Best Money Saving Articles Online

How To Avoid An Accident In Your Rental Car

Dec 29, 2009 More Saving

Traveling by car is the best way to see those out of the way places, while visiting Queensland, without having to take a tour. Super, diesel and unleaded are available at all stations, however LPG is usually only available at stations located in a populated area. The prices of gas varies from time and place, however it will always cost more on the weekends and bank holidays, so it is best to fill up during the week.

When trying to choose what rental company to use you should consider a company that gives unlimited kilometers. Larger companies sometimes offer one-way rentals, pick up your automobile in one town and drop it off when you reach your destination, but you need to be sure of any restrictions. 4WD and camper vans are the most popular rentals. A 4WD allows you to get right into the natural wonders that most travelers miss. However, the insurance on these tend to be high and don not cover any off road damage.

Queensland has a few multi lane highways but most major roads are sealed with two lanes. You don’t have to go too far off the beaten track to get onto dirt roads, its quite common if you want to see the countryside. Kangaroos are a common hazard on Australian roads and if you are traveling at any sort of speed, hitting one can make quite a mess of your car, not to mention the kangaroo so be alert when they are most active - dawn and dusk.

When traveling at night you can be faced with many animal hazards. If a large animal appears in front of your car you should hit the brakes, dim your lights and only swerve if its safe to do so. Many travelers have been killed in accidents caused by swerving to miss animals, it is sometimes its safer for you to hit the animal, even though it can be traumatic.

Along the east coast and in country areas, drunk driving is a major issue. Attempts are being made to address so be prepared to stop for random breath testing station or booze buses somewhere on your travels. If your blood alcohol levels are greater then 0.05% you should also be prepared to pay a large fine and lose of your license. Parking is another costly problem, although it may cost some money to park in the designated areas, it is still less money then being ticketed.

For the a Australia car hire that travelers can depend on visit www.budget.com.au. There variety is grander then the rest and you will be sure to get a reliable automobile. It is the car rental Gold Coast travelers can rely on!

Tags: 4WD, Australia, budget, Car Hire, Car Hire Queensland Rentals, cars, Cheap Rental Cars Australia, holiday, More Saving, rental, SUV, vacation

International Travel For Less

Nov 18, 2009 More Saving

The current economy has people thinking that this is not the time to travel to foreign destinations and lands unknown; this could not be further from the truth. Travel has become less expensive in recent months, and so if you have the money, it is a good time to take a trip or plan a holiday.

The prices on hotel accommodations have dropped quite a bit, with many hotels offering discounts and special deals for select times or to get you to stay a little longer. It is not uncommon to find additional discounts on the web for select hotel chains, even those that are at international destination.

Airlines are also another travel compent that reduced prices for customers. Many commercial airlines realized that it is no longer profitable to fly an aircraft that is not full of passengers, therefore they are offering get ticket prices in order to full up each flight that takes off the ground.

Although rental cars are the opposite of the previous two, and they have raised prices a bit, you are still able to find affordable car rentals with a little leg work. Look on the internet through travel sites that can offer you package deals on airfare, accommodations and rentals, as you are sure to find a good deal there. You can also save money by renting from a company that is not located in the airport, as airport rental companies charge greater prices because it is considered a luxury. Other ways to save on a rental include forgoing the rental insurance and being aware of all hidden contract fees such as mileage and gas.

As you can see, now is a great time to travel. Don’t wait until the economy turns around, as this is also when the prices will begin to rise. Plan your trip early and save up the funds needed. This will allow you to take a dream vacation that you may have otherwise thought was impossible.

If you are looking for brisbane car rentals the best place to go to is www.budget.com.au. While there you will also be able to look into cheap car hire Coolangatta.

Tags: 4WD, Australia, budget, Car Hire, Car Hire Queensland Rentals, cars, Cheap Rental Cars Australia, holiday, More Saving, rental, SUV, vacation

Cheap Auto Rental Tips

Nov 11, 2009 More Saving

There is a lot of competitive and cutthroat marketing out there today and the automobile rental industry is no exception. There are deals everywhere and it is hard to know when you’re getting the deal you really need or the one that will save you the most money.

People forget to negotiate or to ask for the discounts that might be available to them in renting a car and, with inflation and the cost of fuel these days, it’s hard to get a good deal in anything. Let’s take a look at some tips you could use to get the best auto deals today. Cheap deals are still available if you just look for them and ask about them.

