The right size, the best rental and tips for the search
If you are going on a round trip through the USA or perhaps just want to visit a city like los angeles, you can’t do without a rental vehicle. At the very beginning of planning your trip, you have to decide whether you want to travel by car or motorhome.
But even if the decision has been made in favor of a rental car, there are still a number of options numerous considerations an: how big should the car be? What is the best way to compare prices? Which rental company is the right one and which of the numerous insurances do you need??
All the answers rental cars for the USA to book a car without putting your foot in your mouth, we will break it down step by step as follows!
How to book correctly!
Even in a car of the category mid size (usually just above golf class) does not always fit two average-sized suitcases. From four people one should therefore in any case go to a "full size" for five or more people, even a van or SUV may be the best choice, although you will have to fold down the rear seats.
So just always choose one category larger? This sounds tempting, not least because of the often relatively small differences in price. However, the gasoline consumption with the jump from mid size to full size, the fuel consumption can increase surprisingly – and on narrow mountain or coastal roads, you are grateful for every missing centimeter of the car.
Please also note that rental car companies always list the largest car in a category on their website, but always with the addition of the following information "or comparable" is provided, which means in reality: almost all cars and trunks are smaller than you expect. With some suppliers, this is even a scam, in order to be able to talk the customer into a larger model in the USA. For an extra charge, of course.
Our tip: for couples traveling with a reasonable amount of luggage, a mid-size is usually sufficient, even two adults and a child can still fit in comfortably. For two adults and one teenager, a full-size car is a good idea, and for four or more people – no matter how old the children may be – it’s basically mandatory. simply because on the long trips through the USA a little more distance between the passengers is quite pleasant.
Example of a choice line for car rental.
In any case, it is recommended to leave the car directly at a large airport station and not to pick up the car in a city, because at the airport you can usually quickly exchange the car for another one in the same category if needed. Some rentals offer at some stations also so-called choice lines where you immediately have the choice between different models – at least if there are any available.
You should compare the providers especially carefully if you choose a one-way rental, i.e. if you want to pick up the car in san francisco and drop it off in las vegas, for example. Some providers do not charge any fees between some states, while others still do pay 300-500$ extra on the spot that don’t immediately show up in the online price.
Finally, it should be noted that the best way to insure your car is through a intermediaries in europe renting a car, which then offers you a voucher (voucher) for the actual rental in the U.S.A. This may sound confusing, but it is practical in terms of contact in case of problems and handling of insurance claims. These intermediaries include, for example, drivefti, autoeurope or the ADAC.
Who time to book if you keep an eye on the offers for a few weeks instead of buying immediately, you might be lucky and get a lower price. Most of the time the differences are small.
We advise you to book the rental car through a european agent for the insurances as mentioned before, because you are usually on the safe side.
In addition, choose a package where the first tank of gas already included, so that you can return the car with a full tank, and also a liability insurance without deductible with a coverage amount that is at least 1 million US dollars is a must.
Equally important: the possibility to cancel the booking up to 24 hours before the vehicle pickup to cancel – in case something happens.
Tips for on the road
The pickup
once you have landed in the USA, follow the signs after immigration and customs that clearly indicate the location of the rental car counters at every airport. in san francisco you can get to them by a free train, in los angeles it’s buses.
When you arrive at the counter, show your reservation or voucher and your driver’s license.
Also a credit card is mandatory, with which the rental company secures a deposit for itself. This also happens if you have chosen an insurance without deductible.
If you have taken care of all the important insurances at home, you should not give in to the frequent urging of the employees to take out this or that important insurance after all. Even the promise that you will certainly be able to travel much more cheaply with a different refueling arrangement is usually pure trickery.
On the road!
After some back and forth you finally hold your rental contract and usually also the car key in your hands – but sometimes it is already in the car. Now you have to look for that in a large parking lot.
Once it has been found, it should be purchased, regardless of the insurance, check your heart and kidneys: the tires look okay? Does the light work? Does it smell like smoke? Is there a spare tire? And how does the gas cap actually open?
If you are convinced that the car will survive the next days or weeks, you can start: at the exit you will be asked for the rental contract and your driver’s license or passport and then it’s time to go on the road!
Tip: don’t drive into the "wilderness" right after you take over the car, but test the rental car a little bit near the city, so that you can still exchange it if necessary.
During the round trip
finally, a few tips for the trip itself: check hotels and motels via wi-fi for current road conditions, especially in the mountains of california and utah, where snow can still fall in june and storms are not uncommon.
make use of the modern technology! With a smartphone app like google maps you can do without paper maps; it works like a navi without needing an internet connection for it. very practical is their yellow pages function, which shows supermarkets, gas stations and fast food restaurants in the vicinity.
And, finally, take care of your luggage! Car break-ins are rare, but occur naturally, not least in tourist regions. All bags, suitcases and backpacks that are not taken along when getting out of the car logically belong in the luggage compartment.
In addition, you should consider in advance what you want to do on your next stop everything needs to not have to open the trunk there in the first place.
With the offers one should always on a fully comprehensive insurance without deductible as well as the fuel regulation full-full exist. Who the prices over a few weeks away compares, sometimes finds cheaper prices.
Booking through a european agent is worthwhile, in the USA there are then only the tricks of the employees to fend off.
Compare online with the rental car price comparison or read more about travel planning for the USA!