If you’ve come to About Budget Travel, chances are good that you shop for the best deals you can find prior to each journey. You use the Internet to find good airfares and you seek out the best room rates for each night of your trip.

Do you give car rentals the same attention?

Many travelers operate under the misconception that car rental rates are all about the same, and that shopping is a waste of time. But rates do vary–sometimes by quite a bit–between companies and destinations.

Another truth: car rental companies reward people who make life easy for them and penalize those who don’t know the ropes. Here are five tips, in no particular order, for lowering your car rental expenses.

Low Cost Car Rental

Beware of hidden fees and extras.

If the rental company has to top-off the gas tank after your return, you will pay a ridiculous price per gallon. Always ask that the car be filled up prior to your departure, and then bring it back full of gas.

There are plenty of other additional charges that can take a nice rate to an ordinary deal very quickly. A weekly rate of $125 showed up recently for a compact rental out of San Antonio International Airport. That’s about $18/day. Not bad.

Go to the reservation page, and you learn that taxes and fees add more than $50. There’s 10% sales tax, something called a vehicle license fee of nearly $19 and an “arena fee” of $7.19. Now I’m paying more than $25/day. Keep that in mind when you see rates under $20/day advertised.

Airport rentals are best avoided.

In that previous example, there was also an $11.51 “airport fee.” It’s often very convenient to rent a car at the airport, but keep in mind that you’ll pay for the privilege. If you’re on a business trip, many times you can rent a car from your downtown hotel. If you can conveniently arrange a hotel shuttle or public transportation from airport to front desk, chances are good you’ll save money taking delivery off the airport grounds.

Decline the insurance.

Most travelers know this one, but there is a lot of pressure to change minds at the rental counter. Companies make big profits from insurance fees. Some clerks are trained to create as much anxiety as possible for people who decline it.

They’ll tell you their insurance closes expensive loopholes, which may or may not be true in your case. They’ll tell you stories about how a customer’s auto insurance or credit card failed to cover damages during a recent accident.

There may be truth in the stories, but the odds are slim that you’ll need any of this coverage. It is very likely, however, that your auto insurance policy at home covers rentals as well. Call your agent to verify it.

Also check with your credit card company to see if using the card to pay for a rental provides collision coverage. In many cases, you’ll find it a positive response.

In smaller offices, reserve the smallest car possible.

Most North Americans who rent cars don’t like driving compacts. Rental companies know this, and they usually order more mid-size and full-size cars.

If your destination is a smaller facility or non-hub airport, chances are good that they have only a few compacts. On some days, they might not have any compacts when customers arrive.

In that situation, if you’ve reserved a compact, they are obligated to give you a free upgrade. Many times, you’ll move up two categories for no additional charge.

I’ve done this many times over the years. Remember: you can usually pay an upgrade fee on the spot for a larger car if they call your bluff and tell you the compact is ready to go. There will be times when the smallest cars are all that remains on the lot. Those times are fairly rare.

In larger facilities, where the supply of cars is huge, this plan is far less likely to work. But it might be worth a try if you’re willing to risk getting a smaller car.

You’re also unlikely to make this strategy pay outside of North America. The rest of the world often prefers very small, fuel-efficient cars.

Pricing quirks and special offers can make a big difference in your final total. Click “next” and learn how and where to find the best deals.

Shop for quirky deals and special offers.

A recent search on Hertz.com showed a three-day rental of a mid-sized car from Denver International would cost $236 USD, nearly $79/day. If four more days are added, the total cost goes up, but only to $361. That’s less than $52/day.

How is that possible?

On day five, Hertz’s weekly rate took effect. Many times, reserving a car for a week (even if it sits in a driveway or parking lot) is cheaper than trying to get a daily rate on a shorter rental.

For that reason, it pays to try a number of time combinations when you consider your rental period. It might be smarter to pick up the car on Thursday, even if you don’t really need it until Friday. The Friday rental might come with a weekend rate that is more expensive.

There are times when a car rental bid on Priceline will save you money, but unlike hotels, there are frequent instances where the bid prices are very similar (or even higher) than the standard rates listed on company Web sites. It’s worth checking Priceline, but don’t expect it to save you significant money on every rental.