1. Rent your vehicle and make your reservation over the internet. These offer the best deals and you can have the time to enquire about special deals that may apply to you. There are internet-only specials that you can only get by reserving a car through the net.

2. Another option when it comes to renting a car cheaply is to put your own gas in the car on the way to returning the car. Gas available at the rental agency costs a fortune and if you just top off the tank before returning it, you will save a lot of money.

3.If you can, always rent at only one Car Company, companies give you cheap car rentals for frequently renting their cars, discounts, coupons and sometimes even miles.

4.Ask the car rentals if you can exchange your flyers miles for car rental miles. This is especially useful when your flyer’s miles is about to expire, instead of just letting it go to waste, get a cheap car rental for it.

5. Make your automobile reservation as soon as possible because many of the car rental places give you a discount if you reserve far in advance of your needs.

6. Go to the rental place to pick up your car as early in the am as possible. This will give you the greatest likelihood of being able to get an upgrade for free. This is because the rentals from the previous day haven’t arrived yet so there is going to be a shortage of economy cars, to your advantage.

7. Look for fly/stay/drive packages or similar packages through your travel agent or the internet as you will get a much cheaper car out of the deal. You’ll pay for the entire package at once and the actual price of the car will be much cheaper overall.

8. Use a Rent at the Price you Can Pay Internet site that allows you to put in how much you are willing to pay and then matches you up with a company that has a car for that price. Check out the quality of the company before making a reservation because you won’t be able to cancel a reservation once you’ve made it.

9.If you’re going to use the car for more than five days try to find weekly rates from car rentals, with weekly rates, the sixth and seventh day are almost always discounted, so look for this when you’re out for a cheap car rental.

10. Try not to pick up the automobile at the airport because there are airport surcharges you’ll have to pay. Instead use an off-airport pickup site.

Jonathan is a regular traveller in his role as consultant for a travel deals website. He often is asked how to find the best value travel tickets as well.

Tags: auto, car, Car Hire, flights, holiday, hotel, More Saving, rental, travel, vacation

Getting the Best Deal on a Rental Car

Sep 21, 2009 More Saving

Car rental rates are continuing to increase, despite the recent economic troubles, and a decrease in the number of cars being rented. Most major car rental companies are reducing the number of cars in their fleet, which results in fewer cars to rent, and increased rates for the cars that the rental companies are keeping. When planning a vacation, it is worth the time to look for discount car rental rates, the same way you would research discount hotel and airfare rates.

While it would seem like a better idea for the car rental companies to maintain their existing fleet, and lower rates to attract more customers, this is not the strategy that most companies have adopted. As rates continue to increase, it means that you the consumer must search all possible options to get the best rate possible the next time you are renting.

Most companies charge similar rates, for similar classes of cars. Whether this is being done deliberately or not, you are not likely to see significant differences between the major rental companies. That being said, it is still possible to find deals when renting a car. Here are several tips when looking to rent a car for your next vacation.

1. Coupons and Discounts. Shop around on the internet, in your local newspaper as well as ask your friends. Many times people have car rental coupons for one company or another and usually if you can get a good rate from one company you can convince another company to offer you the same deal as well. Discount cards such as AARP and other membership cards as well as in some cases Visa debit rewards and frequent flyer miles can help get you discounts on your vehicle rentals.

If you are willing to be flexible with the dates for your vacation, you increase your chances of finding a less expensive car rental rate. Since it is easier to find less expensive airfare and hotel rates, it may make more sense to book your trip around a time frame when less expensive car rates are available, and then look for discount airfare and hotel rates.

3. Best Deal. Looking for the best deal means weighing all of your options. This may mean finding out what the rental rate is for a four day rental and comparing it to a seven day rental. Many times taking those extra days will actually save you money. Also, look for companies that offer unlimited mileage as this is a feature that can really save you a bundle.

Being a wise consumer is what saving money is all about, especially when it comes to car rentals. Choose carefully and find a way to save some money on your next rental. It may take some work but it will be4 well worth it in the long run.

Tags: 4WD, Australia, budget, Car Hire, Car Hire Queensland Rentals, cars, Cheap Rental Cars Australia, holiday, More Saving, rental, SUV, vacation

Step To Follow for Rental Car Accidents

Sep 12, 2009 More Saving

Of course, we are all hoping that you will never need this information. There are a few things to do both before the accident as well as after to make sure that this issue is handled in the best possible way.

