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Leave Your Home Safe Checklists
Packing Tips
Dollars and Sense
Health and Safety
Your Special Needs
Ticket Vocabulary
Ticket Information
Documented to Travel
Airport Arrivals
At the Gate
Your Luggage and Security
Rental Car Tips
Hotel Tips
Cruise Line Tips |
* Ask your travel agent to find you the best rate with the extra items you may want, such as a damage waiver or insurance.
* Make sure the company selected has a favorable (to you) mileage policy.
* Have your travel agent make the reservation for you when you make your decision. Suggestion: reserve the smallest car to meet your needs and hope for a free upgrade when you arrive, but be sure you’ll be comfortable enough in your first choice.
* Ask your travel agent if you can get car rental in your vacation package. You might save some money this way.
* If you have any coupons or special discounts from a rental company, be sure to give them to your agent to get the discount or the free upgrade.
* See what deals your membership in associations or clubs, such as AARP or AAA, are offering.
* Check what premium clubs, loyalty or frequent flyer program you belong to offers.
* Your credit cards may have a deal with certain rental car companies.
* Certain airlines, hotels and attraction ticket packages include car rental at a discount.
* If you’re in the military, work for the government or certain corporations, you may quality for their discounts.
If you’re going to keep the car for more than five days, check the weekly rental rates.
Most car rental companies throw in the sixth and seventh day for free. Plus, if something happens that you stay an additional two days, you’ll have the car with no penalty.
Check the policies of the rental companies of their various plans.
* Some rental companies offer premium clubs. Membership can either be $50 for the year or free. You supply them with all your car preferences, billing information, etc., and you’ll get preference on your car of choice and have expedited rental processing.
* Some rental companies offer free membership if you rent enough cars or belong to the right company, association or group.
* If you plan to do a lot of traveling that requires car rental, you’ll save a lot of time, making the fee seem irrelevant.
* If you’re a member of a premium club, you’ll be able to skip the lines altogether and get on the road faster.
* Sometimes, you’ll receive members-only special rates, discounts or upgrades.
* In some cases, extra fees for such things as additional drivers, are waived.
* Often you’ll get the newest and nicest cars in the fleet.
* With some clubs, you receive award points that can be exchanged for free rental days, upgrades or even gifts.
* If the company has over booked its fleet and has to cancel reservations, they’ll give premium club members first choice and break the reservations of non-member customers.
* The minimum age requirement for renting a car is usually 25, but some companies will rent to 21-year-olds with a surcharge from $5.00 to $25.00 a day.
* Exceptions to this rule with some rental car companies are if you’re 18 plus and are on military or government official business, or will rent a car as an insurance replacement vehicle.
* The minimum age requirement applies to anyone who is going to drive the car.
* Any additional drivers usually come under the same rules as the primary driver and are present at the same time the rental agreement is made to show their valid driver’s licenses.
* If you let someone other than the person(s) listed on the contract as drivers, you have probably violated the contract terms, and you may lose any protection you had under that contract may become null and void. This may cause problems with your personal auto insurance company and any considerations from your credit card.
* If you get stopped by the police and an unauthorized person is driving, he may be arrested and jailed for illegal use of a vehicle.
* Many rental companies run your driver’s license through to check your record. If you have a lot of moving violations, they may refuse to rent to you.
* Be honest with your travel agent about your driving record and ask her to check with the rental companies about their policies. A recent D.U.I. could be an automatic rejection.
* Make sure that you can return the car to another location and know what the charge will be.
* Find out if the company has shuttles between two popular locations and what that cost might be.
* In some instances, the company may need the car moved to a different location, and you may get a lower rate.
* Find out if there are any limits on mileage if you take the vehicle out of the state.
* Also, find out what mileage limits, if any, there are.
While every country has its own rules, there are some commonalities you should know.
* In addition to your U.S. driver’s license, you may need to get an international permit or license.
* In some countries, you may have to pay a fee that lets you drive on their road.
