Comparing Car Rental Companies
Car rental companies are doing brisk business across the United States and around the world. Consumers have never had so many options. This article will compare the various features and services offered by car rental companies and in no way endorses one rental company over another. This information is to aid the consumer in understanding the virtues of car rental companies and in finding a rental company that meets their travel needs. Some of the most well-known U.S. car rental companies include Hertz, Avis, Budget, and Enterprise. The computer age has also brought about travel websites for companies like Orbitz and Travelocity which contract with car rental companies that advertise on their sites. The benefit to the consumer is convenience of making hotel, flight, train, or cruise reservations and rental reservations at the same time and at a discounted rate. Online travel sites and rental companies also offer specials on last-minute reservations or cancellations and notify members via email of various specials.
Advantages of National Car Rental Companies
National car rental chains have many advantages over privately owned, “mom-and-pop” shops. They offer a wider selection of vehicles. Car rental companies in hotspots like Miami Beach, Florida and Los Angeles, California even specialize in sports car, Jeep and Hummer rentals. Rental cars have available features such as navigation systems and satellite radio. Besides making themselves accessible online, car rental companies also offer convenient on-site rental at many airports. Others offer shuttle service from airports to nearby rental offices.
Besides having a better selection of vehicles and being accessible online, national car rental companies also offer incentives. The rental car industry is highly competitive, so companies must offer incentives to attract consumers. Incentives include: allowing online car rental reservations to be made in tandem with hotel, flight and other travel arrangements at a discounted rate, notifying repeat customers or members of specials in advance and giving coupons to repeat customers for subsequent rentals. Many car rental companies also offer discount reservations made well in advance of the date of travel, weekend rates of up to 50% off, and group discounts.
Most of the national car rental companies offer similar incentives so one is not necessarily better than another. All attempt to make car rental convenient for the consumer. All offer insurance and roadside assistance. The largest also offer memberships and give members advantages such as discounted rates and advance notification of specials. The larger chains also offer discounts to state and government employees, large corporations and associations, and military personnel.
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