Need to rent a fleet for a few days? Or find low-cost trucks for a special
event or promotion? Great deals on wheels are essential for entrepreneurs who
need to rent cars, trucks, SUVs or minivans, so let's take a look at what you
should consider the next time you need to rent a vehicle.
Rental Programs
Putting you in the driver's seat literally, figuratively and financially, the
rental car industry is crammed with innovative and fast ways to service its
business customers. For instance, Hertz offers special site inspection car
rental discounts if you need to check out a convention or meeting location ahead
of time. They'll even print up free flyers to advertise your event. Hertz, like
some others, also offers up to $20 off a weekend rental or an upgrade to certain
bank customers.
Most rental agencies offer frequent travelers business account programs that
can include rental credits and points, fee waivers, monthly billing statements
and free rental days. Hertz gives business account members a 20 percent
discount; Avis offers special corporate rates, vouchers and awards to its
preferred customers; and Alamo's flexible programs give American Express card
members 15 percent off as well as priority service, flex fuel options and a
dedicated airport desk as part of its Business Benefits program.
Enterprise is famous for its low rates, and although most of its locations
are off-airport--a plus if you need a rental for local driving--its shuttle
service makes frequent airport stops. Enterprise's business programs are ideal
for temporary work assignments and corporate relocations, and its website
includes a rental vs. reimbursement calculator for comparing employee company
car costs against rentals.
Don't forget to check out sites like
Orbitz,
Hotwire and
Priceline when
considering a car rental. They often list deep discounts and last-minute
specials from National, Budget, Thrifty and more. The Orbitz Road Warriors
program offers an executive car service and car service alerts in addition to
other business travel tools, including the
www.JoeSentMe.com
microsite that's chock full of advice.
Beyond Cars
For extra delivery duty at your business, you can rent pickups, minivans and
SUVs from most agencies. But if you need a large or commercial truck, check out
the Penske and Ryder deals. With thousands of trucks in more than 1,500
locations, Penske's fleet includes light-, medium- and heavy-duty trucks and
trailers. Both sites help you select the right size for your needs.
Extra Equipment
Do you travel with a brief case full of electronic devices? Many rental agencies
have vehicles with outlets and telematics. Avis rents a hands-free navigation
system for about $10 a day and has free XM radio in premium and luxury cars.
General Motors also equips many Avis rental vehicles with OnStar, which can open
the car door if you lose the keys and respond to emergencies. And if you're
combining business with pleasure and plan to ski, Avis rents ski racks.
Safety Check
Before you reserve a vehicle, you should check its safety record for recalls at
the National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration's Office of Defects Investigation. If you're
renting a tall SUV or van, log on to
www.SaferCar.gov to check
out vehicles' rollover ratings. Roadside assistance is a safety issue, too, so
make sure you ask the rental agency if it's provided.
Before you drive off in your rental, make sure an owner's manual is in the
glove box, the fuel tank registers full and there are no dashboard warning
messages such as "tire pressure low." Ask how many airbags are in the car. Many
vehicles are equipped with several, for front, side, head and chest impacts.
Avis also has swivel seats on some models for easier entrances and exits, as
well as panoramic mirrors for a much larger field of view.
Insurance
Your credit card usually covers rental car insurance and your auto insurance may
also cover you, so it makes little sense to spend the extra money with the
rental agency. If your employees will also be driving the rental, make sure
their names are on the rental agreement, otherwise the contract could be voided.
One final advantage of renting a vehicle is test driving a model you're
considering buying. You'll be able to spend much more time in it than you'll get
at most dealerships.