Car rental Tip

International Car Rental Advice & Tips

It is recommended that you carry an International Driving Permit (IDP)for most international rentals. An IDP is written in 10 languages and serves as an officially recognized translation of your local driving license in over 150 participating members of the United Nations.

When you are checking rates, if your international rental price quote is presented in U.S. or Canadian dollars, keep in mind that the rental location will charge the equivalent in local currency.
Make sure you know the rules of the road where you are renting... you may be required to drive on the left in some countries.

Discount Car Rental Rate Advice
For rental cars, you are charged per day. Check to see if the company you want to rent from charges by a calendar day or a 24 hour day. This can definitely affect your rate.
Car rental pricing is like airline pricing – if you travel at off-peak times or book in advance, you often can get a cheaper car rental rate.
When you see a great rate for the vehicle you want – RESERVE IT RIGHT AWAY – it may not be available later!
Do a lot of comparison shopping to find which car rental company has the cheapest rate. If you don't have to give your credit card number, book the car. You can also try to get a cheaper rate using a Discount Code or special from the site.
Rental car companies rent the largest portion of their fleet during Monday-through- Friday business travel. So, generally speaking, leisure travelers can find better rates on weekends when the demand for some types of cars isn’t as high. Click here for Tips to Save Money on Weekend Car Rentals

Self employed or own your own business? Most car rental companies offer Discount programs for small business with discounts, coupons and specials just for you! Call any car rental company and ask to sign up. It's easy! Most car rental websites will also offer a sign up link for a corporate account.

Car Rental Advice for Coupons
Most rental car coupons have a discount code associated with them as well. Rental car discounts and coupons go together! Make the most of them!
Make sure that you meet the terms and conditions on the coupon. Terms and conditions are generally on the back, in really small print!!
When using an upgrade coupon, the upgrade is not guaranteed. If a larger car is what you need, you would be better off to use a money off coupon for the size that you require.

Car Rental Advice for One Way Car Rentals
You pay more for a car rental one-way on a daily basis. If you can pick up and drop off in one day, you'll only being paying the higher rate for that day. It may be cheaper to pick up a new vehicle for the remainder of your rental because that car would be rented and returned to the same location!

You can get cheaper one way car rentals a few times of year (usually spring and winter) when most car rental companies are moving their fleet from one area of the country to another.

Car Rental Advice for Reservations
Before you start to check prices on a car rental, have your location information, discount information, coupon and dates and times ready! This will save you time and effort!
Make sure to check rates at different locations in the city you want to rent in. Airport fees can add a lot to your rental rate; if your pick up is flexible, you may be able to save some money.

Car Rental Advice on buying Insurance

If you decline LDW at the rental counter and rely on your own insurance, you probably would be responsible for paying your usual deductible. Also, a loss-of-use fee is not normally covered by personal auto insurance policies. And, personal auto policies that extend collision coverage to a rental car may only provide a coverage limit equal to the value of your own vehicle. If the value of your personal vehicle is less than that of the rental vehicle, you could still incur some damage responsibility.
You may already have collision coverage for a rental car through your credit card.

Car Rental Advice for Credit Cards
If a car rental company accepts your debit or cheque card make sure to check about any additional information that would be required. Most companies that accept a debit card will also require a credit check at the rental counter and a larger deposit than would be required with a regular credit card. Call your rental location directly for information on what the credit check entails. There may also be age restrictions even if the company accepts debit cards.
Some car rental locations do not accept debit cards at time of rental to release the vehicle, but do accept debit cards for payment when you return the vehicle.

Car Rental Advice on Additional Drivers
Most car rental companies will rent to a person who is disabled and who does not possess a driver’s license. The renter must show that they are able to be personally and financially responsible for the rental vehicle and must use their own credit car to rent. The driver that they sign on must meet the age and drivers license requirement of the rental car company.
Note: There are no fees for an additional driver for a disabled renter. Click here for more information on Car Rentals for Persons With Disabilities
Even if you rent a car, but never drive it, you are automatically considered the primary operator of the rental vehicle. All additional drivers must be approved by the rental company.

Car Rental Advice on Cancellations
Please be careful when booking a prepaid reservation through a website like Hotwire or Priceline. These are great sites, where you can get great deals, but the reservations that you book and pay for in advance, may be non-cancellable, non-modifiable and non-refundable. Make sure you are aware of these stipulations!

Car Rental Discount Codes

AAA (Automobile Association of America)
D923600

AAFP (American Academy of Family Physicians)
A685100

AAPD (American Association for People with Disabilites
Although no discounts were listed, their website stated that members receive Avis rental car discounts.

AARP (American Association of Retired Persons)
A359807

AASA (American Association of School Administrators)
A729100

ABA (American Birding Association)
A843000

ABT (Association of Business Travelers)
Your Avis discount codes are on the back of your membership card.

Academy of General Denistry
B184300

Aeroplan Members
C682300

AFGE (American Federation of Government Employees)
Members can go to www.afge.org and go the the member benefits and resources page to access an Avis car rental discount code.

AHCP (America's Health Care Plan) Members
Their website stated that members can find an Avis car rental discount code in your membership book.

AICHE (American Institute of Chemical Engineers
Although their website gave no Avis discount codes, it stated that members receive Avis rental car discounts.

