When looking to go on a road trip, getting quotes from car rental companies on a car that will fit your needs is a bright idea. Car rental companies cater to all types of people - the solo traveler, the family, the couple, etc.

If you have already chosen a car but don't know where to go even if you are itching to drive cross country, you can visit the best road trip destinations in the United States. Here are some of them:

Colorado

Visiting the Rockies is a good idea and if you remember Katharine Lee Bates' America the Beautiful, it is interesting to note that she was in Colorado when she wrote it. Colorado is a great road trip destination for those who love the great outdoors. In the summer, the spectacularly beautiful state features a number of activities - from swimming in its pristine waters to fishing to mountain biking and whitewater rafting.

New Orleans, LA

Ahh ... the magic of New Orleans is like no other. This one-of-a-kind destination features unique architecture especially in the infamous French Quarter. The cuisine is also to die for and eating Cajun or Creole dishes while listening to jazz is definitely worth the long ride.

Washington, DC and Virginia

The colors of Washington, DC during autumn is just spectacular and whether you plan to go there to get a glimpse of the White House or the Lincoln Memorial, make sure that you pay Virginia a visit too.

Boston, Massachusetts

Historical sites and pubs are what you get if you go to Boston, MA. You can barhop all you want and experience fantastic pub fare - probably the best compared to what is offered in nearby states, according to experienced barhoppers.

Disney World, Florida

There's nothing like going to Disney with the kids. All the magic and fun in one place is definitely worth the long drive.

Grand Canyon, Arizona

This is definitely the top road trip destination because it is not just one but one of the best natural wonders the world has ever seen. If you are planning to go to the Grand Canyon, it is best to compare quotes from different car rental companies. The best car rental companies will be able to offer reasonable daily rates for your rental.
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Wars often force big changes. Some produce bigger countries by conquest, others turn the borders into fortresses. Before World War I, people could travel all around Europe and into Russia without having a passport. There might be a mass of smaller countries nestling in the midst of larger Empires, but there was trust between the people. Even though Britain and Russia fought each other, this did not change. But, come 1918, there was a complete loss of trust, and both passports and visas became necessary to pass from one country to another. After the end of World War II, there was a general sense that nationalism was a bad thing, so people came together and formed the United Nations. Trust between countries improved and many allowed people to pass across borders without passports. In Europe, the key moment came in 1985 with the signature of the Schengen Agreement.

Now you can drive through twenty-six European countries without having to stop and produce any identity documents. Although this is only about half the land mass of the United States, it allows the 400 million population to move freely (there are just over 300 million Americans). This is a very big plus for American visitors. Once you have passed through the immigration controls at the airport, you can pick up your cheap car rental and drive it more or less wherever you want. Obviously, if you break any of the traffic laws, the police will want to see documents proving who you are and showing you have the right to drive this particular vehicle. Other than that, you can enjoy nonstop travel.

This freedom may come with a price tag. You have to pay an additional fee to pick up at one point and drop off at another. So unless you are going to drive a big circular route, you may have to pay a little extra on the rental. However, since most of the companies with branches in multiple countries offer cheap car rental, this is not a problem. You should, however, check whether there's a cap on the milage. It's best to avoid shocks when you hand the vehicle in and the service staff check the odometer reading.
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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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Renting cars is a growing industry for a variety of reasons.  No longer reserved for out-of-town travelers, rentals are used by local drivers more frequently. Finding a reputable rental agency is necessary for a positive rental experience. All car rental companies share certain qualities that have helped them become industry leaders.  These qualities may vary in degree between agencies.

Best Practices

Good rental agencies follow industry best practices including using transparent contracts, verification of driver identification, driving record checks, and quality insurance coverage. Agencies that use deceptive or misleading practices earn bad reputations.  One of the biggest complaints associated with rental agencies is the practice of including hidden fees in rental contracts.  Leading rental agencies offer contracts that are transparent in terms of fees, taxes, and service requirements.

