Car Rentals

WHERE I BOOK CAR RENTALS

If you’re planning a scenic drive, visiting small towns, or trying to fit several places into one trip, a rental car gives you much more freedom.

DiscoverCars has rental options in more than 160 countries, so it’s a good place to look whether you’re planning a road trip close to home or abroad. It also shows customer ratings for the rental companies, which helps me feel more confident about who I’m booking with.

→ COMPARE CAR RENTALS

WHEN COMPARING CAR RENTALS

Before choosing a car, I check the pickup location, total price, mileage allowance, fuel policy, cancellation terms, and included coverage. I also look closely at the rental company’s reviews. The cheapest result isn’t always the one I’d book.

WHEN PICKING UP YOUR CAR RENTAL 

I always turn down the extra insurance at the rental desk because I pay with a credit card that covers my rental car. Check your own card’s coverage before you travel—it could save you hundreds at the desk and a lot more if something happens to the car.

One more thing: never leave the lot without taking photos and a video of the entire car, inside and out. A rental company once tried to charge us for damage we didn’t cause. Thankfully, we had proof. It’s only happened once in all our years of traveling, but it pays to be prepared.