Renting a car is a very convenient transportation option when traveling, but there are some things that you should be aware of before picking up your car. Just last week as I was returning my rental car at LAX, another couple was returning theirs.  They had some unexpected charges come up that doubled their initial cost.  Unfortunately, because they signed up for services (without realizing exactly what they were getting), there was nothing they could do.  By taking a few steps, you can save a lot of money and have a smooth experience when renting a car. Here are my tips for renting a car:

• First and foremost, be sure you bring a valid driver's license.  This may sound like a no-brainer, but I know someone who without thinking grabbed their passport to serve as their photo id for their flight and left their license at home.  Another had their driver's license expire before their trip.  They were allowed through security at the airport, but denied renting a car. Rental car companies can not rent to anyone without a valid drivers license. 


• Bring a credit (not debit) card and make sure you're not close to the credit limit.  Some car rental companies require a credit card deposit when booking a reservation, but many just require it at pick-up.  When you pick up your rental car, the rental company will hold a certain amount on the card to cover the cost of the rental, plus any damages that may occur.  When you return the car, the hold is released and you are charged only for the rental cost (and any extras you may add on).  Some companies will allow debit cards, (just know you won't be able to access some of the funds on it) and very, very few will take cash.

• Check age restrictions.  Some car rental companies will rent only to drivers 25 years or older.  Some will rent to drivers 21 and older with an "underage fee."  Checking the car rental company's policy before traveling can help you make a booking decision if you're under age 25.

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• Bring your own portable GPS.  If you have a GPS, it can serve as a valuable tool while on vacation.  Car rental companies normally have them available at a cost of around $10 + tax/day.  For a week rental, that cost can add up quickly.  If you don't own a portable GPS, map out your trip beforehand online, or simply make use of the complimentary area map car rental companies provide.

• Schedule enough time for picking up and dropping off your rental car.  Some airports have car rental facilities on airport property, but many have shuttles to off-property locations. For smaller airports, like Long Beach that have their car rentals on property, plan on an extra 10-15 minutes for car rental pick-up and return.  For airports that have a car rental terminal with all of the car rental companies,  (Phoenix Sky Harbor,  Las Vegas McCarran, and others) an extra 30 minutes is probably a good base point.  LAX and many other airports have separate shuttles and locations for each car rental company, and generally take a little longer.  For these, set aside an extra 45 minutes to an hour.


• Drive safely and be aware of local laws.  States have different cell phone and seat belt laws.  When driving an unfamiliar car in an unfamiliar area it's best to buckle up and avoid cell phone use altogether, whether it's against the law or not.


• Pay attention to fueling options. Many car rental companies will allow you to pre-pay for fuel at a slight discount over what you'd pay at the pump.  Most of the time in order to take advantage of this offer, you have to purchase the entire tank, whether you bring the car back all the way empty or not.  If you know you'll use a full tank and still have enough to get to the car rental return, you can save money by using the pre-pay option.  If you don't want to worry that, filling up at a gas station right before returning the car is best.  If you forget to fill up before returning the car, you'll pay $1 or more per gallon than you would at a gas station.

• Ask for free upgrades.  It never hurts to ask, plus a lot of rental car companies will sell out of their economy and compact cars first, leaving them with plenty of upgraded cars.


• Book early.  Car rental companies have decreased their fleet sizes, so because they don't have as many cars to rent, prices can go up, or cars can sell out.  We highly recommend booking as early as possible, and then checking back to see if the price has gone down.  Most car rental companies don't have a penalty for canceling, but check before booking to make sure.  Don't hold off booking, because in most cases, the price will go up, but if it goes down, you're covered. 


• Last, but certainly not least, book your car rental with Get Away Today.  We compare available car rental companies and car types for you, so you know you're getting the best deal possible.

Vacations should be a fun-filled, stress-free time for you and your loved ones to get away from it all.  As your vacation experts, we do everything in our power to make sure that happens.  Let us use our insider knowledge to help you book the vacation of a lifetime, no matter where your travels take you!