Last Updated on December 9, 2022 by Chris
It’s always good to be nice to people who hold power in the service industry. The restaurant hostess can give you a table next to the window or the washrooms. A hotel front desk clerk can assign you a room overlooking the lake or a lackluster parking lot. Similarly, the agent at the rental car counter has the power to stick you in the crappiest, oldest car in the farthest end of the lot or send you on your way in a nice set of wheels.
A former rental car agent shares his tips on how to land a better rental car by avoiding these seven deadly sins.
7 Deadly Sins Keeping You From Getting a Better Rental Car
1. You don’t have your driver’s license and credit card ready.
The very first thing the computer will prompt the agent to request is your address and driver’s license information, followed by your credit card info. Nothing can happen until the agent has both items, and asking why they are required and then wasting time digging around in your bag looking for them is a sure way to annoy the counter agent and everyone in line behind you.
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Instead, be prepared. Arrive at the counter with your driver’s license and credit card already out. Or better yet, sign up for the company’s frequent renter loyalty program, which will store all your information so the agent will already have access to it.
2. You say upfront that you don’t want insurance.
Rental agents make their living on commissions. At least let an agent try to sell you something, since a goose egg hurts his performance numbers and take-home pay. Now, don’t get us wrong—we recommend that you decline every extra item that you don’t need. But at least understand how it works.
Instead, even if you’re dead-set against add-ons, wait for the agent to ask, and then just politely say, “No, thanks, I appreciate the offer, but I’m good.” He may try again, but he’ll respect your decision and not be annoyed.
3. You ask for a “free upgrade.”
Asking for free stuff will encourage the agent to make sure you get exactly what you booked. Why? First, she may be annoyed at your cheekiness to outright ask for something for free. Would you ask your waitress to upgrade to the larger beverage for free?
Second, you’ve tipped your hand. Now the agent knows you’re interested in something bigger, which gives her an upper hand in negotiating with you. Understand that she can earn a commission by getting another customer to pay for an upgrade, so she’s not going to give it away for free just because you asked.
Instead, use legitimate ways to improve your chances of scoring an upgrade. The most surefire is to show up when the agent has sold out of your car class. That means she will automatically give you the next size up that is available—though she may not admit that to you.
You can also try negotiating. Suggest that you’ll buy an add-on that you actually need, such as liability coverage, if she is able to upgrade you to a nicer car. That turns the situation into a win-win for both of you.
Finally, the best strategy of all may be to simply be nice. Let the agent knows that you’d really enjoy a nicer car but let her think you’re on a tight budget. Ask how much extra it would cost to upgrade. She might be happy to let you into something nice for $5 or $10 a day extra.
4. You are super picky about the make and model of your car.
If all that is available in your reserved class is a Hyundai Sonata, don’t pitch a fit and demand an American car. We’re all for supporting local, and the agent knows that a Toyota may be more likely made in America than some American makes that are assembled in Canada or Mexico. But he won’t want to argue with you about it.
Also, rental companies aim to provide functional transportation, not cater to high-maintenance people. If you’re nice and the agent has a selection available, he may be willing to let you pick, but if you’re very pushy, he’ll be sure to make sure you get exactly what you don’t want. Remember, he has the power here.
Instead, be creative, like the guy who got assigned a Suzuki SUV and then confessed that he’d be shot if he showed up at his union convention in a foreign car. The agent laughed and found him a Jeep. Be human and make the agent a friend and he’ll take care of you.
5. You joke about violating the rental agreement.
Most agents actually like their jobs and care about protecting the company’s assets. If you’re going to hint that you won’t take care of the car, you just may land the junkiest car on the lot—or no car at all.
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6. You bring up the Seinfeld rental car clip.
It was funny the first 99 times we all saw it. Agents might even still chuckle at the truth in the clip but know that you’ll be the 10,000th customer to mention it.
7. You get mad at the agent for the taxes and fees.
Your agent would probably agree that the Vehicle Licensing Fee and Energy Recovery Fee are part of the cost of doing business and should be built into the rate. But she has zero control over that 10% fee going to the county or the 11.1% going to the airport authority. Yelling at her isn’t going to make those costs go away. She has no power to change this situation.
The truth is that most rental car agents enjoy their jobs and their customers. Just always remember that there is a human behind the counter and that you always catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.
Related:
- How to Avoid Landing on a Rental Car Do Not Rent List
- Why Do Car Rental Companies do Credit Checks?
The post 7 Things You’re Doing That Annoy Rental Car Counter Agents appeared first on AutoSlash.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it possible to drive a car rental between European countries?
Hertz is a great place to rent if you plan on driving around Europe. It is cheaper than hiring an individual driver. They offer great coverage.
They offer unlimited mileage, so if you require a car to take you on a longer trip, you can rent more cars.
