Missing in Cyberspace
What is Omitted from Internet Price Quotes?
Life's Little Surprises
Holiday Inn launched a successful advertising campaign a few years ago built around the phrase "the best surprise is no surprise." If you've ever booked plane tickets or rented a car online, chances are you understand what they meant.
All those local surcharges and taxes aside, car rental companies also hit you with insurance waivers. Many people are covered on their auto insurance policies or credit cards. Those who are not watch that original rental quote double.
It can reach the point where you either take the deal or risk being stranded. At the very least, you'll be forced to do hasty shopping at the other car rental counters after arrival -- hardly a formula for budget travel success.
Avoiding the Big Surprise
In fact, it's safe to assume it is NOT the final price in most cases.
It's the old "comparing apples with apples" thing. It can spoil your travel mood in a hurry, and the damage often is irreparable.
If you catch someone being deceptive, banish their site from your bookmark list. Have you looked at the sea of travel options on the Internet? You certainly have this luxury!
Again, for emphasis: There are people out there who count on hasty clicking. Take the extra time to read and think through the offer.
Helpful Links
Budget Travel: Car Rental Firms
Links to rental company special offer sites.
Budget Travel Car Rental Search
A good place to choose from car rental databases.
Business Travel: Car Rentals
Guides Bruce Goldberg and Sarah Cusick provide information from a business point of view. Since business travelers rent a lot of cars, why not benefit from their experiences?
Business Travel: Car Rentals
Guides Bruce Goldberg and Sarah Cusick also have links to some of the company rental club programs.
Admit it: Did you press "book reservation" before knowing the final price on your purchase? Help the rest of us by recounting the experience in our forum section, or email me: budgettravel.guide@about.com
