At one time or another, almost everyone has dreamed of hitting the open road in a gorgeous red American sports car. With the wind in your hair, you breeze past the Statue of Liberty and into the Heartland where rows upon rows of cornfields greet you. And while this is an amazing image, not everyone can afford the four weeks’ holidays it would take to achieve this ultimate American road trip dream.
The fact remains, though, that if you plan to take holidays in the USA, you will probably have to hire a car. Boston, New York and San Francisco aside, most American cities are not equipped with good public transportation systems and driving is about the only option in that case.
But fear not, renting a car in the United States is quite simple.
First, you must choose your rental agency. Most American airports are outfitted with a firm selection of international and local car hire companies. If you are not bothered about which brand, you can simply choose the online booking site that offers you the best rate.
Be careful about bundling your flights and car rental together, as this is often not the cheapest way to go, although it can add an element of convenience to the booking process. If you want to save money, book your flights and car hire separately.
Be aware that many American car rental agencies offer discounts for week-long bookings, so you can save some money if you plan to book for more than just a few days. Weekdays are cheaper than weekends, as well.
When you book, be aware of the check-in and return times, as returning your car after noon, for instance, can sometimes result in being charged for another day’s rental. You can save some money by returning your car early in the morning, or even the night before.
Make sure to carry copies of your auto insurance from home, if you have it, as this can help alleviate fees from American car hire companies. Check with your insurance company beforehand to see if your coverage extends to international car hire, or if there might be an additional option you can add on. Your travel insurance policy might also include car hire coverage.
If you don’t already have auto insurance, you might consider purchasing the insurance offered to you by your car hire company in the States. This will cover you in case of accident or damage to the car, and if you don’t have insurance for this, you could face heavy fines for damages.
Be sure to carry your UK Driving License with you at all times. You will need it when you pick up your car and you will also need to carry it by law anytime you are driving in the United States.
Here are a few more tips:
- Most car hire companies have offices on site at the airport, as well as offsite within the city. Sometimes there are airport fees, so compare both to see which is cheaper.
- Always be sure to fill up the petrol tank with gas before returning the car. If you don’t, the car rental company will fill it up using their in-house petrol tanks for exorbitant rates and charge you for it.
- When you pick the car up, make sure to note in writing any dings or damages already on the car so that you are not inadvertently charged for damages that you did not incur.
