There’s a lot that goes into planning a trip. Regardless of the purpose for the trip, there’s the destination to pick and plan for, how to get there, where to stay, and what to do while you’re away. It’s also worth putting some thought into how you’re going to get around as you travel. Renting a vehicle is an option worth considering. Vehicle rentals offer a variety of options, including luxury cars. If you opt to rent a luxury vehicle, there are some things you should be aware of before you get going.
What Counts as a Luxury Car
Simply put, luxury cars go above and beyond your typical run of the mill vehicle. They offer higher performance, higher quality interior materials, and more options. Expect the latest in tech and safety features. Better sound systems, quieter engines, and quality body parts also set luxury vehicles apart. They may have fairly distinctive exteriors, though what is considered attractive may differ from person to person. Keep in mind that while there are luxury car brands that focus specifically on luxury vehicle production, more ordinary brands have higher end options that can still offer a luxury feel.
Cost
Cost is arguably the biggest factor that prevents people from renting a luxury car for their travels. It makes sense for the rental fees to be more expensive than for regular cars, since you’re paying for a much more expensive vehicle. There are multiple factors that impact the cost of renting a car. Consider that supply and demand have a role to play. If the vehicle you want isn’t in high demand, you may find the cost more affordable than you expected.
Safety, Convenience, and Comfort
Having the latest and greatest features is one of the perks of luxury options. Better quality materials and manufacturing are just some of the things that set luxury vehicles apart. Of course, auto companies are constantly improving the offered features in their vehicles, so the newer the car, the better the safety, convenience, and comfort features are likely to be. Rental companies tend to renew their fleets frequently. You can expect the available options to be just a couple years old at most, giving you the chance to enjoy the latest, greatest features.
Reserving Your Car
Whether you own your own luxury vehicle or you want to treat yourself as you travel, there’s a chance you have a specific make and model in mind that you want to rent. Don’t leave the availability of your rental up to chance. Call ahead to determine availability and reserve the specific vehicle. Get a model guarantee if you can. That will increase the chances of you getting to drive your preferred vehicle during your travels.
Filling Up
Luxury cars are high performance cars. As such, they warrant extra care and maintenance. Most care and maintenance will be handled by the rental company, but you’ll still have to take care of filling the car with gas while you have it. An Audi should use a high or premium octane fuel, since it helps preserve performance thanks to it burning cleaner and more efficiently. The same applies to most European vehicles and other performance cars. Check the user manual if you aren’t sure what fuel is best.
Choose the Right Style for Your Vacation
Not all luxury vehicles are sedans anymore. This is great, since not all vacations are suited for sedans. Consider what you’ll be doing, where you are, and how much space you need when selecting your vehicle. Style is important, but make sure you consider practicality when choosing your rental car.
Pay Attention to the Briefing
Rental companies often offer vehicle briefings before you drive off with the car. Unless you’re already familiar with the specific make, model, and even year, it’s a good idea to accept and pay attention to the briefing. You’ll get a rundown of the features and basic operation of the car. This will give you the knowledge you need to get the best experience out of your luxury rental.
Inspect It Before You Leave
While in possession of your luxury vehicle rental, you are responsible for any damage that occurs. Even if the damage was done before you took possession of the vehicle, you can still be held responsible if it isn’t noted before you take off with it. Make sure you do a thorough vehicle inspection and carefully note any existing damage. Take pictures so you have a date stamp and proof to back up your claims so the damage isn’t assigned to you.
Making Sure You’re Covered
Luxury vehicles are expensive by nature. Since you’re responsible for the condition of the car while you have it, you’ll be responsible for the cost of any necessary repairs. That can be devastatingly expensive if you get in an accident. It’s a good idea to have some form of rental car insurance to help mitigate those costs in the event of an accident. Rental companies often offer insurance for drivers. Some travel credit cards may have an insurance offer as well. Alternatively, check your own car insurance policy to see if it offers such coverage.
Read the Terms and Conditions
Regardless of what vehicle you rent, make sure you carefully read the terms and conditions of the rental agreement. Some rental companies have specific rules about how old you have to be to rent their cars and how many drivers you can have. There may be mileage limits or restrictions on interstate or international travel. Failing to abide by the terms and conditions can result in hefty fines and penalty fees. Make sure you understand your agreement ahead of time to avoid such trouble.
Whether you’re traveling for the holidays, a honeymoon, business trip, or just taking a vacation, using a luxury vehicle to get around can add some panache to your experience. While there are similarities between things you should know when renting any car and specifically renting a luxury vehicle, there are others that are a little different. Make sure you are familiar with the rental process as it relates to renting a luxury vehicle so you can make the most out of the experience and have the best one possible.
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