Episode 17: In transit – Renting a Ride

Lead. Travel. Pray.

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/ltppodcast/episode_17_intransit_rental+cars.mp3

• How to decide if you should rent:
  • Consider what mass transit and ride share options are available
  • If trying to cover a lot of ground and see a variety of sights, you will probably want the convenience of having your own car.
  • Costs can also be a factor. Sometimes it is cheaper to rent a car to get to and from your destination than ride share or taxis.
• Rental tips:
  • Loyalty programs can have advantages for rates and efficiency – often getting to skip past the rental counter and go straight to the car
  • Cars may also be cheaper through 3^rd party booking sites like Orbitz, Priceline & Expedia
  • Prices can fluctuate so it is worthwhile to look frequently in case a better deal is now available. Most reservations can be cancelled ahead of time with no penalty so you may decide to rebook a cheaper rate or to upgrade to a larger car class.
• Reservation tips
  • Never pay full price – look for coupons (like in the Entertainment book)
  • Pay attention to what kind of deposit the rental car company expects – this can vary greatly when you travel global
  • Research the baggage space to know you have enough space
  • Smaller cars generally work better in Europe
• Check the car before you leave the lot
  • Take picture of any damage on the car before you leave the lot
  • Don’t sign a damage form before looking the car over
  • Adjust your seat, mirrors, etc. before you leave the rental lot
  • The gas gauge tells you which side to pump the gas