Car Rental Company Picking Rent Brings Onsite Offer

People who rent cars in the United States have many "options," or choices. They can rent the car "onsite" (where the rental car company has an office) or "offsite" (away from a rental car office, so that the company brings the car to another location). Onsite car rentals are "cheaper" (less expensive), but offsite car rentals are more "convenient" (easy and simple, because one doesn't have to do anything special), because the company brings the car to wherever it is needed. Onsite care rentals are usually cheapest at airports, where rental car companies offer the greatest "selection" (the number and variety of cars that are available).

When "shopping around" (looking for the lowest price) for a rental car, be aware that the companies don't provide the "full" (total or entire) cost of renting the car. There are usually many "fees" (additional costs) and "taxes" (a percentage of the price that must be paid to the government) that are not included in the "quoted price" (the amount that a company says something will cost before the purchase). When making a reservation, ask what the rental fee would be with taxes and fees to get a more accurate total.

Rental car companies always offer car insurance, which is a good idea in case the driver gets into an accident. However, be aware that many credit cards "automatically" (happening without one having to do anything special) provide insurance for cars rented with their cards.

It is important to return the rental car "on time" (not late), because if it is returned late, the rental car company might charge the customer for an extra day. Ask if the rental car company has a "grace period," a short period of time when you can return the car late, but still pay no extra charges. Also, the car needs to be returned with a full gas tank. If not, the company may charge the customer an "exorbitant" (extremely expensive) amount of money to fill the tank.