Avoid procrastination. After booking your car rental, keep checking for a better rate. Hotwire.com and Priceline.com lock you into a nonrefundable, nonadjustable reservation.
Reserving a compact saves fuel. The clerk may provide a cheap upgrade if there's no compact on the lot. Say no. If the reserved automobile is unavailable, most firms will upgrade you for free.
Shop CarRentals.com, CarRentalExpress.com, Payless, and Advantage. AutoSlash.com will scan the web for the best bargains and instantly rebook you at lower rates.
Pre-booking discounts are offered by many automobile rental providers. Because you can't cancel without penalty, make sure you've shopped around and your plans are firm. Avoid nonrefundable reservations.
Visit Promotionalcodes.com and CouponWinner.com. Google the rental company name and "coupon code." Be inventive. Coupon and discount codes typically work together.
AAA, AARP, and Costco offer automobile rental savings. Rental businesses also have free loyalty clubs with privileges like having your car waiting for you with the keys in it, no waiting in line. Join multiple clubs.
If you take a cab or public transit to a facility outside the airport, you can save a lot on the car you want. Rental firms offer airport transfers.
Filling the petrol tank yourself before returning the car is safest. If you think you'll run out of gas, prepay. Don't let the rental company fill the tank after you return the car—service costs might cost $9 a gallon.
Know your policy and credit card coverage to avoid buying rental car insurance. Smartphones can replace GPS. Don't get satellite radio until you need it. Instead, fill your phone with music and podcasts and put it into the car's auxiliary jack.
Booking a car rental as part of a hotel or flight package can save you money.