How
To Rent A Car In The US
To rent
a car in the U.S. you must have the following:
- a driver's
license (U.S. or international)
- be 25
or older
- possess
a valid credit card (not a debit card or check card)
!
Many
car rental companies offer special weekend or week-long rates. They
also offer discounts of 10-20% to members of:
- AAA
(the American Automobile Association) - call 1-800-564-6222 for membership
inquiries or go to AAA.com
- AARP
(The American Association of Retired Persons)
- Traveler's
Advantage
and
similar travel clubs
- Airlines
often offer vacation packages containing savings on air, hotel and
rental car bookings
Before
you rent the car:
- Check
to see that it has no exterior or interior dents or marks, or you
may be charged for them when you return the car
- Make
sure the gas tank opens easily, the motor starts and runs correctly,
tires are filled
- If the
car sounds odd, return it and get another - it is better to be safe
than stranded.
- Insurance
can be purchased for an extra charge - check your car insurance policy,
if you have one, to find out whether it will cover damages to your
rental car.
- In a
large city you may wish to purchase a vehicle damage waiver to prevent
from being held liable in case of damage. Consult the car rental company
to find out what additional types of insurance it offers.
!
Renting a car is not the same as leasing a car. Leasing a car is for
those who wish to rent a car for long periods of time, for example,
several years. Click here to
learn about leasing a car.