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Why You Should Never Prepay for Gas in a Rental Car

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Last Updated on December 13, 2022 by Chris You get to the rental car company and need to decide: Should you prepay for gas in a rental car? You never want to pay more than you have to for a rental car—and that includes gasoline. The agent at the rental car companies will likely try to sell you on their prepaid gas program. That’s where you get charged for a tank of gas at a cheaper-than-average per-gallon price. Sounds like a good deal, right? Of course, there’s a catch. Why Prepaying for Gas is a Car Rental Rip-Off Here are six reasons to think twice about prepaying for that tank: Ask AutoSlash for a Quote on a Cheap Car Rental You have to return a completely empty tank. When you prepay for the gas, you’re paying for the full tank. If you bring it back a quarter full or even 90 percent full, there’s no refund for the gas you left in the tank. If you don’t use every last drop, you’re paying for gas you didn’t use. Bringing it back with more than fumes is a hig...

7 Points You're Doing That Annoy Rental Car Counter Representatives

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Last Updated on December 9, 2022 by Chris It’s always good to be nice to people who hold power in the service industry. The restaurant hostess can give you a table next to the window or the washrooms. A hotel front desk clerk can assign you a room overlooking the lake or a lackluster parking lot. Similarly, the agent at the rental car counter has the power to stick you in the crappiest, oldest car in the farthest end of the lot or send you on your way in a nice set of wheels. A former rental car agent shares his tips on how to land a better rental car by avoiding these seven deadly sins. 7 Deadly Sins Keeping You From Getting a Better Rental Car 1. You don’t have your driver’s license and credit card ready. The very first thing the computer will prompt the agent to request is your address and driver’s license information, followed by your credit card info. Nothing can happen until the agent has both items, and asking why they are required and then wasting time digging ...

How Do Car Rental Firms Take Care Of Recalls?

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Last Updated on December 1, 2022 by Michael Photo credit: Shutterstock If you own a car, you are alerted if and when there is a recall. But you may be wondering how car rental companies handle recalls for cars in their fleets. Not too long ago, it was perfectly legal to rent out a recalled car that had not yet been repaired. Ask AutoSlash for a Quote on a Cheap Car Rental Then Congress passed the Rental Car Safety Recall Law in the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act of 2015. The federal law prohibits rental companies from renting unrepaired recalled vehicles. In addition, now the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has the authority to investigate rental car companies and punish violators. One interesting case happened in November 2022, when multiple Hertz rental cars that had been recently returned by President Joe Biden’s Secret Service detail caught on fire when parked in at the Nantucket airport. The investigation pointed to a For...

Your AAA Subscription Can Open Vehicle Rental Offers

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Last Updated on December 1, 2022 by Kristin Looking for a cheap car rental? Your AAA membership—the same one known for rescuing stranded motorists—can also give you access to car rental deals. AAA Delivers Some Terrific Car Rental Deals Once you join AAA, you’ll get a membership card and access to a mobile app to unlock discounts at more than 130,000 locations. Membership rates vary depending on the plan and region, but generally cost between $40 and $75 per year for a basic plan. Often, a second household member can be added to the plan for free during the first year. Ask AutoSlash for a Quote on a Cheap Car Rental Even if you have never needed AAA roadside assistance or a towing service, you should strongly consider joining the club, since the basic membership fee could easily pay for itself after just one car rental. Hertz: The AAA and Hertz have a longstanding partnership for offering rental car discounts. AAA members can save up to 20 percent on the base pric...

7 Tips for Driving a Rental Car in the Snow

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Last Updated on November 14, 2022 by Kristin Photo credit: Shutterstock Traveling this winter? There’s nothing cozier than watching snow come down outside, until you have to hit the road. Driving in the snow can be stressful, especially if you are not used to it. However, there are several things you can do to prepare for these conditions. Here are some top tips for driving in the snow. Make sure your rental car is prepared for snow If you plan to drive in wintry conditions, make sure your rental car is prepared to handle the snow. Make sure the vehicle’s brake pads, batteries, wiper blades and lights are in good condition. Be sure you have sufficient windshield wiper fluid and antifreeze. Ask AutoSlash for a Quote on a Cheap Car Rental Renting a car in a region that gets significant snowfall? Make sure the car has winter tires that improve traction in icy or wet conditions. You can identify all-season tires because they have “M+S” (for mud and snow) molded onto the si...

The Most Effective Black Friday and also Cyber Monday Traveling Bargains

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Last Updated on November 6, 2022 by Jonathan Looking for a great deal on an upcoming vacation? Take a page out of the savvy shopper’s playbook and save a bundle on your next getaway by hitting the Black Friday and Cyber Monday travel deals in 2022. We’ve gathered some of the best Black Friday and Cyber Monday travel deals, highlighting those that deliver huge savings on rental cars, hotels, and other travel services. We’ll be updating this page as more deals are announced, so come back often to firm up your game plan for this blowout event. Black Friday & Cyber Monday Vacation Deals Solmar Hotels & Resorts – Cabo San Lucas, Mexico Save up to 66% at your choice of three Solmar resorts. Book Nov. 21-Dec. 4, 2022. Travel Nov. 21, 2022-Dec. 20, 2023 . Ask AutoSlash for a Quote on a Cheap Car Rental Hard Rock Hotels – Worldwide Save up to 50% at all-inclusive Hard Rock resorts, including Hard Rock Hotel Cancun and Hard Rock Hotel Punta Cana. Save 20% to ...

What Takes Place if Another Person Damages Your Rental Automobile?

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Last Updated on November 1, 2022 by Michael One pervasive fear you might have when you rent your car is another party damaging your rental cars. After all, when you sign a rental contract, you are responsible for returning the vehicle in the same condition. The rental car company doesn’t care who damages a car. But what happens if someone else damages your rental car? Hit and Run Drivers There have been instances where a hit and run driver causes damage to a rental car, and the renter has to pay a steep deductible. As our primer on rental car insurance explains, most coverage provided by credit cards is secondary . That means the credit card will only cover up to the insurance policy deductible. So getting stuck paying the insurance deductible means one of two things: Ask AutoSlash for a Quote on a Cheap Car Rental The renter didn’t read about potential coverage offered by his or her credit card The renter didn’t pay with a credit card and has no protection when rent...