It's hard to deny the fact that car insurance companies can help you out a lot during a trip. There are many situations when the mobility of a personal car is needed, and car rental companies are certainly the first thing that comes to mind when it comes to finding a vehicle. Fortunately, there are numerous companies located all around the globe, and even in the least popular destination you are very likely to find at least a single car rental service. But it also makes a difference how you use their services, especially when money really matters. Car rental can be very affordable but it may also be very expensive, and it usually depends on the choices you make rather than the local offers. So if you want to get adequate car rental for a reasonable price, make sure to consider the following tips wherever you find car rental companies:

Advance booking

The best way to get the exact car you need at a reasonable price is to book it in advance. Thanks to the Internet, it usually takes just a minute to find a car rental company at the place of your destination and make a reservation for a specific date. Moreover, you can usually choose from more cars than are available immediately on-site, so it will be easier to get the exact car you need.

Defining your exact needs

And speaking of cars, it is very important that you define your exact needs before making a reservation. Do you need a small car to get around alone or you need a mini-van to fit your entire family with comfort? What are the local gas prices and which car will give you the best gas mileage? Do you need a smoker or non-smoker car? What about electric drives and does the country have a good-enough infrastructure for them? Try to answer all the questions that come to your mind and define, which car or range of cars will suit you best before making the reservation.

Choosing not only by lowest prices

The most common temptation when checking out car rental companies is to rent the cheapest car they have. However, if you study the offers, it is quite often that the difference between the cheapest car and a decent mid-class vehicle is only just a couple of dollars per day. So there's no point in sacrificing comfort when you can get a better vehicle for a slightly higher price. Moreover, some car rental companies have very flexible pricing policies, which allow renting expensive and luxury vehicles for a very reasonable price. So if you pay a little extra you can add some show-off value to your trip.

Shopping around

Comparison shopping is essential when dealing with many things and car rental is no exception. It especially makes sense to shop around when going to a popular destination with many car rental companies competing for the client. By checking offers from several companies you can easily find the same car available at a lower rate, which is certainly a great thing if you have a strict travel budget.

Renting off-site

Renting a car at the airport or train station sure feels convenient and logic. However, it's a sure way to pay more for car rental. Many airports, train stations and sea ports have additional taxes for all types of transportation services, so you will end up paying more just because you're there. Besides, car rental companies understand that travelers feel inclined to rent a car right upon their arrival, so they usually offer higher rates than they usually do. That's why it is recommended to get out of the airport, go to the city center or right to the car rental company's office and get your car there.
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When looking for cheap air tickets online one of the most common questions that has definitely crossed your mind is the difference between ordinary and discount airlines. You've definitely seen the offers from both types of airlines and wondered why the latter tend to offer really cheap air tickets and why the former can charge triple the price of a discount flight. The confusion can get even more pronounced when comparing similar routes where only a single type of companies is present - the prices there can be ridiculously different. In order to understand why that is so, we first have to look deeper into the primary goals each company type has in their business strategy.

Traditional airlines are all about profit and they will try to make it out of everything. That's a normal business approach and they've been doing this for almost a century. Of course, there are certain basic costs they have to cover such as fuel, labor, taxes and so on. But through the years the big airlines have realized that comfort and convenience is another factor that determines which company the customer will choose. If they can pay the same price for a mediocre level of comfort in an old plane and improved comfort in a new spacy plane, they will certainly choose the latter because flying with comfort is what most people want. So, when there were only large airline companies on the market their competition boiled down to offering better planes and extras, while the tickets themselves were overpriced since travelers had no other choice. But things have drastically changed when discounter airlines have entered the market.

Many people mistake discount or low-cost airlines with every operator that actually offers lower ticket prices. This isn't correct, because discount airlines distinct themselves first and foremost by employing a business model that is different from that of traditional airlines. This business model is aimed primarily at cutting down all costs by all means necessary. As a result, the aircrafts used by discounters are cheaper with no extra features, there's only one class of seats, all reservations are made online, all extra services such as baggage, meals and even pillows come at an additional price, and the flights are usually made between secondary airports and during off-hours to reduce fees and traffic problems. This always results in lower operational costs and cheap air tickets but it comes at the expense of basic comfort that is default with traditional airlines. Some legacy carriers actually tend to employ the same business model or at least some of its aspects, but there's always a pronounced difference between the level of comfort offered by discounters and legacy carriers.

