In your company, are you responsible for booking venues, facilities, restaurants and organizing transportation for meetings and events?
| Making Your Way Around Houston |
So if you’re looking to minimize the stress and maximize the elegance on your trip to and from the airport, consider how nice a limousine would make that ride.
understanding rental car pricing
Comparing advertised rates for rental cars may not give you an accurate picture of what you will pay. Even if you’ve rented cars before, it’s possible to get confused while talking to the rental agent who brings up this fee and that and quotes overages and potential surcharges, so it can be difficult to know exactly what goes into what you actually will pay. Some fees may be quoted when you make the reservation, but others may not be clear until you pick up the car. Always ask about anything you are expected to pay, and look out for extra options because they usually incur additional charges. Also read the contract carefully and look for fees triggered by specific events, such as accidents. To help you through the process, take a look at some of the fees and charges that may factor into your final price.
Taxes and Administration Fees. The rental company must add on applicable state, city or county taxes and sometimes their own sales-tax rates to the price of your rental. Companies also may tack on a number of incidental fees you may not notice unless you look carefully at the contract. These can include things like a standard vehicle-licensing or energy-recovery fee.
Airport Surcharges. If you rent a car from an airport, prices can increase considerably with general airport pickup and drop-off surcharges that may apply even if the company shuttles you to an off-site lot. Renting from a suburban location can eliminate some of the cost.
Insurance Coverage Options. Rental agencies often urge drivers to spend additional money per day on extra insurance coverage. Before agreeing, review your own auto insurance policy because you’re probably covered already. If you’re traveling on business, you also may be covered under your employer’s insurance. In addition, some credit card companies and motor clubs provide members with free rental protection. The one insurance exception is “loss of use” coverage, which covers for any time the rental company needs to use to keep the car in disuse for repairs should you have an accident. On the other hand, if you do not have insurance, carefully select the rental company’s components that suit you best.
Other Driver Fees. Some companies charge a fee to add another driver, even a spouse, to the contract. In addition, although the law states that drivers 21 and older can rent a car, many companies institute additional fees or higher rates for drivers under 25 and even the elderly.
Equipment Rental Fees. If you want extra items in the rental car (e.g., navigation system, child safety seat) you need to reserve these items in advance and definitely pay a fee.
Roadside Assistance Fees. Ask if roadside assistance is included in the rental price or if the company will charge a fee. If they do charge, find out what it covers (e.g., flat tire, getting locked out), but if you’re a member of a motor club, you generally don’t need this.
Out-of-State Charges. Before you head out, ask about restrictions or charges that apply if you drive out of the state or geographical area in which you rented the car. Some rental car companies’ “unlimited mileage” rates don’t include travel to certain states, and you can experience an unexpectedly high bill unless you know of the restrictions ahead of time.
Mileage Fees. Most companies now offer unlimited miles, but daily mileage caps or a set number of included miles (followed by a per-mile charge) may apply for certain types of vehicles (e.g., SUVs, high-performance vehicles), and geographical restrictions also may come into play. Calculate the approximate number of miles you likely will drive and where you plan to go so you can find the terms that work for you.
Drop-Off Fees. If you are only driving one way and need to drop your car off at a location other than where you picked it up, there may be a steep additional fee.
Fuel Charges. Ask about the company’s gas fill-up policy. Some companies present the option of prepaying for gasoline. Don’t. It’s rarely a good deal as there is usually no refund for unused fuel. With most rentals, just fill the tank back up before returning the car or you will pay much more than the market price to fill it.
