence online first. You will start with Smartwheelsbonaire.com or other websites to get an idea of what a car rental will cost.
Fill the fuel back by yourself
Most rentals have a ‘full to full’ fuel policy. This means the fuel tank is full when you pick the car up, and you refill the tank just before you return it. Online maps can help you find a fuel station close to where you’re returning the car. When you buy the fuel, ask for a receipt so you can prove the tank is full. If you got the car with a full tank in it to make sure to plan extra time in your day to fill up the car before you return it. Rental car companies will charge a premium on gas, instead of your convenience.
Book economy Cars
Economy cars are typically the cheapest, and therefore the most likely to be booked. You can use this to your advantage. Most of the time, couples and or single people will book Economy Cars. We always suggest a midsize car for a family or a group of 4 people.
Better safe than sorry
Before you accept the car, take a slow walk around the car and take note of any scratches, marks, bumps, or knocks. Check there is no damage to the wheels, make sure the spare wheel is also there and inflated.
You should also take photos and or videos for backup and get someone from the rental car to acknowledge the damage.
You should also take photos and or videos of the car on return. Take photos of each panel, the wheels, and the fuel gauge. In the past, a lot of car companies have charged customers for damage they did not commit, which is why you must have as much evidence as possible. All of this could save you from having to pay for any damage you weren’t responsible for.
