1. Overview
Renting a car can be a daunting task, particularly when it comes to choosing which rental car company suits your needs best. Many rental car companies boast services that make it easy to book a car and get the best price. But do they allow for car selection? Which rental car company lets you choose your car?
The answer is yes: some rental car companies do offer customers the chance to pick the car they rent. This is ideal for those who may be looking for a specific make and model of car, or who want an upgrade for their journey. Such services may also be of special interest to car enthusiasts or those who need a specific type of car for a special occasion.
2. Advantages & Disadvantages of Car Rental Companies
Like other services, renting a car from a car rental company comes with its own advantages and disadvantages.
The main advantage of renting a car from a rental car company is convenience. Rental companies allow customers to pick up and drop off their cars at their own convenience, meaning they don’t have to worry about bringing their own car or arranging transport. Car rental companies also provide a wide range of vehicles to choose from, making them suitable for practically any type of transport needs.
The main disadvantage of rental car companies is cost. Even when opting for the special ‘choose your car’ option, customers are likely to end up paying more than they might pay for a regular car hire. Furthermore, it’s often the case that the more popular car hire companies, such as Avis and Hertz, will not offer the car selection option.
3. Popular Car Rental Companies
When it comes to renting a car, there are many car rental companies to choose from. The most popular companies include Avis, Hertz, Enterprise, and National.
Avis is one of the largest car rental companies in the world and offers customers locations in more than 175 countries. Hertz operates in more than 140 countries and has a wide range of vehicle types, from luxury cars to SUVs. Enterprise offers cars from brands such as Mercedes and BMW and also allows customers to choose their car. National offers a range of cars from economy to luxury models and is the largest rental car company in the U.S.
4. ‘Choose Your Car’ Services
Although not all car rental companies offer customers the option to choose their car, some do. Companies like Alamo, Dollar and Thrifty all offer car selection services in certain locations. With Alamo and Thrifty, customers can be sure of a brand-new car as they have a fleet that’s constantly updated.
With such services, customers can search for cars according to category and location. For example, they can search by make, model, size, and pickup location. They can also view descriptions of each car and read customer reviews.
5. Benefits of Choosing Your Own Car
Choosing your own rental car is beneficial in a number of ways. Firstly, it allows customers to pick a car that suits their individual needs. Whether they need more legroom, more space, or more power–there’s always a car to fit their needs. Choosing your car also means that you can ensure that you get the best car for your money, as you can compare cars according to their features and price.
Moreover, choosing a car often makes for a more unique and enjoyable journey. Customers can pick the car of their dreams, whether it’s a flashy sports car or a luxurious SUV.
6. Setting a Budget
When choosing a car from a rental car company, it’s important to set a budget. Although car rental companies often offer discounts and special offers, the final price can still be high. Therefore, it’s important to consider all the costs involved, such as tax, insurance, fuel and any additional fees.
It’s also important to check whether the car is available at the time you need it. Car rental companies often offer a wide range of cars and it’s important to make sure that the car you want is available when you need it.
7. Insurance & Damage Protection
When choosing a car from a rental car company, it’s important to consider the insurance and damage protection options. Most rental car companies will offer a basic insurance policy when renting a car. It’s important to read the fine print carefully to ensure you understand the extent of the policy and what it does and doesn’t cover.
It’s also important to consider the damage protection options, which often include additional insurance for windshields, tires and other areas of the car. It’s important to find out what’s covered and what isn’t and whether you will be liable for any damage to the car.
8. Enticing Offers & Deals
Car rental companies often offer enticing offers and deals to customers who choose their cars. These can include discounts, free days, or loyalty benefits. It’s important to check the details of any offer to ensure that it suits your specific needs and that it offers the best value for money.
It’s also important to make sure that you’re getting the car that’s right for you. Some offers may only be available at certain locations or may require customers to book ahead of time.
9. Customer Service
When choosing a rental car company, it’s important to ensure that you’re getting the best customer service possible. This includes getting information quickly and efficiently, as well as being able to resolve any issues that arise in a timely manner.
The best car rental companies also offer 24-hour customer service and have a trained staff that’s knowledgeable and helpful. It’s important to research the company before making a decision and to read online reviews to get an idea of their reputation and customer service record.
10. Timely Filter & Search Tools
When choosing a car from a rental car company, it’s important to consider the search and filter tools available. This is important to ensure that you’re getting the car that’s right for you.
The best car rental companies will have advanced search and filter tools that make it easy to find the car that suits your needs. It’s important to check that the tools are up to date and allow customers to search for cars quickly and easily.
11. Refueling Options & Terms
Finally, when renting a car, it’s important to consider the refueling options and terms. Most rental car companies will offer customers a range of refueling options, such as pre-purchase, post-purchase and prepaid.
It’s important to check the terms and conditions of any fuel option to ensure that you understand the potential costs and consequences. Different companies may have different terms, so it’s important to shop around and compare the different offers.
12. Mileage & Fuel Cards
When renting a car, customers may also want to consider the mileage options offered by the car rental companies. Most companies will offer unlimited mileage and some may even offer fuel cards, which are useful for saving money on gas.
It’s important to compare the mileage options and fuel cards of different companies to ensure that you’re getting the best deal. Different companies may offer different fuel cards and mileage options, so it’s important to do your research and find the one that suits you the best.
13. User Reviews & Ratings
When choosing a car from a rental car company, it’s important to consider the user reviews and ratings available. This is a great way to get an idea of how reliable a company is and how well they treat their customers.
It’s important to read user reviews, to get an idea of the experience that customers have had with the company. Most car rental companies will have ratings and reviews available on their website, allowing customers to make an informed decision on which car rental company to choose.
14. Learning About the Car
When choosing a car from a rental car company, it’s important to make sure that you’re getting the right car for you. It’s important to do your research and to educate yourself on the features and specifications of the car.
This means learning about the car’s performance, fuel efficiency, maintenance requirements, and any other features that are important to you. It’s also important to compare the different cars and find out which is the best for your needs.
15. Reviews from Experts
Finally, when choosing a car from a rental car company, it can be helpful to get reviews from experts. There are a number of websites that offer reviews and ratings from professional car experts.
These reviews can provide valuable insights into the different cars and can help customers make an informed decision on which car is best for their needs. Furthermore, these reviews can be a great tool for researching car rental companies and finding out which company is the best for you.
