One of the best ways to guarantee an enjoyable vacation is to rent a car from a budget car rental as it could be cheaper and will definitely be more convenient for you and your friends. Sometimes though, the companies that rent budget cars, supply cars that are at the bottom end of the spectrum. Always be prepared, that is my motto, you do not have to drive a car that should have been scrapped just because you want to save a few dollars on the rental. So, just to help, I have made a written down a few pointers to help.

If the type of car you want to drive is of no real concern to you, use a car rental web site that allows you to dictate your own price level. Do not dismiss this type of sites because they want your business and sometimes offer other incentives like unlimited mileage for example. Package deals like fly-drive and fly-drive and stay often discount the car rental element of the package just try avoid the airline companies when you book. If you do not need to organize your car rental with the airline, try a company that is outside the airport you are landing at and you will see they are much more competitive.

Bargains abound on the internet and that also means budget car rental as well. You will often find that there are discounts and extras available but only from the company’s web site. Shopping around on the internet can be fun and save you money as there is almost always a special car rental offer available with one budget car rental company or another. Plus, and this is the good bit; all this can be done from your home.

Another thing to try is whether your credit card company has negotiated special discounts with the car rental company you are going to use. Many car rental companies have arranged special deals with large organizations to ensure they have more business, perhaps you are a member of one of these.

Most budget car rentals are low on maintenance so when you rent a car, check all sides for damage, and I mean every side and every nook and cranny of that car, make sure to inform the renter of these so that you wont have to pay for damages once you return the car. In addition, try to check out all the accessories, wipers, radio, brakes, seatbelts etc, to familiarize yourself with them, and also to check if they work, like the previous tip, you might be charged for this if you don’t inform them.

Before you decide to use the budget rental car company’s insurance, take a look at your own policy as you will probably find that it covers rental vehicles as well. Why pay for insurance for budget car rental when your own auto insurance policy will cover it even if it isn’t a great deal. Whatever the case, you must still have insurance cover when you rent a car so don’t try and skip it to save money.

One last tip is to try and collect your budget rental car as soon as the office opens as many of the cars already on rental will not have been returned and there is a good chance you will get a upgrade at no extra cost.