The two types of carriers usually tend to avoid direct competition, servicing the same routes through different airports and hubs. But when there's actually a discount airline present on the market, traditional carriers tend to offer cheap air tickets as well, although they will rarely drop the prices to the level of discounter tickets. Still, it's always a question of personal comfort you are ready to sacrifice in order to get cheap air tickets. With discount carriers you can easily save a lot of money on your trip but only if you are able to refuse from such basic services as meals, blankets or drinks during the flight. If not, the cost of your flight will end up being the same if not more expensive than with a traditional carrier. So there's always a price to pay if you want to get cheap air tickets.
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Unfortunately with car rental you often find yourself in a situation when  you pick a car at a favorable rate and drive happily until turns into a check with twice the rate when you return the car to the rental office. That is a common practice of rental companies to increase your deal by little extras here and there. They would advertise low rental fees and adding a lot of extra hidden fees on top, which can sometimes push the final rates twice as high and even higher. SO to avoid overpaying for car rental due to extra fees it's highly recommended to look out for the following little extras that car rental companies may throw into the rental contract:

Insurance

Insurance is one of the most common methods car insurance companies utilize for making you pay more. And in some states or countries it's hard to avoid it, since certain insurance waivers are mandatory for rental cars. Sure, you can try to use own insurance policy or credit card to pay for the potential liability, but you will have to check with your provider first. And this may be very challenging when going overseas, so you will be forced to get insurance for an extra fee.

Not-full tank

Most car rental companies will add an extra fee if you return the car with a not-full tank, even if you've initially rented it without a full tank. Some companies offer full tank options that allow you to avoid the extra fuel fees, but their per-gallon prices may differ from those you would actually find at local gas stations.

Full days and early return

It is very important to remember that all car rental companies have 24-hour days. So if you take a car on Monday morning and return it on Tuesday evening, this will count for two full days. In case you don't want to pay for two full days, you may want to look for car rental companies that also feature hourly fees. But such rates are always higher than daily or weekly rates, so you may end up saving little or no money at all.

Returning a car earlier than intended may seem like a good idea, but most car rental companies will charge you extra for doing so. If you've booked a car for a particular period but returned it earlier, there may be extra fees or you may be reimbursed the difference with the interest taken out.

Age restrictions

Most car rental companies will charge extra if the driver is younger than 25. Even higher rates will apply for drivers aged 21 or younger. Senior drivers who are older than 70 years old will also get special fees, if the rental company will generally accept their request.

Mileage limits

In most cases, car rental companies have unlimited mileage. However, you should be careful when travelling to a different state or country, as the regulations may differ a lot and you may be charged for driving an excess of miles per day.

Drop-off charges

Dropping off the car at a location different from where you've taken it from will usually result in an extra fee, but this usually depends on the company and where you've actually dropped the car off. Usually, the drop-off rates apply when leaving the car in a different state or country, and depending on the case these may rocket sky-high.

Multiple driver fees

If there's more than a single driver added to the contract, the company may charge an extra fee. However, some car rental companies won't charge extra fees if the second driver is the main driver's spouse or partner.

Additional extras

Car rental companies will offer a wide range of extras that can be rather useful for an additional price. Things like child seats, GPS navigation systems, top racks, entertainment systems, hand controls and more will cost differently depending on company and country, so inquire in advance when booking the car.
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If you are planning to move around the location you travel to a lot, especially when travelling abroad, car rental services may be a good solution for you. The convenience of having a car to drive around is one of the things that can make or break your vacation or business trip, so it's very useful to have car rental companies at your disposal. Not to mention, the cost of renting a car may sometimes be a little too high, especially when traveling to destinations with low competition among car rental companies. Besides, even with normal competition it may be a bit costly to rent a car if you're on a limited budget. The following recommendations will help you to save money regardless of your destination:

Book early. It's a common practice, booking a car early will usually deliver lower rates as compared to immediate rental. With so many car rental companies working online, it's really easy to book a car regardless of your destination or arrival date. To put it in other words, the earlier you book the cheaper is the rental, besides you also get a broader selection of cars and a guarantee that the particular model you've chosen will be available at the exact time and place of your arrival.