* Not all rental contracts are in English. Ask for one in English or at least an explanation of their contract terms in English. Also ask to speak with someone who knows English.
* You may need to buy additional insurance coverage.
* Things to know about foreign rental fleets: smaller cars, manual transmissions, and air-conditioning may be a premium.
* Try to familiarize yourself with their road signage, rules of the road such as lane directions, and the metric system. Note: 100 kilometers = 60 miles. Gasoline is sold in liters, 3.78 liters = 1 gallon..
* Road conditions may be worse.
* It’ll cost more with higher taxes on rental cars, higher fuel prices and surcharges for rental age.
Visit www.com/vacation/idpg.html, the American Automobile Association’s International Driving Permit to get information on how to get an one. This permit is used in conjunction with your valid U.S. driver’s license. This is valid in 150 countries. Check out the side for more information.
Go to www.travlang.com/signs/ to get information on traffic codes, road signs, parking and road vocabulary.
* When you make reservations, inquire as to what type of payment the rental company will take to reserve your car. Some of them accept ONLY MAJOR credit cards and do not accept debit cards. While your debit card may have a credit card logo on it, it is not the same as a credit card. You may be able to use your debit card or pay cash to pay for the rental on return, but not to initially pick up the car.
* The credit card you present must have the name of the person whose name the reservation/driver is in.
* If you’re going to book with a travel voucher, verify the procedure with your travel agent or the rental company. The voucher may not include any additional fees, such as insurance, or taxes. Know exactly what the voucher will cover. Have it with you when you pick up the car.
* While some rental companies do accept cash as a deposit, it’s usually the smaller, locally owned ones that do.
* While some national chains have a program where they’ll put you on their own internal charge card or may pre-approve you for cash, make sure you have everything worked out way in advance of your reservation and pickup.
* You may want to check out when you’ll receive the remaining positive balance after you return the car. It may take a while as many companies cannot return the deposit balance immediately and will do so only by sending a check through the mail.
* Advanced approval on file before picking up the car
* Provide a local address with a phone number on utility bills or other bills in your name.
* Be prepared to have the rental company hold your airline ticket while you have possession of the car.
* Some companies require your credit rating with a credit bureau prior to approval.
* The cash deposit must exceed the entire rental bill.
* You may have to purchase their coverage or damage waiver.
* You may be limited to the type of cars and number of days allowed under a cash deposit rental arrangement.
* If you have any special requests such as nonsmoking cars, make and color of car, make them when you’re making reservations. While there’re no guarantees, you’ll be more likely to get a car that makes you happy.
* If you require a car seat – usually for children under 40 pounds or under four years of age, most rental car companies can accommodate you. Be sure to ask about the availability and cost while making your reservation. Unless you need to use a car seat in-flight, leave it at home. Booster seats may not be so available. Be sure to check.
Have your travel agent make these arrangements for you. Give her the following information:
* The name of the person who will be picking up the car
* Credit card type, number and expiration date of the card to be billed
* Locations of pick up and return
* Size of the car and any other special requests, such as model, color, smoking/nonsmoking, or child seat
* Information about any discounts or coupons that you’ll be using to apply to the rental
* Flight information
* Be sure to get a confirmation number
Car Sizes
* Although your manufacturer calls your car a certain size, such as midsize, standard or full size, the rental companies have their own classifications. When you’re asking for whatever size you prefer, have them explain what model car it is.
* Reserve the car size that will best suit your needs. If there’re only two of you, and you’re light packers, a small class of car may do you well. However, if you pack a lot, you may want to go larger.
* Consider the trunk. If you’re bringing golf clubs or ski or scuba equipment with you, opt for a larger car or van. Also, remember that most travelers come back with more than they came with: souvenirs, clothing, antiques, and other goodies picked up along the way.
* Check to see if the facility is on or off the airport property.
* If it’s off-site, find out if they have a shuttle and how long the trip is and if there are any additional costs involved.
* Be sure to verify the location at your destination airport.
* Find out if the rental company’s representative you meet you and where.