Guaranteed Price Quote

Nothing is more frustrating than getting a quote and have the rental company not honor the quote when you go to get your rental car.  Many drivers simply give in to this unscrupulous practice because they are short on time or just do not want the hassle of arguing.  Great companies provide quotes and honor them.  If there is a reason the final price may change at the counter, you will be informed of that at the time the quote is given. You will not be surprised by your rental costs.

Diverse Fleet

Rental companies that rent sedans as well as sports cars are popular because they include vehicles in their fleet that meet the needs of various customers.  Many drivers prefer SUVs even if they cost more.  Drivers have different space requirements including the need to carry luggage or child restraint seats.  The top companies have something for everyone.

Free Pick-Up

Catering to their customers is yet another hallmark of good rental companies. To this end, they offer free pick-up services.  This means they will come to your location, usually within a 15 mile radius, to drive you to the rental company to get your rental.

Commitment to Customer Service

Leading car rental companies want your future business. For this reason, they are dedicated to providing you with the very best customer service.  You know they are interested in what you think about them because they ask you to complete surveys.  Importantly, car rental companies use that information to make changes that improve their services.  They are likely to have a formal quality assurance program in place.
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Many options exist for travelers who want quality rental services at cheap car rental rates . Looking into each option can increase your chances of finding the best rental deals. There are benefits and risks associated with each that should be considered before you make a final decision.

Blind Rental Sites

For travelers who do not care who they rent from, it is possible to get great deals through these sites. You may end up with a well known car rental agency or a lesser known one. It is a risk you take when you use these sites. Only you can decide if the discounted price is worth it or not.

Use an Aggregator

You can comparison shop at aggregator sites. All you need to do is enter your travel information such as departure and arrival dates and times. You will need to provide personal contact information to get quotes from multiple rental agencies. Review the quotes to see which offer the best services at the lowest rates. Then make your reservation. It is that simple.

Rent Locally

This means if you travel internationally, you can get better rates using the rental companies in your destination country. You have a better selection from which to choose when you add them to the mix. There are websites that can help you with this so you can get the lowest rental rate possible. You will most likely have to have an international driver's license to rent a car locally.

Avoid Airport Rentals

Airport locations are the most expensive option because they are often legally required to add surcharges to your rental fees. And this additional cost can increase your final price by nearly 45%. Never pay more than necessary.

Understand Restrictions

Violating restrictions can cost you. If you drive your rental car to restricted areas, you may have an additional fee to pay. Rental companies in countries that limit travel use GPS devices to monitor the location of rental cars so there is no way to trick the company. There may even be limits on the number of miles you can drive during the rental period.

Check Conversion Rates

International cheap car rental may involve currency conversion. If you do not have the option of using your own currency, be sure you know what the conversion fees are so you are not surprised by the additional cost with this cheap car rental. Read More......

Traveling can be a wonderful experience. But it can also be expensive. Fortunately, travelers can get cheap flights to even the most popular destinations if they are willing to follow these basic guidelines.  You must be willing to be flexible in your travel schedule to get the very lowest airfare rates.

Time Your Flight

Peak travel times cost more - there really is no avoiding this fact. If you must travel during holidays or on weekends, you can still save money by booking several weeks in advance.  You can also select the day before or after peak days for your own travel departure times.  For example, airfare on the day before a major holiday costs more than if you fly on the actual holiday.

Try Secondary Airports

Tickets at major airports often cost more than those at smaller nearby airports.  Regional airports may offer additional discounts to encourage travels to use their services. And you can still travel to popular locales from these airports.  Smaller airports may have limited destinations but are still worth checking out if you are headed to a major destination.  You may even be able to take a flight to another major airport that is closer to your destination which can save you money.

Take the Long Route

If you are willing to stop in multiple cities on the way to your destination, you will find lower airfare rates.  Travelers pay more for the privilege of direct flights.  But a more leisurely approach can save you quite a bit of money.  These layovers may or may not require you to de-board the plane.  People who just do not like flying may be unwilling to do this and will need to seek other options to get cheap tickets.

Use Connecting Flights

This takes the previous recommendation one step further.  You can save money if you do not mind changing planes along the way. Most travelers do not like doing this if the departure times are too close together or because the chances of you losing luggage increases.  But if you plan it well, using several short connecting cheap flights can produce significant savings.

