Contest! Win a 5 Day Rental from National (closed)
You guys know I love contests…. any time I can get something for my readers I go for it!! So here is one from our friends at National Car Rental. I am giving away a five-day rental from National. Enter by writing a comment to this post about the following: What is your best tip for a business traveler renting a car for the first time? A winner will be chosen by a random drawing on Wednesday, May 18. So easy!!! Only one entry per person.
My own favorite tip? Besides the obvious (make sure you’re in the right car!!), if your employer has a rental company that they require you to use, sign up for the club. Not all of them give you points, but the time saved when you can bypass the counter is a huge bonus. Plus they will often upgrade you for free.
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sarah cool said,
I would suggest being familiar with the insurance requirements of your company. Do you accept the rental insurance? Do you decline? Do you accept some? Many times companies will have you decline the insurance because they have a policy that covers employees – however, it pays to be sure!
Laurel said,
This goes for any rental situation, not just business, but walk around the car before driving it off the lot. Make sure any damage (scratches, small dents and dings, etc.) are noted on the rental agreement so they don’t hold you and your company responsible. It’s tempting to just hop in and go, but these extra few minutes can save you a headache.
Rick said,
Ask, “Hey if you are out of midsizes (that I booked), you can give me that CTS.”
Charles said,
Have a conversation with the rental agent about the terrain and traffic in the city. Take in account the route to the location of your business and any leisure trips you might take! I say this from personal experience on a trip to Salt Lake City. The suggestion of getting a all-wheel drive car instead of a economy car or a gas guzzling SUV was a life saver when driving up the mountainside and it city traffic.
Howie said,
Don’t be afraid to get a GPS if you’re not familiar with the area … better yet bring your own. Don’t rely on your BlackBerry / iPhone (you shouldn’t drive with it anyway!).
gpapadop said,
As u drive out, scope the area for a gas station to fill up on your return
Tanya said,
know your company policy for gas and mileage reimbursement! sometimes they won’t reimburse if you fill up at the pump yourself, but will pay for charges directly on the rental car bill.
Michele said,
I think my two most important tips are to definitely check out the car to make sure any preexisting damage is noted before you leave. Also – on your way out of the aiport make sure you look for a gas station closeby to refill on your way back… will save you lots of $$.
Meghan said,
Make sure to call the day before to make sure the car is ready when your flight arrives. Also, this is a no brainer, rent a car with an office at the airport!
Jerry said,
Already mentioned but looking for the nearest gas station on your way out.
Joel said,
Before you leave the rental lot, take a few photos of any dings/dents.
Michael said,
As mentioned earlier, check for damages before you check-out. Sign-up for the rental car club – the best programs are National, Hertz, and Avis, but they’re usually the most expensive on average. Don’t fret – using discounts (e.g. if your company has a discounted contract with that rental car company) usually puts the price within an acceptable range.
Mike S said,
My best tip for a first time renter, is simply to take a look and know what side of the car the gas tank is on. When I forget to check, it can be frustrating having to reallign the car at the pump.
Matt said,
Know your company’s coverage policies in case of an accident. I’ve heard of one too many stories of how difficult the process is to get it straight.
Cheryl Boldt said,
What a winner!!
Sy said,
Always keep a spare and unopened toothbrush in your suit case.
Beth St. Romain said,
Call first and get an EXACT quote of what you will pay, including all hidden fees!
Fran said,
many have already been said but another one might be, you may not always want the “upgrade.” I got upgraded to an SUV once and was excited until; 1. it took more gas and 2. since it was bigger it was harder to get around, ESPECIALLY in unfamiliar areas. When you are around unfamiliar territory it is much easier in smaller car, I wish I would have kept my compact, lesson learned.
Dan said,
What is your best tip for a business traveler renting a car for the first time?
Sign up for the Emerald Club, and take any car you’d like from the Emerald Aisle. You’ll feel great as you drive off the lot in a very nice car.
David said,
Do not drive the wrong way over the treadles.
Jean said,
Locate the nearest gas station to where you are returning, BEFORE you are rushing to catch your 6 AM flight.
Better yet: Stay near the airport and turn the car in the night before!
