With the popularity of self-driving tours, more and more people choose to rent a car in the United States to explore the city scenery and natural beauty. However, due to the huge car rental market in the United States and the wide variety of car rental options, it is not easy to find the most cost-effective option.
Choose a suitable car rental companyIn the United States, car rental companies are divided into large chain brands, small and medium-sized companies, and local specialty service companies. Each type has different characteristics and advantages.
Representative brands: Enterprise, Hertz, Avis, Budget, National, Alamo, Thrifty, etc.
Advantages:
Wide network coverage, especially at airports and popular tourist cities.
Rich vehicle selection, from economy to luxury cars.
Stable service quality and relatively fast after-sales processing.
Disadvantages: Prices are usually higher, especially in peak seasons.
Representative brands: Fox Rent A Car, Sixt, Payless, etc.
Advantages:
Relatively affordable, suitable for consumers with limited budgets.
Promotions or discounts are usually offered.
Disadvantages:
With a limited number of outlets, additional transportation may be required to reach the rental point.
Service quality is not as stable as that of large companies.
Advantages:
More flexible rental terms.
Personalized services, such as for specific regions or special needs.
Disadvantages:
The booking process may be complicated and information transparency is low.
After determining the car rental company, price comparison is an important part of finding a cost-effective solution. The following are several commonly used price comparison methods:
Common platforms: Kayak, Expedia, Rentalcars.com, Priceline, etc.
Advantages:
You can compare the prices and models of multiple car rental companies at the same time.
Provide a one-stop booking service, saving time and effort.
Notes:
Prices displayed on some platforms may not include taxes and fees, so you need to carefully check the final total price.
Some car rental company official websites offer membership discounts or exclusive offers.
If you book through the official website, you can modify or cancel the order more flexibly.
Some credit cards (such as American Express, Chase Sapphire) work with car rental companies to provide users with discounts or free insurance.
Join the frequent flyer program of airlines and hotels, and you may also enjoy car rental discounts.
Book in advance: You can usually get lower prices, especially during the peak tourist season.
Book last-minute: In the off-season, you can sometimes find more affordable last-minute promotional prices.
Car rental companies and platforms often launch promotions or discount codes, which can further reduce the cost of car rental.
Promotions:
Holiday promotions: For example, special offers during Black Friday, Independence Day, etc.
Long-term rental discounts: When the rental period exceeds one week, you can get a lower average daily rental rate.
Company cooperation discounts: Redeem car rental discounts through credit card companies, airlines or hotel membership points.
How to get discount codes:
Official website and email subscription: The official website or email subscription of the car rental company often releases limited-time discount codes.
Third-party websites: RetailMeNot, Coupons.com and other websites provide car rental discount codes.
In the process of renting a car, in addition to the rental fee, there are many additional costs that may affect the total cost that need to be paid attention to.
Airport surcharges are usually added when renting a car at the airport, which can be up to 10%-15% of the total cost.
It is recommended to pick up the car at a downtown outlet to save money.
In the United States, drivers are usually required to be at least 25 years old, otherwise they need to pay an additional fee of $20-30 per day.
Some companies offer discount programs for drivers aged 21-24.
If there are multiple people taking turns driving, you need to pay a fee of $10-20 per day for the additional driver.
Some companies provide free additional driver services for family members or partners.
Common options:
Prepaid fuel: Pay the fuel fee when picking up the car, but it may be higher than the market price.
Self-service refueling: The renter refuels the car by himself and needs to ensure that the tank is full when returning the car.
It is recommended to choose self-service refueling and fill up the tank before returning the car to avoid high fuel costs.
GPS navigation, child seats and other equipment usually require additional fees.
Consider using a mobile navigation or bringing your own equipment to save money.
Car rental insurance is a focus of concern for many people, both to ensure safety and to avoid unnecessary expenses.
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW/LDW): Covers vehicle damage costs.
Liability Insurance: Covers third-party bodily injury or property damage.
Personal Accident Insurance (PAI): Covers medical expenses for drivers and passengers.
Personal Effects Insurance (PEC): Covers lost or stolen personal items.
Most credit cards (especially premium cards) offer free collision damage waivers, but the full rental amount must be paid with the card.
Before using credit card insurance, be sure to understand the specific terms and coverage.
You can buy car rental insurance through third-party platforms (such as InsureMyRentalCar, Allianz), which are usually cheaper than car rental companies.
If you already have private car insurance, some of the risks of car rental may be covered.
Confirm the coverage of the existing insurance with the insurance company before departure to avoid duplicate purchases.
Pick up and return to the same city: Usually the cost is lower.
Return the car in a different place: You need to pay an additional return fee in a different place, so it is recommended to confirm in advance.
Carefully check the appearance and interior of the vehicle before picking up the car, including scratches, tires, lights, etc.
Take photos or videos to record existing damage to avoid disputes when returning the car.
Confirm the rental period, insurance coverage, fuel policy and other additional terms.
Save a copy of the contract and all transaction records.
If you need to extend the rental period or return the car early, contact the rental company as soon as possible.
Understand the roadside assistance services provided by the rental company to deal with emergencies.
Rental car prices are greatly affected by supply and demand, season, and location. Prices are usually higher during peak tourist seasons or near airports.
Most states allow the use of a valid Chinese driver's license and a translation, but some rental car companies may require an international driver's license (IDP).
Most rental car companies offer a free cancellation policy, but the operation must be completed within a specified time.
Finding the most cost-effective solution for renting a car in the United States requires comprehensive consideration of many factors, including rental car company selection, price comparison method, additional fees and insurance options. By planning ahead, choosing flexibly, and making full use of price comparison platforms and discounts, you can not only save on car rental costs, but also enjoy a relaxing and enjoyable self-driving journey. Whether exploring the city scenery or galloping through the natural scenery, choosing a reasonable car rental solution will add more convenience and fun to your trip to the United States.
