Summer car rentals are getting pricey, thanks to rate increases from Avis, Hertz and many other companies. The average mid-size rental will cost $38.95 a day for the Fourth of July weekend, reports the American Automobile Association; that's up from last year's $34.53. Here are some ways to save.
Leave the airport. You can save $18 a day on a midsize rental by bypassing the Hertz lot at Dulles airport and cabbing to the nearby Hertz lot in Chantilly, Va., reports AAA's Justin McNaull. Airports charge hefty concession fees that get passed on to consumers.
Get a compact. There's a good likelihood you'll be bumped up to a larger car at the compact price. But don't try this with a family of five.
Play the discount card. Companies have special rates for the military, retirees, AAA members and more. They post specials on sites like travelocity.com and expedia.com, too.
Lock in a rate early, then comparison-shop until the day you leave. There's no penalty for canceling a rental car.
Uncommon Knowledge
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