For car rental at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport

More than 2 million passengers complete rental car transactions each year at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. In order to meet current needs and anticipated demands for rental vehicles, Hartsfield-Jackson is building a state-of-the-art Consolidated Rental Car (CONRAC) facility. When it opens in November 2009, CONRAC will house all Airport rental car companies and their associated operations, including customer service, administrative offices, ready/return parking, fueling and maintenance facilities.

The 67.5-acre CONRAC facility is located across Interstate 85 from the Airport and will connect to the existing passenger terminals via an Automated People Mover (APM) train system. The APM can move more than 10,000 passengers an hour to and from the passenger terminal along the 1.6 mile long elevated guideway. The trip between the terminal and the CONRAC APM station will be approximately five minutes. A stop at the Georgia International Convention Center (GICC) will provide direct passenger access to the facility during conventions and events.

By centralizing all rental car operations adjacent to the Airport, CONRAC will eliminate the need for rental agency shuttle buses and dramatically reduce the number of rental cars on terminal roadways. This should help minimize the Airport’s carbon footprint by improving overall traffic flow around the passenger terminal.

CONRAC is one of several projects included in Hartsfield-Jackson’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP). The $6 billion-plus program supports the Airport’s overall mission by planning, designing, building and maintaining facilities to meet projected growth in domestic and international travel. CIP projects reduce flight delays, increase airfield and terminal capacity, enhance overall customer service, and substantially contribute to Georgia’s economic development.

CONRAC Features

* 2 four-story parking decks * 2.8 million square feet of parking * More than 8,700 ready, return and storage parking spaces * 1,200 additional ground storage spaces * 10 rental car agencies * 137,000 square-foot customer service center * 6 two-car APM trains * 1 maintenance and recovery vehicle * 1.3 acre APM train maintenance facility * 27 acre “Quick Turnaround” area for rental vehicles with maintenance, wash and fuel facilities * 140 fuel pumps * 30 wash bays with water recovery system

Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (IATA: ATL, ICAO: KATL, FAA LID: ATL), known locally as Atlanta Airport, Hartsfield Airport, and Hartsfield–Jackson, is located seven miles (11 km) south of the central business district of Atlanta, Georgia, United States. It is the world’s busiest airport by passenger traffic, serving 90 million passengers per year, as well as by number of landings and take-offs.[2] The airport is the primary hub of Delta Air Lines, AirTran Airways, Delta Connection under the Shuttle America name, and Delta Connection partner Atlantic Southeast Airlines; the Delta hub is the world’s largest airline hub. Delta Air Lines flew 55.4% of passengers from the airport in 2008, AirTran flew 19.27%, and Atlantic Southeast Airlines flew 12.94%. The airport has 151 domestic and 28 international gates.

Hartsfield–Jackson held its ranking as the world’s busiest airport in 2008, both in terms of passengers and number of flights, by accommodating 90 million passengers and 978,824 flights. Many of the nearly one million flights are domestic flights from within the United States where Atlanta serves as a major hub for travel throughout the Southern United States.

Hartsfield–Jackson International Airport has international service to North America, South America, Central America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. As an international gateway to the United States, Hartsfield–Jackson ranks seventh; John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City is first.[4] However, the airport is increasingly becoming a major gateway for international flights; 2008 saw international traffic jump 3.18 percent over the previous year, with more than 4.6 million passengers boarding international flights.

The airport is located mostly in unincorporated areas in Fulton and Clayton counties; the city limits of Atlanta, College Park, and Hapeville extend to the airport grounds. The airport is reachable by train on MARTA.

Hong Kong offers a host of memorable tourist attractions within its compact area. Visit Victoria Peak, Victoria Harbour, the Giant Buddha and the fishing village of Aberdeen. You’ll be amazed by the diverse contrasts and close proximity of stunning cityscapes and soaring mountains, heritage sites and extensive green countryside. Enjoy the scenic beauty of Deep Water Bay and Repulse Bay. Stanley Market is great for bargain-hunting.

