In the US, should I rent a car through travel agencies or directly with car rental companies?
I have no experience in renting cars whatsoever. I was wondering what's the best way to do this in the US? Should I book a car rental on a website like Expedia, or should I book directly from the companies' websites (like Budget), or should I just book it at the counter with no reservation?
For hotels, it is typically better to book with travel agencies like Expedia since they protect you in case something weird happens, whereas it's better to book flights directly with airlines to avoid unnecessary fees in case one needs to make changes/cancellations. But what's the best way to rent a car?
Best Answer
probably opinion based.
First, I disagree strongly with your statement to book hotels through agencies - they are slightly more expensive (than booking through each hotel's chain website), and often mess things up, don't allow you to change, etc. My experiences are pretty negative, one time the hotel didn't even know about the my 'confirmed' booking and was full - the agency ignored my requests.
For Car Rentals, my experience is the same. Booking through their websites works smooth and easy, and there are never issues. Free cancellation, no prepayment, and better prices.
Your mileage may vary...
[for context: I book about 30 rental cars a year, and about 60 hotel nights]
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Is it better to rent a car one way or round trip?
Renting one way is typically more expensive than renting round trip. Your price is broken out into different components: the daily rate (a.k.a. time and mileage), taxes and fees, and a one-way drop charge. The drop fee can vary from one rental-car company to another, and even within a single rental car company.Do car rental prices go up closer to the date?
\u201cAt non-peak times when there is good availability, prices can get cheaper the closer you get to the start date of the rental. However, if you leave it too late you can miss out,\u201d he says.How do you rent a car as a tourist in the US?
You absolutely need a valid driver's license to rent a car. You cannot rent a car if your license is expired, suspended or revoked. Photocopies of your license or learner's permit will not be accepted. Obviously, each additional driver must have a valid license to be allowed to drive the rental car.Why is it so expensive to rent a car and return to different location?
But rent the car in one place and return it somewhere else \u2014 a one-way rental \u2014 and you'll pay hundreds, and sometimes thousands, of dollars more. Why? Car rental companies charge hefty dropoff fees to give drivers an incentive to return the vehicle to their original location.What’s Behind the Rental Car Shortage? | WSJ
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