Renting a car may be expensive at times. In order to avoid extra cost and unforeseen occurrences, careful planning is the key to renting and enjoying a car. Follow the following 8 (eight) steps to rent a car any where in the world successfully from any top car rental company or enterprise of your choice.
Step 1: Ensure that you have a valid driver's license and you meet the location's minimum age requirements
You need to pass this first test in order to proceed to renting the car proper. These requirements protects you and the rental company. It proves that you a capable of handling the car you want to acquire temporarily.
Step 2: Make a decision on your travel plans
Once you know specific dates and hours of your plane (or train) tickets, or after you have decided when you will travel, go ahead and start shopping for your rental car. And the earlier you start shopping and make that reservation, the better prices you’ll get. So the key advice here is to start shopping for your car rental company as early as possible.
Step 3: Compare prices online from different sources
I like to use very well known worldwide companies like Hertz or Avis I tend to buy from the same brands because I know them and know what to expect from them. I read that europcar.co.uk is a good resource if you’re going to Europe. If you are in Cameroon, you can choose AUTO RENT However, do your homework and compare thoroughly. Beware of hidden fees and take into consideration things like:
- GPS navigation system (the cheaper cars don’t come with GPS).
- Child car-seats.
- Insurance.
- Different drop-off location.
- Upgrades.
- Returning the car before the booked return date.
Step 4: Credit card insurance coverage
Credit cards like Visa and MasterCard offer travel insurance that sometimes covers car rentals. Make sure you confirm with them the coverage of those policies abroad. You may be able to save on insurance at the counter. To be wise I would much rather pay for every insurance policy they offer. An accident can happen to anybody at any time so I’d rather be covered.
Step 5: Arm yourself; there will still be hidden fees
Bear in mind that not all fees are disclosed online. They will either include some insurance that you hadn’t thought of and taxes. In any case, these unexpected fees can go up to twice the price you’d anticipated to pay. Sometimes people have to pay an additional “cleaning” charge at drop-off. And do fill up the tank before returning the car, so that they don’t charge you extra from their pump. If you’re on a long trip, prepay for the tank and return it empty.
Step 6: Do Research
Learn about traffic regulations and traffic in general at your country of destination. Maybe you need to be prepared to drive on the other side of the road, or take a crash course on driving with a mechanic transmission. Or perhaps you’re going to India or Cameroon, where the traffic is chaotic and hectic (to say the least) and traffic signs or traffic lights are not respected whatsoever (in some areas). Study and know this in advance. Also, in most countries your own country’s driver’s license will be valid to rent a car (not drive any car, like a friend’s for example), provided it hasn’t expired. Research first. If not, you can obtain an International Driver’s License or International Driving Permit at home.
Step 7: Ask for any Upgrade specials or discounts
You are done only when you drive out of the parking lot with the car. Once at the counter ask for any upgrade specials or discounts. Also, you can play a little bit and haggle (this has been my experience) when all those unexpected fees show up. Whenever I have not agreed with them and showed them my printed online reservation (granted, they won’t take down the price) you can get some really good upgrades!
Step 8: Check your car thoroughly before leaving the parking lot
Check the number plate to make sure it is welled fixed to the car. Also verify the lighting, brake light, side lights are functioning correctly. Start the car and drive out of the parking lot while observing the car's performance. If something is not right, signal the cusotmer service of the rental company.
Tip: What is the meaning of rent a car? To rent a car is to pay or receive a fixed amount of money for the use of the car. The money is paid by the client to the merchant (rental car enterprise). See also 4 Requirements to rent a car - What do I need to rent a car? , Car rental companies in Cameroon
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