How to Choose a Rental Car

It is not uncommon for vacationers to elect to use rental cars during their vacation. There are many benefits to selecting to use a rental car; specifically because certain locations are more accessible with a car than without one.
However, not all rental cars and companies are made the same and one should weigh certain options before booking a rental car during their travels. One of the biggest factors which travelers should consider before booking their vehicle is the company's operating hours.
It is best to choose a company with a 24 hour drop off and pick up option. This allows travelers to plan their time around their schedule in addition to not be stranded or locked out if they arrive after 5:00 pm. This flexibility will give vacationers extra peace of mind while they are exploring a new locale.
In addition to 24-hour availability, one should look for fluency in their chosen language. Many people book rental cars for their international business needs or vacations and being able to communicate with the rental car company is a must. Very few travelers are able to ask about their rental vehicle's features and understand complex directions.
Therefore it is a must for the client and the company to be able to communicate in the same language. Additionally, one should be sure to inquire about the language in the GPS features, otherwise it may be rendered totally useless to the traveler. Having the company switch the GPS's language to the clients is a must for travelers.
When booking transportation, the customer will be asked what size vehicle he or she desires. This can be a tricky question since car sizes in the United States are typically larger than vehicles in the corresponding categories in other countries. Customers should have an understanding of the vehicle sizing for the country they are traveling in.
Yet, before booking a specific size category, customers should take into consideration the number of travelers, their gas prices and the amount of luggage which will be with them on their trip. Whereas a compact car can comfortably hold a person and a carryon bag, it may not work for a sizeable amount of luggage or multiple travelers.
As many people know, money can be tight on vacation and one does not want to spend a significant amount of money on gas. It is common for gas prices to cost roughly $3 and more per liter. It takes nearly four liters to make one gallon, therefore a gallon of gas can cost a traveler $12 or more per gallon.
Expensive gas prices aside, there would be nothing worse than someone arriving to retrieve their car only to discover that they cannot drive it. When booking a car, it is paramount that one ensures they are booking a transmission that he or she can drive. They should also have a realistic view of their driving abilities.
Driving a manual transmission in Berlin is much easier than driving a manual transmission in the Scottish Highlands. Not to mention that booking a manual transmission in the United Kingdom will mean that the customer will have to shift with their left hand.
Thus, travelers should book automatic transmissions whenever possible. It is much easier and attempting to shift gears while looking for a location is much harder when one is doing it in unfamiliar territory.
Renting a car should not be a headache-inducing experience. Thousands, if not millions, of travelers elect to use rental cars to enhance their vacation or business experiences. Yet, wherever they go, they should thoroughly consider their traveling needs to have a positive experience during their visit.

No comments:

Post a Comment