Insider strategies to find the best price on your next rental vehicle.

Timing can be everything when looking for a rental car; you might find a decent rate, but if you sit and wait for an even lower price, you may miss out on a deal. But there are other secret ways of finding the best price. Use these 15 insider strategies to do a thorough search for the cheapest rental car possible — and maybe even score an upgrade.

Search with membership sites.

While paid memberships are required to access deals through the likes of Costco Travel and AAA, the cost can pay off if you rent cars frequently. If you’re already a member, these should be the first place you look for savings. Instead of providing their own rental cars, these companies leverage their size and customer base to negotiate sweeter deals. Costco Travel, for example, consistently offers lower rates than major car rental companies like Budget, Enterprise, Alamo, and Avis, and AAA has deals on Hertz rentals.

Check your airline programs

You might be able to find some nice discounts through frequent flyer programs. However, these sometimes come with stipulations like renting exclusively from airline partners or limiting your pick-up and drop-off to airports. Even if there aren’t any discounts, booking through the airline may give you a chance to earn more points. For example, in 2023 Delta announced a new SkyMiles partnership with Hertz, offering four miles for every $1 spent on a Hertz rental car; this is an even sweeter deal for Gold members who earn six miles per $1, and Diamond members who earn eight miles per $1.

Search third-party discount sites.

If the rental car provider doesn’t matter to you, check “opaque” sites like Priceline and Hotwire, both of which offer deep discounts but don’t reveal the rental agency’s name until you’ve made a nonrefundable booking. You never know where the best deal is going to be, so it’s worth it to do a cursory search on third-party discount sites if you want to find the cheapest car rental price possible.

Compare with the direct booking rate.

If you are set on a certain car rental company, then before you pay through a third-party site like Expedia, for example, go straight to the rental agency’s site and check prices for your dates. You may find that it’s much cheaper to book directly and you can then earn points directly with the company’s membership program. This way, you’ll know you have all your bases covered.

Try a car-sharing alternative.

If you can put your house on Airbnb, why not your car? Peer-to-peer car-sharing companies like Getaround and Turo let you rent cars directly from their owners, who set the price and mileage limits. Once you book, you’ll meet your host to pick up the keys and the car, and you’re off. This kind of car rental has unique benefits, such as being able to read reviews for the exact car you’ll be driving and the chance that you’ll be able to pick up the car somewhere near your home. If you’re looking for the absolute cheapest car rental company and you live in an area where many people are offering their cars, you can save a lot by booking a peer-to-peer rental. And if the idea of driving someone else’s car makes you nervous, you could also check out options on Zipcar, a membership-based platform that lets you book cars instantly.

Check for Transfercars.

With so many people picking up rental cars in one place and dropping them off in another, rental companies often struggle to keep up their inventory in their most popular destinations. For this, it’s necessary to hire drivers to get cars to where they’re needed most, but it also poses an opportunity for savvy travelers with open schedules. Transfercar is a platform where you can find cars with predesignated destinations for just the cost of insurance and gas. For example, you may find a station wagon that needs to be driven from Las Vegas to San Francisco within three days. That’s a nine-hour drive, which you can break to make a stop at Yosemite National Park or go up to Lake Tahoe. If it’s the RV life you’re more interested in, imoova.com is a similar platform for RVs.

Try the two-minute trick.

If you have patience and two minutes per week, this easy trick recommended by Scott Keyes, the founder of Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights), can help you get a better deal. The first step is to book your car rental as soon as you need it at whatever rate. Then, set a calendar reminder for yourself once per week to check the rate on the same car and see if it’s dropped. If it’s lower than what you originally paid, you can cancel your first booking and then rebook at the lower rate. Before doing so, make sure your rental provider won’t impose a cancellation fee, which they typically won’t as long as the cancellation isn’t within 24 hours of your booking. The earlier you book, the more chances you’ll have to claim a juicy price drop.

Look for coupons.

You may be able to squeeze a few extra dollars out of your deal with a coupon from AutoSlash.com, which searches a database of coupons for the best price. Simply plug in the dates you need your rental car and customize the search based on the travel memberships, credit cards, and frequent flyer programs you have. Then, you’ll receive an e-mail with potential discounted rates. You can also see available coupons listed on the site sorted by company if you prefer to shop your options.

Get a manual transmission.

If you’re traveling outside of Canada and the U.S., you’ll find that manual transmission cars are far more common. That doesn’t mean you can’t find an automatic in Europe (or anywhere else), but you may have to pay a much higher price due to there being fewer available. If you don’t know how to drive a stick shift, taking the time to learn can help you save more down the road.

Avoid insurance potholes.