The first thing that you need to do is find out exactly what you are insured for prior to renting your vehicle. Most times you will be covered under your personal vehicle insurance or Credit Card Company, you should know what and how much is covered. If you feel that you are not covered to a level that is comfortable, then it is a wise choice to take the additional renters insurance that is offered by the rental company. This insurance can cost you as little as $10.00 a day, but it is worth the investment should an accident occurs.

As soon as the accident occurs, call the police first to file an incident report. You should do this from where ever you are at the time of the accident and try to leave the vehicle in the position it was in when it was hit. Then call the rental car agency and report the accident. Do not admit any liability for the accident to the car rental company and do not offer to pay or settle the incident without the consent of the company themselves.

Next be sure to provide copies of all relevant information to the agency that you rented the vehicle from. This includes repair receipts, police reports and any other documents that you receive in regard to this accident. Also, be willing to keep communication open with them providing them with any additional information that they need to help settle the claim.

If you are relying on your personal insurance policy for insurance, or your credit card company then you need to contact both of these companies as well at the time of the accident as well as any further information or paperwork you receive regarding this matter. Then be sure to follow up with all companies involved often so that you are not surprised to be hit with a bill that they have never paid. It is important since still the ultimate liability lies with you.

Whether you are looking for a car rental Sunshine Coast or a car rental Surfers Paradise, budget is the place for you. To pick your rental today log on to www.budget.com.au. You are sure to find what you are looking for.

Tags: 4WD, Australia, budget, Car Hire, Car Hire Queensland Rentals, cars, Cheap Rental Cars Australia, holiday, More Saving, rental, SUV, vacation

Follow the Rules When Renting Vehicles

Sep 3, 2009 More Saving

There are some rules that need to be followed when you are renting a vehicle. Below you will find a list of some of these rules, and explanations of each.

KNOW WHAT YOU ARE SIGNING. Many times car rental companies will stick a big pile of papers in front of you and you will be reluctant to take the time to read over the paperwork. They will tell you to sign here and initial there, and you will have absolutely no clue what you are signing. You may be in a hurry or anxious to get on your way, but these documents should not be signed without thoroughly reading them over. If you think that you will be pressed for time when you go to pick up the vehicle then ask to see these documents in advance, perhaps they could even fax or e-mail you a copy. This will help expedite the car rental process, while still allowing you to be aware of the things you are agreeing to.

BE KNOWLEDGABLE ON YOUR PERSONAL COVERAGE: Many car renters feel that there is no need to pay for additional renters insurance, since they are covered under their personal car insurance, and maybe even their credit card company is insuring them. This however is not always the case. It is important to check with all insurance providers to find out what you are being covered for, before you decide to decline the addition renter insurance that the rental company is offering.

DONT LET OTHERS DRIVE YOUR RENTAL VEHICLE. The only person authorized to drive your car is the person it was rented to. Now if you intend on having someone else drive the vehicle you rented you need to let the car rental agency know of this in advance, and anyone that they don’t know about should not be allowed to drive it. Doing so could increase your liability and also leave you with a whole bunch of unpaid bills if something were to happen.

REPORT EVERYTHING. You are driving someone else’s vehicle when you have a rental, so you need to let them know if anything happens to that car. Whether you hear a squeak, see a leak, or notice a new scratch, you should call and let them know right away. Don’t wait until you return the car to address these issues, let them know right away if there is a problem.

FILL IT UP. Be sure to put at least as much gas as was given to you back in the tank when you are returning it. Many car rental companies charge exorbitant amounts just to refill the tank and they will charge your card for it. So even if you think that they haven’t noticed it could come back to bite you.

WAIT UNTIL THE INSPECTION IS COMPLETE: You should always wait until your rental car is inspected before leaving. This will give you a heads up on any additional charges they may be billing your credit card.

Jason Hall writes informative articles on Australia, and Australian traveling. You can find advice on the best car hire Brisbane has, and much more. Check out his knowledge in of car rental Brisbane and the best places to visit while on your family holiday.

Tags: 4WD, Australia, budget, Car Hire, Car Hire Queensland Rentals, cars, Cheap Rental Cars Australia, holiday, More Saving, rental, SUV, vacation

Australian Film Entertainment

Aug 30, 2009 More Saving

Reading travel books is a great way to prepare yourselves for your journey, but to get the whole experience of Australian culture the best (and easier) way to prepare is to watch a few films .You can discover the humour, history, scenery, wildlife and even practice the accent by watching Australian films, all in the comfort of your own home. Hopefully the following films will inspire you to pack your passport and board a plane down under!

