The one-week spring break holiday for college students is one of the most exciting times for students to unwind. It is the time to bid goodbye to the freezing weather and welcome a warm and pleasant season. The best way to make your spring break the most memorable time of the year is by planning a vacation. Some time spent alone or with your family at a vacation spot is something everyone needs after winters.
Whether it’s with family or friends, a road trip to your favorite destination can make your spring full of excitement and memories. All you need is an affordable rental car for your trip and you are good to go!
Select a destination, book cheap car rentals, and enjoy a long drive with your loved ones. Here’s how you can find cheap car rentals for spring break.
Do Your Research
Finding an affordable car rental website that offers a variety of cars for rent is not a cakewalk. For last-minute shoppers, it’s near impossible to find your favorite car at the best price.
That’s why you should start your research as soon as you make travel plans for spring break. Check online reviews and ratings of previous customers, visit the car rental company’s website, check out testimonials.
Book Early
Spring break is a busy time for car rental companies. Most cars are booked around this time, as families and students often plan trips to beaches, mountains, and other tourist places. So, if you want a special deal at the best rate, you need to book early. Waiting for the last minute doesn’t make sense.
First of all, it’s hard to find car rentals during holidays. Even if you manage to find a good deal, chances are you will pay much more than the standard rates.
Your best bet is to find available cars 2-3 weeks before you plan a trip. Early planning will give you enough time to find the best rental cars, check their availability, get quotes, and reserve the best vehicle at a reasonable price.
Compare Weekly and Daily Rates
Car rental prices fluctuate almost every day. Sometimes, the weekly rental rate is cheaper than daily prices. This means if you book the car for 3 days, you will be charged higher than if you booked the car for a week and returned it early. Check the fine print before booking. Weekly rates don’t make sense if the company charges a penalty for returning the car early. Car rental services offer attractive weekly promo rates. And, weekly car rentals are the cheapest way to rent a car for a week.
Avoid Upgrades
Add-ons will add to the cost of your car rentals. The more upgrades you add, the higher the rental price will go. So, it is best to keep these upgrades to a minimum or avoid them altogether. For example, you don’t need a separate GPS add-on when you can use your mobile for quick and seamless navigation. Similarly, there’s no point in having satellite radio when you can play music on your mobiles.
Upgrades like a special toddler seat, are necessary. If you have a kid, you may want a separate seat for them for the whole trip. So, these add-ons are worth those extra dollars. Ask the company what add-ons they offer and choose only those that you need for a convenient journey.
Choose Economy Cars
If you are on a tight budget, an economy car is your best bet for a spring break holiday. The only difference between a luxury car and an economical one is the look. The luxury car feels more attractive and is comparatively more comfortable than regular ones. But, you can enjoy the same level of convenience and a comfortable journey on economy cars too.
It is best to select smaller cars and save money for other activities. Mostly, spring breaks are about trips to the beaches and exotic places. You don’t need a royal entry in an SUV or a limo to these places. You should consider checking out economical rental cars for the spring break holidays.
Look for a Discount
Car rentals are available at a discounted price in special seasons. There’s a chance you may get your favorite car at a discounted price for a spring break if you shop early. A few popular discounts available for car rentals are hotel loyalty program, veteran discount, military discount, government employee discount, AAA & AARP member discount, and so on.
Use Credit Card Points
Credit card companies offer exclusive discounts to their members who book hotels, airline tickets and make other reservations using credit cards. See if you can use your credit card points for car rental booking. It’s the best way to save a good amount, especially if you are planning a long road trip. For short trips, you should save your airline miles and credit card points for hotel stays instead.
Cancel Early
The biggest benefit of using car rentals is a FREE cancelation.
You can cancel your booking for absolutely free (if you cancel early). Let’s say you booked car rentals 2-3 months before the spring breaks at a high price.
The rates lowered significantly a few weeks later. The good news is you can cancel your reservations and book a new vehicle at cheaper rates. However, last-minute cancelation comes with a penalty. Some car rental companies may charge a fee for cancelation (which is not as high as flight ticket cancelation). Still, it is best to discuss your trip goals with the company and get a quote from the rental service providers before you complete the booking.
Spring Break Car Rentals for Your Families
Are you planning to rent a car for spring break? If you are looking for the best and most affordable car rental deals in Orange County, California, SNA Auto Rental is your best choice. The family-owned business offers airport pick-up and drop services and car rentals for all types of road trips.
