Renting a Car: What You Should Know

I am a 28 year old woman with a valid Driver's License, no car, a decent credit score and no traffic violations/tickets to my name. I have a checking account with a nationally recognized and respected bank. It would seem that renting a car should be relatively easy for someone like me. I'm here to tell you why that is not the case.

We've all seen commercials for Avis, Enterprise Rent-A-Car and Hertz. They compete for value, price and efficiency. They also compete for convenience. Of the three companies Avis is the cheapest, most reliable and customer friendly of them all. However, in my experience they have a problem with keeping track of their own rules.

Enterprise Rent-A-Car proved to be very up-front about their rules and regulations. For example they volunteered the information that a major credit card was required for renting a vehicle to take out of state. They also mentioned their deposit amounts, and that they do not offer insurance packages. To rent from Enterprise you have to have your own car insurance. Rather pointless for those who do not own vehicles to attempt to rent from Enterprise.

Hertz allows you to rent a vehicle without a credit card, but rather with a debit/check card from your bank. However, they neglect to tell you, until you arrive to pick up your car, that you're subject to a credit check and there is a large deposit required if you use a check card or debit card. After a friend dropped me off to pick up my rental car (being told I could use my check card without a problem by customer service) I was notified I'd have to pass a credit check and told of the large deposit I'd be required to pay. Needless to say I had to cancel my reservation as I'd not planned to pay such a large deposit.

Avis gave me the biggest run around and in the end I had to cave to get a credit card to rent a car. Despite their failure to give me accurate information as to their rules and regulations in the end Avis proved to be the most affordable company. With insurance packages available and low rates as well as newer model cars Avis is a company worth turning to when you need a vehicle fast. I do not blame the company for the misinformation given by their employees.

Be sure to gather as much information as you can from any rental car company before making a reservation. Call frequently to reconfirm the information you've been given. Make sure when you arrive that you have all the proper identification as well. Renting a car isn't the easiest thing if you aren't over 25 and have a credit card, but it can be done. Remember, most rental companies only rent to people under the age of 21 if they are in the Military.

If you need to rent a car, but you don't have a credit card don't worry. With Avis you can rent a car as a secondary driver so long as someone goes to the rental office with you and they have a credit card. Avis is the only nationwide company I've found that allows you to do that. Which is why they have my respect as the best rental car company in the US.