22nd June 2007

Car Rental Spain What To Expect

Looking for a car rental Spain has to offer? With the help of a car rental, you can travel throughout the countryside. You don’t have to wait for the bus or the train to provide you with the ability to do and see what you came to see when you have your own vehicle to drive.

You will find that it is not all that bad in pricing, either. A week’s worth of a car rental is just a bit more than a rail pass for a single person. For those where there are two or more people in the group, this is a savings of a significant amount. What’s more, this is still the case when fuel is included in the price.

For those that want to save money on their holidays, try selecting a smaller car as the more luxurious and roomier the car is, the most the fee for renting it. To save on fuel, use a diesel car. The price of gas in Spain is higher than it is overseas especially in North America. Even more so, you can find a variety of fuel efficient vehicles available to you here as well.

You can also save when you pick up and then later return the vehicle on weekend days. A longer term contract will give you a better price in the long run over the daily rate. You should also return the car with a full tank of gas in it as this too will save you on fees when you return it. You should take the time to determine the different prices in renting a car in the town that you’ll be staying at and renting one near the airport as there is likely to be a savings here.

When renting a car in Spain, first consider the size of the car that you need. For those with a full family, a larger vehicle is a must but it is not for those with just one or two people.

A deposit is a standard procedure required when reserving the car. Generally it is about 30 percent of the cost of the rental. Always get a receipt when you do leave your deposit and get all information in writing as well. Ask for the rental agreement to be in the language that you speak for easy understanding. In most areas, larger companies will have people that speak more languages.

You should know what the cancellation policy is as well. You don’t want to pay a penalty for canceling at the wrong time. In most cases, this is at least 24 hours before you are to pick up the car. If you cancel after that, you are likely to pay the cost of one day’s rental of the car as a penalty.

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22nd June 2007

Picking the Right Rental Car Company

Are you looking to hire a car for your next vacation or business trip? Remember to rent from a well-known outlet that offers a wide selection of models ranging from fuel-efficient compacts, up to roomy (but gas-guzzling) Sport Utility Vehicles. Check for comfort options like air conditioning, power steering and automatic transmission. Some rental agencies offer services such as roadside assistance and locksmith calling as part of their rental packages, and these features can make or break your vacation.

It’s important to ask a lot of questions and find out as much as you can before making reservations to rent a car from any agency. Booking your rental long in advance will ensure that you get a discount of some sort for your rental. This will also help you to have the widest selection of models, especially during peak holiday rental times. Most rental vehicles come with at least AM/FM radios and many also have CD players. Some even sport MP3 player input jacks so you can play your favorite downloaded songs on your trip. Another thing to remember is if you’re not familiar with manual gearing, don’t try and learn ’stick shift’ on the road. You’ll only end up with more stress than you bargained for and you may end up in an accident.

Think long and hard about the time you may be spending in the vehicle and how much space you will need for yourself, your passengers and your luggage. You can then make your choice based on comfort and not just price. If you end up jammed into a vehicle that is smaller than you planned on, it could really spoil your holiday. Even though it may cost less to rent a smaller vehicle, it won’t be worth it if there’s little or no comfort for you and your passengers. For example, compact cars may save you fuel, but if you’re six feet tall, they would kill your knees, especially if you’re driving a long way. If you don’t like the model that you reserved, talk to the rental agency staff. They will try to get you into a car that’s more suitable for you. However, there may be an extra fee to pay if you choose to upgrade to a larger vehicle.

If you book your rental vehicle directly online, you may qualify for special offers. Also, just like when you buy anything else, you should shop around for the best bargains that car rental agencies have to offer. Remember, availability of these promotional rates may be limited, so the sooner you call, the more likely your chances are of getting them. Your travel agent can help you look for deals online, and save you from calling number after number.

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22nd June 2007

Picking a Good Rental Car

If you’re looking to rent a vehicle for a weekend or longer, here are a few things you should plan for: Many car rental agencies offer their services online and pass special rates on to customers who choose to rent in this manner. Your travel agent can help you in finding which of these agencies is right for you. Some specialize in economical, compact cars while others feature sedans and even sport utility vehicles for those who like adventure.

While many agencies welcome walk-in customers, most ask that you make a reservation for the best selection of models suited for you. If you’re six feet tall, you’ll want to call ahead and make sure they have something larger than a compact vehicle.

The yellow pages have a large assortment of rental car agencies, and each is listed with special customer features and the models of the cars they specialize in. Some rental agencies also offer a very convenient customer pick-up service. If you’re going to be picking up the car yourself however, try to co-ordinate your car pick-up and return times, so you won’t be charged for an extra day.

If you’re only going to be driving a few miles, you may save money by opting for a rental with a mileage cap, which is usually 150 miles. However, unlimited mileage rates offer you more freedom. Your choice will depend on the type of holiday you are on, or the business you’ll be doing on your trip.

