Many a traveler has turned to budget auto rental as a way of getting around without having to use expensive taxi services. It’s best done before your trip is undertaken but you can just show up to a budget rental place and sign up for a car.

You need to understand that the motivation of the people trying to get you to rent a budget rental car is both to help you as a traveler out but it is also to get the most money from you that they can without selling you a lemon. There are several simple tips, however, that will help you get through the process of renting a budget car without difficulty.

1. If you don’t mind which agency you’re using, choose sites that allow you to pick your price. You will definitely get the best price for the value and they might even choose to give you some upgrades and an unlimited mileage package. It won’t cost you extra and you’ll get a nice budget car out of the deal.

2. Look for package deals, fly-drive-stay, or fly- drive, most of these packages give great discounts for rentals, but don’t do it with an airline, airlines although convenient aren’t really the more economic way to go, their budget car rental prices are hardly budget, and tend to be higher than those of outside firms.

3. Make use of internet resources in order to book a vehicle. There are, in fact, better deals to be had on the internet than you’ll find in person or over the phone. Upgrades are easier to get and there are some rental companies that provide seasonal deals for those who sign up on the internet. Besides, nothing is more convenient than booking a budget car in the comfort of your living room.

4. Ask for discounts that can be applicable to you, remember even when you’ve scored the best deal, there is still that one last ditch of a possibility that one of your credit cards support the company and provide discounts or that your frequent flyer program or military service can put that budget in budget car rental, its a long shot but it’s worth a try.

5. Many of the budget car agencies don’t spend a lot on maintenance so you’ll need to check for dents and scratches yourself during the auto pick up. That way you’ll not likely get charged for dents that you never did at all. The same is true for windshield wipers, air conditioning and other features a car has. Check them all out because you could get charged if they don’t work when you return the car, even if they hadn’t worked prior to that. Think about the brakes, the radio and any accessories the car has so that you know they work when you get them.

6. Now we pass the subject of insurance, sometimes your own car insurance covers car rentals, so have a look see before you buy insurance from the rental firm. Budget car rental insurance doesn’t cost much, but if you already have one why buy another? Car rental insurance is always required when you rent a car.

7. Another money saving tip is to pick up your car early in the morning, make it so that the firm is just opening, this is because at this time most of the budget car rentals haven’t been returned yet, and you may get an upgrade for a lower price.

Jonathan is a regular traveller in his role as consultant for an air travel website. He often is asked how to find the best value cheap travel tickets as well.