Rent cars outside airports. Renting a car in the airport or sea port is certainly very convenient, since you don't need to go anywhere else without a car. Though, some airports tend to have special taxes for all types of transportation on their territory, so you will pay more right from the start. In addition, car rental companies know that people arriving to the air or sea port don't have much to choose from and don't know the local rates, so they will usually charge more than they would in the city. On this account it's better to go out of the airport and look for car rental companies in the city center or specific local landmarks for better rates.

Prefer non-smoking cars. There are two major advantages to renting a non-smoking vehicle. Firstly, non-smoker cars tend to be in a better overall condition and lack the fragrance of various chemical deodorants that are used to conceal the smell of tobacco. Secondly, some car rental companies will also offer additional discounts for getting a non-smoker vehicle. Very likely it won't be very convenient for smokers, but the difference in rates may sometimes be significant enough to consider this option.

Drop additional insurance. All car rental companies offer additional insurance waivers, which are used to cover possible damage to the car or loss of belongings inside it. Depending on their purposes these waivers may seem very attractive, but they are purely optional and you can rent a car without them. Each waiver will usually add several dollars to your daily rental rate, so if you're staying for a long time this can result in a rather hefty amount of money. Anyways, if you have the money and think that certain waivers will actually give you some peace of mind, then it's certainly better to grab the insurance.

Shop around. It's quite usual that each location has several car rental companies on the market, depending on the population and number of travellers. But even in the least popular destinations there is more than one provider offering car rental services. It's obvious, the local competition may be low and the different in rates may be insignificant. And still, shopping around always makes sense, especially if you're looking for a particular car to rent. Thanks to the Internet, shopping around with car rental companies is very easy these days so don't hesitate to do it.
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Here we are going to speak about the easy ways to get air tickets for lower prices, and this is about choosing the right timing of your flight. Of course everyone knows how the high and low seasons affect air flight prices, but there's way more to the time factor than just that. If you have some flexibility to the timing of your trip, make sure to consider the following important time factors that will affect your chances of getting cheap air tickets:

Mid-week flights are cheaper

Flying around weekends is always more expensive because the traffic increases during the days when people don't have to go to work. That's exactly why air companies tend to raise their prices - they know that people will accept paying more for personal convenience. But if your primary goal is to get cheap air tickets then it's highly recommended to choose mid-week fights, which are usually less crowded and cost less as well. There's the benefit of getting cheaper tickets and a wider selection of seats to choose from.

Avoid holidays

Holidays are definitely the worst time of the year to fly just anywhere. The traditional Christmas holidays turn airports all around the globe into hectic hubs crowded with travelers. And no wonder that fight companies will do their best to reap at this fruitful season to the max. Not only the air ticket costs are higher during the holidays, but it also may be very problematic to get a ticket in the first place, let alone shop around for one. So if there's a possibility to make your trip before or after the festive season go with it!

Check the high and low season of your destination

Apart from the traditional holidays, there may be local high and low seasons to look out for. These can be associated with particular local holidays, events or pleasant weather. For example, visiting Paris or Rome in June will cost you more because it's the high tourist season there thanks to the great weather. Visiting Munich in October will also be pricey due to the traditional Oktoberfest. Check the local calendar for special dates and find out the most popular tourist season in order to avoid paying more for air tickets.

Check the local vacation period

Another way to get cheap air tickets and have a good time at the place of your destination is to time your flight on the local vacation period. For example, people recommend going to London in August because it's the usual vacation period for most people living and working there, so you'll be able to avoid crowds and it will be cheaper to fly there. Check for such periods anywhere you go, but time your flight carefully in order to avoid the return of vacation-goers, which will crowd the airports and put pressure on the airlines.
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Cheap air tickets are almost impossible to find during the holiday season. However, with these tips it will be easier to find cheap air tickets during that special time of the year.