The number of people driving the car may also boost your rental cost. Most agencies have extra fees for additional drivers, and if the extra driver is under 21, the cost may rise yet again.

No agency will rent you a vehicle if you can’t produce your driver’s license or a credit card, and if you appear unfit to drive, forget about getting a car from them! Be careful about violating your car rental agreement by driving while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs. Most agencies will consider criminal charges if they find out about such behavior while their vehicle is being driven. Remember to familiarize yourself with all of the terms and conditions of the rental agreement, including what could possibly void your insurance coverage. As the renter, you are liable for all parking and moving traffic violations, both domestic and international, so please drive safely and observe all ordinances.

As a general rule, a major credit card is required at the time of rental, while prepaid credit cards, gift cards and debit/check cards are accepted for payment at the end of the rental.

In many cases, renting a car for a full week is more affordable than renting one for five days, so think about a weekend rental to save money. Should you require child seats, you should book them in advance, because they may charge a fee for each seat. Check out the state or country you will be driving in for more information about child restraint regulations

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22nd June 2007

6 Tips On How To Choose A Rental Car

Renting a car can lead to confusion as there are so many options such as booking online, choosing a car rental firm, selecting a car, should there be a baby seat and so on. These days there are several websites that are platforms that bring together leaders in the car rental business like Hertz and the consumer. One can fill a simple form and get quotes from 3-5 firms and this will allow you to not just compare prices but what each firm offers as part of the service.

To rent a car hassle free, keep in mind:

1. That you must know what you need and how much you are willing to spend. Learn what commonly used vehicle classification systems are and what is meant by the terms “compact, mid-size, luxury and so on.”

2. Always check car rental sites and web directories for “specials” , many companies have schemes for long term use, weeklong specials, and week end deals. These specials are meant to give a price break or discount on rentals. Check what promotions are current and what these deals include. Also many car rental firms offer discounts for early bookings.

3. Read through the offer document carefully and check if there will be charges over and above the rate for: collision damage waiver fees; a deposit or refundable charge; airport surcharge; drop off/collection charges; fuel charges; mileage fees; taxes; additional driver fees; equipment rental fees and so on.

4. Find out whether the car rental firm computes costs based on unlimited mileage; additional charge per mile; free miles with pre-imposed limits.

5. Check whether your auto insurance covers car rentals. If not does your credit card provide coverage or will you need to avail of auto insurance from the car rental firm?

6. Check what documents the car rental firm will need and ensure that all documentation is complete well before your departure date.

Be sure to ask for a confirmation in writing of your booking and find out what their 24/7 contact numbers are. Ensure that you protect your rights by finding out about who is responsible for fuel repairs and so on.

Before renting a car check whether the firm you are renting from has a good track record and whether they are renowned for good customer service. Check with the American Society of Travel agents site for tips on renting a car safely:
http://www.astanet.com/travel/cartips.asp.

And according to the gurus of travel you must always insist on checking the rental car for any damage before taking possession of the vehicle and before returning the vehicle to the company after your use. This small exercise will prevent difference of opinion and trouble at a later date.

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22nd June 2007

Grand Canyon Car Rental - A Guide to Getting a Car at the Grand Canyon

There are many reasons why you would want to get a car rental while at the Grand Canyon. Although there is a taxi service and a free shuttle bus that runs throughout the park, having your own vehicle is a wonderful convenience that will make your visit to the Grand Canyon all the better. There have been car rental agencies at the Grand Canyon in the past, but they’ve shut down for some reason.

I spent over a year and a half living and working at the Grand Canyon. One of my jobs was working at the Grand Canyon Airport as a refueler and meeting the many private pilots that would fly in looking for a Grand Canyon car rental. You can imagine their ire when they found out that nothing was available. While I was working there the company that I was employed by made a deal with Enterprise and secured one car for us to have on hand on a first come first serve basis. This was a big step in the right direction, but if the one car was rented out and the pilots hadn’t made previous arrangements they would have to rely on the taxi service.

Since this car is primarily available for private pilots that fly in, it is recommended that you reserve a car ahead of time to be delivered to the Grand Canyon area by one of the car rental agencies in Flagstaff, Arizona. They charge a hefty fee to have this delivered, but the added convenience may be worth it to some. The phone number for the Enterprise office at Flagstaff is (928) 774-9407. Make sure to call well in advance to ensure that they have someone available to deliver the car that day, as it’s a long drive.

Many people who come to the Grand Canyon by plane, bus tour, or shuttle service are surprised to find out that there aren’t any car rental agencies close by. So if you intend on having one, be sure to book it ahead of time! The taxi services and free shuttle buses don’t encompass the entire area, so it will be nice having the freedom to go where you wish. It’ll give you more potential in your Grand Canyon exploring. Drive safe!

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