Whether it's a family road trip, a group adventure, or just a comfortable shuttle for a special event, a minivan rental is perfect. But with rates changing from day to day and fees seeming to pile up in the blink of an eye, costs can really add up. Here is a practical guide to help you save money on minivan rentals without sacrificing comfort or convenience. We'll cover everything from the proper timing of bookings to using discounts and off-peak travel periods.
1. Book in Advance to get Better Prices
Like airfares and accommodation, the earlier you book a minivan, the lesser will be your rental cost. A vast number of rental companies will quote better prices to early birds, as people booking their cars at the last moment would have fewer choices in inventory. Thus, during the peak travel dates and fewer options in supply, they tend to raise prices. Here is how one should avail of bookings
Use Comparison Websites: Websites like Kayak, Expedia, and Hotwire give you a comprehensive view of prices across different providers.
Use Price Alerts: You can set up notifications for changes in rental rates on most travel platforms. This may be the most successful technique to get an idea of when the prices will drop and then catch the best deal as it arises.
Check for Free Cancellations: Some companies offer flexible bookings with free cancellations up to a specific date. So, book early and cancel if a better rate appears closer to your travel date.
2. Off-Peak Travel Times
Traveling off-peak not only saves on flights and accommodations but can also keep minivan rental costs low. Summer and significant holiday weekends tend to be the busiest and also the most expensive, especially for larger vehicles such as minivans. Here is how you can take advantage of traveling off-peak.
Avoid Peak Vacation Seasons: If you have any flexibility in your plans, avoid traveling at those peak times, like spring break and summer, and also during holidays at the tail end of the year.
Book Mid-Week Pick-Ups and Drop-Offs: Weekends are usually peak rental days. If possible, rent your vehicle on a Tuesday or Wednesday when rates are typically lower.
Ask for Off-Peak Travel Discounts: Most companies provide special deals during less busy travel times. Check their websites or even call to inquire about off-peak discounts.
3. Use Membership Discount and Partner Programs
One reason you will want to rent a car is if there are discounts through organizations, clubs or travel agencies that you belong to. The good news here is that almost every major car rental company now offers discounts through these affiliates. Some examples include:
AAA and AARP Members: These memberships offer special discount agreements with Hertz, Budget and Avis and then pass savings on to its members in the form of discounts on daily rates.
Credit Card Benefits: Some credit cards offer rental discounts, loyalty points, and even insurance perks that might make you save money and augment the value you receive.
Corporate or Group Discounts: If you belong to an enormous organization, always verify whether there are corporate discounts with the rental companies. Even when you're renting for your purposes, sometimes those partnerships will bring you the most economical minivan rentals.
4. Use Coupon Codes and Promo Offers
Coupon codes can save you a good deal of money when renting a minivan. Look online for discounts or promotions from your preferred agency. Here are the places to look for them,
Deal Sites: You can look at RetailMeNot or Groupon, among others, similar to these sites, for promo codes on rental companies.
Subscribe to Newsletters: Certain car rental companies send out their subscribers on the subscriber's list, special deals so subscribe to their newsletters and get rewards.
Utilize Loyalty Programs: Be a member of a car rental company's loyalty program. Some businesses offer loyalty programs for loyal customers whereby discounts and promotions are found. Enterprise and National provide discounts and upgrades to its faithful members.
5. Rent for the Right Length of Time
The length of your rental can affect your fees considerably. Generally speaking, a weekly rate is cheaper than the daily rate; therefore, if you are renting the property for more than several days, you should ask for their rates for weekly rentals. You can also avail yourself of some of these tactics:
Avoid Extra Days in Rentals: Make your rentals by your travel dates; avoid picking up before you need the vehicle or leaving later than you have to so that you can save on the fees.
Find a Company with Flexible Return Policies: Some companies offer grace periods for returns, so if you are running late, this can prevent fees from piling up.
Package Deals for Longer Rentals: If you're going to rent more than one car or rent multiple times in a single rental period, some companies may offer a package discount.
6. Rentals from Off-Airport Locations
Rental from an airport location can be very convenient, but often, it is expensive, and you will have extra fees and taxes. Save yourself this money if possible, and rent from a location near but not at the airport:
Compare Airport VS Off-Airport Rates: Compare prices for both the airport and non-airport locations before booking. The savings may be worth the few minutes you have to shuttle or ride there.
Combined with Public Transit: In many cities, it can be much cheaper to rent a minivan from a city-center or suburban location, especially if public transportation can get you there.
7. Review Insurance Options Carefully
Insurance is typically available from the car rental agency for an additional fee, and that cost may comprise a good portion of your total rental costs. You should want to have it, but if you already have automobile insurance, you might already have it. Let's sort this out.
Check your Automobile Insurance: many personal policies include rental vehicle coverage. If you don't need extra coverage from the rental company, read on.
Credit Card Rental Insurance: Some credit cards give rental coverage as an incentive. Check with your issuing bank to see what their policy is because you may not need to buy additional rental insurance.
Third-Party Rental Insurance: If you want to have a little more coverage, purchase this third-party, usually cheaper than the rental agency will offer.
8. Avoid Extra Charges and Unnecessary Add-Ons
Companies in renting sometimes offer attractive add-ons such as GPS, a car seat, and satellite radio. They are convenient, if so, but come with a reasonable daily fee. Here are a few ways to avoid add-on charges:
Bring Equipment: If you need the GPS, bring your cell phone and use a mount for your car, or bring your device to use; for families, bring on your car seats to eliminate renting them.
Fuel Plans: Pre-paying for fuel is a charming idea, but broadly speaking, if you are confident about returning the car empty, then it is cheaper to fill it up yourself.
Additional Upgrades: The car rental company will try to offer you an upgrade at a "discounted" rate. Avoid all these extra charges, keep to the size that you really need and have control of the costs.
9. Monitor Price Drops
You can find rental prices to change with the demand. So, while booking in advance, you might get a favorable price, but it then drops. This is how to track and enjoy the price changes:
Price Tracking Tool: Websites like Autoslash and Turo allow putting the rental details to alert when you can acquire a better price.
Rebook If Necessary: Some firms allow you to change or cancel your reservation without additional fees, so if prices drop significantly, cancel and rebook at a lower rate.
10. Don't Overlook Smaller Rental Companies
The big rental companies dominate much of the market, but often, regional smaller ones undercut them. Here are why smaller suppliers might be a good option:
Lower Everyday Rates: Regional or local firms may have a lower daily rate than national chains.
More Pliable Policies: Some of the smaller providers have more flexible terms and conditions for things such as unlimited mileage and better cancellation policies.
Personalized Service: Smaller companies are likely to have less bureaucratic processes, which means they may be more willing to accept special requests.
Conclusion
It is these tips implemented that will get you saving money on the minivan rental for your next trip. From booking your minivan early in the year, traveling during off-peak seasons, and comparing locations to opt for the best one-all, these little decisions count. Advance planning comes first, but use the tools at your disposal to book your minivan at the cheapest price for your trip-membership discounts, promo codes, and a price tracker.
