Get a Great Rental Car Deal Using the Internet and Your Legs

Car Rental requires several steps. A credit card is required, as well as a reservation and confirmation. By doing the legwork yourself, using a computer and having a little patience, it is quite possible to save money over the online car rental reservations rate. Surprisingly, it is also a low risk venture.

Rental companies all want you to believe that the price for car X is always Y, and that the amount is carved in stone. But the reality is that car rental rates are always fluctuating, even within the same company. Watch the rates rise and lower, and in time you'll be able to identify good deals when you see them. This article outlines a technique that is legal and simple to get the best value possible for your dollar. Read on and learn how to save your hard-earned money on rentals!

1. If you are planning to travel, it is best to make a reservation prior to doing so. You'll want to find the best deal possible, and make sure that there are no penalties for cancellations. The majority of car rental agencies don't incur cancellation fees, unless it is peak season or the reservation is for a specialty car. You can skip this step if the booking is being made on a last-minute basis.

2. Put on your most comfortable shoes for walking and bring your laptop!

3. When you arrive at the rental car agency, take out your computer and go to Hotwire, Priceline, or another discount website. Most of these sites won't let you make car rental reservations within two hours before your pickup time, so be ready for a delay at the last minute. Bring a book! At the website, pick a reservation for the amount of time you want. Choose the class of car just below the one you want.

4. Hotwire, unlike Priceline, provides you a total amount for the best deal they can offer. This amount can be used as the reference point for your search. For instance, if the Hotwire price is higher than your car rental reservation price, take the reservation.

5. Once you've obtained the quote for your rental complete with discount, check around and comparison shop. Use the quote as leverage to negotiate with similar rental companies. Be polite and courteous, of course, but make price your bottom line. In the airport industry, the car rental agency that gets the most walk-up business gets the premium spot on the strip. They willingly give walk-ups very reasonable prices. They want to hook you in and bring you back as a repeat customer next time.

6. Keep going until you've visited with them every car rental agency. Let them know about the discounts the other companies have offered you. Let Avis Car Rental know that Budget offered you $10 off. They may offer you a lower price. Don't forget, they want you as a customer. Make them compete to be your rental car company of choice.

7. Once you make your reservation you can still search for a better one. If you find that better deal simply call and cancel your original. You have nothing to lose and possibly a better deal to make.

8. As a final attempt to sweeten your deal, tell the agent that you'll only accept the deal if they upgrade you to the next class of rental car for the same price. This is actually the easiest thing for the car rental agent to do. It's usually the agent's decision. Obviously, however, this won't work if they are sold out.

Don't take the first deal you find. There are easy ways to get a lower rate when renting a car. Give yourself time to comparison shop. Practicing this technique will help you save money and will show the rental agencies you won't be pushed around.