Credit Card: Always use a credit card while renting a car. When a debit card is used, an authorization amount is charged, and a large additional incremental hold is placed as well. So to avoid a hold on your funds, using a credit card is better.
The Cost Of Kids: Rental companies see young drivers as liabilities. Anyone under 23 will have to pay an additional fee to be able to drive a rental car. So if you’re traveling with your kids and they’re under 25, don’t let them drive and save a little money.
Minimum Drivers: Every additional driver you add on the rental contract incurs an extra fee whether or not they drive. Sometimes this fee is waived for a corporate rental or a spouse, but the ideal thing to do is keep a minimum number of drivers on the contract.
Shop For Insurance: Your personal vehicle insurance may cover rental cars too. Some credit cards also offer free rental car insurance. The cover these provide can be quite good, so check with them and save on your insurance fees.
Don’t Rent At The Airport: Renting a car from the airport always costs more than renting one from an agency in town. Check the location of your rental agency, and hail a cab. You’ll save on the airport surcharge and have a little extra cash to spend.
Stay On Paved Roads: Most rental agencies are not okay with you taking their rental car off-road. This doesn’t just mean rock-crawling or mud-running. It also applies to driving on the beach or grass. If you get stuck, the towing and cleaning fees will be on you.
Fill Up: When you’re going to return the rental car, fill up the tank before you drop it off. If you don’t, you could end up paying up to four times the going price per gallon. There’s even an app to help you find the cheapest gas station around.
Get Your Extras: Use the map app that’s on your phone for navigation as long as it’s cheap and has enough data. Same for satellite radio. Consider the toll fees and see if it’s actually worth buying an electronic toll pass that has a per-day charge.