OK, full disclosure: this idea was given to me by a long-time client who is an exceptional photographer, and does an amazing amount of traveling every year. This trick will seem absurdly simple to you, but sometimes the simplest ideas are, indeed, the best.
Our little peanut, Piper, always thinks she’s driving the show
Do You Really Need Your Own Set of Wheels?
Let’s first assume that you’ve thought through whether you even need to rent a car, because sometimes the most sure-fire way to save is just to skip the rental car altogether.Lots of major cities are walkable, and of course, there’s always Uber and Lyft, that have completely changed the way we look at getting around.But sometimes you just want a set of wheels on your trip, and who wants to pay $50 a day or more on a rental car? Nobody I know.
Take Advantage of Those Memberships!
So here’s the trick I learned (thanks Daren!): I use the Costco Travel website (www.costcotravel.com). I have found over the years that Costco Travel rental car prices are consistently lower than any of the other online travel websites. But wait, that’s not even the best part! By the way, if you don’t happen to have a Costco membership, not to worry – this little hack will still work with online sites like kayak, Priceline, Cheapcarrental.com and others.
Don’t Forget This Simple Trick
Here’s the key: what Costco Travel allows you to do is lock in your rate on their website without having to pre-pay or even give them your credit card. You simply continue to shop for the best rate you can find while you lock it down and reserve an already great rate for your vacation or travel dates.
At this point you’re feeling pretty good knowing you’ve locked down a great rate for your trip. Now comes the part that most people forget about. Just keep checking back with Costco Travel on your dates, and if you find a lower price, just book it and cancel your previous reservation. It’s incredibly simple to do because you don’t pre-pay or give any credit card info.
Last Minute Deals
I kid you not, I have literally saved a ton of money by checking back after my original booking, because almost always the closer you get to your dates, the more competitive the rental car companies get (at the end of the day, the last thing they want is cars sitting on the lot). One time I actually stopped at Starbucks on the way to the airport to check one last time, and saved hundreds on a rental car for a family vacation.
Even if you’re not a Costco Member, try this out on your next car rental. The key is to keep shopping even after you book. As long as you don’t book a non-refundable rental, you can just cancel if you find a better price.
Because here’s the thing. I have a sneaking suspicion you will find SO many better ways to spend all the money you save on your next trip or vacation!
P.S. Get a copy of my new Amazon best-selling book Simple Retirement (you just pay the shipping and the book’s on me) here: http://simpleretirementbook.com