Your credit card, personal car insurance, or travel insurance may cover your vehicle during your rental. Look it up before you rent, and read the fine print. It could save you $15 to $25 a day on the cost of your car. Don’t forget to bring proof of your insurance coverage; increasingly, car rental companies have started to demand this before they hand you the keys. A site like Rental Cover can sell you a stand-alone insurance policy that costs a fraction of what the rental companies charge.

Try not to rent at the airport.

Cars rented at the airport are usually more expensive because of added taxes and fees. When you rent a car at an off-airport location, you could save up to 20 percent. If you can use public transport to get to the city center — or take a taxi to an off-airport site without spending more than you would renting at the airport — it’s cheaper to rent a car in or around the city itself. The exception is renting a car in a big city like New York, where airport rentals are always cheaper because parking in the city is expensive and scarce. Make sure to compare airport and non-airport rental car prices to get the best deal.

Look out for junk fees.

Junk fees have gotten so out of control that even the White House is working to tackle them. Junk fees might include renting a toll transponder (about $5 a day), a GPS (use your phone instead), or a satellite radio (sometimes as much as $8 per day). Try to bring your own car accessories, like your charger or phone holder if you want to avoid paying for marked-up products at the rental counter. Just make sure to eliminate them from your booking.

Compare rates throughout the week.

On occasion, you may find that it’s cheaper to book a car for a whole week rather than just the few days that you’ll need it. Click around and compare the difference between returning the car on the day you actually need to leave versus a few days later. If it works out to be cheaper to return the car later, book that period and just bring the car back whenever you need to leave. To pull this off though, you really need to confirm — in writing — that the rental car company won’t impose any early return fees.

Book the smallest car possible.

Rental car companies are known for overbooking to counterbalance the number of people who reserve a car and never show up. Although this backfires during times of high demand, you can use this knowledge to your advantage by booking the smallest and cheapest car possible and setting yourself up for an upgrade. Of course, it’s still a gamble, so don’t book anything that wouldn’t be big enough to accommodate your entire party.

Set a designated driver.

If you plan on driving in shifts with your travel companions, you may end up paying fees for each additional driver you add to the reservation. These typically start at $10 per day. If you do only put one driver on the reservation to save on fees, don’t let the other person drive or you could face very expensive consequences should you get into an accident or get caught speeding while they’re behind the wheel. Sometimes rental car companies offer deals or coupons that waive fees for additional driver fees — depending on your itinerary this could be a big way to save money on your car rental.

We spoke to travel experts to find the best time of day and day of the week to book flights to save money.

While there is no secret to scoring a great flight deal on a specific day or at a certain time, you can use data and expert insights to boost your chances of finding inexpensive airfare. Keep reading for the full rundown—and top tips—straight from the pros at Kayak, Skyscanner, Priceline, and Expedia.

Before diving in any deeper, it’s important to recognize that airlines, like hotels, use dynamic pricing. According to Christina Bennett, Priceline’s consumer travel expert, “Prices are regularly changing based on availability, demand, and carrier-specific promotions.” Additionally, Skyscanner’s global travel trends expert Laura Lindsay explains, “As some dates are more popular than others, prices will vary depending on peak travel seasons, holidays, and events.”

Best Day of the Week to Book Flights

As previously mentioned, there truly is no “best” day or top-secret formula to finding the best flight deals—and Kayla Inserra DeLoache, Kayak’s consumer travel trends expert, echoes these sentiments. “Kayak data shows that there isn’t a single best day to book a flight because the cost of flights can vary depending on the day of departure, return, flight route, and seasonality.” However, she tells Travel + Leisure that “Traveling on certain days can offer lower fares, and for those looking to truly save, having a flexible schedule can lead to significant savings”—but we’ll break that down later.

So, while it’s difficult to predict precisely when airfare prices will drop, data suggests certain days of the week may offer slightly better deals. A recent study from Upgraded Points found that booking flights on Mondays and Tuesdays often results in the lowest prices. Meanwhile, Expedia’s 2025 Air Hacks Report revealed that booking on a Sunday can save travelers up to six percent on domestic flights and 17 percent on international flights compared to booking on a Monday or Friday. While we wish there was a hard-and-fast answer, it just depends—which means you could snag a deal on any day, if you know where to look.

Best Time of Day to Book Flights

According to Lindsay, the best time of day to book flights “depends on several different and ever-changing factors, like how well that particular flight or route is selling at any given time.” Generally, “Airlines offer cheaper prices when flights are first released, so booking earlier in the day could help you find a deal.”