* You can find information on Web links to many major U.S. and foreign airports so you can identify where the rental car counters or the hotel’s airport shuttle are.
* Get an estimate of your total charges including all taxes, fees and any mandatory charges.
* Based on your choices of coverage and fuel options, this total may change.
* Be clear about the rate quoted – per day or weekly rental – and the company’s mileage policy.
* Ask the rental company what its policy is on late pick-up.
* If you are going to be delayed, notify the company to have a car available for you.
* Have the company simply update the pick-up time on your reservation if you can make it within the grace period. Don’t have them rebook the reservation at a new higher rate.
* Consider reserving with a company that has 24-hour facilities, so in case your flight is cancelled or delayed, you’ll be able to pick up a car when you arrive at any time.
Safeguard Against the Rental Company Canceling Your Reservation
* Have the reservation center guarantee your reservation, even if there is a fee charged.
* Confirm not only your reservation but also the details to be sure everything is correct.
* Let the company know if you’re going to be late.
* Use the same company regularly. Most companies keep track of high usage renters.
* Join the company’s premium club. Members get first consideration.
* Take the personal approach. Call the branch directly and speak to the manager, letting him know what time you’ll be there and to make sure there’ll be a car for you. Write down his name and thank him.
* Where should I return my car? How long should it take?
* Do you have directions or maps to my next destination? How do I get to my hotel? Here’s the hotel’s address.
* Is the tank full? Or, do I have to fill it myself? Is there an allowance for this?
* What number(s) do I call in case of an accident?
* Let’s go over the rental contract. I want to be certain everything is correct, including the return time, location, additional drivers, and the agreed upon price.
* Are these the optional charges I agreed to? Have all my coupons and discounts been applied?
* What paperwork will I need to keep in the rental car: Certainly, you’ll need to keep your rental contract in the car. Cross out any credit card or SS number.
* What if I have a problem with the car? Or, I need to keep it longer than planned?
* What should I do if I find that there is existing damage to the car when I get in it?
* What should I do if I lose my keys or lock them inside the rental car?
* Before you return the car, give it a complete search to make sure you have all your belongings.
* If you put your personal keys on the rental car’s key chain, be sure to take them off.
* Be sure to take your copy of the rental agreement with you.
* Notify the return agent of any problems you experienced with the car.
* When you turn in the car, make sure you have a receipt that is correct and that you’ve been given credit for any frequent flyer miles or other bonus program points. If you paid in cash, check to see that the receipt is marked “Paid in Cash.”
* Unless the rental company has location inside your hotel lobby, don’t let your hotel take care of it for you. Since you signed the contract, you are the one responsible for it. A lot can happen between the time the hotel’s personnel get the car from you and to the rental company. If you do plan on letting the hotel return the car for you, call the rental company directly so they can be involved with its safe return.
* If you do have a problem with the rental car company, explain the problem to the counter representative and ask that it be fixed. You may offer him a satisfactory solution to the problem.
* Depending on the nature of the problem, allow for a reasonable response time.
* Remember, this is not a personal problem. It’s a business transaction. Stay calm and businesslike.
* Unless you’re really Donald Trump, don’t try to come off as a big shot. Simply say that you are their customer and have an expectation of good service.
* If you’re not getting satisfaction from this person, ask to speak to a supervisor or manager. Then, calmly explain your situation to supervisor and allow them to fix the problem.
* If you’re still unsatisfied after going through the channels, contact the company’s customer service department. Have the following information available when you do:
* Written details about the incident, including the date, location and time of the incident
* Your name, reservation, confirmation and/or rental agreement number
* Keep the originals and any relevant copies
* Name, title, employee number or physical descriptions of those dealt, if you have them
* If you think that you were not treated properly according to the company’s policies or lack thereof, question the customer service department about it.
* You may want to include your feelings about the company and the effect that problem might have on your future dealings and communications about the company.
* If you have a good or better solution to your problem, share it with the customer service department so they can try to keep you as a customer.
* Be sure to include contact information – name, address, phone number – so they can respond to your problem.
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