Traveling for holidays can be a challenge on its own, but if you choose to fly during the festive season you will surely get into a fierce budget battle. Holidays have always been cash cows for airlines and they won't miss the chance to earn some extra money off the high number of travellers that stretch from Thanksgiving until New Year. That's why it may be quite problematic to get cheap air tickets for your holiday flights. But this certainly doesn't mean that it's impossible. One important thing to understand, however, is that you may be required to settle for something less affordable if you want to get cheap air tickets altogether. Miracles do happen, but if you are a realist then you have to understand that flying during holidays is always expensive, it's only a matter of high low you can push the price of your ticket to make it more or less affordable. And with the following tips it will definitely be easier to push the prices to the lower price segment:

There is no thing such as "too early" when buying cheap air tickets for the holiday season. Even if it's summer, you will find it hard to get cheap air tickets for Christmas and the longer you will wait the harder it will be for you to get an affordable fare. That's why you have to start looking for air tickets right now regardless of your plans and uncertainties. After all, having a flight on the exact day is exactly how plans are made, so start booking online today.

Ticket prices tend to increase right before and after the holiday, so it's easier to get cheap air tickets when flying earlier or long after the holiday. For example, during Christmas the fares usually go up on the 16th of December and go down after 1st of January. So planning your flights outside this time interval will give you a higher chance for finding cheap air tickets. Sure, it may be not the most convenient option, but it will sure cost you less.

However, if you simply cannot avoid the price bubble during the holiday season, there's a simple way to go around it: fly on the exact day of the holiday. While this may sound a bit illogic, getting cheap air tickets is much easier for the big day because most travelers tend to avoid flying on holidays fearing the delays and other things that may spoil their festive spirit. Sure, there's a huge risk of missing all the fun, but if you choose the right flight it will be easy to get cheap air tickets and get to your family on time.

While it's always more convenient to take continuous flights right from your local airport it is usually the easiest way to end up with expensive airfares. If your primary aim is to get cheap air tickets then you will have to sacrifice some traveling comfort and be more flexible with your flights. First of all, take the trip to the nearest metropolis for your flight instead of using the local small airport, since air tickets will always cost less in larger cities. And think of going with connected flights for even lower prices, unless you're travelling with children. No money is worth saving when it comes to the stress of a connected flight with a child.

Eliminating extra fees can be easy if you take fewer clothes with you or use the public transportation to get to the airport instead of taking a taxi. It sure may be more convenient, but it's an easy way to make your entire trip more expensive. If you weren't lucky to get cheap air tickets in the first place, then try to at least cut your extra costs by sacrificing some of your comfort for the budget's sake.
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International flights are often a challenge for a tourist due to several factors. First of all, it's the duration of the flight, which is usually way longer than your standard domestic flight. Depending on your destination, it may take you more than 10 hours to do the trip and you may sometimes change planes to get where you need to be. International flights are also subject to special taxes and are serviced not only by domestic carriers, so different policies and restrictions may apply. At last it may be hard to get cheap air tickets for such flight. But the good things is there are some smart tips you may use to increase the chances of getting your cheap flight despite its international character:

Book ahead

Booking early is the simplest way to get cheap air tickets, which works for all types of airfares. But in case of international destinations you may want to book several months in advance to make sure that the price is low and there are still seats available. Besides, you can find the right seats much easier when buying your tickets very early, which can be very important on a long international trip. And if you're flying during the local peak season (holidays, good weather, special events, etc.) you may want to book your flight even earlier.

Try to plan your trip off-season

And speaking of seasons, it's hard to argue that flying during the peak season isn't a very good idea for cheap air tickets. Airlines will do their best to reap the income of the high season so they will put higher prices on everything simply because there may be no alternatives available for that time. That's why it is important to check for the local peak season and try to schedule your trip at least several weeks before or after the peak. Keep in mind that a high season isn't only a matter of tourist activity. International students may be returning home during breaks, local holidays may attract more travelers and so on. So make sure to check the local calendar and book your flight farther from the important dates.

