When you are looking for a rental vehicle in Australia, there is no doubt that you both want and deserve the best pricing possible. But how do you go about getting car rental discounts, and how do you know when a low price is actually a low price and when there are a number of hidden charges and fees that will be tacked onto the final price? In this guide, we will help you learn to get the best car rental discounts available, no matter what your vehicle needs may be.
Looking for Up-Front Discounts
One thing that you want to look for when seeking affordable rental cars is up front discounts. You will find that it is certainly possible to get great rates by choosing a company that will discount based on your age, driving record, associations, or even profession. Search through multiple rental agencies if needed until you find a company that will provide you with the most discounts possible. For many, it is possible to save based on a number of different qualifications, helping you to get a quality rental car for only a fraction of the price that the company would charge most people.
Look for Rewards as Well
Another thing to consider when you are seeking car rental discounts is rewards. This is especially true if you are travelling to Australia from out of country or if you travel frequently. Many rental car agencies in Australia will offer Qantas frequent flier miles for renting through their agency, and to make this even better, some countries will offer double or even triple Qantas frequent flyer points. This can help you earn free travel in the future and is certainly worth considering if the price on the vehicle is right.
Look for Other Savings and Discounts as Well
While explicit discounts are always a great thing to find, there are other ways to save on your rental car as well. For example, choosing a rental contract that offers unlimited miles or that includes more miles than you need can help you save considerably in the event that you end up driving more than you intended. Going over your contract miles can be very expensive, but many agencies offer additional plans that can help you save money in the event that this happens to you.
It can also help to look for a contract that offers coverage you may need. Full coverage insurance on the vehicle is always something worth looking into, no matter how perfect your driving record may be. All it takes is a second of lost concentration to get into an accident, and you never know when an act of nature or another driver can cause a chain of events that leads to vehicle damage. Your contract can also help you save if it covers any repairs or services that become necessary, including towing and tire changing. While these coverage options are rarely used, paying for them can be a lifesaver if something occurs.
The Bottom Line
The bottom line is that the best way to get car rental discounts is to shop around. Read the fine print in any contract before signing, and make sure that you are getting the vehicle, mileage amount, coverage, and price that will best meet your needs. Take the time to look at the various types of discounts offered by different companies and calculate what your total will be with all discounts and the amount of driving you will need to do. Consider where you will need to pick up and drop off the vehicle as well, which can help ensure that the expense of getting back to the airport does not override your potential savings.