Is your long-awaited vacation around the corner? One of the things you are going to be concerned with is your transportation. And when it comes to transportation options, one of the best ways is to hire a private car service. You will arrive with your luggage at the airport and not have to worry about renting a taxi. Waiting for you will be a chauffeur-driven car to take you to your vacation spot.
Another advantage of a private car service is that they take the stress out of moving in a foreign country. With a private chauffeur, you can sit back and enjoy your ride as you are being driven around.
However, for you to enjoy your ride and have a hassle-free travel experience, you will need to identify common car hire pitfalls and avoid them. Below are the most common mistakes to avoid when renting a private car.
Not shopping around
One common mistake that many customers make when hiring a private car service is not to take the time and shop around. Rental car rates vary a lot from one company and location to the other. Therefore, you might realize that the rates fluctuate all over. The only way you are going to know of these differences is when you look at several providers. Although opting for an executive car will cost more compared to an ordinary car, it gives you a much better travel experience.
At Lavish Ride, we understand that vacations don’t come often. Some take even up to one year or more to plan. Therefore, we ensure we make your vacation incredibly special. We have luxurious cars with the latest features to give you a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Failing to look into pricing plans
One trick with scoring cheap car rental rates is to choose longer plans. You could find that choosing a 7-day plan is much cheaper compared to paying the per-day rates.
For instance, you might find that you are being charged $52 per day for renting a car. However, it could be possible that a weekly contract costs you $25 per day. Therefore, a 5-day car rental could be cheaper than a 3-day contract.
Figure out for how long you are going to need a car and workout the proffered rates to determine which one gives you the best value for the money.
Renting a car that’s too small
When you are traveling as a family, one of the worst possible mistakes you can make is to try to secure a low-priced car at the expense of the entourage. Chances are that you will be staying in the car for extended periods. If you don’t choose the right size of the car, you might find that your kid lacks enough space or that little children require to be squeezed with their luggage in a limited space.
Therefore, when hiring a private car for a family road trip, the minimum you are going to need is an intermediate-sized car. At Lavish Ride, we offer a vast array of SUV options as well as passenger vans with sufficient back seat accommodation to cater for day packs and child seats. This is even a better solution for those looking to get family car rentals. Whenever you are unsure, it’s always advisable to opt for a bigger vehicle.
Overpaying for fuel
Another area that inexperienced car renters get fleeced by greedy car rental companies is on fuel charges. It’s advisable to ensure that your gas tank is full at the start and also when you return the car. When returning the vehicle at a departure airport, you might find that it’s impossible to locate a gas station. But failing to return the car on a full gas tank can lead to a refueling gouge. It’s also advisable to keep a receipt as it might be needed as proof that you filled up.
You can normally purchase a full tank at the time of starting, but keep in mind that whatever will be left is donated to the car company. Besides, some car rental firms charge a uniform fee for short-term rentals that only involve driving for a few miles. This rate is still substantially lower compared to what you would be charged if you were to pay for the gas consumed.
Renting a vehicle at the airport
As a traveler, one of the biggest mistakes you can make is to organize a car rental when you are at the airport. While you cannot deny the convenience that this brings, hiring a private car at the airport is more expensive than when you get it outside the airport. There are a few reasons for this:
Many car rentals that are located within airports might charge as much as 30% in taxes compared to other companies that levy as little as half of this.
Another thing is that it costs much more to run a car rental business within the precincts of an airport. The rental car companies typically pass this cost to their customers. It explains why souvenirs, food, and other items cost more at airports. Before deciding to hire an airport-based private car service, look at the nearby car rental companies, and see if they charge significantly lower.
Allowing unlisted people to drive the car
When you opt for a self-drive car as opposed to hiring a private chauffeur, you have to stick to the rules. If you do that and an accident happens, you will be inviting the rental company to seek damages first from your insurance company. When that happens, your insurer will most likely deny the claim, and then you will be sued for damages by your insurer since the contract was strictly in your name.
Conclusion
Hiring a private car service is no doubt that one of the fun parts of your vacation experience. However, most people make some simple mistakes that end up costing them. By being vigilant and avoiding the above mistakes, you can not only save money but also ensure that you have a much more enjoyable travel experience.
At Lavish Ride, we understand the details that go into planning a great vacation. That’s why we commit to giving our customers the best travel experience ever. With state-of-art cars and highly trained private chauffeurs, we guarantee to make your experience as memorable as possible. To find out more about us and how you can book a car today, just go to lavishride.com.
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