No matter what type of car you plan to rent, there are some age restrictions. In most states, you mu

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Though renting a car can seem easy, it s important to know a handful 1956 los angeles angels of basic, but important facts age restrictions, insurance coverage options, discount codes before you get started to make sure there are no surprises 1956 los angeles angels when you pick your car up or drop it off at the end of your trip. Here s our guide on everything you need to know for a successful, problem-free car rental.
When it comes to renting a car especially at any of the airports in the United States 1956 los angeles angels you ll see the same group of companies: Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, and Thrifty. There are a few other smaller or regional companies, but you ll likely want to rent from a major player. These companies 1956 los angeles angels tend to have larger fleets with newer vehicles and other perks like the ability to skip the line at the counter and head straight to your car.
If you re looking to book a luxury car, you ll want to seek out the companies specializing in those vehicles, like Avis Signature Series , Hertz Dream Cars , or the Exotic Car Collection from Enterprise . These outlets offer high-end cars from Audi, Aston Martin, BMW, Bentley, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porsche, Maserati, and Mercedes-Benz.
No matter what type of car you plan to rent, there are some age restrictions. In most states, you must be 21 years old to rent a car. However, many agencies either won t rent to individuals who are that young or levy a surcharge on drivers (must be 18 or older) that makes the rental very expensive, but doable. Standard rates apply when you turn 25.
Some countries require you to carry an International Driving Permit (which you can order from AAA or the National 1956 los angeles angels Auto Club ) in order to drive in their country. Even when a country doesn t require this, some car rental agencies within 1956 los angeles angels that country might. Check out Fodor s How to Drive in Europe guide for more details.
Start hunting for deals at the rental company websites to get a sense of baseline 1956 los angeles angels prices. Be sure to compare comparable cars at different companies. Each company offers discounts to various partners, like members of frequent flyer programs, or to organizations like AAA and AARP. Be sure to type in any discount codes you may have and compare the rates. You can also try bargain hunting on sites like Priceline, Hotwire, Expedia, and Travelocity. 1956 los angeles angels Costco Travel is another good resource for low-priced rentals.
When renting 1956 los angeles angels a car at an airport, check to see if the agency counter is located within the airport or if you have to take a shuttle to an off-site parking area. It can be cheaper 1956 los angeles angels to rent off-site, 1956 los angeles angels but remember 1956 los angeles angels to factor in the extra travel time and determine if it s worth the savings.
You definitely want primary Collision Waiver Damage coverage whenever you rent a car, but don t let the car rental agency pressure you into buying it from them. There are other ways to score this coverage. Primary coverage kicks in immediately, while secondary coverage means that you would first make a claim on your own auto insurance policy before the secondary coverage is activated. Purchasing the CWD through the car rental agency will be expensive. Many credit cards now offer primary or secondary 1956 los angeles angels car rental insurance as a benefit or sell CWD insurance at a reduced price. Check the American Express 1956 los angeles angels website for any car rental insurance benefit your card may offer. Some financial products from Chase also include similar benefits.
If you don t have a credit card that offers primary collision damage waiver as a benefit, sign up for American Express Premium Car Rental Protection . There is no cost to enroll and no deductible, and Amex simply charges you a flat rate of $24.95 per vehicle rental for up to 42 consecutive days of coverage. You must use your enrolled card in order for the coverage to kick in. The fee also offers up to $100,000 in primary theft and damage coverage (liability not included). The $24.95 fee is less than what most rental car companies charge for comparable coverage.
Avoid the temptation to race off the lot and take the time to inspect your car for any pre-existing damage. Make sure to document every scratch and dent in the presence of the car rental agent. Otherwise, the company could try to charge you for those damages when you return the vehicle.
Usually, you are obligated to return the car with a full tank of gas, so be sure to fill up at a station before you get close to the airport, where prices at the pump are often exaggerated. Alternatively, there are policies at some rental car companies that will allow you to return the car with less than a full tank of gas and you just pay a preset rate for the gallons you used. However, you must pre-arrange this option when you first pick up the car.
Be sure to return the car on time. Some companies will charge you an entire extra rental day if you return the car even half an hour late. Others are more lenient and will only charge you half a day. Refer to your rental contract for full details.
Andrea M. Rotondo is a writer based in New York City. She covers cruise and luxury travel trends 1956 los angeles angels for Fodors.com, Cond Nast Traveler, Cruise Critic, and other websites and magazines. She also teaches travelers how to leverage their frequent flyer miles at FrequentFlyerToolkits.com .