Tip of the week: How to save on a car rental

Do a price check. Car-rental companies have been known to tack on surcharges without specifically informing customers. Late fees, early-return fees, and fees to change a reservation are just a few examples of the mysterious payments that can get added onto a bill. Double-check every item before handing over the keys.

Know where to book. Avoid booking directly with rental-car companies. Instead, opt for travel sites such as Travelocity.com or a service like Hotwire.com. Though Hotwire doesn’t reveal the rental company’s identity until you’ve committed, it provides a total price with fees and taxes included.

Talk to an insurance agent. The “biggest car-rental ‘gotcha’ is its highly profitable insurance.” You can avoid many fees by asking if your own auto policy has primary coverage for car rentals and opting for that instead.

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Source: National Geographic Traveler