Just as car enthusiasts love automobiles like sons, there are people at the other extreme. They appreciate a car’s utility because it’s practical, but they’re not enthusiastic about the whole maintenance and care of the machines. That’s when car rental becomes a necessary business. It is a helpful system in several situations:
- You are on vacation.
- Do you want to take a long trip?
- Your car is damaged.
- Do you feel like going for a ride?
If you want to know better how this service works and where to hire it, keep reading.
What are the best car rental companies?
In this market, there are not many possible options. Few companies do car rentals, so you know what to expect. Each has characteristics that make it better than the others in some situations.
The average rental price per day for a car is between $20 and $50. This price is to give you an idea since the costs will vary depending on each occasion.
Hertz
They have branches in the most important airports in the United States. Some travel agencies or airlines include plans with a Hertz car rental. With years of experience, it is a safe and reliable company.
The service is exceptional, with a lovely rewards program and excellent handling of collection processes. All this quality comes at a cost, this being high compared to other companies. The median price to rent a car for a week at Hertz is $420.
The more significant benefit is the long duration of the rental. You’ll pay more than similar companies if it’s just for a day or two. Its cancellation policy is not the most flexible either, having to pay between $100 and $200 depending on how far in advance you make it.
Turo
It is a revolutionary company with many opportunities in terms of car rental. They are intermediaries between people who own cars and those interested in renting them.
If you have extra cars or don’t use yours much, you can register it on Turo so others can rent it. They have an insurance policy and roadside assistance system that are very attractive.
A week rental costs around $300, but the variations are enormous. Unlike other companies, each owner chooses the price according to their convenience, availability, price, and place where the client will collect the vehicle.
Regarding cancellations, the maximum free time is 24 hours before the agreed delivery. To cancel in a shorter time, you must pay 50% of the agreed price for withdrawing in a shorter time.
Enterprise
Many consider Enterprise the best on the market, with an intuitive and easy-to-use website. The list of vehicles they offer is extensive and available at the airports.
Renting a car for several days is cheaper than doing it for just a few. The average price for a week is around $462. Its cancellation policy is that you can withdraw a reservation at no cost as long as it is 24 hours in advance.
For cancellations in less than 24 hours, you must pay $100. They are available in different countries.
Alamo
Compared to the other businesses in this same branch, Alamo is small. Its limited availability expresses in a few units obtainable mainly at airports.
What makes it a good option is its price. For a week, it costs an average of $395, being the cheapest company. If you’re looking to save some money, find out if there’s an Alamo branch in the area where you plan to rent a car.
The cancellation policy is similar to the other companies: 24 hours before at no cost and $100 if it is later.
Avis
Although not as popular as the others, Avis has earned its place as one of the best car rental companies. They have exciting plans and affiliations, working with hotels, airlines, and travel agencies.
Their user support is not the best, and taking advantage of their promotions’ benefits is somewhat complicated. However, they have plenty of ways to save money or get free rides.
Tips when renting a car
Although each company has its policies and rules, the general system is similar for all. Here are some ideas so that renting a car does not give you headaches:
Research the price thoughtfully
On each company’s website, you can obtain the requirements you need for your vehicle. With the date, the model and the place you will be able to know without any problem what the cost would be.
You can request the quota on different sites to get more out of this feature. Some third-party companies do not rent cars, but they compare multiple companies and tell you which would be the best option.
Don’t worry about insurance
Most car rental companies have them insured. When you rent a car, the company makes an extra surcharge for the insurance price. If you have doubts, always ask for the details about what you are paying.
Prepare everything in advance
The closer the date is to when you need the car, the more difficult it will be to get it. It will not be impossible, but it will limit your options, and, in some cases, you will have to pay extra money.
The day and place to pick up the car also influence the price. On average, weekends are less expensive, while Mondays and Tuesdays are more expensive. Some are cheaper at the airport, and others in the city. We hope this guide helped to acquire the necessary information for renting a car.
