Posted on April 04, 2008 by Fiona Hilliard

When booking a car, value for money should be of premium importance.  That’s why it’s worth doing some homework before you book to ensure that you get the best value.  The following is a list of some do’s and don’ts that should be considered before putting your name (and credit card details) to a booking form. 

1. Shop Around Online:

Booking your car hire online allows you to view every option open to you before placing your order.  It is important to pay careful attention to hours of operation, for example some companies have earlier closing hours on the weekends.  Depending on your schedule, this might be a problem. 

2. Try a Weekend Booking:

Generally speaking, rates are cheaper on weekends.  If you’ve got some flexibility, it’s worth opting for a weekend rental. 

3. Weekly Bookings are even Better:

Weekend rates are great, but the best value by far is to be found by booking weekly.  If you plan to use a vehicle for five days or more, always go for the weekly rate. 

4. Consider Buying Insurance Carefully:

When renting a car, the agent will offer you a collision damage waiver (CDW) and a loss damage waiver (LDW).  The first covers you in the event of a collision, while the second covers any loss to the rental company.  Both of these insurance policies are important but not if they overlap with the insurance clauses that are already included in your policy.  You’ll find most insurance policies offer liability coverage to protect you if you injure someone in an accident.  Some companies also cover rental-car damage via comprehensive and collision coverage.  If you’re renting the car with a credit card, your credit card provider may pay for vehicle damages associated with the accident.  It is essential to check with your credit card provider ahead of time to be certain. 

5. Don’t Leave it Too Late:

Booking early means you’ll get the cheapest rates around.  Rental rates depend on the amount of vehicles that the company has on the lot on the time that the rental is made, so the sooner the booking s made, the better.  It’s always wise to reserve your car at least a week in advance. 

6. Think Twice about Pre-Paid Fuel:

When renting a car, you’ll be asked some choices before renting-pay for a full tank in advance or bring the vehicle back empty (or less than full), or you can refuel it yourself before returning it.  Unless you plan to use a whole tank of gas, prepaying means that you’ll pay for more fuel than you’ve used.  For this reason, prepaying is a bad idea unless you’re sure that you’ll use a full tank. 

7. Beware of Upgrades:

Some car rental companies offer upgrades to larger vehicles.  Before accepting any offers, ensure that you need the space.  Generally speaking, larger vehicles burn more fuel, meaning your ‘free’ upgrade will end up costing you. 

8. Try to Avoid Airport Pick-Ups:

Picking up a rental car at the airport can prove more expensive due to taxes and charges.  Off-Airport sites usually work out much cheaper. 

9. Sign up for Club Membership:

Most car hire companies offer club membership in which members pay an annual fee in exchange for special offers and exclusive deals.  Some clubs can save you money with benefits such as free rental days and airline miles.

10. Sign up for Newsletters:

Car hire companies often advertise exclusive offers in their newsletters, making signing up extremely worthwhile.