When spending your hard earned dollars, car rental specials can help save you money. If you go to car rental websites you usually see a tab for “hot deals”, and usually you will see their best or current offers advertised on the home page. Summer being such a busy travel time, it’s important to source and book ahead.

If you are wanting to save some cash on your weekend or weekly car hire, then make sure to search the internet extensively to ensure you receive the best vehicle to satisfy your needs. It is best to book well in advance so you have many options to choose from as you may find as the time gets closer, the vehicles that best suit you may not be available.

Weekend and Weekly Specials may only apply for certain locations. As airport car hire is very popular, you may discover that there are no discounts or specials applied at the airport depots. There are a few great ways to save money on your car hire. You may wish to consider if you will require a new or used vehicle as the used vehicles are generally cheaper. As only National car rental agents are located within the airport, if you are wishing to hire a used vehicle, you may be required to catch a shuttle or make your own way to the local operating agent.

Check on any restrictions on where the vehicle can travel or how many kms you are alloted free before a per kms fee kicks in – best to check so that you don’t get any surprises when it comes to signing a contract. The weekend rate may only be for specific categories of cars, so if you have certain criterea like 7 or 8 seats or 4 door not 3 make sure that the special is for something that will suit. Always ask for a upgrades the worst thing they can say is NO.

Special booking rates may require you to select a particular size vehicle and will not allow for any further upgrades. You may also have a time limit that will determine the special and if you go over the maximum time you may need to pay additional fees.

Make sure to fully understand what is required for a weekly rate for that car rental company. Generally, a weekly rental will require a 5 day minimum and usually must include a Saturday night overstay. Also on the rate subject it may also pay to understand the terms and conditions with regard to early returns. It may not be as straight forward as you think.

There are times when you will not be able to find a special discounted rate, don’t dispear find a website that gives you a comparison between the top car rental companies and then look for anywhere on that site that may let you enter a discount code from a club membership or association, even some credit card companies have affiliates, RACQ and NRMA certainly do. Drive safely

Drive safely