budget car rental tips

For regular travelers the use of budget car rentals is more of a necessity than a luxury; if you use taxis regularly you will not need reminding how expensive this form of transportation is, so perhaps it is time you tried something else. Sometimes though, the companies that rent budget cars, supply cars that are at the bottom end of the spectrum. I am not trying to put you off renting a car, just making sure you are aware that some companies will try to rent you something that will not be suitable. So, just to help with your rental car experience, 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 budget car rental web site that allows you to dictate your own price level. Some of these sites are just comparison sites but well worth your time as they have done all the hard work for you. When you look, pay attention to the fly-drive packages as they will often discount car rentals although the airlines are not so accommodating. Unfortunately, airlines although convenient aren't really the more economic way to go, their car rental prices are hardly budget, and tend to be higher than those of outside firms.
If you are not used to arranging budget car rental on the internet, do not let that put you off as you will be pleasantly surprised by the offers available. Internet only bookings are fast becoming the only way you are able to receive a discount on your car rental. Aside from that you can easily get upgrades and depending on the season, at least one rental company is bound to have a special offer that can help you save money. In addition to that, you can rent a car in the comfort of your own home, now beat that!
Don't forget to ask for any special offers if you are making a booking over the phone because if you do not ask, you are less likely to be given a discount and you may even find your credit card company has incentives with particular budget car rental agencies. The frequent flyer program is still available or perhaps you are a member of an organization that has preferential rates arranged.
Most rental cars are low on maintenance so when you rent a car, check all sides for damage. 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, seat belts 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.
Now we pass the subject of protection because sometimes your own car policy will cover the rental car insurance required. Check this out before you take out any additional cover from the rental firm. Why pay for rental car insurance when your own auto insurance policy will cover some of the aspects, 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.
Whatever the case, you must still have insurance cover when you rent a car so don't try and skip it to save money or use www.happy-cars.com they have all insurances included. Its a broker who offers Alamo, National, Avis, Europcar, and other european Car Rental companies...the only difference: they rent cheaper!

Skipping the Car Rental Counter: Alamo Rent A Car Kiosks

Alamo Rent A Car, a technology innovator and the industry leader
in self-service kiosks, is nearing a remarkable milestone: its one
millionth kiosk rental. Alamo is hundreds of thousands of kiosk
rentals ahead of its competitors, who have adopted Alamo's pioneering
strategy to save customers time and make travel more convenient.

"Almost one million customers have skipped the rental counter
because self-service eliminates one more hassle from the travel
experience - and they're getting to where they're going quicker," said
Greg Stubblefield, President of Alamo Rent A Car.

"Customers already are comfortable using kiosks to check in for
flights, so we created the Alamo kiosk for car rental as a natural
progression," Stubblefield added. "These days, whether it's business
or leisure travel, people simply don't have time or don't want to
wait, so we've made the process fast and simple."

source:Business Wire

Happy-Cars.com a new kid on the block

Happy Cars has extremely competitive car rental rates both in the Americas but as well in Europe, Middle East and Asia.
They are brokers and some of their biggest partners are Alamo, National, Avis, Maggiore (Italy) and Citer (France).

They have their own setup which means their rates differ from generally the more expensive rates you get when booking direct on the Car Rental Companies own web sites and on top of it Happy Cars include it all: taxes, fees, insurances.

Give it a try!

www.happy-cars.com

Sea-Tac Airport Plans Parking Garage for Rental Cars

The Port of Seattle plans to spend $400 million to build a car-rental garage for the Sea-Tac Airport, a $94 million increase than what was originally planned, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer reports.

In essence, the garage would be a way for the Sea-Tac airport to house 45 million passengers and their vehicles by 2020. It will also reduce curbside congestion.

The garage would be a 2.1 million-square-foot multi-story building that would free 3,200 parking spaces where rental agencies currently park their vehicles. The building would also cut rental-car related traffic down 20 percent.

Presently, 12 percent of traffic through the airport is made up of car rental-related vehicles.

The goal is to have shuttle buses running on compressed natural gas will take passengers to the airport on a 10- to 15-minute ride. By moving rental car companies to a consolidated garage, the port estimates that 90 percent of carbon monoxide and particulate gas emissions will be cut.

Rental agency representatives were vague on whether agencies would privately develop a parking garage. Marshall Fein, general counsel of Advantage Rent A Car and vice chairman of the rental car-company committee says that he is not sure if companies can legally cover the bill by charging customers the $4-per-day facility fee taxed by the Port of Seattle.

According to the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, the port’s five-member elected commission has not approved the construction of the building. Before the latest cost estimate, construction was scheduled for 2011.