Think about alternative destinations

If you have some degree of flexibility to your trip, you may want to check for an alternative destination in order to get cheap air tickets. For example, when going to France a typical flight to Paris will usually cost more than a flight to Lyon, Brussels or any other smaller destination. And you could take a train or rent a car to get to the primary destination of your trip. There may be several airports serving in the same area, such as Domodedovo and Sheremetyevo in Moscow, and it will make a huge difference price-wise, which of them you choose.

Compare fares online

Shopping around is a must when looking for cheap air tickets, and it's also very easy to do online. If the competition is sensible on the route and there are discounter airlines present, the entire market will try its best to give you the most competitive price. So you can save a lot of money by simply choosing between different carriers, picking the best service quality and price out of many offers.

Check for special offers

In contrast to the early booking tip, it also makes sense to look out for last minute deals. Quite often cheap air tickets become available in a very short time before a flight because the flight didn't sell out and the air company wants to avoid empty seats at all costs. So, even if you already have a flight booked in advance, you may want to check the last minute deals before making the trip as the low price may actually compensate for the ticket return charges if you decide to cancel your early reservation.
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In the today's world customers get a wide range of extra options by car rental companies. This usually serves two major purposes. For sure it goes here for providing additional convenience and meeting the expectations of the customer. But at the same time it's simply making more money through renting a single car, which is certainly a top priority for most car rental companies regardless of your destination. And even if it's hard to admit that, some of the options offered by car rental companies can really come in handy, especially when traveling to different locations. So it may be worth to add a little extra money on top of the standard rental fee and consider the following options provided by car rental companies:

Child seats. Everyone understands that when traveling with a small child having it in the car is very useful and safe. Moreover, more and more countries are adopting special regulations making child seats mandatory for all motorists. That means, you may actually be obliged to include this option in order to avoid possible fines. However, if the local regulations aren't very strict on the matter, it is still very useful to get a child seat because it is a proven and tried safety feature just like a seat belt.

Navigation systems. The cars being produced nowadays are normally equipped with on-board navigation systems as part of the standard package. Still, there are too many cars on the road that only have GPS as a stand-alone device, which can be offered by car rental companies for an additional price. These devices can be extremely helpful when driving around unknown places and looking forward for a fun adventure abroad. So make sure to get this option since it will certainly save you a lot of time and nerve on the road.

Ski racks, base racks and cargo boxes. Depending on your destination, equipping the car with additional features such as ski racks, bike racks or cargo boxes may prove to be very helpful. So, you will save a lot of space in the back of the car and it will allow you to get more people aboard if you have a ski rack when traveling to ski resorts. Exactly so help bike racks when going to a remote location for a little mountain biking or visiting places where car entry is forbidden. Moreover, if you're looking forward for a night out under the sky or rafting on a mountain river, a cargo box may fit the extra luggage that may be challenging to fit into the back of the car.

DVD players and entertainment systems. For those who travel with children or simply more passengers for long distances, having an entertainment system may be very helpful. Nobody denies that audio players are great, but even the most exquisite music lover may grow tired of listening to music for hours, or there may be people who don't share your tastes. There's a great solution like a DVD player or an integrated game console which will entertain your passengers, eliminating their frustration and unintended distractions from their part.

Hand controls.  Many car rental companies tend to offer special options for disabled drivers with special needs. In such cases hand controls are probably the most common option for such drivers and there's usually a choice of sides for such systems to get mounted. Anyways it's advisable to ask about hand controls in advance and make early reservations, as some car rental companies may need some time to fit the system into the car you actually want to rent.
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In the current economy, travelers actively seek ways to save money.  Cheap air tickets are the top of their list as this is often the greatest expense of travelling.  There are several ways you can find these tickets that allow you to save money so you have more cash to spend when you reach your destination.

Employ a Travel Agency

Travel agents are experts at finding low airfare and the best routes for travelers.  But they are not free which means you will have to pay for the benefit of their expertise. This can be money well spent or a complete waste of your resources depending on the outcome.  If you already have a relationship with a travel agent, you may be able to get discounts on their fees for being a loyal customer.

Check Airline Websites

This is not a bad option if you are loyal to a particular airline.  If you are, there is no sense in looking at tickets available through other airlines.  You can use your airline's website to find inexpensive tickets and to reserve your seat.  Airlines typically offer discounts to frequent flyers and loyal customers.  And you can find last minute deals on their website.

