Planning isn’t the only way to pay less for a rental car. It is Known car rental prices can vary from single to double. A few common-sense tips are sure to lower your budget, even if you take it at the last moment.
1. Compare prices through online brokers
The first step before renting is to get an idea of a rental cost; rather than going around traditional rental companies’ sites, it is best to research an online broker, such as carlaycarrental.com, etc. These sites look for the best rates, often negotiated, from most rental companies in Pakistan and abroad.
Note: The conditions (mileage, insurance, etc.) may vary from what a lessor offers via its platform. Don’t hesitate to compare.
2. Aim for promotions from traditional rental companies
The main rental companies regularly offer promotions, most often outside of school holidays. Reductions range from 10 to 25% if the order is placed directly on the Internet, with cancellation fees expected. Rental companies more and more use other forms of promotions to attract new customers. Several times a year, many car rental companies offer seven-day rentals for the price of five.
Note: These offers are most of the time renewed from one year to the next, very often at the same period. You have to watch.
3. Try the 1 $ rental
The repatriation of cars left in a different agency than the pick-up is very expensive for rental companies, forced to set up repatriation services by truck. For some time, via specialized sites like Carlay Car Rental, they have been offering rentals at $ 1.
Note: This type of rental does not leave the choice either on the date, on the model, or the car drop-off agency. You have to get into the boxes.
4. Why not rent between individuals
Finding a car available near your home, choosing a specific model (and not just a category) … nothing seems impossible. And if the car is not recent, the rental price will be more interesting than at a professional. But beware of the drawbacks: the rental company may refuse to rent you his car, and if it breaks down or is in an accident in the meantime, he will not have any alternative solution to offer you.
Note: The prices are sometimes lower with professional rental companies: before signing, a small check is required.
5. Rent and finance
If you’re willing to take a few detours and waste some time, one solution is to rent a car and finance some of that expense by offering a carpooling solution on a specific route. For example, you are planning to rent a car in Karachi for a three-day weekend. You spend $ 200 for a three-day car rental with unlimited mileage; then, you charge $ 40 per seat to drop off two or three people.
Note: Carpooling requires not to neglect insurance, even more, if you drive a rental car.
6. Refuse the franchise buyout by paying with a premium card
The so-called premium credit cards such as Visa Premier or American Express include specific insurance covering the lessor’s franchise redemptions. It is, therefore, unnecessary to accept the additional insurance offered by the rental company.
Good to know: Give your bank’s help desk a phone call to check all the conditions before making the decision.
7. Prefer your GPS
Avoid certain rental companies’ options, billed for a few dollars per day, but add to the final bill. A navigation system can charge around ten dollars per day. An unnecessary additional cost because your smartphone can provide the same service.
Note: From the compact sedan category, most of the rental companies’ options are standard equipment.
8. Play the upgrade
While it is tempting to directly select a comfortable car that meets your criteria when ordering, it is often more interesting (without a guarantee of success) to try the upgrade card. Thus, you choose a lower-range car hoping that when you come to collect the car, the rental company will offer you a higher category model and at the same price.
Note: The longer the period, the higher the chances of being upgraded … provided that there are still vehicles in the higher category.
Digitac 