Witness the record holding “World’s Largest Permanent Light and Sound Show”, an all-round vision of lights and lasers orchestrated to music and narration. Hop on board the Peak Tram, a cable train that runs across the skies of Victoria Peak to Hong Kong’s most famous beaches. No trip to Hong Kong is complete without a steaming hot plate of dim sums, a delight served in steaming bamboo baskets. Experiment with local fares like pork buns, shrimp dumplings and pan fried squid.

Opt for the Hong Kong by Night Tour, a romantic night-time cruise aboard a Chinese-style boat that gives you fabulous views of Hong Kong as you cruise around Victoria Harbour. Sail past the busy waterfronts and ferries as they make their way through anchored ships. Savour a local buffet dinner while a live band plays aboard. Dance the night away or enjoy a view of the glittering city and the magnificent harbour.

A visit to Disneyland is highly recommended. Situated on Lantau Island, this world-class theme park is a legendary fairytale kingdom that celebrates the spirit of fantasy, the world of tomorrow and a forever-young sense of adventure. Enjoy a magical journey through four themed lands namely Main Street USA, Fantasyland, Adventureland and Tomorrowland. Disneyland offers magical experiences ranging from Broadway-style shows, hilarious 3D movies and music adventure to signature Disney attractions, snapshots with your favourite Disney characters, spectacular fireworks and parades.

The time to act is now!

Top 10 Things

From the beaches to Busch Gardens, fresh gulf seafood to world-famous steaks you’ll find something for everyone to enjoy in Tampa Bay. To get around, user a Tampa Rental Car .

1, Florida Aquarium 701 Channelside Dr, Tampa, FL 33602 · 813-273-4000 Set along the waterfront, this amazing attraction (housed in a structure modeled after a giant scallop shell) explores Florida’s native sea life in a number of venues. More than 4,300 plants and animals are represented, highlighting both fresh and saltwater environments. Exhibits document the movement of water from wetlands to ocean and include a million-gallon coral reef display that houses fish of all kinds. Twice each day, divers feed sharks living in the aquarium, and other exhibits showcase sea life from around the world. A gift shop and restaurant are on the premises, and the IMAX theater next door presents a film documenting ocean life.

2. Museum of Science and Industry 4801 E Fowler Ave, Tampa, FL 33617 · 813-987-6100 If you’re a science nut, or even if you just like to know why things happen the way they do, this museum is a great diversion. With more than 450 hands-on exhibits, visitors become part of the action and can experience hurricane-force winds, zero-gravity and the effects of simulated flight. Displays on anatomy and ecology provide insight into the natural world, while the butterfly garden, nature trail and planetarium offer total immersion programs that further explore the physical environment. An IMAX theater awes guests with spectacle and is just one more reason that MOSI is the Southeast’s largest science center and a perennial favorite of tourists and residents alike.

3. Tampa Bay History Center 225 S Franklin St, Tampa, FL 33602 · 813-274-8130 This is the type of museum that communities treasure and visitors find eminently fascinating. Exhibits proudly celebrate local heritage and highlight artifacts collected and excavated from the area. Among the items displayed are relics from the American Indians who originally inhabited the area and objects that reflect the city’s ties to both the ocean and the military. A library of historical books and papers can also be found on the premises.

4. Tampa Museum of Art 600 N Ashley St, Tampa, FL 33602 · 813-274-8130 This striking, riverside museum boasts an amazing collection of classical Greek and Roman artwork – one of the country’s best. It also prides itself on 20th-century American acquisitions including photographs, works on paper and sculpture. Aside from these permanent collections, the museum displays rotating and traveling exhibits throughout the year. There’s even a gallery that highlights Florida’s most well-received artists. Regular public workshops make art accessible to children and adults, and a gift shop offers distinctive merchandise. Outside, a park and sculpture garden take advantage of the waterside location.

5, Ybor City Walking Tour 1901 N 13th St, Ybor City, FL 33605 · 813-247-6323 Sponsored by the Ybor City State Museum Society and the Chamber of Commerce, these walking tours wind through one of Tampa’s most historic (and vibrant) districts. Led by a local resident, the tours last about 1.5 hours and begin at the museum. They go through the gardens there and then move out into Ybor City itself. Guides share the history of the area and also provide details about particular buildings and current developments. Participants should wear comfortable clothes and shoes.

