Don
Nadeau, a New York Times and USA Today-featured Priceline bidding
expert is the founder of BidonTravel.com.
Don has managed a travel agency specializing in Third World corporate
travel and worked for an inbound travel and tour company that was
the second leading seller of Amtrak rail tickets in the world. Don
definitely knows his travel. That's why we asked him to explain
the do's and don'ts of car rentals in North America. This is what
he had to say...
I hope these tips
will give JourneyWomen the basic information that every rental car
customer should know. You will not find the companies that give
the best deals here, but you will learn how to save money and to
avoid car rental disasters. Skim if you are an experienced renter,
but read carefully if you’re not.
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If
you are driving away from your rental city, go with a nation-wide
company like Avis, Hertz or National, one with lots of rental
locations and a reputation for providing newer cars, even
if you have to pay a little more. On this type of trip, you
need a good car and quick help if something does break down.
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Taxes and fees
vary widely by location. If you have a choice of pick up locations,
compare total prices.
For example,
if you rent a car at DFW Airport near Dallas, you’ll
pay an amazing amount in fees and taxes. You won’t pay
such high fees at a location in Dallas itself.
On the other
hand, not all airports have high fees. And, rental charges,
excluding taxes and fees, may be much more competitive at
some airports than in town.
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Your credit
card or home auto insurance policy may cover insurance for your
rental car, but be absolutely sure that you are covered before
you decline damage insurance offered by the rental company.
This is especially
true if you pay a third party like Hotwire in advance. Will
your credit card company cover when you don’t pay directly?
Otherwise,
you could become responsible for the full value
of the car—value as determined
by the rental company—as well as the rental
income lost while the car is being repaired or replaced.
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If you are
depending on your home auto insurance, bring a copy of the
policy. Especially smaller and less well-known companies may
refuse to let you decline their often-expensive insurance
without it.
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 For
your protection, all drivers must sign the rental agreement.
If drivers do not sign, that could void your insurance if one
gets in an accident.
However, additional
drivers may mean extra charges.
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If under 25,
be sure to check age requirements with the rental location before
traveling. Some companies will not rent to you at all; others
may charge more.
On the other
hand, if you are traveling on business, your company may have
a negotiated agreement that covers you without penalty. Check
with your travel department.
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All renters
dealing with a new company should read “rental policies”
on its website. This discusses credit card requirements, debit
card restrictions, gas policies, where you cannot take the car
(e.g., on dirt roads), etc.
For example,
driving on dirt roads may void your insurance and debit cards
may not be accepted leaving you stranded at the rental counter
even if you have prepaid the basic rental cost.
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Speaking
of gas policies, you are better off saying that you will return
the car with a full tank. Full, by the way, means full. Otherwise,
you may find an ugly charge on your credit card bill even
if the tank was nearly full.
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Never show up
without a copy of your reservation that shows dates, rental
costs, etc.
Otherwise,
it is your word against theirs and—hey—they
hold the keys!
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As with hotels,
car rental companies may get a temporary authorization on
your credit card for much more than the projected cost. This
may cause some renters with limited credit available to have
problems using their cards elsewhere until several days after
returning their cars.
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Your driving
record may be checked before you are given a car. If this
concerns you, call about your situation before showing up
at the rental counter.
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Ask your
rental car company for a map of its location. Particularly
some airport locations can be frustrating to find when you
are in a rush to return your car before your flight.
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Number 13,
but not unlucky at all. Meticulously examine your car before
driving away from the rental company. Have any damages, regardless
of how small, listed in writing. This is important!
You don’t want to be changed for damage done by someone
else.
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What is a car?
 For
women ...
A car is just
a moving, giant handbag!
You never
have actually to carry groceries,
or dry cleaning,
or anything.
You can have
five pairs of shoes with you at all times!
(Cynthia Heimeel, 1993)
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