Going on a vacation is always exciting, but planning the details is not always so. Though planning ahead ensures a more relaxing trip when the time comes. If your upcoming vacation requires a vehicle, the first thing you might consider is if you will use your own (if you will be driving to your destination) or if you will rent one. Depending on the mileage, it might be more economical to rent a car rather than driving your own to save the wear and tear on your own vehicle. Now, if you are flying to your destination and will be picking up your rental vehicle there, you might have some questions as to how to go about it. Following are a few tips to hopefully make the process run as smoothly as possible:

1. Finding the Best Deals

Renting a car through the airport can be very convenient, but the convenience usually costs you. Try looking for smaller rental car places that are not at the airport. Though if you find a good deal, make sure to account for how much you will spend on the trip to get there to see if it is worth it. Websites such as Priceline and KAYAK offer pretty competitive prices.

2. Inspect the Vehicle

Upon pick-up of your vehicle, take plenty of pictures of all sides as well as the interior of the vehicle. When you return it, this will help ensure that they do not charge you for any scratches or any other damages you were not responsible for.   The rental company will review the vehicle and document any damage that was already there, but it never hurts to be vigilant in order to protect yourself.

3. Rental Insurance

The rental company will offer to sell you their insurance, and the price is usually steep. Call your car insurance company to ask if your policy covers rental vehicles. If it does not, there are various credit cards that offer car rental insurance coverage, but you must use that card to pay for the rental. Call your credit card company to find out if they offer rental car coverage and be sure to ask what type and how much coverage they offer.

4. Renting a Car Abroad

If your vacation is an international one and you’d like to rent a car to get around, there are numerous things to consider. First, an International Driving Permit (IDP) might be required. The IDP must be accompanied by your valid US license. The IDP is valid for one year and the cost is $20. It is not recognized in all countries. IDPs are issued by Automobile Association of America (AAA) and American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA). If you are planning on renting a car abroad, it is important to plan as far in advanced as possible to prepare everything you will need on time.

Planning a trip can sometimes cause anxiety, especially when there are many details to take care of. Planning ahead can make all the difference and can turn the anxiety to excitement.