Choosing A Car Rental Company

Whether you are traveling to a new city for business or as part of a family vacation, renting a vehicle is a must-do. Navigating in unfamiliar territory can be stressful and expensive, especially if you are forced to rely on public transportation. By renting a car, you give yourself the benefit of flexibility, independence and freedom to explore the local area on your own terms. When researching a prospective car rental company, consider factors like vehicle preferences, cost and accessibility.

Name your vehicle

Before you narrow your search, think about your transportation needs during your stay. Do you need a smaller, compact vehicle for city driving? Would you prefer a few days driving a luxury car around town? Will you have passengers? Once you have identified your specific needs, you can move forward in your search. If you are looking for something different, companies like Imagine Lifestyles offer luxury vehicle rental. This is perfect if you have a taste for the finer things in life, including Bentleys, Lamborghinis and Porsches. In fact, there are niche rental companies for just about any lifestyle; even Disney offers spacious, themed and kid-friendly minivan rentals!

Cost considerations

Having a clear idea of how much you are willing and able to spend on a car rental is especially helpful. You may prefer to compromise on your car arrangements, reasoning that the money saved by renting an economy vehicle is better spent on lodging or dining. In that case, you are sure to find a reasonable rate from any of the nation's leading budget car rental companies, which include Dollar, Budget and Enterprise. Another option for securing a great deal is by visiting name-your-own-price websites, such as Priceline, Kayak and TripAdvisor. As an added bonus, many of these sites offer discounted packages if you book multiple services.

Easy in, easy out

Arriving at your destination is one of the most stressful times of a trip; you are loaded down with luggage, hotel information and a sense of disorientation in your unfamiliar surroundings. By choosing a car rental company that allows you to pick up and drop off your rented vehicle at the airport, you are certain to save a great deal of time and uncertainty. Of course, if you are familiar with the area and comfortable with public transportation, you can save money by renting a car from a location outside of the airport. Hertz, Avis and National are the most popular rental agencies; they generally have locations both in and around major airports.

Remember: renting a vehicle is completely optional, but is a worthy investment. When selecting your rental car company, consider your specific needs and familiarity with your destination, as well as your budgetary limitations and desired features.

Consider factors like vehicle preferences, cost and accessibility

by Kara Godsey, Auto writer