Renting a car for a business trip can be highly beneficial. A car rental can help you get around a new city and can also make it easier for you to transport all of your important work documents around town. Though there are many benefits to renting a car for your business trip, there are some tips we highly recommend that you follow to make your travels go as smoothly as possible. These tips will help you save time and money and can help keep you safe.
From booking ahead of time to reading the fine print and more – here are some tips for renting a car for your business trip:
Book Ahead of Time
Car rentals have become increasingly popular, meaning that there can be low inventory available at times. To make sure that you are able to reserve a car for your business trip, book as far in advance as possible. As soon as you know your travel dates, do your research, and reserve the vehicle that best suits your needs. The last thing you want is to be left without a way to get around.
Utilize Credit Card Points
Did you know that many credit card companies allow you to use your points to reserve a car rental? Yes, it’s true! Check with your credit card company and ask them if you can use your points to book a car rental for your next business trip. If for some reason you are not currently able to use your points, you may want to consider upgrading your card.
Consider if You Need Extra Insurance
Depending on what car rental company you go through, you may want to consider taking the extra insurance they offer. Some companies allow you to use your own personal car insurance to protect your rental vehicle, but this may only sometimes be the case. This is especially important to consider if you plan on renting a car in a foreign country. Overall, make sure that you are covered so you don’t encounter any unexpected problems.
Shop Around
When it comes to finding a rental car, always do your research and don’t be afraid to shop around. There are so many different car rental companies out there, and some may offer better deals than others. To make it easy for you, first decide what type of vehicle you want to rent, and compare this same car across multiple rental companies. See how much each company charges to rent that specific car, what perks come along with the rental, etc.
Read the Fine Print
We cannot stress enough how important it is for you to read the fine print of every car rental agreement. Some companies may try and sneak in extra costs in this fine print, and if you don’t read it, you may get charged more than you bargained for. So, take your time and read through the entire contract to avoid having to pay unnecessary additional fees.
Map Out Your Route
GPS has made it easy to get from place to place, no matter where you are in the world. But that doesn’t mean you should always rely solely on GPS. Before getting in your car and hitting the road, look online and map out your route. See what highways you’ll be taking, what roads you’ll turn on, and how long it will take you to get to your destination. This can help you get a better idea of where you’re going and may save you a huge headache in the event that your GPS stops working.
Keep Your Vehicle Locked
Last but certainly not least, keep your car rental locked when you are not around. This is especially true if you are in a situation where you need to keep your personal belongings in the car. The last thing you want is to have your things stolen or for your rental car to get broken into, and you certainly don’t want to deal with having your vehicle stolen.
If you need a passport or business visa for an upcoming trip, you can get the application process started on the Swift website. If you have any questions along the way, please contact us. A member of our knowledgeable team would be happy to help. No matter where you plan on going, we’ll get you there!
