5 tips to save on your Florida car rental

Dreaming of your next Florida vacation? Before you can enjoy the beaches, palm trees and sun, you have some organizing to do. While booking your plane tickets is often the first thing you think of, renting a car is usually not far behind.

So to help you stay on good terms with your bank, here are 5 smart tips to save on your Florida car rental.
 

#1. Use our online price comparison tool

When planning your Florida vacation, it's important to know how much your car rental will cost. And that's not always easy, because rental companies all offer different basic rates and that can make it hard to compare. The same goes for the options that are included or not, such as insurance, deductible, etc.

By using our online price comparison tool, you will get a complete quote, with no hidden fees.
 

3 steps to find your Florida car rental at the best price
 

Step 1

Choose the city for pick up, such as Miami in the example shown here, in the drop-down menu. Then enter the pick up date and time, and the drop off date and time.

Step 2

You can now filter the results by refining your search. You can specify the type of car you want (compact, standard, intermediate, SUV, minivan, etc.), the number of passengers, and your rental company preference if you have one.

Browse the offers that appear and select the model that best meets your needs for your trip. You can of course make several simulations.

Step 3

Now choose the location that is the most convenient for you (downtown or airport) and select your options.

That's it, you're nearly done! You can now book your car rental directly online or request a quote by email.

5 good reasons to use our online price comparison tool:
 

• Free cancellation
• Best Price Guarantee
• Transparent pricing = zero hidden costs
• Assistance from your local travel advisor if needed
• Contribution to 1% for the Planet to offset your greenhouse gas emissions

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#2. Book your rental car well in advance

I recommend that you book your rental car well in advance, or even as early as possible. This has several advantages. First, you will get much better rates than if you book at the last minute.

Second, you will have greater choice of vehicles and options offered by the rental company. If you wait until the last moment, you will have to take what is left and risk being disappointed.

For a destination like Florida, I recommend booking your car at least one month in advance, especially if you're travelling at a popular time (school holidays, Christmas season, etc.).

Booking in advance is also a great way to save on your plane tickets to the U.S. Every dollar you save in advance will leave you with a greater leisure budget once you get there.

Calculate the price of your Florida rental car

#3. Check what insurance you already have

Before purchasing insurance for your Florida car rental, remember to check what insurance you already have. Often, we are already covered for a car rental by our credit card insurance or our insurance company, without realizing it.

It would be a shame to pay twice for the same coverage, especially since the insurance options offered by rental companies tend to be very expensive. They can quickly double the price of the rental, so be sure to check this before you leave!

#4. Choose the right vehicle and options

When booking a car for your Florida trip, pay careful attention to the vehicle you choose. If you want to save money, look for a lighter class of car, such as a sub-compact or compact model, which will have lower gas consumption than a minivan. But to ensure your comfort, don't underestimate the space required for your luggage.

For stress-free driving, also check if the car has a built-in GPS. If in doubt, download the Google Maps of the areas you'll be visiting on your phone. Once you're there, you'll be able to use Google Maps as an offline GPS. How convenient is that?

If you need one, bring your own car seat for your child. You'll save a lot of money, as rental companies charge about $14 per day for this option.

If you want to share the driving with your co-pilot, be aware that this will cost about $13.50 per day for each additional driver. So if you like to drive, you can register one driver and make regular stops. It will be cheaper, and you'll have the opportunity to take nice photo breaks.

Finally, I recommend you read the rental contract carefully before signing. When you book with Authentik USA, everything that is included and not included is clearly indicated. That way, you'll never have any bad surprises.

#5. Respect the pick up and drop off times

This is another very important point. Indeed, it's essential to respect the pick up and drop off times specified by the car rental company. In a hurry to pick up your car once you reach Miami? Want to wait till the last minute on your last day, to make the most of every moment?

It may be tempting, but it's not a great idea… Returning the vehicle late, even if it's only by 30 minutes, could cost you an extra day's rental.

Similarly, if you pick up your rental car a little early, the rental company could charge you for an extra day…

In short, be on time and save!

I hope that these 5 tips to save on your Florida car rental have been helpful! You now have all the tools you need to avoid breaking the bank! With your hair blowing in the wind and sunglasses on your nose, your trip to the Florida Keys or mainland Florida can begin!

If you have any other tips or questions, feel free to share them in the comments section below.