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Over the last 30 years, there have been fewer and fewer people taking the family car for their out of state vacations. What was once the iconic image of a family piling into their station wagon, coolers and walkmans in tow has made room for long lines at the airport security station, duty-free shops and mp3 players. For decades people were deciding to fly rather than driving. However in this recession more and more people are heading back out on the road for their vacations. Here is a short list of advantages driving has over flying on your next vacation.
Cost
Although many people think that gas prices are more expensive than a plane ticket, the average price per barrel of gas has actually decreased over one hundred and fifty percent over the last 2 years. It is actually much cheaper to drive cross country than it is to fly. If you are factoring in more than 1 person, the savings are more than significant.
Safety
Cars care still the safest form of transportation in the world. Airport security has been heightened in light of the increased security risks associated with airplanes. Outside of this, more deaths are caused every year from flight-related accidents than driving on the interstate.
When deciding on a family vacation this year, don’t immediately turn down the idea of driving. Not only is it still the safest mode of transportation in the world, its also one of the cheapest.
Popularity: 1% [?]
admin @ February 18, 2010
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The decision whether to hire a car from your holiday or business trip can be a tricky one to make. Often it can prove costly if not thought out properly, so there are several steps you can take that will help you get the most out of your hire car.
The first thing to do is choose the length of time you are hiring your car for wisely, sometimes is is not even necessary to hire one for the duration of your trip. Sometimes it is nice to just relax at the hotel pool for a few days, in that case you wont be needing a car and you can simply hire for the specific days you choose. If you need a car for a very short period of time they you may want to consider the relatively new car sharing scheme, whereby you can hire a car for just a couple of hours if need be.
Also make sure you pick your car wisely, if you are on a budget then you will want to choose something that is economic and doesn’t guzzle the gas. If you are travelling with a big family then you will need something spacious and don’t forget extra room for luggage and shopping. Picking the right car for you can be easy with the simple search feature
which will give you a list of options of the different cars available.
Watch out for parking costs, many hotels offer free parking, but if you are out and about you will need to consider where you are going to park your car. Check online for car parks to get the best deals and save yourself some money. Enjoy your trip!
Popularity: 1% [?]
admin @ February 18, 2010
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If you are looking to get away from everything for a while, why not take a trip in a car. Think about it, no one to tell you that you have to sit in a specific seat and no time limits that you have to abide by. You get the freedom to go where you want and the freedom to stay as long as you want. No guided tours and no public transportation that can slow you
down. You are in control of everything and where and what you see. There are many benefits of taking a trip in your car and here are some of them.
Tired of being rushed at a site that you really want to see and learn more about? If you are, a guided tour is not for you because they are timed and only have a certain amount of time to give the tour. They have more tours to give so they have a certain amount of time to tell you about the main points of interest. If you are on your own, you have all the time in the world because ours. You have until the sites closes for the day.
Another thing is that you can plan a trip and go only to the sites you want to see instead of visiting sites you really care nothing about. On a guided tour, you can get a lot of sites that are just put into the tour to kill some time, not really interesting.
Popularity: 1% [?]
admin @ February 18, 2010
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As the car rental industry is facing profit margins that are becoming increasingly slim, more and more car rental agencies are resorting to hidden fees to make ends meet. Some are completely within their control and some aren’t. Here’s your guide to avoiding the bogus charges.
The first enemy you’ll face are taxes. Airport taxes, state taxes, federal taxes, travel taxes, taxes on top of taxes, you get the idea. Traveling in the United States you’re bound to get taxed a minimum of 15% of the total bill. In Europe? Look to pay out at least 25% or more. Unfortunately, there’s nothing you can do about them; just expect to pay them and try not to be so angry.
Next up, insurance. You are guaranteed to ask if you want to purchase insurance; it’s a huge money maker for the car rental agency. Unfortunately, unless you are insured, even a simple accident and you could be liable for thousands. If you’re already insured for your personal vehicle, call them first and ask about their policy on rentals. You will often already be covered. Secondly, check with your credit cards; they will occasionally offer car rental insurance as a fringe benefit. Of course, remember to use that card to get the benefit.
Gasoline charges are another car rental agency favorite. When you pick up your car, you usually have to refueling options: return it the way you got it or pay upwards of $4 a gallon, or pay a nominal fee, usually $40, for a full tank of gas up front. Of course, if you don’t use all the gas you still lose. Your best bet is to just fuel up before going
back to the airport.
Car rental agencies are quick to promise you cheap rental rates, but always keep in mind the hidden costs. They can quickly add up and might surprise you.
