There are many car rental companies who vie for the attention and the loyalty of people who frequently rent cars either during their holidays or whenever they need a ride from point A to point B. Although car rental companies have the same basic procedures for renting a car, many of them also ask their customers what they will be using the car for so that they can assist these customers in terms of what make and model is appropriate for them to rent.

For a family man on a holiday with his wife and kids, most rental companies would suggest getting an SUV and if it's going to be a long drive, one that is fuel efficient would be ideal too. What is great about these companies is that they usually give their customers a rundown on what vehicle is available for rent. For long drives with a family of four for example, companies can recommend the Ford Escape Hybrid, the Saturn VUE, the Toyota Highlander, the Lexus RX 400h, and the hybrid Mazda Tribute.

For those going out on a date and would like to use a car that will impress the girl, sports cars will be suggested by most car rental places.  Getting the 2012 Jaguar XKR-S or a 2012 Infiniti G Convertible if these are available is a good idea. The Audi RS4, a high performance car is also a great choice for dates. Other cars to choose from include the Lotus Elise Series 2, the Porsche 911, a 1970s corvette or a mustang. If you want to go do it the James Bond way, getting an Aston Martin is a bright idea provided of course that this car is available.  If a Mercedes Benz McLaren is available, it is a fine choice too.

From prom dates, a limousine is of course a great idea. However, there are limousine services available elsewhere but may be provided by your car rental company of choice with a driver provided that you ask if they have this particular service or have another business that deals with this specific need.

Whatever your needs are, you can always count on car rental companies to give you a list of cars available based on what you will be using it for. Big car rental companies usually give their customers a number of options. Read More......

The consolidators are the firms that buy in bulk from the airlines and act like wholesalers, selling the seats on to travel professionals. They specialize in the international rather than the domestic routes. However, a small number of the consolidators are prepared to deal directly with the public or to accept approaches from a member of the public through a travel professional. If you can find a consolidator prepared to deal with you directly, you can save up to 70% of the listed seat price. These really are cheap air tickets. However, the consolidators have to be careful. If they sell too many seats directly to the public, they are competing with the travel professionals. If the professionals take their business to the consolidators who are wholesale only, this will ruin the errant consolidator's business. For this reason, very few of the Google hits that come up for a search on "consolidator" are genuine. However, the hits for reputable travel agents offering seats from a consolidator are almost certainly genuine.

To be sure you are dealing with the right seller, you need inside information from a travel professional or you need a travel professional to make the approach for you. It's worth paying a commission to the travel professional to buy the seats for you at the wholesale rate. When buying, it's best to be flexible and ask for seats in the off-season. Even with a commission, you can save up to 60% of the listed seat price. However, note that these cheap air ticketsare not refundable and you can only change the flight if you pay a penalty. This can make it worth your while to buy flight insurance in case it's necessary to change the dates of travel or cancel. You will also find it very difficult to correct any mistake in the booking. For example, if you misspell your name or a part of your address, this can lead to you being refused a boarding pass and you will lose the ticket price. Contacting a consolidator and persuading it to amend a ticket is challenging. If for any reason you cannot fly, always give as much notice as possible. If the airport record you as a no-show, it will be very difficult to get any refund or claim on the insurance.
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There are many reasons to rent luxury cars.  Perhaps you want to make a good impression on a business associate.  Or maybe you just like treating yourself to a cool ride.  Whatever the reason, there are distinct advantages and disadvantages of renting from luxury car rental companies.

Advantages

Luxury cars are often safer than the average vehicle.  They tend to have the best safety features including sleep detectors, lane drifting warnings, and electronic controls. They are a major step up from taxis and cost less. They are high performance vehicles that offer a smooth riding experience. Luxury cars are comfortable to drive and provide an exciting opportunity for car enthusiasts.  Many have leather interiors which add to the level of comfort provided. It is not every day one gets the privilege of driving a luxury car and renting one is a great alternative to buying or leasing.

You can make a great impression with a luxury rental.  They are ideal for special occasions as well as for business travel.  The car can help you present yourself in a particular light that can help you with your job or with a personal relationship.

Disadvantages

The primary disadvantage is that renting a luxury car costs more than a regular rental. Rental insurance for luxury vehicles also costs more.  In addition, you may be required to have a certain level of insurance which may cause you to have to purchase supplemental insurance.  This is an extra cost that can actually make the entire rental process unaffordable when combined with all other costs.

These types of vehicles can be intimidating because of their advanced features.  It can be daunting to have to learn to drive a luxury car.  Not everyone is willing to take on that challenge.  And not all agencies provide driving instructions or a crash course to help train drivers.

Because luxury vehicles can be difficult to drive, your risk of being involved in an accident or otherwise damaging the car increases.  Even with insurance, you may end up paying for those damages and you increase your chances of having your regular insurance premiums go up as a result.

Knowing the pros and cons of renting from luxury car rental companies can help you make informed decisions.  You may not be willing to assume the risk of driving a more expensive rental car.  But if you are, you can have an exceptional rental experience with luxury car rental companies.
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You can easily save money at car rental companies by taking advantage of discounts.  Most rental companies offer discounts for one reason or another.  The challenge is to know about available discounts so you can make sure you get those you are eligible to receive. Following are specific ways you can get car rental discounts.

Redeem Rental Coupons

There are several places you can get rental coupons including from online coupon sites as well as certain rental sites, coupon books, and travel magazines.  Typical coupons include free day car rentals and discount coupons.  Cash discounts can range from $10 to $100 off a rental that meets certain eligibility requirements.

Present a Discount Code

If you are a member of travel associations such as AAA, you may be eligible for rental discounts.  Your membership will include discount codes you can use to get lower rental rates.  Certain business memberships also provide rental discounts.  Most rental companies allow renters to use discount codes along with rental coupons which can help drivers save significant money.

Look For Online Deals

Just about all rental agencies advertise online.  You have probably seen these ads yourself.  Companies use online ads to drive web traffic to their website.  Most ads also include toll-free telephone numbers that people can call to make reservations.  You can check a rental agency's website to see if they have posted special offers.  Sites that book car rentals may also have deals for renters.  Online travel agencies and consolidators are a great resource for drivers looking for car rental discounts.

Become a Frequent Renter Program Member

Members get access to special offers and discounts that result in extra savings.  Depending on the program, members may be able to also use coupons to get even lower rental rates.  Many programs offer free rental days and substantial discounts to members on a regular basis.

Ask for a Business Discount

Corporations often get discounts because of the volume of business they give to the rental agency.  Large companies may have corporate accounts at multiple rental agencies so check a head of time before making a reservation.

Check Out Credit Card Discounts

Depending on the credit card you are using, you may be able to get rental discounts you can use at car rental companies.  Rewards credit cards can be a good source for discounts.  The more points you earn, the larger the discount you may be able to get.  You need to have this information in hand before you go to car rental companies
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