Michele M said,
Make sure that you know how to work the wipers, the lights, the defroster, and how to get the keys out of the ignition before you leave the lot, so that you can look in the owner’s manual or ask for help while you are not in traffic. One time the car had been started for me, and when I arrived at my destination it took me over 15 minutes to figure out how to get the keys out of the ignition.
Jason said,
Your tip was my tip. ut, I’ll add another. Always take a good look at the car before you drive off the lot You don’t want to be responsible for damage you didn’t cause. Better yet, take a few pix with your phone!
Scott L said,
Use the Emerald Aisle, as you can choose your own destiny that way.
Dan Morgan said,
It is a combination of car and hotel. I find that if I have an ultra early flight in the morning following a multi day trip, I try to find a hotel near the airport. That way I can drop off the care the night before when the desk is still staffed and not have to get up an extra hour or so early for car drop off, to catch the 6 am flight.
Tamara said,
I dunno about the best tip for a “business traveller” but for personal use, it’s likely that if you rent using your platinum credit card the liability will be covered by your credit card company – making it unnecessary to purchase that expensive option from the car rental agency.
Mark said,
Make sure you know what the operating hours are of the agency you are renting from. If returning a car in the early morning hours, the drop off location may be a nearby park & ride lot that could be hard to find if you do not plan ahead!
David said,
Similar to your “make sure you’re in the right car,” I saw someone once insist he had a reservation with Hertz. After he berated the agent for a while, he pulled out his confirmation page to find out that he rented with Thrifty.
Pat said,
The most important thing for a 1st time renter to remember is that this is not *your* car. Before you leave the rental lot, take the time to adjust the seat, check your mirrors, scan for a good radio station, set your GPS (if purchased), and in general familiarize yourself with the car’s operation.
The last thing you need while trying to navigate out of an unfamiliar airport is to be distracted fiddling with your car!
Raymond said,
Get your rental car first thing during the day, ensure that the service provider is just starting up, mainly because at this time the majority of the budget car rentals haven’t been returned yet, and you can receive an upgrade!
Norma said,
On the subject of insurance coverage, look at your own car insurance if it will handle rental cars. While car rental insurance is not much, it’s not necessary to spend an excess if you’re already covered.
Mimi said,
Put all of the rental emergency info, plate number, etc. in your phone. If the car is stolen it does no good to have all of that info in the car.
Gabe said,
Rent from a place that has a decent rewards program and quick check in – check out service, such as National. Finally, don’t rent from Enterprise!
chontzy said,
Use your smartphone to take pictures or video of ANY dents or dings, also make sure to look at the windshield. Avis once tried to bill me for a windshield ding that I didn’t notice until I had left the parking lot.
Lauren said,
Use the Emerald Aisle. It makes renting so much more quick and it’s sort of a bonus to get to the airport and scope out the selection and see what you’re driving for the week. It’s often a topic of conversation when travelers return to the office.
I’ve seen people get giddy before they get off the shuttle and run to pick a car. That’s sort of fun to watch.
Rob D said,
Plan to spend more time than you would think is necessary to go through the rental car process.
airshadow said,
If renting for the very first time, go to their website and familiarize yourself with the company and their program.
Erndog said,
If paying with a corporate credit card, chances are you aren’t going to need the insurance – best to check company travel policies and/or with HR to be sure . . .
SC said,
Charge it to AMEX! Helps greatly incase something happens.
Jana said,
Make sure to double check that the rental car company is on airport property. I realize that nowadays a lot if them have a central location, but for those that don’t it could cost you extra time that you have.
Jade said,
Be familar with the car before you get onto the road!
Bret said,
Know that using a debit card can sometimes be an obstacle. Better to use a credit card for car rentals!
Catherine said,
Calling to reserve a car is far superior to ordering online. I have been burned twice after ordering a rental car via the generic website. Many of the dealers are independent and are still lagging in communication between what inventory indicates and what is actually available (i.e. one car came back with damage, so cannot go out). Don’t get caught like I did with a 8 am reservation, a 9am appointment, and no car.
Randy Grewell said,
When talking to the rental agents be kind confident and courteous. Understand they have a job which may be stressful and largely unrewarding. Being the “Sunshine” in their day just may get you a great upgrade at no cost without even asking.