Popularity: 1% [?]
admin @ February 18, 2010
Alamo, Avis, Budget, Car Rental USA, General, Guide, News, Tips Comments (0)
Are you worried that you won’t be able to rent a car because you don’t have a credit card? In the past, you would have had cause to be worried. In truth, it was impossible to rent a car without a major credit card. However, nowadays, top notch rental car agencies are making exceptions. They are allowing you to use your card to rent a car as long as it shows the Visa or MasterCard logo. Below you’ll learn how to rent the vehicle
you want, using your debit card hassle free.
When using a credit card to rent a car, you are, in a sense, borrowing money from your credit card issuer to pay for the rental. On the other hand, with a debit card, funds are automatically taken from your checking or savings account to secure the car rental. The thing to consider is how much cash you have available as well as the daily spending limits imposed upon your account by your bank. When using a debit card, the full amount of the rental will be charged immediately to your account.
But here’s the real kicker – rental car companies are franchise operations and have the freedom to create local policies concerning the payment methods. You see, you could call a car rental agent at one of the nine major car rental agencies (Alamo, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, E-Z Rent A Car, Hertz, National, Rent-a-Wreck and Thrifty) at the airport
and be told that debit cards are not accepted. You could call one of their other local locations and discover that location will take your debit card with no problem. So the lesson? Don’t take no for an answer.
Check around until you get a yes!
Popularity: 1% [?]
admin @ February 18, 2010
Airport, Avis, Budget, California, Car Rental USA, General, Guide, Hertz, News, Reviews, Tips Comments (0)
Who said that a car rental needs to restrict where you wish to go? Anyone that has access to a car rental has access to the part of the world that they are currently in. It is important to try your best when in any area to have a great reliable vehicle that will make it possible for you to go wherever you please. If you do not use a car rental option during your travels you are actually more restricted to walking, taking a bus, train, or taxi cab which could get expensive and consume a large portion of your travel time. By taking advantage of a rental car option, you provide yourself with a great tool that can take you wherever you want to be. Make sure that you have one available for you to use during your travel dates!
Car rentals can be booked online relatively easily. It is no secret that you can save money on nearly everything if you make arrangements for it online. There are plenty of great websites that have specialized search functions available to get you the largest selection of vehicles to choose from various different rental companies. Not only do you have this great selection of vehicles, but you have the opportunity to choose a low cost option that fits your budget well. If none of the vehicles available peak your interest, you can broaden your results simply by browsing the available listings without filters! Take advantage of low cost options when available and appropriate to help give you options that will not cost you extra out of pocket. Many fuel efficient vehicles will be available for you to choose from that will actually make is easier to get around and save money as well!
Popularity: 2% [?]
admin @ September 15, 2009
Alamo, Avis, Budget, California, Car Rental USA, Guide, Hertz, News, Tips Comments (2)
Although there are signs that the economy is starting to recover, we are still far from being where most of us would like the economy to be. However, after going through such a rough time, it’s simply not realistic to expect things to recover overnight. We fell very hard in a very short amount of time, so it’s going to take a lot of time and work before things really begin to get back on track.
As a result of the fact that most people are still feeling the impact of the economic downturn (especially the countless amount of people who have lost their jobs and have been unable to find new ones), it should come as no surprise that the impact of the economy can be seen in all different areas of life. One area where it is expected to be seen soon is in the upcoming Labor Day Travel. AAA has projected that while 39.1 million people will make a trip that is at least fifty miles from home this year, that number is actually 13.3 percent lower than it was last year.
Of these 39.1 million people who are traveling more than fifty miles from home, eighty-four percent of them will be doing it by car travel. This statistic is also an 11.8 decrease from last year.
In addition to the troubled economy, it is also important to note that Labor Day is occurring this year, which the AAA has said is playing a significant role in this travel decrease. Because many students are already back in school, it has made taking a Labor Day trip less appealing for many families this year.
Popularity: 5% [?]
admin @ September 4, 2009
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Many people will want to travel around the world and it is important to
remember no matter how they get there, their destination is most likely
going to be very large. It is important that you look into some great
travel options for car rentals that you can use on your trip. This
means that you can get to your destination and have the freedom to get
to where you need to be on your own time. These travel options through
rentals are often much cheaper as well because you can choose fuel
efficient models or lower cost vehicles to save you money. You can
really have a large selection of vehicles to choose from and really take
advantage of your options wherever your destination is. It is important
that you use the internet to make the search for the vehicles you need
because you can really get the best deals online.