Top Weekend Getaways And Day Trip Excursions:

1. Busch Gardens 3000 E Busch Blvd, Tampa, FL 33612 · 813-987-5082 Prepare to be overwhelmed! This theme park, based on Africa’s past, is divided into ten sections that showcase exotic animals, roller coasters, and live entertainment. While you’re there, head for “Edge of Africa” and come face-to-face with hyenas, lions and crocodiles; visit “The Congo” and check out water rides and white tigers; take the kids to “Land of the Dragons” and let them explore the three-story tree house and other fairy-tale attractions. Whatever your fancy, it will be met at Florida’s largest west-coast park, which also contains one of the nation’s best zoos.

2. Gasparilla Pirate Festival Bayshore Blvd and Downtown, Tampa, FL · 813-273-6495 Perhaps Tampa’s most-anticipated festival, this exuberant event is the city’s answer to Mardi Gras. Held in late January or early February, it features a fleet of invading boats, manned by marauding “pirates” who infiltrate the city and initiate a carnival atmosphere. The event commemorates the state’s pirate heritage with elaborate costumes, street parades and entertainment. There’s also a brunch, games, rides and activities for spectators of all ages.

3. Adventure Island Tampa 1001 McKinley Ave, Tampa, FL 33612 · 813-987-5600 With 24 different, thrilling water rides strategically placed throughout this 30-acre park, the fun is seemingly endless! Attractions are suitable for all ages; Fabian’s Funport or Splash Attack, for example, are specially designed for younger children, while wild rides like the Caribbean Corkscrew (two enclosed water slides intertwined to the depths) and the Tampa Typhoon (featuring a seven-story drop into a pool of water) keep big brothers and sisters entertained. At Adventure Island, the quest for fun will surely be satiated.

4. Guavaween Various locations, Ybor City, FL · 813-621-7121 YBOR CITY. This Hispanic interpretation of Halloween celebrates Tampa’s title as the “Big Guava.” Taking place late in October in Ybor City, the event begins with a parade (known as the “Mama Guava Stumble”) of wildly attired characters, and then shifts to a street party that completely inundates the historic neighborhood. There are also concerts and live entertainment. Early during the day, events for kids and families are planned, but the late-night atmosphere is a little too decadent for young ones. The parade is free; the street party does charge an admission fee.

5. Florida State Fair US Hwy 301 at I-4, Florida State Fairgrounds, Tampa, FL 33619 · 813-621-7821 This two-week annual event highlights Florida’s agricultural life and focuses on livestock expositions and arts and crafts displays. However, there are also tons of rides and concerts and a bonanza of food. Known as the Southeast’s largest fair, Florida’s offering has one of the country’s largest midways, and kids and adults alike thrill to the event. In addition to the exciting rides, botanical displays, competitions and judgings of all sorts are on the agenda. Free parking.

6. Outback Bowl Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL · 813-874-2695 This New Year’s Day event pits two college teams against each other in post-season play. Televised around the country, the game has become a local football attraction, with a variety of events centered around it. Tickets are available from Ticketmaster, but you’ll have to get them early if you plan on attending.

7. Ruskin Seafood and Arts Festival 2401 19th Ave NW, EG Simmons Park, Ruskin, FL 33570 · 813-645-3808 Each November, restaurants and vendors gather along Tampa Bay to serve up some of the area’s best seafood. During the alcohol-free two-day event, eager visitors line up to sample crab, shrimp, conch, grouper and other ocean delicacies. There’s also an arts and crafts exhibit, musical entertainment and attractions for the children. Parking is free, but there is an admission charge for the event. Food prices are additional.

8. Flatwoods Wilderness Park 16400 Morris Bridge Rd, Thonotosassa, FL 33592 · 813-987-6211 Throughout the year, this park is filled with lush vegetation and a wide variety of nature’s inhabitants. At any one time, you’re likely to spot delicate wildflowers and blooming shrubs, along with frogs, birds, armadillos and maybe even a wild pig or bobcat. (Remember: They’re more frightened of you than you are of them.) When the weather cooperates, outdoor enthusiasts flock to the park to jog, bike and roller blade along the paved trails. The paths at Flatwoods also connect to those at other parks to comprise a 20-mile route through populated and natural areas of the city.