Travelers have many options when it comes to saving many.  Cheap flights are available to those who are willing to be flexible and enjoy flying. And you can use online aggregator sites which can easily help you in developing your flight itinerary.
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Learning new cultures and sightseeing is something that travelers love. They can do without the expensive car rental fees. By following these guidelines, travelers can get cheap car rental rates from reputable rental agencies that also provide quality services to customers.

Select the Right Car

Every type of car has separate rental fees based on its value and popularity. If you are willing to rent on the lower end of the spectrum, you can get lower rates. Also, consider the cost of gas when choosing a vehicle. Larger cars will require more gas and are not as good on gas as some smaller cars.

Ask About Discounts

You should always ask about any discounts that you may possibly be eligible for if you are looking for even lower rental fees from the rental agency. Common discounts include savings as result of membership in certain auto organizations such as AAA. You can also get discounts if you are willing to take a rental car that nobody else wants.

Understand the Fees

Certain fees can be avoided if you make different decisions. For example, you may have to pay surcharges if you use an airport rental company. They are not trying to rip you off - they are required by law to charge you those fees.

Avoid Cleaning and Refuel Fees

Before you return the car you should always ensure that you clean it. Many rental agencies charge a cleaning fee so they can make the car suitable for the next customer. But if you handle this yourself, you can ask that the fee be waived. Same goes for the refuel fees - top off your tank before you return it so you are not charged if they have to refuel the car.

Negotiate Rental Fees

You do not have to settle for the final price offered. There is absolutely nothing that prevents you from negotiating with the rental company until you reach a compromise on the rental rate. If the counter representative is unwilling to negotiate, ask to speak to the manager.

Comparison Shop

To be able to compare cheap car rental rates and services you should get online quotes from the various rental agencies. Gathering this information can help you make informed decisions so you pay lower rental fees. If you are willing to be flexible in your travel dates, you can obtain even lower rates. On average, renting is cheaper on week days than on weekends. By comparison shopping it is easy to get cheap car rental.
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Have you ever had the experience of going to the gate only to find it empty of passengers? There's something strange about the way airport communicate with those in search of planes. In theory, there are speakers located at strategic points about each terminal and, no matter where you sit or stand, you will always be able to hear each announcement perfectly. Indeed, when you pay attention, you can always hear calls for other flights. Yet when it comes to your own, there's a strange disconnection as if the message suddenly enters a parallel dimension and fails to reach your ears.

You then find yourself in completely the wrong place and you can't find you where you should be as no-one is around. When you do finally track down where you should be, have you noticed how everyone gets asked to board the plane before you? That means you get to your seat to find the the space in the overhead compartments up and down your aisle has been taken up.

When you are finally in your seat with baggage stowed, you realize you're not yet in the air. You'll be pleased to know there are federal regulations that limit the time you can be held in the plane on the ground. For domestic flights at the larger airports, you have to be offered release after three hours. The airline is also to ensure you have enough to drink and the toilet arrangements are adequate. There are fines for both US and foreign airlines if they leave your international flight on the tarmac for more than four hours. In theory, this makes it more economic for the plane to take off than go back to the terminal.

Let's say you're now in the air. Have you noticed it's difficult to get anything to eat or drink unless you pay? It's well known food has never been great but, in the days before pricing got less than transparent, you used to get one of those trays with something edible on it as a part of the ticket price.  Permission to have a seat on the plane is the only value a ticket has these days for the airlines.

Remember, never ever say anything that could be interpreted as insulting about the airline or any of its staff. Even more important, never joke about terrorism. Indeed, until you get in the air, it's probably safer not to talk to anyone about anything connected with flying. Paranoia is everywhere and, if you're considered a threat to security, an air marshal is likely to arrest you and drag you off the plane to a holding cell.

