PerkStreet Financial

This is the first post in an ongoing series about saving money while travelling.

You’ve spent the last several hours on a cramped plane, you’re tired, and the last thing you want to deal with is more bureaucratic hassle. Yet what do we so often end up doing? Sitting in a long rental car line, waiting for a shuttle bus, and dealing with things like collision damage waivers. Not exactly the most pleasant way to start your vacation. Fortunately, if you’re on a multi-day trip, there may be a way to save yourself money while making things a lot more convenient. It won’t work for every trip, but the next time you’re planning a getaway, it’s worth considering another option.

Most of the main car rental companies have more than one office in each city. If you’ve ever taken the time to check them out, you might have noticed that in almost all cases, the one at the airport is the most expensive by leaps and bounds. This makes sense: the airport is where demand is highest, which leads to long lines and higher costs. Most cities also tack on high airport taxes and fees, driving the rates up even more. For a typical one week rental, the branch in the terminal can be as much as three times as expensive as an off-airport location.

Here’s another thing that many off-airport rental car branches locations offer: free pick-up and drop-off. They won’t pick you up at the airport, but they will go to most hotels. And many hotels in places where public transit isn’t as well developed have free airport shuttles. See where I’m going with this? When you get off the plane, skip the car rental entirely and just head to the hotel on the shuttle. Even if you have to take a cab, it may still be worth it. Drop off your stuff, take a shower, relax, do whatever it is you want to do to start your trip. Call the rental car company and tell them you want to be picked up for your rental. Now you get the benefit of the cheaper rates and you’re not dealing with another line at the airport. Depending on your flight times, this strategy may even help you save two days on your car rental time. If you get in late at night and are only using the car to get to the hotel, you’re paying a whole extra day. Ditto if you’re leaving early in the morning. Plus, returning the car while also trying to catch a flight is yet another hassle that this option lets you skip. You’ve already dropped off the car before you get to the airport, which means a much smoother departure.

Will this trick always work? Of course not. But I’ve used it before and saved hundreds of dollars while enjoying a far more pleasant experience. Plane travel is stressful enough already. Don’t let the rental car make the beginning and end of your trip even more unpleasant.

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