Posted on September 02, 2008 by Fiona Hilliard

Argus Car Hire knows there’s nothing quite like the buzz of getting a bargain, whether it is cheap flights, car hire or a holiday package.  To get you on the right track, we’ve compiled a list of tips and tricks to help you find the  cheapest  car hire deals.  Some are pretty obvious, others may suprise you…

• Book your car hire well in advance- the earlier you book, the more availabilty there is and the more likely you are to get a cheap deal.

• If you’re travelling at off-peak times, it is likely that you will be quoted a cheap car hire rate as there is less demand for cars at this time. 

• Booking your car online not only saves you time, but also saves you money.  It is usually better value to book car hire for a few days rather than one day, especially in the off-peak season. 

• In this era of high fuel prices it amy surprise you to find that some compact cars are cheaper to rent than mini or economy-sized vehicles. 

• Think carefully about the best pick-up option for you.  If you’re arriving at the airport early in the morning, it’s a good idea to collect your car hire at the airport.  If you’re arriving late, you can get a taxi to the accommodation and pick up your car hire in the morning in the city or at the airport.

• If you exceed 24 hours with your drop off time, then you’ll incur an extra day’s rental cost.  If you pick up a car at 10am and return it at 11am the following day, it will cost you 2 days car rental as you’ve exceeded 24 hours, which is counted as 2 days car hire.

• Always choose a rental car that meets your needs,  If you have a family and lots of luggage, then you’ll need extra space.  If it’s only a car for two people and you’re not going to be doing that much travelling, then choose a smaller car.  Only invest in GPS if you really need it. 

• If you pick up your rental car at the airport and return it to the same location, then you’ll avoid paying a one-way fee. 

• Many car hire companies increase their rates for pick-ups an hour after a major low cost carrier lands.  Try getting a quote for 15 minutes before scheduled landing of you flight if you’re flying into a budget carrier hub.

• Sign up for customer loyalty programmes such as MyArgus and fortnightly newsletters to keep yourself posted on the latest special offers.