You would have you own private jet and people around you would bow and scrape as you walked towards your plane whenever you needed it in a perfect world where you had a piece of the American Dream. Until that day dawns, you're in the cheap flights with the rest of us and pathetically grateful because, if you were thinking about using the train as a substitute, it would take you more than fifty hours on the California Zephyr to get from Chicago to San Francisco. No matter how comfortable the train, even a cheap flight may be more convenient.
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It is not surprising that car rental companies are experiencing an increase in popularity. Local drivers are responsible for this boost in demand for rental services. Rentals offer tangible benefits for local drivers who are seeking alternatives to the expense of gas-guzzling vehicles that have costly price tags, require ongoing maintenance, and are parked more than they are driven.

Cost-Effectiveness

Hiring a rental is cheaper than paying for a taxi or using public transportation when available.  And if you share the cost of a rental, your personal expenses drop even further.  Many companies offer discounts to local drivers as an added incentive to use their services over other transportation options. Rental rates that are based on mileage can be particularly cost-effective for local drivers.

Reliable Transportation

In recent years there has been an increase in public transportation use among young people. Now they are turning to rentals so they are not tied to a public transport schedule. A group of friends or coworkers may go in together to share the cost of a rental.  They do not have to worry about a car payment or maintenance.  And they save on gas expenses by sharing the costs between them.

Convenient

Hiring a rental is more convenient than relying on taxi services.  You do not have to wait to be picked up.  You can just get in the car and drive to your destination.  It is common for travelers to rent transportation once they reach their city of destination.  They prefer to be in control in their travel schedule rather than depending on people they do not know.

Public Image

Local professionals use rentals to present a more sophisticated image to prospective clients. You may be picking them up from the airport or meeting them at a restaurant.  Whatever the case, you want to manage how they view you and the type of vehicle you drive says a lot about you.

Environmental Concerns

Sharing the expenses of a rental car basically reduces the need for additional cars on the road.  Many car rental companies include eco-friendly vehicles as well as hybrids in their fleet.  You can have a real impact on the environment by using rentals rather than purchasing your own vehicle.

It is anticipated that car rental companies will continue to grow in popularity, especially in cities and high-growth urban areas.  See if this is a money-saving option for you.

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Increasingly tight budgets are forcing travelers to look for cheap air tickets. This is true for individuals who travel for leisure and want to spend less on tickets so they have cash once they reach their destination. Businesses that routinely pay for employees to travel also need to pay less for airfare. Corporate budgets have been reduced in recent years because of the economy. Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to make sure you save money on your airline tickets.

Plan Ahead

Although there are times when you have to make arrangements last minute you should always try to plan ahead. Otherwise, you should be able to buy tickets in advance so you get great prices. Try to fly on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays whenever possible. Even if you get to your destination early, you will have saved significant money. Putting in a little bit of time to save a lot of money is, for most people, a tradeoff that is worthwhile.

Monitor Airfares

There are two ways to do this. You can sign up for electronic newsletters or mobile alerts so you know when new offers, coupons, and discounts are available for your review. In particular, you want to be able to tell when prices increase or decrease so you can plan accordingly. Airlines offer this information directly or, if you prefer, you can sign-up for this service through any site that provides ticket information from multiple airlines.

Do Not Wait

Don't wait to see if the next deal you get is the best one, take a good deal as soon as you find it. There will always be a better deal. The problem is at some point prices on cheap air tickets will increase again and you may miss your opportunity to save money. It is not always obvious when airlines will increase airfare. Looking at getting a last minute deal is usually the only time when you should wait.

Look for Refunds

If you have already purchased your ticket but you notice the final price of comparable low cost air tickets on your flight is much lower, contact the airline and ask for a refund of the difference. Most will honor your request. You may have to do this in person at the ticket counter. You can call the airline directly to find out what their refund policy is or you can check their website for information.
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Drivers are always looking for good deals and affordable rates. Rental rates often seem somewhat mysterious. Car rental companies calculate rates using a myriad of different factors. The more you know about the different rate factors, the better prepared you are to negotiate with your current rental agency or simply find a new one that offers more competitive rates.

