RENTAL CAR INFORMATION

How To's For Renting A Car At A Discount Price


Chances are, at some point you will have a need to rent a car. Whether it's business or pleasure, getting around your destination city on your own is easier if you rent a car. This article covers the many car rental agencies in operation in nearly every city in the country. Avis, Hertz, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Alamo, Payless: These are all car rental agencies with a proven track record for service in every major city in the country. This article will also cover how to rent a car without paying full price. Most of these agencies offer specials to their business and vacation travelers in the form of coupons or online discount prices. We give you information on how to drive for less, what you need in order to reserve your rental car, types of cars available to rent, and more. Renting a car allows you the freedom to travel where and when you want if you are away from home, or even if you are at home and need to rent a car when your own is in a shop, or have company coming and need a bigger car to accomadate them. From compact cars to luxury or SUV's, you can find a rental car to fit your needs.


Rental Car Agencies

Here's a summary of some of the major car rental agencies in the US, including types of cars offered, preferred customer information, rental requirements, etc. All offer online reservations and toll-free telephone numbers when you need to speak to a real person. Join their specical member clubs and receive discounts on rentals.

  • Hertz
    Hertz rents economy cars like a Hyundai Accent, mid-sized cars such as the Mazda 6, full-sized like a Chevy Impala, all the way up to SUV's and mini-vans. Prices vary depending on days of rental, but start around $22 for the economy car per day, on up to about $81 per day for a Cadillac Escalade 4WD. These are non-discount rates. They offer free memberships in their "Hertz #1 Club," which gives you benefits such as faster reservations, no extra charges for additional drivers, faster service at your pickup point, discounts, and free travel days. The Gold #1 Club costs $60 per year, with more extra benefits like by-passing the counter at the airport and going directly to your car instead, both going and returning.
  • Avis
    Avis' motto is "We Try Harder." Their rental line is primarily GM cars, and types of cars available range from subcompact to passenger vans, with plenty to choose from in between. They offer renter's programs for both business and personal use customers. For business renters, their "Preferred Service" program will let you skip the lines at the airport and go directly to your car in most locations. And if you rent more than 12 times a year, or have a cumulative total of 35 rental days in a calendar year, you qualify for enrollment in the "Avis First" program, with even more travel benefits. For non-business renters, there are programs such as the Avis Wizard program. You are issued a wizard number to use on all your rentals for faster and better service. The "Preferred Service" and "Avis First" programs are also available to individual renters.
  • Budget
    As the name implies, Budget rents cars and vans or trucks for moving, for less money than most any other car rental agency, and still has great service. Budget rents small, medium, and large cars; SUV's and specialty cars like convertables and mini-vans. They are also a well-known renter of cargo vans and moving trucks. They offer daily, weekend and weekly specials, and sometimes you can fall into a last-minute special. Subscribe to their email newsletter so you will get notification of these specials.

  • Enterprise
    Enterprise rents economy cars, intermediate and full-sized cars, SUV's and vans, pickups and cargo vans. They offer reasonable rates and good customer service. Their membership program--E-Plus--is free to join and gives discounts, faster reservations and pickup of your rental car.
  • National
    Another well-known rental car agency, National also rents everything from economy cars to luxury cars and SUV's. Their membership program is called the "Emerald Club," and like the other agencies' programs, can provide you with discounts on your rentals and faster reservations and pickup service. There are plenty of specials, too.

Basic Information You Need To Know About Renting a Car

All major car rental agencies have the same basic requirements for renting a car. They include having a valid drivers license and clean driving record, be at least 25 years of age, and be a holder of a major credit card. Most rental agencies allow the primary renter and their spouse to drive the car, and you can add additional drivers for a per-day charge, as long as the extra driver(s) appear at the rental counter and show their valid driver's license. Some rental agencies will rent to drivers under the age of 25, but with extra daily charges.

You'll find most of the major rental agencies have counters at the airports, not all of them will be found at the smaller ones, but the major airports should have all of major car rental agencies present. Additionally, these agencies will have one or more locations in most major cities besides at the airports. This is especially handy if you are not flying, but renting a car to go on vacation, using it for out of town guests, or as a replacement for a car in the shop for repairs.

All major car rental agencies have online reservations center where you can make and modify car rentals. They also have newsletters you can subscribe to via email, to be notified of specials. You'll often get news of last-minute rental specials and deals for your location, so if you are a frequent renter, it may pay you to subscribe to one or more of these newsletters. There are often online specials for car rentals, and you can get discount coupons from publications like the Entertainment book or other magazines and newspapers.

Resource Index

Audio-Video-and-Cameras:
Plasma TV, LCD TV, MP3 Players, TIVO, Satellite TV, Dgitial Cameras, Digital Camcorders, Bose iPod Speakers, Multimedia Projectors, GPS, Blu-ray Disc

Computer and Accessories:
Choosing a Laptop Computer, Computer Memory Upgrade, Copying a Hard Drive, Dual Monitors, Networking Computers, Microsoft Office, PDA's, Cheap Ink/Toner, Color Laser Printers, Multifunction Printers, Scanners, USB Flash Drives, Wireless Printers, Dell computers, Wireless Routers, Wireless G Routers, Wireless N Routers, Laptop Carrying Cases

Computer and Video Games:
Age of Empires III, Battlefield 2

Entertainment:
Online Gambling, Poker, Routlette, Blackjack, Craps and other Online Games, Online Casinos, Movies, Online DVD Rentals, Home Theater Systems , Home Theater Components, HDTV, HDTV Buying Tips, HD Radio, Portable DVD Players, Magazine Subscriptions

Fun-Hobbies:
Tropical Fish, Aquariums, Scrapbooking, Rubber Stamping, Geneology, Geocaching, Soap Making, Candle Making

