5 Simple Tips to Choose a Car Rental

At some point in time, most of us need to rent a vehicle for one reason or another. And whether it’s a small car, a pick-up truck, cube truck or a refrigerated unit, following are six things to look for the next time you need to rent a vehicle:

1. Selection.

Do they offer a wide range of vehicles for a variety of different purposes. For pleasure, look for everything from compact cars to luxury vehicles, SUV’s and pick up trucks. Whatever your budget, do they have the right kind of vehicle for you?

For commercial uses, are pick-up trucks, cargo or cube vans, moving trucks and refrigeration units available? If you’re moving and need a truck, or maybe you have a load to take to the local landfill, can they help? Is your business relocating? Look for a company with a fleet of vehicles to suit whatever your purpose is.

2. Convenience.

Car rental companies with a lot of locations are usually more convenient. You can pick up a vehicle in one place and return it to another location. You can also generally find a location close to where you live, and in some cities, have a number of locations to choose from.

3. Do they have moving supplies?

Rental companies who offer moving supplies make for easy, one-stop shopping. No need to run around town to find packing tape and boxes when you can pick them up at the same time as the moving van. If you don’t really know what or how much you need, the staff can assist in deciding on the right size and quantity of supplies for your individual situation.

4. Competitive prices.

Shop around to make sure you’re getting a rental vehicle that fits not just your needs, but is also within your budget. Economy cars can start at as little as $11.99 per day. A full size car similar to a Kia Optima can run around $20.99 per day, or if you need a 7 seat mini-van they are available for about $50 per day. Watch for promotions and you can get even better prices.

5. Do they have partners such as Petro Points or Air Miles?

If you collect and redeem reward points or miles, you may want to use a car rental company that matches up with your rewards programs. Are you travelling? Some car rental agencies even have partners overseas, offering hotel or airport pickup and dropoff as part of the deal.

Whatever your needs, look for a car rental company that can meet your expectations without emptying your wallet. Reputable companies, with good relationships in the neighborhood are a safe choice as they’ll stand behind their products and most often, provide excellent customer service.