When you make it a priority to get a good deal for your rental car, the extra planning will be worth it.

These 5 tips will help steer you in the right direction.

Shop around

First and foremost, a successful trip begins with planning. Set a budget for your vacation that’s as realistic as possible. Our travel budget template can help.

Once you’ve set a price range, get price estimates from reputable rental companies and investigate which deals they offer. Many companies offer last minute specials, weekend specials, and more. If your plans are flexible, you may be able to save money by watching for price breaks.

Tap into your membership perks

Oftentimes, rental car companies have partnerships that allow them to offer exclusive deals to a wider range of travellers. Chances are, if you have an insurance policy or a credit card, you may have access to deals non-members don’t.

Desjardins partners exclusive offers are one of the benefits of being a Desjardins member. Our offers provide special discounts at many well-known retailers, including Enterprise, Alamo and National Car Rental. Members can save up to 25% on their rental car simply by printing out a coupon.

Find out which rewards or membership benefits you may be able to access by contacting your representative.

Bundle and save

If your trip involves a stay at a hotel or a flight, there may be an opportunity to benefit from a package deal. Many hotels, airlines and travel agencies partner up with rental car companies. Before you book, make sure you know your plans well enough to be able to purchase several items at once.

Use online tools

If your sights for a deal also happen to be set on the perfect flight, or hotel, there’s an app for that! For the digital-savvy traveller, downloading a travel app can make planning more time and cost efficient.

If you’re a Desjardins member, download National Car Rental’s mobile app and make the most of your membership perks. This app let’s you see specials and deals that can be booked right from the app, and access other benefits such as customer service on the road.

Get the right insurance

Another way to save on your rental car bill includes purchasing the right insurance. As you’re planning your trip, assess your current car insurance policy and find out if it extends to a rental car. In most cases, this is an additional coverage that can be added.

When your car insurance policy covers a rental, you can bypass the need to buy any additional coverage from the rental counter, which will not only save you money, but also time. For those who travel often, adding an option for rental cars can be incredibly useful.

Our Trouble-Free option ensures you’re fully covered in your rental car, so you can enjoy your vacation worry-free. The ability to drive with peace of mind is the best travel deal you can find.