Renting a Car in Florida

When budgeting for a Florida vacation, most people cringe at the thought of putting money out on renting a car.

If you are staying at Disney World and do not intend to leave the 47-sqaure mile resort, you can use Disney’s Magic Express, a comfy bus that transports you to and from Orlando International Airport.

But if you are planning to visit non-Disney theme parks, the beach, restaurants or tour around the state, you will want to rent a car.

I have rented all types of cars from all rental companies and have perfected getting the best car and the best price. Here are tips to help you do the same!

1. CHOSING A COMPANY. Visit the websites of all the car rental companies you have faith in and look for promotions. My favourite is Alamo, however, we have also had great luck with deals at Budget, Dollar, Hertz and others.

2. BOOK EARLY. It doesn’t cost a thing to book a car online, so once you see a few prices in your budget, book them immediately and cancel if better prices come up. I find booking a car as soon as I know my trip dates is the best way to go. I booked my rental car in April 2009 for my July 2009 Florida trip for $200 for the week. I monitored the price and it only went up between April and July. By the time July rolled around the car was $350 for a week, but I paid my original $200 because I booked early. However, it’s gone the other way too. I booked early only to see the prices go down closer to the trip. If you don’t want to spend time monitoring the website, ask your travel agent is she will to it for you.

3. KNOW YOUR REWARD CARDS. Many credit cards and other reward card plans offer car rental deals. Get to know them and compare to car rental websites.

4. INSURANCE. Before jumping in and paying the car rental company insurance policy fees, check you own car coverage for endorsements that covers rental cars. Often credit cards offer insurance as well, just be sure you book the rental car with that credit card and book the car in the name on that credit card. Check other reward cards and your benefits at work for insurance coverage.

5. UPGRADE. I always book the least expensive car and ALWAYS get upgraded at the rental car company counter. To save money, I book my trips on weekdays rather than weekends. Most people book their trips Saturday to Saturday renting up all the least expensive cars. By the time I get there on a weekday, the only cars left are mid-sized or higher. The counter attendant will always ask if I want to upgrade, I say “no” because I know they will give my an upgrade at no extra charge due to availability. Even if you book on the weekends, if your flight is after noon, you’ll likely get a free upgrade because all the economy and compact cars have been rented in the morning. I have driven a convertible, mini-vans, deluxe and mid-sized deluxe rental cars paying economy prices.

6. BE NICE at the counter. If they don’t offer you a free upgrade and it looks like they won’t, it’s okay to ask for it. Once my 9-year old son really wanted to rent a PT Cruiser. We were at the counter and super nice and the attendant smiled and said, “Go pick out a PT Cruiser.” We paid economy prices.

7. GAS UP. The rental car company will ask if you want to gas up the car yourself upon return or return the car with whatever gas in left in the car for “your convenience”. While it is convenient to to drop off the car “as is”, it will cost you $50-$75 extra at time of rental. It’s far less expensive to gas up yourself prior to dropping off the rental car.

8. WALK AROUND THE CAR before you drive it off the lot. If you notice any dings, missing paint or dents, be sure to tell the attendant and watch him/her note it on your policy. You don’t want to paid for someone else’s accident.

9. GPS. To save a little more money, pack your own GPS from home. You know it well and won’t have to pay at the rental counter.

10. TOLLS. There are a few toll roads around the airport. Ask if your car has the express pass on the windshield or if you have to pay the tolls yourself.

We enjoy the freedom of a rental car in Florida. ENJOY! Sandra Clarke www.enchantedvacation.webs.com