There are plenty of websites that can offer you some of the best options
for your car needs on your travels. These specialized websites have
options that you can use to really collect the options available for
your travel with car rental options that fit your travel budget. These
special sites will be able to connect you with a high quality car from
all of the best companies available in the area that you will be
traveling to. Remember that these companies operate around the world
and if they were not great they would not be listed for rent on these
specialized sites. These cars that are offered to you will have had all
of the proper maintenance and anything else needed performed on the
vehicle already before it gets in your hands. Make sure that you get a
high quality vehicle by reserving online in advance!
Popularity: 8% [?]
admin @ August 19, 2009
Airport, Avis, Budget, Car Rental USA, General, Guide, Hertz, Mercedes Benz, Mini Bus, News, Tips Comments (3)
Although many folks prefer traveling by air, there is something special about the classic American experience of a road journey. Car travel is arguably the best way to experience a country landscape, because it allows you to navigate each and every edge of it. At times, people ride bikes across the country or drive motorbikes. However, a road trip is safer than these options, and is also fun and exciting at the same time. The most attractive part is that you can come across all the attractions and sights of the countryside from the comfort of your vehicle. Additionally, you can decide your own path, which gives you the opportunity to see all the great things that you don’t want to miss during a trip. To ensure that your trip goes as smoothly as possible, it’s always a good idea to follow certain guidelines.
The most significant thing to consider while traveling by car is that you need to plan everything well in advance. It is wise to spend time mapping out your own path. You should leave some room for flexibility, as you may hear of some enjoyable that you did not know about prior to starting your road trip. However, it is important to have a general Itinerary before starting your trip. You can find plenty of books on car travel where veteran authors share their own experiences. These types of books can be a great way to plan for your own car travel. Additionally, you will want to make sure that you have maps or a GPS unit so that you can minimize the chances of getting lost.
While planning your route, just remember to highlight those destinations where you want to spend more time. Also, decide where you want to spend your nights. Don’t forget about planning out your dining destinations either, because although there are great restaurants, you can’t expect your favorite restaurants to be in tiny towns. Finally, before you begin your car travel, ensure that your vehicle is in good condition. You may need to check your vehicle completely to ensure its hoses, belts, and fluids are in good condition. Remember to pack emergency kits and other lifesavers such as road flares, a tool box and a spare tire. All of these all preparations will ensure that you have a safe and enjoyable road trip.
Popularity: 31% [?]
admin @ June 16, 2009
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Getting to the Stansted Airport by taxi is not that difficult, but whenever you book a taxi you will need to know some specifics about the time it will take to get to the airport. Those leaving from Watford have a short distance since Watford is only 45 miles from the Stansted Airport. Despite the short distance, congestion plays a major role in transfer time.
Traffic conditions can make the 45-mile ride take a lot longer. Presently, Stansted Airport is served mainly by Junction 8 and M11, both of which experience a high level congestion. Of the two, Junction 8 has the most problems. Of course, your time of day will play a part in your transfer time from Watford. If possible, try not to travel at peak times because these will be the times when the roads have the most congestion. While several things will contribute to the peak congestion times try to keep morning and afternoon commutes in mind, as these are the most prevalent times for congestion. Keep in mind too that congestion can be more of a problem than just time, as taxi companies will tack on a congestion charge to your bill.
Some people will suggest only using a black taxi for your transport needs, but this really isn’t necessary. Reputable taxi companies work just as well and are just as dependable. Many companies even offer guarantees on their services. These guarantees are an important promise that you will arrive within a satisfactory time to the Stansted Airport, so take them seriously. On a safety note, you should never use a “taxi” that is unmarked or in other words has no signage of the company they are with. These are most prevalent at the airport and these people tend to just solicit you.
Unless your travel is extremely last minute and you can’t help booking your taxi last minute, book your taxi transfer ahead of time. This will help ensure that your taxi arrives on time. Also, at the time of booking be sure that you have the correct amount of passengers; otherwise you might have to book two taxis to get everyone to the airport. This of course could slow everyone down. Taxi companies generally have two types of vehicles they use, a car and a minivan. The car seats about 4-5 people while the minivan can seat up to eight.
When booking your taxi there are some questions to ask to help safeguard your transfer time. First, ask how on time they are as this plays an important role in your transfer time. Second, since some companies offer a fixed price, they may pick up several customers at a time that are all travelling to Stansted. Inquire if this is the practice of the taxi company, how long this takes and what problems could occur during this process that would delay your transfer time.
Despite your best efforts and the efforts of the taxi company to have the smallest possible transfer time, some things just can’t be helped. These situations can be tough but just remember that keeping calm will go a long way.
Popularity: 51% [?]
admin @ April 21, 2009