MURIELS WEDDING: This is a cult film in Australia and is about a socially awkward, slightly overweight girl called Muriel who spends most of her days dreaming of her perfect marriage, thinking that a wedding will be the only way she will escape her tedious life. Along the way, she has many obstacles to overcome and the film touches on several serious issues, Cancer, suicide, loss of self esteem but is essentially a comedy with a fabulous ABBA soundtrack. It is filmed around the gold coast and Hamilton Island and stars, Toni Collette and Rachel Griffiths, now two of Australia’s most awarded actresses.

Australia: This film takes place between the years 1939 and 1942. It depicts many of the issues and relationships that Australians have faced. Story lines include a romance between different classes, the Australian relationship to England, the Stolen Generation, and much more. This film gives you an entertaining history on the Australian Outback and has famous actors Nicole Kidman and Huge Jackman.

Priscilla Queen of the Desert: This film was shot in the Outback and follows three drag queens as they travel in a tour bus, trying to reach a remote town in central Australia. While traveling the drag queens meet up with an Aboriginal Tribe and you will be entertained watching two groups of outcasts dance around and sing together. This film has many popular disco tracks, such as I will Survive and Finally. It also has many great actors including Guy Pearce, Hugo Weaving and Terence Stamp.

CROCODILE DUNDEE: Set in the Australian Outback and New York , this 1986 comedy stars Paul Hogan as an Australian outback character Mick Dundee who is infamous in the outback for fighting crocodiles so much so that a New York Journalist , Sue , travels out to Australia to interview him .On arrival ,she travels into the wilderness , and Mick Dundee’s outback skills come in useful , saving her from buffalo and crocodiles. They fall in love and she takes him back to New York where the differences between outback Australian and American culture are comically compared and Sue has to decide if she wants to marry her American mainstream Fiance or the Australian , Mick Dundee .

Tags: 4WD, Australia, budget, Car Hire, Car Hire Queensland Rentals, cars, Cheap Rental Cars Australia, holiday, More Saving, rental, SUV, vacation

Sometimes Supplement Car Rental Insurance is a Good Idea

Aug 23, 2009 More Saving

People are often advised by friends and colleagues not to pay for supplemental car insurance when renting a car. The logic behind this advice is that usually the credit card you use to rent the car is already covering the rental, as well as your personal auto insurance. While these facts maybe true, there are still some reasons to consider paying for supplemental car insurance, such as deductibles and the amount of coverage you currently have.

If you incur minor damage to the vehicle that you rent, like dings, scratches and dents, even if they are caused of no fault of your own, then you are still liable in the car rental company’s eyes to pay for those damages; even if your rented vehicle is just parked in a parking lot when the damages occur.

If minor damage like this were to occur, it is very possible that the cost of repairs would be so little that your personal insurance company and your credit card company would not cover these charges. It is also possible that if minor damage were to occur, and you called the police and your insurance company immediately, that you may still be billed by the rental agency even if you thought the matter was resolved.

Typically, the cost to repair these scratches, dents or dings is less than $1000. Supplemental car insurance can cost as little as $10 a day. Supplemental car insurance can provide peace of mind, and not have you worrying about whether or not your car insurance or credit card company will cover the cost of minor damage.

Sure $1000 is not that much, but when compared to the $50-$80 the insurance would have cost you up front, it can provide you with a significant savings in the long run. Now after reading this, you may still wish to take your chances with the coverage that you have and may choose to waive that extra insurance, but for the amount of hassle, aggravation and paperwork that this process could cost you purchasing that extra insurance really seems to be the best overall option.

Tags: 4WD, Australia, budget, Car Hire, Car Hire Queensland Rentals, cars, Cheap Rental Cars Australia, holiday, More Saving, rental, SUV, vacation

Enjoy Some Great Leisure Time With Miami Car Rentals

Aug 18, 2009 More Saving

Are you going to Miami? That’s a great choice. Miami is a really gorgeous place - filled with beautiful scenery, amazing buildings, and the people are so friendly! But of course, you would need to get around, and what better way than by car? You can make full use of the Miami car rentals, they are the greatest way to explore Miami and see for yourself the vivacity of the place. In this article, we tell you all about Miami car rentals.