Bradley Baker said,
Spot a gas station near the airport on your way out.
bkjones said,
do NOT let the car guy demonstrate your convertible top rolling down if your husband has his travel guitar resting upright in the back seat.
Boris said,
Be nice to the agent and ask for his recommendation + don’t ad any add-ons. I have saved a lot of money that way.
Hilary said,
Make sure you are 25. My first business trip to rent a car I was 23 and I couldn’t get one!
ST said,
Be wary of gas stations that don’t prominently display their prices. I’ve seen some very high prices near airports that were “unadvertised”.
chubbuni13 said,
I’ve found that it’s best to go for the most affordable car available. Half of the time, the subcompacts are all rented out so they end up upgrading you to a higher level for free.
Steve Markowski said,
Use a credit card that covers the collision deductible. Check your own/company insurance to see what it covers. Sometimes the cost of the damage waiver is more than the cost of the rental.
Rick Jones said,
This is truely a great rental car outf it . It is kind of sad that there isso much consolidation with the rental car world, but such is life.
Henry said,
Make sure the attendant gives you a signed form stating your car has no damage when returning the car.
Andy said,
Return the car on time. The extra charge for late is crazy!
Eric Vogt said,
Consider renting a car for some business travel you might have used your own car for. I recently saved my company and my personal car by renting a car for a short trip. Got better gas mileage than my truck, and got more peaceful highway miles as I enjoyed a nice new CLEAN car!
Zach said,
Realize that from economy class to midsize the price basis of the car is pretty much the same to the rental company, so asking nicely can sometimes net you a free two-car class upgrade. Not that you need a reason to have a smile on your face and treat other people nicely…but it never hurts.
B said,
After my recent experience at SFO this past weekend — Whatever you do.. once you enter to return your rental Car, and for some reason you entered a wrong rental agency, DO NOT try to back up your car when there are HUGE signs posted saying “SEVERE DAMAGE TO TIRES IF YOU BACK UP”.. — yeah lesson learned and a good advise to noobies not to do the same as well.!!
Chris said,
If the agency is located outside of the airport, make sure that the shuttles come by frequently.
yap said,
My suggestion would be make sure to keep the rental contract in the vehicle all the time! And make sure if you don’t want the steep charges of automatic toll payment transponder, then make sure to shut it or ask the rental company to take it off the car.
Deborah said,
Find out (1) if there are tollroads that you might be traveling on, (2) what the rental cars policy is on tolls, and (3) your own companies policy on tolls and their reimbursements. National is great in they charge $2/day plus tolls which helps greatly So many cities now have unmanned tollroads.
Amy Barraclough said,
If you’re not familiar with the area you’re traveling to, make sure you are able to get a GPS in your vehicle.
Sean B said,
My advice for a first-timer…sign up with one of the large car rental agencies frequent flyer programs(National, Hertz, Alamo,etc)and stay away from the smaller, regional car rental companies.
John H said,
Check under the seat, seat pockets, glove box, etc for your belongings before arriving at the airport. You are usually so rushed to return the car and check in for a flight, you can easily forget something.
heidi said,
Best tip would be to try to earn miles on your rental if your company allows it and make sure you check so in order to earn some type of credit if they don’t due the extra fee charge then pick rental credits instead. Try to rent with the company that will offer the best reward for your loyalty!
T R said,
See if they have a better deal at the counter as most rentals do not carry a cancellation penalty. You might get a “free” upgrade out of this.
T R said,
Sign up for reward programs
MC said,
If you’re using your own GPS, (1) Enter in your addresses before you leave home, (2) Power it on your way to the rental lot. Often a GPS will take a while to pick up your current location after you’ve been traveling and many rental car facilities are indoors which makes it nearly impossible to get a signal, (3) On your way out of the lot, add the rental car facility as a new location (use Current Location function) to expedite the return trip
Ken said,
Adjust your mirrors before you back up. If you have to leave your suitcase in the vehicle during a meeting, get a car with a trunk so it thieves are less tempted. Try to get a car with local State license plates.
MJ said,
Others have already mentioned this, but photographing the car before driving it off the lot is essential.
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