Many of the larger cities offset the costs of new stadiums, concert halls, city renovations and othe

Rather than leave you alone to a headache and hours of planning, we've created a complete guide to car rentals. And if you're spending alberta motor association travel agency calgary a few weeks outside the country, don't worry -- we'll cover that, too.
Finding a good deal on a car rental is a lot like shopping for a new car. While it's true that a Chevrolet alberta motor association travel agency calgary will always be a Chevrolet (regardless of the dealer from which it comes), it's also true that not every dealer is the same. Some have lower prices than others, and others offer different incentives to new and returning customers. The same is true for car rental services.
First, consider vehicle size. While a two-door compact car is less expensive (and probably more fun to drive), a minivan will provide more space and fewer arguments. SUV's will also accommodate large families, alberta motor association travel agency calgary but are typically more expensive to rent.
Don't expect a rock-bottom deal on a rental if you decide alberta motor association travel agency calgary to wait until you arrive at the airport. Instead, plan ahead and allow yourself more wiggle room to find the best price. You can save time by visiting sites like Kayak and VroomVroomVroom .
You should aim to have your vehicle booked around the same time as your flight. In fact, reach out to the airline alberta motor association travel agency calgary with whom you're flying, because many car rental services have partnerships with airlines and offer steep discounts to travelers. Remember: alberta motor association travel agency calgary Every dollar counts!
When you begin shopping, you may come across deals that seem out-of-this-world good. Car rental companies will sometimes advertise offers at incredibly low rates to bring customers through the door. In theory, this is great, but in practice, it's rarely ever the case. When you think you've found the car you want, carefully read all the fine print before signing on the dotted line. Car rental companies will often tack on extra fees and taxes, and as a consumer, you have every right to question their meaning.
Disguised as "concession recovery charges," or "customer facility charges," airport fees are often tacked onto a car rented at an airport. While renting a vehicle directly at an airport may save time and effort, it comes with a price.
Luckily, escaping these fees is relatively simple. Instead of renting your vehicle from one of the rental services at the airport, alberta motor association travel agency calgary try scheduling a rental through your hotel. More often than not, your hotel will know exactly where to send you. Also, check with the hotel to see if they offer any kind of transportation services to and from the local airport. alberta motor association travel agency calgary If they don't, do a little research -- many car rental companies have locations alberta motor association travel agency calgary close to the airport.
The old adage, "return it as you found it," rings especially true with a car rental. Make sure you document where the fuel gauge is when you receive the rental. alberta motor association travel agency calgary Before returning it, fill it to the level at which it was received. If you forget, your rental company may charge you two to three times more than the price at the pump, according to an article from USA Today. Ouch!
Here you are, being the responsible adult. You've checked out a little early, took the kids out for a relaxed farewell breakfast, and you've decided to make your way over to the airport a little early. You pull into the car rental place, hand over the keys and look at the bill. Your jaw drops when you discover you've been charged an early return fee. Car companies claim that by being such an excellent timekeeper, you've somehow managed to void certain areas of the contractual agreement.
If you're running ahead of schedule, notify the car rental service. They'll usually accommodate your early return. If they don't, feel free to give them a "gentle" nudge by threatening to park the rental down the street and have roadside assistance tow the car back when it's due. Of course, we always opt for less aggressive conflict resolution! Cough, cough...
Many of the larger cities alberta motor association travel agency calgary offset alberta motor association travel agency calgary the costs of new stadiums, concert halls, alberta motor association travel agency calgary city renovations and other large construction expenditures by adding this tax to car rentals. Unfortunately, there's nothing you or the car company can really do about it.
Any younger parents out there? This one applies to you! People under the age of 25 used to be prohibited from renting automobiles. But over the last few years, more and more rental companies alberta motor association travel agency calgary have dropped these standards. While this seems great, it comes with a hefty cost, as statistics show drivers between the ages of 18 and 25 are more likely to get into car accidents. Rather than take the risk without the reward, many car rental companies alberta motor association travel agency calgary push that risk off onto consumers -- you.
Other potential fees include energy surcharges, privilege fees, extra driver fees, tire tees, vehicle licensing fees and more. While it sounds a bit unnerving, a careful eye of your rental agreement will go a long way!
