Family vacations are the time to relax, enjoy and spend time with your loved ones. With the busy life routine and dealing with stresses, it is crucial to have a family trip at least once a year. It is because this is the only time when you can relax, away from the stresses, and can retain your health and relationships.
Family vacations can be pricey especially if you are planning a trip with the whole family and with renting a car in Pakistan. Although vacations can be expensive it doesn’t have to completely break the bank. However, time is important to plan but there is something much more than the time you need to have before anything and that is a considerable amount of money because, without it, you can’t consider, plan and execute your trip.
The prices of rental cars have increased now. In 2020, many companies sold off their vehicles due to the pandemic because there was no demand in the market. Now the pandemic is almost over, and people are vaccinated, so they are planning to take trips due to the increased demand. The price to rent a vehicle also increased.
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Here are a few tips to help you budget your Vacation for your rental trips:
Book your rental car in advance:
Just like you book your plane tickets and hotels in advance, the same way it’s always good to book your rental car in advance. It is because as soon as you enter the peak holiday season, the rate goes on to increase.
Browse through different websites for rental car companies, and check cheaper rates for rental cars, and if you find a feasible price then book the car right away. Since there are no booking charges, you can always cancel if you find a better deal later.
Rental vehicle fuel charges:
Some rental agencies rent out the vehicle with a full tank, however, the rental agencies can charge exorbitant fees if you return the vehicle with an empty tank and this can cost double your vacation budget.
Therefore, you should return the vehicle with a full tank and you should figure out a petrol station near the rental agency. This will help you estimate how much fuel you need to have in the vehicle while returning it to the agency.
Negotiate charges before renting a vehicle:
You always need to compare prices before renting out a vehicle. This will help you get a better deal at the most convenient rental company near your travel destination. For instance, if you prefer renting a vehicle from Cars Travel Junction (located in Islamabad) and Jadeed Motors (located in Islamabad) offers a better deal, you can show Cars Travel Junction their competitor’s price and can ask for a discounted price or if they can match their offer.
Skip the add-ons:
Rental sales agents are on a mission to convince you to upgrade your vehicle or purchase add-ons because it is their job and they are paid for it. The sales agents will tell you that your insurance isn’t sufficient or the car you chose won’t fit you and your luggage.
Consider these comments as sales tactics, and don’t let them persuade you to spend extra money on unnecessary add-ons.
Get the Small Car Available:
An economy vehicle is best for traveling and is available at cheaper rates. This might not be a good fit if you are bringing extended family and their luggage, but when you have a small family and don’t have much luggage it is best to rent a small car.
The rental agents will try to convince you to upgrade. The cost might seem little but the cost adds up over the number of days. If a small car can fulfill your needs then spending additional charges is a waste of money.
Don’t book a driver with a rental car:
Most rental companies often include drivers with the vehicle, and you have to pay extra charges for the driver. This can be quite pricey and can ruin your vacation budget.
Some companies still offer rental vehicles without drivers at a reasonable price. I have booked a Toyota from a rental company in Islamabad without a driver and it’s a pretty cheap and affordable deal.
So you also have to browse different and search for rental vehicle deals without a driver when booking a rental vehicle in advance.
Manual or Automatic rental car:
Since Pakistan is an underdeveloped country, It lacks advancements and technology. We mostly have manual cars because automatic cars are pretty expensive and are not available easily at cheaper rates.
So if you are planning to have a trip to northern areas, and you drive automatic cars mostly so it’s not a big problem you need to have a little practice in a manual car and this can save you a lot of money when you rent for a long time. So, Always be on your budget and avoid wasteful spending. If you think that a manual car is enough for us and we can travel on without any hassle. Then, You should move according to the budget. That’s why your fiance will not be disturbed and your trip will be successful.
Duration of rental vehicle:
In Pakistan, charges for hiring a rental vehicle are based on 24 hours.
For instance, if you rent at 11 pm today and return it at midnight the next day then you can be charged for two days.
You need to pay attention while booking a rental car, and if you need a rental car for 10 days and there’s any offer available for 13 days with a discounted price or with one free extra day as a trial then you need to grab the offer because it would be easy to return the car within the assigned time.
Use credit card insurance:
Some credit card companies offer rental vehicle insurance if you book a rental vehicle using their credit card. This can help you save up to 30-70% on the cost of your rental vehicle. Credit card insurance varies from company to company so before taking any step toward using your credit card for booking a rental vehicle ask your credit card company if they offer credit card insurance. Insurance costs can reach high amounts based on the rental vehicle you select.
Ditch the idea to rent at the airport:
When you rent a vehicle at the airport, this will completely break your bank. Instead, go search for rental car companies in Lahore that offer pickup and drop off of their vehicle at their rental companies.
Conclusion:
After reading this article, You will be able to go on a trip with your family. Because this content will help you and teach you how to save money and go on a family trip with a rental car. The step-by-step guide clears all your confusion and gives you vital tips. So, If you want to visit outside of the house and want to enjoy it with your private transport. Then, Implement all of the given strategies that have been shared in the article. I assure you it will be very helpful for you. So, Be enjoying under the budget and your finances will not be disturbed.
