If you’re renting a car, you likely have some questions: Am I getting a good deal? Should I prepay when I make the reservation? Is it safe to connect to the car’s Bluetooth? We have answers so you can save money and protect your personal information.
Paying for your rental
A Consumer Reports survey found the average rental car cost was about $86 per day. That adds up to roughly $600 a week. As far as rental companies go, the survey found:
- National was the only car rental agency rated highest for overall satisfaction and the cheapest, at $73 a day on average. Members praised the company for its customer service, vehicle condition, and price transparency.
- Enterprise ranked second.
- Alamo ranked third.
Consumer Reports members were disappointed with Dollar, Fox, and Thrifty’s experiences.
Dollar was poorly rated on customer service and the ease of picking up the rental car. Thrifty didn’t live up to its name, coming in at an average of $91 per day, the most expensive.
Half of those surveyed make reservations directly through the company’s website, with about three out of four saying they used a discount to get a better deal, such as those offered by AAA or AARP. Another 15% booked through a warehouse club travel portal, like Costco or Sam’s Club.
“Once you find a car that fits your budget, make the reservation. But don’t pay in full in advance,” said Consumer Reports Investigative Reporter Lisa Gill.
She suggests you use a site like Autoslash.com or Kayak to track your reservation and alert you if a lower price becomes available.
Also, know that most rental companies place a hold, or a block, on your debit or credit card to ensure enough money or credit is available to cover your final bill. They won’t charge you any extra if you return the car as promised in your rental contract. But, if you’re near your credit limit or have a low balance in your bank account when a block is placed, your card could be declined for additional purchases.
Consumer Reports says there are sneaky fees you want to avoid as well when renting a car, including prepaid fuel. Consumer Reports says you will almost always pay a premium. Instead, allow extra time when returning the car and fill up at a nearby gas station. Also, before opting for additional insurance, check with your personal auto insurance or credit card because you may already be covered.
Pairing your phone with your rental
While Bluetooth, Android Auto, and Apple Car Play may be helpful tech during your rental car travels, security experts say you should check the permissions on your phone, and only give the car necessary access.
And make sure to unpair your phone and delete any data and addresses you may have saved before returning the car. Here’s how you do it:
- Access Bluetooth settings on the vehicle’s touchscreen display
- Go to “connected phones” and select your device
- Select the “remove” or “delete” button
Features may differ depending on the car, but the basic steps should be similar.
The FTC says, if you are just plugging into the rental car to charge your phone, it’s safer to use a cigarette lighter adapter, instead of the car’s USB port. Why? In some cases, the USB connection may transfer data automatically.