Rent A Car In New York - Costs And Add-Ons

Renting a car is a great option for New Yorkers who need to transport large items or take trips out of the city. Learn about costs and add-ons to make the best decision for your situation.

Many rental car companies try to get you to purchase their insurance at the counter. If you already have it (or another policy that covers rentals), decline the offer.
Costs
Car rental companies have a lot of discretionary add-on services they try to hawk to consumers. This includes things like child car seats, GPS units or even wifi hotspots. These are not only crazy expensive, but they’re usually unnecessary. In fact, they’re so annoying that Consumer Reports has a whole segment dedicated to them, and the FTC is working on an effort to crack down on "junk fees."

The length of the car rental also has a big impact on costs. Most rental companies will charge a premium during certain seasons or dates, and some locations charge more than others. If you’re able to be flexible, this can make or break your rental car costs. For example, scrollto=fhexap2wagb- a city hosting a major event will typically have higher prices. The same goes for popular summer vacation destinations. In addition, some rental companies have per-mile charges, which can add up quickly. This is another area where comparison shopping is important.
Insurance
Many car rental services offer various insurance options to protect you against damage, theft, and other risks. However, the terms of these policies can be confusing and difficult to understand. You should always read the fine print carefully and ask questions about anything you don’t understand.

If you’re looking for additional coverage, you may want to consider a credit card that offers rental car insurance. These cards often include collision damage waivers and offer coverage for the vehicle, not you. However, they don’t typically cover medical treatment or other personal expenses, so it’s important to check your own coverage before relying on credit card rental car insurance.

Premium cards like the American Express Green Card and the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card bundle CDW coverage with elite rental car benefits and increased reward earnings. These cards also have other perks, such as complimentary two-car class upgrades and guaranteed reservations. These perks make renting a car a more affordable option.
Add-ons
Car rental companies offer a variety of add-ons to help consumers navigate unfamiliar areas. These include GPS, child seats, and toll transponders. But these add-ons can drive your rental car costs way up, sometimes surpassing the base rate. It is best to do some research before arriving at the counter so that you can choose which add-ons are truly necessary.

For example, a GPS device can cost up to $100 per week. You can save money by using your own smartphone to access online maps and navigation tools. And if you have a booster seat, it may be more cost-effective to bring your own rather than pay for the rental company’s version.

If you decide to take advantage of an add on expense, be sure to submit it on a Chrome River report and ask the FO or delegate for scrollTo=FHexAP2WAgB- approval. If the expense does not have a business justification, it will not be reimbursed.
Pick-up and drop-off locations
Most rental companies place a block -- or hold -- on the amount of money that will be charged to your credit card when you pick up your car. That's because they want to make sure there is enough cash or credit available to cover the entire cost of your rental if you fail to return it on time.

Some rental car companies offer local pickup and drop-off services, such as Zipcar, which allows customers to rent cars by the hour or day from small lots or designated parking spaces around the city. These services are usually only offered at non-airport locations and during business hours.

When you reserve a vehicle online, the price will vary depending on factors such as the date of your reservation, your location and the car category. Check with your rental car company to see if you can get a better rate by booking in advance. Also, always double-check the prices on foreign-based rental car sites. They may use fudged currency conversion rates to make their prices look cheaper than they really are.