Rent Car Tips
Before you reserve a car, think about the size you want or need and how much you're willing to spend. This will help you avoid making a hasty or expensive decision that you may regret later. At the same time, be aware that vehicle classification systems vary. The terms "economy cars", "compact cars", "mid size cars", "suv" and "luxury cars" sometimes differ among companies.
Ask about car rental specials for the length of time you need the vehicle in California. Many agencies offer weekly or weekend deals. If your plans are flexible, you may be able to save money by renting a car when price breaks are available. But be sure to ask about restrictions on special deals, including blackout dates when an advertised price may not be available in California.
Most of the major rental car companies in California offer both infant and child safety seats. You will need to reserve these in advance to insure you have one during your trip. They are usually anywhere from $2-$10 per day on top of your basic car rental charges.
It can be confusing, but be aware that when you are quoted a "base rental car rate" it does not include sales taxes, airport taxes, airport/concession, vehicle leasing fees (vlf), rental coverages, etc. These charges can increase the total rate by 10-40%. Some airports do not have all these fees but some do. One more thing to watch out is that if you want to pick up a car in California and drop it off in another state, be prepared to pay a significant drop off fee. The further away the drop off location is from your pickup point, usually the higher the drop off charge will be.
Most of the rental companies offer unlimited mileage option within California. This policy can vary at each location, within the same company or agency, so it is best to check beforehand. More expensive rentals such as luxury cars and sport utilities are more apt to have limited free mileage policies.
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