Visit Online Comparison Websites

Many websites exist that allow you to comparison shop for the best tickets.  All you do is enter your travel information including departure and destination locations, the days you want to fly, and where you wish to sit on the plane, and you will receive quotes from various airlines that have tickets available that meet your requirements. It is important you use a reputable site and read all of the fine print which details the conditions of your purchase.  Some sites do not allow refunds so if you are unable to use your ticket, you may have to eat the cost.

Each option offers benefits and drawbacks to customers.  It is up to you to determine what comprises a good deal for you.  Once you do that, you can take advantage of these opportunities to look for cheap air tickets until you find the one that is right for you.  Do not get hung up on trying to find the absolute lowest price.  This will consume your time when you can settle on a great deal that may not be the lowest one available. With a little work, you can find cheap air tickets.
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Have you ever experienced these insightful moments when you realized that flying from Boston to Philadelphia costs twice the price of going from Boston to Long Beach? Normally we overlook such evident things, but when we start paying more attention to it, it's like a strike of lightning to them. Why does a flight that is ten times shorter in distance cost twice as much as a 2000+ mile flight from the exact same city with the same airline? When guided by logic, air ticket prices should be based on the fuel consumed by the airplane (or the distance travelled, which is the same thing) and when the ticket prices go up this is exactly what the airlines want us to believe. Still, it seems that there are entirely different factors that affect the ticket pricing and determine how easy it is to find cheap air tickets for a particular flight.

No doubt, air companies do take fuel and labor into consideration. But it's not that of a direct relation that you would actually expect. Actually, there are far more influential factors involved, and you wouldn't even guess them if you wouldn't apply at least some airline logic. The first one is the demographic makeup of the particular flight, or if put simply, the kind of people that fly in a particular direction regularly. Just think, if you have ever been on a flight from Boston to New York or Hartford to Washington D.C. you've probably noticed the high percentage of "suits" on the plane. Here we have two destinations particularly popular among business travellers and airlines know this very well. That's why they can put a ridiculous price on a 200-300 mile flight, knowing that the corporations and the government will pay just any price. Still, things change dramatically for price-sensitive flight such as Fort Lauderdale to Long Beach or New York to San Jose. These flights usually carry diverse groups with lower income, and if the airlines would charge higher rates no one would actually pay the price if it were too high. On that account the 2000+ mile flights cost the same or even less than those 200+ mile flights mentioned earlier. So now you understand, there's no standard pricing policy for all flights even with the same company, as all airlines will try to take advantage of the flight's character to the max. If they see that most of the travelers are actually able to pay a higher price and won't complain about it, they will simply put the highest price they can. Anyways, there's another factor that usually prevents them from doing so - presence of discount airlines on the route.

Should a discount airline enter a particular route things change for the better and it's much easier to get cheap air tickets, and not only from them. Such companies change the balance in the micro-market of a particular flight, making it impossible for large airlines to dominate it and put ridiculous prices. That means, when a discount company includes a particular route to their offer, large airways are forced to reduce the price to virtually the same level, otherwise they will just stay out of business for this particular flight. It's clear that the discounters tend to focus only on the most popular domestic and international flights. However, they are slowly diversifying their offer and actually paying attention to routes with particularly ridiculous pricing. The latest example is the Boston-Philadelphia flight, which was dominated by US Airways for a very long time, with an average ticket costing over $650. Now that the discounters started servicing the same route, the average prices dropped dramatically and now the same US Airways is offering the very same flight for only $280. So it's obvious, the presence of discounters itself is enough to deliver cheap air tickets even if flying the big companies, so their usual pricing cannot be called adequate or rational in any way.

In conclusion it would be fair to say that air ticket pricing can sometimes lack any plausible logic. The desire for revenue shared by large airlines, which sometimes looks like pure greed, can erode any pricing policy and make a very short flight ridiculously expensive. So it's better to choose the routes where the discounters are also available if you want cheap air tickets, since it's actually the only way to get true competition in air flights today.
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