How to Rent a Cheap Car at LAX Airport
There are several ways of ensuring that you find the best possible rate for car rentals in Los Angeles International airport or any location around the country or the world. The methods depend on your preferences but all use the Internet as the main tool. These include shopping for the best price or looking for coupons that will provide a discount. Don't forget to check your auto insurance and credit card policies for supplemental coverage.
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Things You'll Need
- Computer
- Internet Connection
- Major Credit Card
- Valid Driver's License
- Primary Driver 25 Years Old or Older
Instructions
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Finding the Best Rates Online Using Bidding Sites
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Go to one of the large national bidding travel websites and type in your trip information under the "Cars" heading. Because you are renting the car from a major airport, you can bid on rates that would not be available at the average rental center. With so many cars in one place, rental companies often offer specials for airport rentals.
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Elect to bid your own rate for the rental once you have seen the rates offered. Click on the "Name Your Own Price" button and enter the daily rate you would like to pay. Keep in mind that this rate does not include daily taxes or fees and that the total cost will be higher than your bid. Take note of the likelihood of success of your rate as given by the site, which will help you determine whether there is any chance it will be accepted or not. If the bid is not accepted, the site will reject any further bids and you cannot book so don't go too low.
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Pay for the rental with a credit card once your bid has been accepted. If using a major credit card (AMEX, Master Card, Visa), your rental insurance should be covered as long as you decline any further coverage from the rental company when offered. Double-check your card benefits to verify your coverage.
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Pick up the car at LAX on the specified date and time of your reservation knowing that you had a hand in your rate and it is at least a competitive one. Because the bidding system often only uses major companies for its services, you will be assured of a company you know and a location in the airport proper for pick up and drop off.
Finding the Best Rates Online Using Corporate Sites
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Search each individual rental company site one by one for the best rates, then search the Internet for "rental car coupon codes," or "rental car discount codes." You will find a variety of code providers, some legitimate and many who are just trying to sell something. If any surveys or fees involved, pass on the coupon codes (see Resources 2 and 3 for two reliable options).
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Plug in the coupon and discount codes applicable to your rental request and see what happens. At times you will be given discounts off the rate, upgraded car categories or the like. At other times you will have nothing to show for the effort, but rates directly from the company sometimes do beat the mass marketing travel sites so it is worth a look anyway.
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After securing the best rate, book the car and follow through with the reservation as you normally would.
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Tips & Warnings
Return your car with as much gas as it had when you rented it or else suffer a penalty fee plus refueling costs at well above the standard rate per gallon.
Thoroughly inspect the interior and exterior of your car for damages and record them with the rental company no matter how minor they may be. If not expect to pay for them upon your return.
Renting at lesser-known independent companies will often result in lower rates if not the best location within the terminal. To do so, either search for them via the web, or wait until you arrive in the airport and see what they have to offer. Remember, rental car reservations are not secured and so cancellations are penalty-free.
Do not assume your credit card provides insurance without checking your individual cardholder benefits list.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Jacobs Stock Photography/BananaStock/Getty Images
