Tip of the week: How to save on rental cars

Don’t rent at the airport. “Airport locations are often required by law to add local and state surcharges.” Those located in cities or suburbs often don’t. Sometimes, the difference in price can be as much as 45 percent.

Go online. Sites like Kayak.com and Sidestep.com let you compare prices from several car-rental companies at once. At others, such as Hotwire.com and Priceline.com, “you pay upfront without knowing the specific hotel or car-rental agency you’re booking with.” If you can put up with the uncertainty, the savings can be considerable.

Avoid hidden fees. “Car rental companies often impose various fees after an accident—for administrative services, towing, and storage. Find out if your own insurance would cover these fees. If not, “find out if you can add a rider to your policy for protection.”

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Source: Travel + Leisure