A simple Internet search will tell you all you need to know, about these car rental agencies - there are many of them in the city. From them, you can rent a car, either with driver or without. Look up the agencies online, or just pick up the nearest phone book, and look at the listings for Miami car rentals. Plus, you can also make use of many great offers and tempting discounts. If you need an SUV, or a Mini-Van, or if you would like to pamper yourself by riding around in a luxury or exotic car - you will find them all. You would be pleased to know that some agencies provide 100 free miles per day with luxury and specialty cars.

Miami car rentals give an absolutely stunning selection of cars - all at amazing prices. You can even request airport pickup and drop. So how do you go about getting a car? All you need to do is make a reservation online, or you could simply pick up the phone and call the agency in question - to select your car and get a good deal on the price of the car rental. Miami car rentals allow you to use your international driver’s license, but you do need insurance - so make sure you’re well covered! Ideally, you should be a minimum of 21 years of age to rent a car, though some agencies ask for a minimum age of 25 years.

Miami car rentals offer you many other advantages - like services to pick up and drop customers, delivery and pickup of the vehicle provided. Many payment options are available - like cash, check, credit / debit card - even traveler’s checks are accepted. You need to give a certain amount of deposit, which is, of course, fully refundable, when the car is returned. The amount of this deposit varies from agency to agency, and also depends on which car you select.

There are various cars in all colors, sizes, and shapes - at Miami car rentals. Choose from among full size, mid size, compact, economy, SUVs, convertibles, vans - and if you want exotic cars - even those are there! If you want a stick shift, ask for one in advance, because most Miami car rentals have automatic cars. But automatic and stick shift are both available. You can rent a car for as low as $80.

Another benefit of Miami car rentals is that you get many accessories with the car! These may include, but are not limited to - a baby seat, cell phones, and even a GPS system! But there would be additional charges for these, of course. If you think you need an extra driver, then there would be additional charges for that too. Also take into account the smoking charges and the fuel charges.

If you are thinking of driving the car out of the state, be warned that Miami car rentals usually do not allow this - but some agencies would make an exception to this rule. What is amazing is that many discounts and offers are there, all waiting for you to make use of them. In fact, in certain agencies, if you rent a car for a month, then you would get an amazing discount.

So go for Miami car rentals, choose whatever you want - Audi, VW Beetle, Jeep Wrangler, Range Rover, Mustang, Porsche, Cadillac, Navigator, etc - whichever captures your fancy. Take a fabulous car and see the fabulous sights of Miami!

Tags: auto, car, florida, Miami, More Saving, rental, roads, Traveling, trip, vacation, vehicle

Top Question When Renting A Car

Aug 16, 2009 More Saving

Whether or not to take out rental insurance, when you are renting a car, has been a major decision among all renters. It is important, when you rent a car, that you understand these companies want to sell you insurance because it is a way for them to make more money. On top of that, rental companies encourage you to take out their insurance because it protects their car, and that is all that matters to them.

Here are some of the most asked questions about rental insurance, and the answer are most likely going to surprise many of you.

Q: DOESNT MY REGULAR CAR INSURANCE POLICY COVER ME WHEN I AM DRIVING A RENTAL CAR?

A: The answer is yes, most car insurance will cover you fully when you are driving in a rented vehicle, however as with all things it is a good idea to contact your car insurance company in advance and ask them about this coverage. Don’t wait until you are standing in line at the rental agent to attempt to make this decision, know the facts before you get there.

Q: WILL THE CREDIT CARD THAT I USED TO RENT THE CAR COVER ME FOR ANY DAMAGES?

A: There is not straight yes or no answer for this question. Most of the major credit card companies do offer additional rental insurance, however you should always check prior to using it for your rental.

Q: IF I AM COVERED BY MY CREDIT CARD AND MY CAR INSURANCE DO I NEED TO PURCHASE THE CAR RENTAL INSURANCE JUST IN CASE?

A: NO, NO, NO….Although many companies will tell you that you are not covered under any insurance but theirs, this is absolutely not true. The truth is, the insurance coverage that is offered from a rental car company will provide you will no covers that you are not already be offered through your insurance and credit card companies.

Before you pick up your rental car, it is important that you find out all the required details from your insurance and credit companies. This is the difference in money in your bank or the rental company’s

Tags: a, Australia, automobile, c, Car Hire, Car Insurance, car rental, car rental queensland, e, h, holiday, i, insurance, More Saving, n, r, rental, Rental Car, Rental Insurance, t, travel, travel & leisure, travel tips, u, v, vacation