Saving big on car rentals

By Aaron Crowe

Reserving a rental car a few months in advance is probably the best known way to save money when renting a car.

Especially during peak times such as Christmas and Thanksgiving, reserving a car two to three months in advance can save you money and ensure you have a car waiting for you when you arrive at your destination.

But there are plenty of lesser-known ways to save at the car rental counter, and like making a car reservation, they all involve planning ahead.

Here are seven ways to save big on a car rental:

Be inquisitive at the counter. You probably already know not to buy the extra insurance when renting a car, since your credit card or current auto insurance policy already covers you in an accident. But there are plenty of other upsells at the car rental counter that you may not be aware or pay attention to after arriving from a long flight.

“Ask a lot of questions when you pick up the car,” says David Eastes, co-founder of VroomVroomVroom.com, a car rental comparison website. “Because a lot of people, when they get to that front counter, they agree with the questions.”

The clerk may be rapidly firing questions at you from a multi-page contract, asking if you want to add an extra driver, pay ahead for gas or buy insurance, among other queries. Eastes says he’s seen $100 extra on a bill without paying attention.

To read the full story and see all seven tips on how to save money on a rental car, go to CheapCarInsurance.net.