Many renters believe they're not covered unless they go through the car rental company's preferred insurance policy. In actuality, your regular car insurance alberta motor association travel agency calgary company, more often than not, will cover your rental. Your rental vehicle may also be covered by your credit alberta motor association travel agency calgary card, depending on the company. Discover, MasterCard, Visa and American Express all have some form of rental insurance coverage. But keep in mind that credit card coverage is typically secondary coverage, which means if a claim should need to be filed, they'll cover only what your insurance provider doesn't.
Don't completely write off the rental company's insurance, though. In the event you're not covered by insurance or a credit card, this policy is the best bet. It's also convenient because if anything should happen, you'll only pay for the cost of the insurance. An accident will likely result in higher car insurance alberta motor association travel agency calgary rates on your personal policy.
When making your reservation, ask what kind of car seats the company has available and which ones are appropriate for your kids. Feel free to ask about their policies regarding safety, equipment inspection, etc. -- the more you know, the better.
We suggest bringing your own car seat if you can. You'll already be familiar with the installation and removal processes. Though most car companies offer child seats, few, if any, provide adequate instructions for installation and removal. The last thing you want to have to do after a long flight with a now-exhausted entourage is spend an extra 45 minutes in a car rental parking lot figuring out how to install a car seat -- trust us on this one.
In the market for a car seat? Many parents prefer the Cosco - Scenera 5-Point Convertible Car Seat. This lightweight car seat only weighs 10 pounds, folds up completely, received excellent safety ratings and starts at around $43 -- perfect for plane travel. Another set of popular options come from Diono Radian, who produces several different convertible, compact, comfortable and safe car seats. While they're a little pricier, ranging from around $150 to $270, some parents swear by their stability and comfort.
This is definitely the first question you should ask yourself when traveling to other parts of the world. Many countries, especially in Europe, have excellent public transportation systems that cancel out the need for a rental.
In Switzerland, for example, children 16 and under can travel free with their parents through the country's broad and intricate (but very easy to navigate) system of railways, boats, buses and city trams.
Because each country's transportation alberta motor association travel agency calgary system is different, we recommend doing some research before taking the plunge. If you decide it's absolutely necessary that you rent a car outside of America, here are some things to consider:
To drive an automobile in a foreign alberta motor association travel agency calgary country, you'll most likely need to obtain an International Driving Permit. alberta motor association travel agency calgary While an American driver's license goes a long way in a lot of countries, it's always better to be safe than sorry.
You can apply for a permit at either of two places: alberta motor association travel agency calgary the National Automobile Club and AAA (the American Automobile Association). Be careful, because there are plenty of fake Web sites that prey on unsuspecting tourists. While the process doesn't take long, it's always recommended that you acquire the permit sooner, rather than later. The last thing you need to be worrying about in the days leading up to a foreign family alberta motor association travel agency calgary excursion is filling out paper work and taking alberta motor association travel agency calgary ID photos. You can download the application at the AAA web site . Fill it out and bring two passport-style photos and your driver's license to an AAA or National Automobile Club office, and you'll receive your permit. You may also mail the application, but don't forget to include $15 for the application fee!
Make sure you get your permit before you leave, and don't be fooled -- these permits must be issued by your home country. You cannot get them upon your arrival in your destination country. Also make sure each person who's going to be driving has an IDP.
If not, we suggest you contact your family's resident gear head immediately! In just about every country that isn't America, standard transmission automobiles are the norm. Don't get us wrong -- you'll be able to find an automatic transmission in Europe and most other countries. But they're much less common, and because of that, come at a premium.
Don't be surprised if gas-guzzling SUV's and massive minivans are hard to come by in other parts of the world. You'll find smaller, alberta motor association travel agency calgary more fuel-efficient cars (see: Mini Cooper and Smart cars). Larger vehicles can be had, but they may be more expensive. Plus, they might prove more difficult to drive on Europe's narrow roads.
While car rental alberta motor association travel agency calgary insurance in America is often unnecessary, you may find that your car insurance company will not cover foreign rentals. As always, we recommend that you first call your insurance and credit card companies to find out about their policies.
10 Best Orlando Resorts for Families So many hotels and resorts to choose from! Which ones really are the best for families in terms of theme-park access, amenities, and accommodations? Here are our favorites in the Orlando area!
Maybe it is the Hilt