Reservation Fees

You will be assessed a fee when you reserve your rental.  If you are unable to follow-through on your reservation, you may still be required to pay this fee which will be charged to the credit card you used to make the reservation.  Some agencies drop the fee if you honor your reservation while others add it to your bill.

Rental Fees

Each rental company calculates their fees differently.  Some base rates on distance traveled while other rental vehicles by the hour.  Fuel expenses may or may not be included in the fee structure.  If you plan to drive in areas deemed to be high-risk by the rental agency, you will have higher rates.

Taxes and Surcharges

Added to your rental fees, these can be the hardest to understand. You may have multiple taxes depending on the particular rental agency as well as its location.  Many counter representative cannot explain the surcharges fully even if they are asked for clarification. Do not accept a vague response. If they do not know why a particular charge is included, ask them to remove it.

Rental Insurance Costs

Not all renters buy the additional insurance offered by car rental companies.  Those that do will have that added to their rental cost.  Not everyone needs to purchase rental insurance. If you already have this included in your regular car insurance policy, it is not necessary to also purchase it from the rental agency.

Vehicle Damage Fees

What happens if you are involved in an accident while driving a rental car?  Who is responsible for the damages?  If you are responsible for the car being  damaged or stolen it can cost you so this is something you have to know before you sign the rental contract.

Discounts

These are the last to be applied during the rate calculation.  You might get discounts because you belong to AAA or another membership organization.  Special offers may be given by car rental companies during slow rental times to encourage drivers to rent from them.
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Major car rental agencies tend to have an international presence and high brand visibility that is a result of their decades of service. They have branches around the globe and often offer franchise opportunities. All of these well-known brands coordinate international rentals through online services that allow renters to comparison shop before booking a rental.

Hertz

Hertz is the largest global car rental agency with nearly 10,000 branches in over 145 countries around the world. It is also the oldest, having been established in the United States in 1918. One of the most interesting aspects of Hertz is its "Fun Collection" which allows people to rent racing and high-end sports cars. These cars are available at select airport-based Hertz rental agencies. Hertz also has a "Green Collection" for environmentally-conscious renters. These include hybrids and electric vehicles.

Avis Rent A Car

As the second largest car rental agency in the world, it has a major presence in North America, the Caribbean, Latin America, Europe, New Zealand, and Australia. Avis is often associated with airports because they are a major provider of car rentals for travelers, both business and leisure, who pick up their cars at the airport. In addition, the company opened the very first airport-based car rental agency.

Enterprise Rent-A-Car

Enterprise is part of the largest car rental network that currently exists in the world. The network includes Alamo Rent A Car, National Car Rental, and Europacar. Enterprise was established in 1957. With nearly 7,000 locations in North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Germany, it has a strong international presence.

Alamo Rent A Car

Alamo is now owned by the Enterprise Holdings, the parent company of Enterprise Rent-A-Car, but it still operates as an independent cheap car rental business. It was established in 1974 and was the first car rental company to offer unlimited free mileage to its customers who were primarily leisure travelers. It currently has more than 1,000 branches in North America, Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe, Australia, Africa, and throughout the

Asian-Pacific area. Travelers can take advantage of nearly 160 self-serve kiosks across the United States. Approximately 15 million drivers use their services annually.

National Car Rental

Along with Alamo, National Rental is a member of the Enterprise family. It was established in 1954 and now has over 3,000 branches in North America, Latin America, the Caribbean, Asian-Pacific, Europe, Australia, and Africa. They were the first car rental company to offer one-way car rentals, flat rates, and a frequent-renter program to customers. In addition to daily specials and regular discounts, customers benefit from larger agencies because they typically offer lower base rates. Customers who want cheap car rental rates prefer top international rental agencies.
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Should we expect cheaper air tickets?

Twenty and more years ago the airlines investing and profit return were reasonably straightforward. Air travel was the accepted way to move long distances, whether for business or pleasure. Only a small percentage of the population were prepared to drive long distances. Following 9/11the 11th september, the need to maintain a high level of security has forced airports and airlines into major changes. Many of these changes have created difficulties and reduced the number of people prepared to fly. With rising gas prices, it has become not so affordable to leave home and fly a longer distance for holidays. Recognizing the problem, the US has been holding a number of consultations with interested parties including Airlines for America, the trade association representing the airlines. The need is to promote travel and tourism without sacrificing safety and security.