Early/Late Return Fees. When your trip is over and you are ready to return the car, bring it back within the allocated timeframe. Rental companies often include fees and charges should your return time differ greatly. Most companies have short grace periods (generally 30 minutes to an hour) that allow no-penalty early or late returns; however, you still may have to pay a full day’s charge for any optional items, such as GPS navigation, or even an extra day’s rental charge perhaps at a higher rate. Late fees are assessed once a car has been out beyond the allotted grace period, and usually they charge hourly and then for a full day. If you’re running more than a half hour late, call the company and see if it’s cheaper to pay late charges or extend the rental. Note that some companies also may charge a fee if you return the car more than 24 hours before your reservation is scheduled to be over.
understanding rental car pricing
Comparing advertised rates for rental cars may not give you an accurate picture of what you will pay. Even if you’ve rented cars before, it’s possible to get confused while talking to the rental agent who brings up this fee and that and quotes overages and potential surcharges, so it can be difficult to know exactly what goes into what you actually will pay. Some fees may be quoted when you make the reservation, but others may not be clear until you pick up the car. Always ask about anything you are expected to pay, and look out for extra options because they usually incur additional charges. Also read the contract carefully and look for fees triggered by specific events, such as accidents. To help you through the process, take a look at some of the fees and charges that may factor into your final price.
Taxes and Administration Fees. The rental company must add on applicable state, city or county taxes and sometimes their own sales-tax rates to the price of your rental. Companies also may tack on a number of incidental fees you may not notice unless you look carefully at the contract. These can include things like a standard vehicle-licensing or energy-recovery fee.
Airport Surcharges. If you rent a car from an airport, prices can increase considerably with general airport pickup and drop-off surcharges that may apply even if the company shuttles you to an off-site lot. Renting from a suburban location can eliminate some of the cost.
Insurance Coverage Options. Rental agencies often urge drivers to spend additional money per day on extra insurance coverage. Before agreeing, review your own auto insurance policy because you’re probably covered already. If you’re traveling on business, you also may be covered under your employer’s insurance. In addition, some credit card companies and motor clubs provide members with free rental protection. The one insurance exception is “loss of use” coverage, which covers for any time the rental company needs to use to keep the car in disuse for repairs should you have an accident. On the other hand, if you do not have insurance, carefully select the rental company’s components that suit you best.
Other Driver Fees. Some companies charge a fee to add another driver, even a spouse, to the contract. In addition, although the law states that drivers 21 and older can rent a car, many companies institute additional fees or higher rates for drivers under 25 and even the elderly.
Equipment Rental Fees. If you want extra items in the rental car (e.g., navigation system, child safety seat) you need to reserve these items in advance and definitely pay a fee.
Roadside Assistance Fees. Ask if roadside assistance is included in the rental price or if the company will charge a fee. If they do charge, find out what it covers (e.g., flat tire, getting locked out), but if you’re a member of a motor club, you generally don’t need this.
Out-of-State Charges. Before you head out, ask about restrictions or charges that apply if you drive out of the state or geographical area in which you rented the car. Some rental car companies’ “unlimited mileage” rates don’t include travel to certain states, and you can experience an unexpectedly high bill unless you know of the restrictions ahead of time.
Mileage Fees. Most companies now offer unlimited miles, but daily mileage caps or a set number of included miles (followed by a per-mile charge) may apply for certain types of vehicles (e.g., SUVs, high-performance vehicles), and geographical restrictions also may come into play. Calculate the approximate number of miles you likely will drive and where you plan to go so you can find the terms that work for you.
Drop-Off Fees. If you are only driving one way and need to drop your car off at a location other than where you picked it up, there may be a steep additional fee.
Fuel Charges. Ask about the company’s gas fill-up policy. Some companies present the option of prepaying for gasoline. Don’t. It’s rarely a good deal as there is usually no refund for unused fuel. With most rentals, just fill the tank back up before returning the car or you will pay much more than the market price to fill it.
Early/Late Return Fees. When your trip is over and you are ready to return the car, bring it back within the allocated timeframe. Rental companies often include fees and charges should your return time differ greatly. Most companies have short grace periods (generally 30 minutes to an hour) that allow no-penalty early or late returns; however, you still may have to pay a full day’s charge for any optional items, such as GPS navigation, or even an extra day’s rental charge perhaps at a higher rate. Late fees are assessed once a car has been out beyond the allotted grace period, and usually they charge hourly and then for a full day. If you’re running more than a half hour late, call the company and see if it’s cheaper to pay late charges or extend the rental. Note that some companies also may charge a fee if you return the car more than 24 hours before your reservation is scheduled to be over.
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