Looking for a discount car rental for your next trip? The following tips will help you find great car rental deals:

• Check at least three reservation Web sites. Be sure to consider smaller, local rental companies.
• Check both one-way and round-trip prices. Some rental car companies have shortages of cars in certain major cities and will offer you considerable discounts for helping them shuttle cars to the cities where they're needed. This explains why a one-way rental from Washington D.C. is quite a bit cheaper than a round trip rental for the same period.
• Make sure you know the difference between rentals labeled In-Terminal and Off-Airport. See our article on Rental cars: Know before you go for more information.
• Ask if there is an additional charge for extra drivers to be listed on the rental car agreement. Many rental car companies include a daily charge for this. It's important to have all drivers listed on the rental car agreement.
• Gather up all your coupons and discount cards (AAA, Entertainment book, Quest, etc.) before you check prices. Compare rates for all the discount options you have.
• If you need a non-smoking car, verify that the rental car company can offer and guarantee you one.
• Visit individual rental car Web sites to see if they are running any specials not found elsewhere.
• If you're a member of a airline mileage program, ask if it's possible to double your earned air miles for a particular trip if you rent a car. In order to be absolutely sure the rental car company gives you the double miles, fly into your destination airport using the airline you want the double miles on.

Discount Car Rental Coupons

Rental car coupons can be real money savers. Members of airline mileage programs frequently receive coupons, and discount rental car coupons can be found elsewhere as well.

If you phone a rental car company to make a reservation, having a coupon doesn't always mean you'll get the best deal. Have a variety of coupons handy and go through them with the rental car company customer service agent. Then tell them you're a member of various programs (credit cards, mileage programs, etc.), and they'll usually be glad to help you find the lowest price of all your options.