Best Rental Cars

Rental car companies are battling the rise of ridesharing by emphasizing the unique offerings of their industry. The results are competitive pricing, more positive customer service, and greater rental flexibility. Though some may find ridesharing better suited to their activities, a rental car is the best choice in a variety of circumstances. This guide will answer your questions about car rental and help identify the right choice for you.

Rental car basics

Renting a car from a rental company is ostensibly straightforward. Customers can book online, through an app, or in-person at a company’s location. However, to be eligible for booking, you will have to meet the company’s minimum age requirements and hold a valid driver’s license.

Rental car companies strategically place locations at airports and in regions with a high tourist volume, but bear in mind that renting on-site at these locations may cost more. Still, this is an attractive option for those seeking convenience.

How to choose a rental car company

Choosing the right company will depend on your personal circumstances. Read customer reviews to understand which companies provide the best customer service and resolve issues effectively. A company with low upfront fees and high customer dissatisfaction might warn a consumer that the company will not provide a positive experience. Good car rental companies will have happy customers and flexible options.

To find the most competitive rates, browse several companies’ websites and vary your selections in date, car category, and location. Rental car companies dynamically price their services, and so choosing less popular locations and less popular days of the week may provide you with the best deal.

Additionally, you may want to consider a company’s accessibility. Some companies have apps for quick booking and check-in. Check what companies will be available in your area or the area you’re travelling to, as some rental car companies are not available internationally.

Rental car companies may charge a fee for a second driver, drivers younger than 30, or older than 70. Research a company and read our Additional Car Rental Fees below to see what fees you may incur and whether they apply to you.

Types of rental cars

Companies typically price rentals in three tiers: high, middle, and low. While users will rarely encounter a rental car site that allows them to filter by these explicit pricing tiers, they can expect to find their quotes ranging within the following three brackets.

High — This tier includes performance and luxury cars. New, high performance vehicles will be priced highly on rental car sites. Drivers pay for the novelty or prestigious experience.

Middle — Buyers can expect intermediate vehicles that are moderately priced in this tier. SUVs and recreational vehicles may fall into this pricing bracket. Typically, larger cars with more seating will be in the middle tier, and so renters with many passengers might rent from this bracket.

Low — Economy and compact vehicles are most likely to be in the lowest pricing tier. These may include sedans and hatchbacks. If you are looking for the lowest rates, your selections will be in this tier.

Additional rental car fees

The most frequent complaints against rental car companies involve hidden fees and add-on services. Prepare to respond to these charges and offers when booking your car. The best car rental companies will be transparent about their charges and offer consumers opportunities to opt out of add-ons they don’t need or want. Here are a few of the most common additional fees:

Rental car insurance — Rental agencies typically offer to package rental car insurance with your purchase. For many customers with their own car insurance or insurance benefits through a credit card, this might not be necessary. If you are unsure whether rental cars are covered under your insurance plan or credit card, contact your providers. Your policies may have exceptions, such as using the rental car in another country or using the car for business travel.

Early fees and late fees — Deviating from your rental plans could cost you. You may be charged differently depending on the day you return a car, and you could be charged by the day rather than the week if you return a car early.

Toll transponder fees — If you plan on driving toll roads, you may incur additional fees for your rental car’s transponder. Many rental agencies outfit their cars with transponders, which are signalling devices that transmit radio signals to the toll station. The toll station then charges a driver automatically as they pass through. The rental company will charge the driver processing fees in addition to the toll itself. Transponders make driving through toll stations easier, but customers should ask whether their rental car company has a transponder and charges for its use. Price-conscious consumers should consider choosing GPS routes that filter out toll roads to avoid these charges.

Drop-off fees — Returning a car to another location might cost a renter. Companies have to distribute their cars through all locations and may therefore charge a drop-off fee when it’s returned at another site.

Additional driver fees — In many cases, only one driver is authorized to operate a rental car without add-ons. Check the state laws where you are renting and company memberships you hold (such as Costco and AAA memberships) to verify that you are being charged correctly if you plan to have an additional driver. Certain states may cap the additional driver fee at a certain rate, and company memberships might waive your additional driver fee.

Age fees — Drivers may run into young renter fees if they are under 30, or occasionally additional charges if they are a senior over 70. Verify age limitations with your chosen company.

Research specific companies to find out if any of these charges apply to their services. Not all fees will apply to all companies.