Hello, all of my jet-setting, road-tripping, world-gallivanting readers! As your trusty travel guru, I’m here wearing my virtual straw-travel-hat to share a few savvy tips about a topic we all hold near and dear – leisure travel. I am crumbled postcards and spilled cocktails of excited to dig into the dirt roads and coconut groves of this quintessential subject. The topic of the day, my thrill-seeking amigos? Car rentals! Because, if you can’t get there, then where is there anyway?
Hit the Brake, Check the Date
Sure, there’s no nationally recognized holiday that celebrates the best day of the week to rent a car. (Yet. My diligent letter writing campaign to Congress continues). In the interim, my globetrotting investigative prowess has highlighted Tuesday and Wednesday as your best mates in car rental goodness. Weekend wanderers often clog up the system like sticky bubblegum on a hot sidewalk, inflating prices faster than helium balloons at a kid’s birthday party. So if you wouldn’t mind trading your party hat for savings, mid-week is your go-to.
Booking on Site? You Just Might Have a Bumpy Night
While it may seem like a stellar idea to land your plane, grab your bags, and charter your vehicular steed straight from the source, this approach can harvest a plump, not-so-sweet price. Hold that horsepower! You’ll find better luck (and rates) by comparing prices and booking online before your feet touch foreign terrain.
Be Insurance Savvy While Cruising the Serengeti
It’s easy to feel like a deer caught in the headlights when the rental associate ends their car diatribe with a push for insurance. “Do I need it?” you wonder, alongside thoughts like, ‘I should’ve been a ballerina’ and ‘what was the name of that restaurant in Paris?’. My sage advice? Check your existing auto insurance policy before you traverse the safari. Many cover rental cars, but validate the included benefits. Oh, and check whether your credit card offers coverage. Yeah, those handy plastic buddies can sometimes offer more than just a shopping spree outlet!
Cram the Minivan with Savings, not People
If your itinerary resembles a golden bumblebee, buzzing from one stop to the next, consider saving by booking your vehicle as part of a travel package. Bundle your flights, hotel and car rental, roll ’em into one, and voila! You’re cruising down Savings Street. Just maintain speed limits and keep your hands on the wheel!
Your Membership Card is Your Secret Travel Weapon
Belong to AAA? AARP? Costco? Any credit union? Graduated from school? Any school? These memberships are the travel world’s equivalent of kryptonite. They can garner you unexpected discounts on car rentals. So, wave your card high and with pride, because being in the club means something in the car rental world.
Well, my wanderlusting amigos, we’ve crossed the finish line of our scenic car rental road trip. Next time the open road invites you – you’ll be prepared, savvy, and ready to command the helm of your trusty journeying ship. Got any of your own clever car rental tips? Rev up your engines and share them in the comments section below. Never stop exploring.
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