As to international travel, the US market has already lost a significant volume of business from the countries that used to be able to visit on their own passports without a visa. Now advance notice of an intention to travel to the US must be given and, upon arrival, people are fingerprinted, retina scans are taken and, from their point of view, they are treated as little better than criminals or terrorists. No countries treat American citizens in this way. Tens of thousands of potential tourists are therefore voting with their feet and refusing the visit America. Why should this matter? In 2011, only 60 million people visited America. Nevertheless, they spent spent about $135 billion and paid for about 7 million jobs in the hotel, food and beverage, and retail markets.

Adding domestic travel, the industry contributed about $1 trillion to spending. The American government has therefore committed itself to speed up the visa application process and to make the Visa Waiver Program more welcoming, and accepted the need for there to be equal treatment between countries. This means employing far more staff and upgrading the computer systems to allow passengers to be processed more quickly.

The government is also reviewing the current security systems in the purely domestic travel, sometimes making the procedures execssive... In particular, they consider some parts of the process highly intrusive. Again, this is all a question of balance, looking for a compromise that will respect a legitimate desire for privacy against the need to prevent terrorists from interfering with flights. With so great a contribution being made to national consumption, both state and federal authorities have to consider how best to bring more people back to air travel. This is not just a case of offering cheap tickets. People have been driven away by some very poor PR and it will take a serious effort by all interested parties to restore trust and confidence. This is not to say cheap air tickets is not able to help. Indeed, the low-cost, discount airlines have proved there is a real market for budget travel. But even there, problems arise with a lack of transparency on prices. Everyone needs to work together to boost air travel's appeal.

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It was the potential conflict with Syria that has forced a air tickets price rise. Should Israel attack and Syria retaliate against tanker traffic, the world would quickly find itself short of fuel. The International Air Transport Association, the trade association representing airlines, has predicted its members will struggle to break even in 2012. Some of the European airlines are looking at record losses with two already insolvent: Spanair based in Barcelona and Malev based in Hungary. The problem is that fuel represents about one third of operating costs. When you add in the cost of servicing the debt on buying the airplanes and paying the staff, there's very little left. With many tickets sold forward, sudden rises in fuel prices may mean the planes flying at a loss when the passengers actually turn up. Running an airline you have to be prepared to any changes in political cklimate in regions where your oil suppliers are situated.

There are 2 other factors able to affect ticket costs. The first is the double dip recession threat. As many of the European countries are finding life very difficult and, if economic conditions worsen, people will cut back on non-essential travel. If passenger numbers fall, bankruptcy for more airlines will follow close behind. The only relatively bright prospect on the horizon is the strength of air cargo. It has been steady for the last two years even though the world markets have been trading well below their best. Then, this is the European move to impose a carbon tax on air travel. This is going to drive up ticket prices for anyone flying into or out of Europe, i.e. it's payable simply because the airplane lands in Europe. With no sign of a global solution to the problem of how to protect the environment, this unilateral tax rise by Europe has angered the rest of the world.

All this means airlines are not going to survive unless two things happen. The first is that peace returns to the oil producing parts of the world. The second is that outside costs like airport fees and carbon tax charges are kept to an absolute minimum. Anything that deters people from flying puts profits are risk. If the unions will not cooperate in reducing the rates of pay, ticket prices must rise. This further drives passengers away and the cycle into insolvency edges closer. The only way we get cheap air tickets back is by seeing an expansion in the number of low-cost discount carriers, and a general return of confidence from customers. Without there being real demand for seats and losses looming, legacy airlines cannot afford to discount seat prices. All that does is make the losses bigger. Lower prices can only come when historical costs are reduced. That's why so many airlines are trying to cut pension obligations. These legacies from the boom years are a major drag on profits. So, your best chance to buy cheap air tickets is the airlines's victory in their fights with government regulators and unions protecting pension rights.

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