How can I rent a car in a different country?
It is possible to do this by using an international rental agent such as Hertz, Avis and Europcar. These agencies have offices throughout Europe and can offer short-term rentals as well as long-term leases.
They are available to assist customers 24 hours a days, 7 days per week.
Their rental service is open to all levels of experience. They can arrange insurance and breakdown cover. All you need to know about where to go, and when to expect to arrive is
Where is the most convenient place to rent car?
The most common places to rent cars are airports, rental agencies, hotels, etc.
Use online travel sites such Expedia and Priceline to find the closest airport location.
You may also want to consider local rental companies if they have locations close to where you live. These are often more affordable and simpler than booking directly with an airline.
Consider public transportation if you are renting a car less than two weeks. You could take advantage of city-wide bus passes, which allow unlimited rides within a certain area.
Renting a convertible is possible if you travel with children. They offer greater protection for children, which is why some people prefer them.
How much is a rental car per day in Europe?
We are not certain, but believe it is somewhere between $100 to $200 daily.
We recommend renting for at least 2 days, as there are so many activities and sights to see.
You might consider purchasing a vehicle for around $2000-$3000 if you plan to stay longer.
You can now travel throughout Europe without paying a single penny.
It is also worth checking if your credit company offers discounts on rental.
Can I rent a vehicle in Italy and have it returned to France?
It is possible to rent an Italian car and drive it all over Europe, but this may not be feasible. You could try Europcar which provides rentals across Europe. You would need to contact them directly for information on renting cars in Italy and dropping them off at another location.
Who is the largest car rental company in the world?
Hertz Corporation is America’s largest car-rental company. Harry Hertz founded it in 1919 as Hertz Corporation.
Hertz Corporation owns over 6,000 locations in North America. The company also owns other businesses such as hotels, financial services and automobile parts manufacturing.
The company currently employs almost 4,000,000 people around the world.
What is the difference between a domestic and international rental car?
Domestic cars are cheaper but have fewer features than international ones.
International cars tend to be more expensive but provide better comfort and safety equipment (e.g., air conditioning, seatbelts and anti-lock brakes).
You should select the car you need based on how many miles you expect to travel daily.
If you're traveling for more than 100-miles, you might consider renting a local (domestic) car as they are typically cheaper.
However, if you're going to be driving a lot around cities and going offroad, an international model might be the best choice.
Statistics
- For canceled trips two days or shorter, a guest is charged 50% of one day's trip cost. (insider.com)
- The perks vary from partner to partner, but you can expect discounts of up to 35 percent on some rentals and the ability to earn anywhere from 50 bonus American AAdvantage miles per day or 500 per rental. (afar.com)
- Save up to 30% on your rental car in Europe when you book with us today. (autoeurope.com)
- In 2019, the most crucial factor is the cost and fees of the rental (accounting for 28% of overall satisfaction with the rental experience), followed by the rental car itself at 25% and the pick-up process at 23%. (cnet.com)
- American Airlines, for example, offers AAdvantage members 35% off Budget and Avis — but you need to rent from an airport. (nerdwallet.com)
External Links
jdpower.com
- 2021 North America Rental Car Satisfaction Study
- 2019 North America Rental Car Satisfaction Study | J.D. Power
alamo.com
- Cheap Car Rental in the U.S., Latin America & More - Alamo Rent a Car
- Alamo Insiders - Alamo Rental a Car offer low car rental rates
autoslash.com
sixt.com
How To
Consider these things when renting a car
What should you consider before I reserve a rental car for my trip?
You must consider the following factors when you book a rental car.
- You can choose from different types of cars (small compact, medium compact, large compacts, SUVs, minivans, etc.)
- The cost of renting a vehicle varies depending on its make and model. For small vehicles and compact cars, it starts at $15 per hour. Larger vehicles will cost more.
- Additional charges, such as mileage fees, will be added to the daily rental price.
- If you rent out your vehicle, you will be charged extra fees.
- Renting a car lets you travel at any hour of your choosing. This option has its limitations. For example, you cannot rent a car during rush hour.
- You should ensure that the car you choose is within your budget. Make sure the car has air conditioning. This is very useful in hot weather.
- You should reserve a car that you require well in advance if you have a particular type of vehicle. Sometimes people don't realize that they have a car until it is too late.
- Renting cars comes with many safety features. It is recommended that you have a first aid kit and blanket in case of an emergency.
- A collision damage waiver may be an option. This is optional, but you will save money on your insurance policy.
- Special needs can be requested during your booking process and upon your arrival, if you have any special needs.
- Be sure to pack everything you own and bring your credit and ID cards.
- Be alert while driving. Avoid distractions and remain focused.
- If you are in an accident, call the police immediately.
- After you have used the car for a while, you must return it to us. If you don't, you could be subject to a fine.
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