| You are headed out on vacation and are debating | | | | some time. Take it to a chair, sit down and read. |
| whether to rent a car for your time away from | | | | You may think there is really no need to read the |
| home. Even if you are driving to your vacation spot, | | | | entire contract. After all, the nice sales clerk has |
| a car rental can be a prudent investment, but there | | | | assured you that you will owe only $29 when you |
| are some steps you can take to make the most of | | | | return the car, and that IS what the company |
| your car rental dollar. | | | | advertises on television. But the reality is that the |
| Shop, shop, shop. The Internet is one of the best | | | | contract overrides both the advertisement and the |
| things that could ever have happened to comparison | | | | contract. If the contract calls for a $29 base fee with |
| shopping. It takes only a little time and effort to get | | | | a surcharge of $2 per mile for every mile you drive, |
| prices, terms and conditions for almost any product | | | | that is what you will owe at the end of your trip. |
| or service you can imagine, and a car rental is no | | | | When you pick up your car, check the odometer. |
| exception. Start your shopping as early as possible | | | | Even though they will assure you that they read the |
| because some car rental services will give you | | | | odometer and that this is the mileage indicated, you |
| discounts for early reservations. | | | | should check for yourself. If you are paying a per |
| Shopping early will also help you plan your trip | | | | mile fee, even a few miles difference could be costly. |
| because you will have an accurate idea of what you | | | | Be wary of handing out personal information to a car |
| are going to be spending on your car rental. That is | | | | rental company online. Taking care of the business |
| much better than being blindsided by a price you | | | | online is convenient and often a great way to save |
| cannot afford that will put your entire trip in | | | | time. Just the same, take time to read the companys |
| jeopardy. | | | | privacy policy and beware of handing out personal |
| Beware of contracts and terms. Any car rental | | | | information such as credit card numbers and bank |
| company is going to require a contract. This is equally | | | | account numbers to companies that you have never |
| true of the legitimate companies and those that are | | | | heard of. Be sure you are dealing with a legitimate |
| less-than-scrupulous. But you should never sign a | | | | car rental company before you pay. |
| contract without reading it carefully. Yes, it will take | | | | |