Car Rental Comparison--the Best Way To Get The Best Value In Car Rentals

By Author: Stitch Rojas
Total Articles: 165
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Traveling is a normal part of doing business. But given the financial pressures that many businesses are under, it is good to be aware of the costing trends in travel-related services. Airlines continue to trim schedules, eliminate unprofitable routes and downsize planes. However, competition is still tough, so they continue to charge for even the most mundane items and services. To avoid airline add-ons, it's imperative to attain elite status on your favored carrier. For cheaper fares and a wider selection-or, in some cases, any selection at all-one can fly out of more distant airports on one or both ends of the journey.

In the realm of rental car services, it is important to note that many rental car companies are holding on to their fleets longer than ever. And since older cars are more expensive to maintain, the cost is being passed on to the consumer. However, business travelers can get the best deals for rental car services through corporate negotiation and Car Rental Comparison with rental car firms. A nationwide agreement with one supplier, supplemented by agreements with local vendors, often provides lower rates ...
... in high-volume areas.

It is important to have the right data in such negotiations. Companies should gather as much information as possible on the overall usage of their employees and provide breakdowns for cities or areas with high volume. This should include total volume, expressed in the number of rental transactions, number of rental days and expenditure level; it should also include the average number of miles driven per day and percentage of rentals and rental days that a car drives beyond various thresholds.

Corporations aiming to get a corporate rate for car rentals should be prepared with the following data: a breakdown by class of cars rented, i.e., compact, intermediate, full-size, two-door, four-door, etc.; the number of inter-city or one-way car rentals, including destinations; the number of multiple-day, weekly, monthly, weekend and one-day rentals; a breakdown of rentals by day of the week, week of month, month of year, etc.; locations where most car rentals take place; all information available on international car rental usage; percentage of car rentals booked through global distribution systems, travel management companies and online self-booking systems.

Special billing needs and percentage of total that is master-billed should be gathered as part of the data. Companies should also include frequent flyer mileage points accrued for travelers' car rentals, service requirements, such as automatic check-in, valet parking and non-rental service requirements, including off-airport parking, car washes, maintenance, global positioning system units and electronic toll-pass devices.

Data on the company's accident and loss history makes a favorable impression in the negotiating process: such data shows that the company is established and stable with strong and enforced travel policies. Companies should arrange an onsite visit, ideally near the corporation's largest location, during a peak demand period to see how well the firm can handle the company's business. Car rental comparison includes more than just comparing prices; it's also about comparing value for money. During tough financial times, it's vital for companies to find ways of economizing on travel costs.

For more information on car rentals please visit Car Rental Comparison.