Legal:
Criminal Defense Attorneys, Tax Attorneys, Lemon Law Protection, Structured Settlements, Investment Fraud, Bankruptcy Attorneys, Personal Injury Attorneys, Family Law

CellPhones-and-Communication
Cell Phones, Cell Phone Carriers, Prepaid Cell Phone Plans, Cell Phone Ringtones, Headsets, VOIP, Cheap Long Distance, iPhone, Blackberry, Bluetooth Technology, SmartPhones

Jobs-Schooling
Online College Degrees, Business Degrees, Home Schooling, Drivers Education, Job Resumes, Online Job Search
Internet:
Cybercrime Prosecution, IE Security, Affordable Web Hosting, Web Hosting, Domain Name Registration, Search Engines, Web Site Design, Internet Mailing Lists, Blogging, Internet Serive Providers, Free Email, Clip Art

Finance and Insurance:
Auto Insurance, Car Insurance Quotes, RV Insurance, General Insurance, Travel Insurance, Business Insurance, Basic Guide to Consolidating Student Loans, Cash Advance Loans, Federal Student Loan Consolidation, Debt Consolidation, Debt Management, Credit Card Debt Consolidation, Free Credit Reports, Home Mortgages, Home Equity Loans, Mortgage Refinancing, Mortgage Rates, Mortgage Companies, Second Mortgages, Mortgage Brokers, Health Insurance, Insurance Quotes, Term life Insurance, Mortgage note buyer, Renter's Insurance, Household Budgeting

Home:
Home improvement, Outdoor Lighting, Kitchen Remodeling, Kitchen Countertops, Espresso Makers, Food Processors, Coffee Makers, Coffee Grinders, Slow Cookers, Popcorn makers, Blenders, Cutting Boards, Refrigerators, Freezers, Washers & Dryers, Bathroom Remodeling, Kitchen & Bathroom Faucets, Bathtubs, House Windows, Closet Organizers, Window Treatments, Hardwood Floors, Carpeting, Home Security, Water Heaters, Water Filters, Carbon Monoxide Detectors, Bamboo Flooring, Portable Air Conditioners, Dehumidifiers, Siding, House Cleaning Services, Home Organization, Vacuum Cleaners, Cannister Vacuum Cleaners, Handcheld Vacuum Cleaners, Upright Vacuum Cleaners, Stick Vacuum Cleaners, Wet-Dry Vacuum Cleaners, Furnaces, Fireplace Inserts, Electric Space Heaters, Pellet Stoves, Wood Stoves, Heat Pumps, Buying a used car



Business-Office-Supplies:
Discount Office Supplies, Home Office, Office Furniture, Copiers, Home Business, Business Cards, Business Brochures, Mailing List Companies, Affiliates, Franchises, Business Telephone Systems, Employment Agencies, Call Centers, Fax Machines
Health and Wellness:
Fioricet for Migraine Relief, Online Pharmacies, Phentermine for dieting, Tramadol for Chronic Pain Relief, Mesothelioma, Mesothelioma Lawyers, Acne Treatment, Contact Lenses, Drug Rehabilitation, Cerebral Palsy, Hair Loss, Hair Loss Products, Human Growth Hormones , Diet Pills, Treadmills, Fragrances, Reducing Cholesterol, Diabetes, Obesity, Arthritis, High Blood Pressure, Heart Disease, Acid reflux, Cialis, Understanding Depression, Unraveling Diet Plans, Erectile dysfunction, Lipitor, Sleep Loss, Viagra, Autism, Asperger Syndrome, Living With Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Seasonal Affective Disorder

Gifts:
Gift Ideas, Corporate Gifts, Gift Cards, Wristwatches, Replica Watches, Sunglasses, Wholesale Jewelry, Jewelry Boxes, Wedding Gifts, Food Gifts, Books, Music, Flowers, Gift Baskets, Candles & Candleholders, Chocolate & Candy

Sports:
Health Clubs, Home Gyms, Treadmills, Golf, Golf Vacations, Golf Schools, Golf Clubs, Fantasy Baseball, Fantasy Basketball

Travel:
Railroad Train Travel, Greyhound Bus Travel, Moving Guide, Rental Cars, Luxury Cruises, Maui Vacation, Spain Travel, Panama Cruise, Mexico Travel, Europe Travel, Disneyland Vacation, Disney World Vacation, Airline Tickets, Las Vegas Vacations, Las Vegas Sights, Las Vegas Entertainment, Las Vegas Dining, Lake Tahoe, Reno Vacations, Grand Canyon Vacation, Alaska Vacation, San Juan Island Vacation, Seattle Vacation, San Francisco Vacation, San Diego Vacation, SeaWorld Vacation, Yellowstone Park Vacation, Los Angeles Vacation, Bed & Breakfasts, Las Cruces New Mexico Vacation, Texas Hill Country Vacation, Columbia River Gorge Vacation, Albuquerque Vacation, New Mexico Vacation, Utah Vacation, Denver Vacation, Carlsbad Caverns, Branson, Missouri, Arizona Vacations, Jackson Wyoming, Skiing Wyoming, Skiing Oregon, Skiing Utah, Skiing Colorado, Skiing California, Skiing Washington State, Skiing Idaho

Yard-and-Garden:
Lawn Care, Patio Furniture, Hot Tubs & Spas, Gazebos, Fences, Decks, Barbeque Grills, Greenhouses, Patios, Sprinkler Systems, Landscape Design, Backyard Ponds, Bird Baths, Hedge Trimmers, String Trimmers, Wheelbarrows and Gardencarts, Lawn Mowers, Lawn Mowers, Lawn Care Tools, Lawn Edgers, Leaf Blowers, Now Blowers, Rakes