9. Hillsborough River State Park 15402 US Rte 301 N, Thonotosassa, FL 33592 · 813-987-6771 Twelve miles north of the city, this 3000-acre park winds alongside the Hillsborough River and offers a variety of landscapes, including swamps and pine woodlands. Marked trails provide paths for jogging, biking and sightseeing. There are also facilities for camping, boating, fishing and swimming. Open since 1938, this expansive preserve is one of the area’s favorites and a great getaway for city residents.

10. Sea Fox Dive Charters 51 Main St, Dunedin Municipal Marina, Dunedin, FL 34698 · 727-469-8979 Explore the clear waters of the Gulf with the help of this expert dive company, which offers a number of offshore and deepwater trips each season. Excursions may include trips to Dunedin Ledge, Cracked Ledge, or the Sheridan Tabletop – just be sure to check the calendar and make reservations. If you’re looking to add a touch of mystery to your dive, try a nighttime trip to Grandfather’s or Turtle Head Ledge. Open-water training sessions are available for neophytes who want to secure their diver certification. The “Sea Fox” is also available for private charters.

For too long, many governments have ignored the fact that oil will at some point, run out. Some governments, such as the Germany & Switzerland have invested heavily in their public transport systems so that they rely less on oil dependent transport, such as aviation. It appears that the oil producers have failed to invest in the public transport infrastructure. The UK rail network still runs on 19th century technology, which makes it the butt of many a comedian’s jokes. The USA is still heavily dependent on aviation for long distance travel as is Australia.

In October 1981, the Australian government mooted the idea of a very fast train that would reduce the travel time between its east coast cities by 3-4 hours. Further discussions upgraded this proposal to a 3.5 hour rail ink to Melbourne. Some 17 years later, nothing had materialized. The initial cost of about $AUD4bn seems rather cheap in todays money, especially when the annual government surplus hovers around the $AUD20bn mark. Constant dithering and the failure to appreciate the resource demands of a galloping India and China makes the decision not to follow through with the VFT more puzzling. Interestingly, BHP was a willing participant on this project, which would have made the project viable. Qantas, Australians national flag carrier, became interested in the high speed rail link that would link Sydney with Canberra. Reducing flights between the two cities would allow the airline to redeploy equipment to other routes. Today, it would be a major cost saving on fuel as airlines seek to reduce the impact of high oil prices.

The Australian Government announced recently that it was providing Toyota with financial incentives to manufacture its hybrid cars in Australia. Audi have developed a vehicle that will use a very miserly amount of 3.8l per 100km. Assuming that economy, the Audi will use just 33.5 litres of fuel on a trip from Sydney to Melbourne! That equates to about $54 in cost. The Australian Government is on the right track in inducing the production of fuel efficient vehicles, but it can go one step further in reducing the taxes that are imposed highly efficient vehicles, such as the Audi A3 TDIe.

In the Car Rental industry, green cars will become more of an inventory option as the price of fuel begins to hit the hip pocket. Diesel cars will gain more demand due to their fuel efficiency. Hybrids are still considered a novelty and their usage is relatively low due to the high cost of hiring one. Companies like Europcar and Hertz continue to market green options through their website and also in print media. Corporate companies, such as Price Waterhouse Coopers, insist that on their car rental contracts that a green option must be made available. Car brokers, such as DriveAway Holidays, have begun to highlight which cars are considered green so that the customer can make more of an informed choice.

In simplistic terms, governments should be providing substantial incentives on reducing the dependency on oil. Reducing tax on super efficient cars, such as the Audi A3 TDie and all Hybrid cars will influence peoples car purchase. Providing financial support to rail infrastructure, such as the VFT in Australia will reduce the dependency on air travel. If all governments around the world proactively invested now, within 5 years, the demand for oil will drop. Will India and China actively seek to reduce their demand on global oil reserves? Who knows? But if they don’t, we are in for some very lean and recessionary years.