AIPG (American Inst. of Professional Geologists)
T003300

Alaska Airlines Frequent Flyer Member
K197800

Alliance for Retired Americans
B723700

Allstate Motor Club
B769766

American Advantage (American Airlines)
K816700

American Dental Association
I could not access Avis car rental discount codes without being a member. To find codes members should go to www.ada.org and visit the members center and check info on hotel and car rental discounts.

AFSCME
(American Federation of State,County & Municipal Employees)
B723700

American Legion
G343600

American Legion Auxiliary
A740700

American Lighting Association
B608500

American Express Cardholders
K312601

American Quarter Horse Association
B972500

AOPA (Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association)
A451348

APA (American Psychological Association)
B774600

APA (American Poolplayers Association)
B656899

ASCAP
(American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers)
T861200

ASCE(American Society of Civil Engineers)
A6548000

ASBA (American Seniors Benefit Association)
T58900

ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers)
A723700

AWPI (Assoc for Wedding Professionals International)
T676700

BCTGM Union Members
B723700

Best Western Gold Crown Members
K850800

Beta Gamma Sigma Members
S022800

BJ's Members
A415900

Boat USA
A637200

BP Motor Club
A744700

British Airways
British Airways Blue Member ----- N744100
British Airways Silver Member --- N744300
British Airways Gold Member ----- N744400

CAB (Canadian Association of Broadcasters
Members can go to www.cab-acr.ca/english/benefits/car.shtm to reserve with Avis or get information on rental car discounts.

Cal Aggie Alumni Association
A869250

CARP (Canadian Association of Retired Persons)
C744400

Choice Privileges Members W661100

Commercial Finance Association
K765100

Continental Onepass
K024400

COPA (Canadian Owners and Pilots Association)
C863000

Costco
A108300

DC Bar Association
B292100

Delta Sigma Pi Members
D006392

Delta Skymiles
K817600

Farm Bureau
I could not find specific discount codes, but information on the farm bureau website stated that state farm bureau members can go to their state specific site or contact their state specific bureau for a rental car discount number.

Florida Bar Association
A421600

Florida Golf Entertainment Association
C066983

FMCA (Family Motor Coaching Association)
A674300

FOP (Fraternal Order of Police) - Ohio
T166500

Hearing Loss Association of America
S044600

Hilton HHonours
K851000

Hyatt Gold Passport
K817700

IEEE (Inst. of Electrical and Electronics Engineers)
A606000

Illinois State Bar Association
A632500

International Association of Adminstrative Professionals
s024700

ISUAA (Iowa State University Alumni Association)
Members can go to www.isualum.org and go to the member benefits page and log in to receive discount information for Avis.

KTEH Membercard Holders
B638829

KQED Support Members
B638829

Marine Corps Association
A143444

Midwest Airlines Frequent Flyer Member
K850100

Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation
A298824

MMA (Michigan Manufactureres Association)
B503100

NAR (National Association of Realtors
A009700

NASW (National Assoc. of Social Workers)
Member can go to www.socialworkers.org/joinbenefits/car.asp to access a discount code for Avis.

National Motor Club
The national motor club website gave no discount codes or links to their partner car rental companies, although it stated that members receive a discount with Avis.

National Audobon Society Supporters
A699900

NAUS (National Assoc. for Uniformed Services)
B768100

NC State Alumni Association
K765100

Nebraska State Bar Association
B310700

New Jersey Public Television & Radio Members B638829

New York City Bar Association
A522100

NRA Members
A832100

NYSUT Members
A441200

Office Furniture Dealers Alliance
B832500

PEF (Public Employees Federation)
A477984

Pennsylvania Farm Bureau
Members can go to www.pfb.com/member-services/travel/rentalcars.html and link to a members only page to access their Avis discount code.

Phi Alpha Delta Members
T672000

Philadelphia Bar Association
A600600

PPRS (Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society Travelers)
T230600

PSAC (Public Service Alliance of Canada)
C835975

Purdue University Alumni Association
B401505

RCI
D663800

Sam's Club
I could not find any Avis car rental discount codes on the Sam's Club website. If you are calling to make a reservation, just ask if there is a discount for members; if it is available, the reservation agent will be able to put it in.

Santa Clara County Medical Association
A895200

Sears Credit Card Holders
D302003

SEIU (Service Employees International Union)Members
B723700

Senior Discount (55 +)
K080200

SNA (Southern Nursery Association)
S036199

SPE (Society of Petroleum Engineers)
T124200

Stanford Alumni Association
B401511

Starwood Preferred Member
K817200

State Bar of Texas
A520100

State Bar of Wisconsin
A535100

The Mouse for Less
You must be a member or apply for membership to access the discount codes for car rental. You can do this at themouseforless.com/membersavings/benefits.shtml

Turkish Airlines Frequent Flyer
Classic and Classic + Cardholders ------- E191400
Elite and Elite + Cardholders ----------- E2038000

University of Kansas Alumni Association
B636183

UK (University of Kentucky) Alumni Association
UK Alumni Association members can go to www.ukalumni.net and look under membership and then member discounts. You must plug in your member ID# to get the car rental discount code for Avis.

University of Minnesota Alumni Association
B401516

Union Plus Members
B723700

UTU (United Transportation Union)
D150600

US Airways Frequent Flyer Members
K024300

VALoans.com Members
D166200

Veteran's Advantage
I could not access a specific codes without being a member, but you can go to www.veteransadvantage.com/partners/avis.html to get a rental car discount code for Avis.

VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars)
A993500

Walmart Shoppers
B021615

WHRO Passport Program Participants
B638829