• Car rentals are a modern day travel convenience.car image by maxuser from Fotolia.com
  
  Car renting is one of the many conveniences of modern travel. The first car rental was in 1916 when Nebrasken Joe Saunders rented out his Model T Ford to a traveling salesmen who needed the car for a date. In 1918, Walter L. Jacobs began with 12 Model T's to start his own rental car business in Chicago. He sold his million dollar-a-year company in 1923 to John Hertz, which later became Hertz Car Rental, the largest car rental agency in the world. Car rental secrets will help you save money.
  
  

Sales People

• The customer service agents at car rental agencies are sales people with quotas to fill. They need to sell a minimum number of add-ons to your car rental agreement to make commissions. If they fail, they can lose out on promotions and pay. Everything from insurance to prepaid gasoline in the rental's gas tank is an option which they are trying to sell to you.
  
  

Insurance Scam

• Car rental companies have four different types of extra insurance they sell to consumers that may be unnecessary. Collision Damage Waiver (CDW), Supplemental Liability Protection (SLP), Personal Accident Insurance (PAI), and Personal Effects Coverage (PEC) are usually redundant because your own credit card, home, or auto insurance is enough protection. These added insurances may cost a customer up to $30 extra a day. Check with your own insurance providers to see if you're covered when renting a vehicle.
  
  

Off-Airport Locations

• Airport car rental locations usually charge more for rentals. Airports may tack on extra fees, and companies pass the fees to customers. So check in advance for price differences at locations beyond the airport.
  
  

Negotiate Upgrades

• Rental companies do not have set upgrade fees, and it is usually up to the salesperson you are dealing with. Also, budget cars are most commonly rented, and like airlines, car rental companies overbook. Saturday afternoons are the best time at vacation places to score a premium car, and the middle of the week is the best time to get a better car at business locations. Always ask and negotiate, and you shall receive.
  
  

Car Inspection

• It is important to inspect the rental car with the salesperson thoroughly. Companies do charge customers with damage, and you don't want to pay for something you did not do.
  
  

Complain

• The squeaky tire does get more attention. If you are not satisfied, complain. Car rental companies want and need your business, and the customer is number one. They want you to return and be loyal to their particular company. Customers who complain can get free rentals and upgrades.