She and the other experts we spoke with recommended setting price alerts for your desired flight. These alerts provide real-time notifications on fare changes, and Expedia’s alerts even use data to predict whether prices are likely to drop further, as does Hopper’s price prediction tool. “So,” says Lindsay, “if a deal drops or a new flight is added at night instead of in the morning, you may be able to swoop in before the demand impacts the airfare.”

Tips for Finding Cheap Flights

Set flight alerts.

As mentioned above, “Setting price alerts in advance will notify you when prices change in real time,” says Lindsay. Several companies and search tools offer price alerts, including Skyscanner, Kayak, Google Flights, and, as previously mentioned, Expedia.

Additionally, Priceline offers two features that can help: “Price Drop” tracks prices between two airports for any time period, while “Price Watch” tracks specific flights or specific dates between two periods.
Bundle your bookings.

According to Bennett, the easiest way to save on travel is to bundle your bookings into a package. Per the pro, “Travelers who bundle their flight and hotel can save up to $625.”

Fly midweek and avoid weekends.

If your schedule allows, opt for midweek travel and avoid flying on weekends. According to Kayak’s data, the lowest average domestic airfares are typically found on Wednesdays and Tuesdays, with one-way fares averaging under $200. For return flights, Tuesdays offer the best deals, with an average fare of $331, followed by Mondays and Wednesdays at $337.

When it comes to international travel, Tuesdays are the most cost-effective, with one-way fares averaging $673, while Mondays are slightly higher at $682. Additionally, says Inserra DeLoache, “We see prices start to climb from there with Friday being the most expensive day to fly internationally (with prices nearly $100 more).”

Keep your (airport) options open and compare prices.

“Flying into or out of nearby airports is a smart way to find better flight deals and potentially save on airfare,” says Lindsay. This strategy is especially worthwhile for travelers living within close proximity of multiple airports or traveling to destinations with more than one nearby airport.

“For example,” says Lindsay, “if you want to fly to Miami, you can choose that airport or fly into Fort Lauderdale, which is just 26 miles north.” Similarly, “if you’re heading to Manhattan, there are three New York City area airports.”

Comparing prices across different airports is a smart way to ensure you find the best deal. Simply enter your desired cities, select your dates, and click “add nearby airports”—a feature available on most search tools, including Skyscanner.

Be flexible with your travel dates.

Flexibility in your travel dates can be a huge factor in scoring the best deal. Lindsay is quick to call out Skyscanner’s “Whole Month” search feature, which highlights the most affordable dates to fly within a given month. Of course, avoiding peak travel seasons is another key way to save.

Finally, says Melanie Fish, vice president of global public relations for Expedia Brands, “If you’re flexible with your travel dates and destination, you can use tools like Expedia’s Flight Deals to search for flights departing anytime from your home airport to anywhere,” which brings us to our next point.

Explore alternate destinations.

According to Lindsay, flexibility with your travel destination is key since this “lets you capitalize on discounts and explore unique, crowd-free experiences.” Skyscanner’s “Search Everywhere” feature can help travelers find better flight deals, and other sites offer similar features. For example, Google Flights lets you search for flights anywhere in the world, as does Kayak’s Explore tool and Kiwi. Expedia’s Flight Deals also simplifies the search process by allowing travelers to “search for flights departing anytime from your home airport to anywhere,” explains Fish.

Add a layover or stopover.

Flights with stopovers and layovers are typically less expensive than direct flights, so this could be a savvy way to save. However, it is essential to keep in mind that stopovers and layovers are technically different. The former is a much longer break between flights—often involving staying overnight somewhere—while the latter is much shorter. Considering the cost of accommodations for a stopover, a layover is usually the more budget-friendly choice.

Time your booking right.

Cost-conscious travelers will need to time their booking right to score optimal savings. When we asked experts about the best time to book flights, a general rule of thumb was between two weeks and two months out for domestic travel and at least three months in advance for international travel.

The Alps, stretching across eight European countries, are home to some of the world’s best ski destinations. Whether you are an experienced skier or a beginner looking for breathtaking scenery and world-class resorts, the Alps offer something for everyone. Here are the eight best ski destinations in the Alps for an unforgettable trip.

Zermatt, Switzerland

Zermatt is a paradise for ski lovers, with its stunning views of the Matterhorn and an extensive network of slopes. The high-altitude terrain ensures excellent snow conditions throughout the season. The car-free village adds to the charm, offering a perfect blend of adventure and relaxation.

Chamonix, France

Chamonix is known for its challenging slopes and legendary off-piste skiing. As the host of the first Winter Olympics in 1924, this resort attracts advanced skiers looking for steep descents and deep powder. The vibrant town also offers great après-ski options.

St. Anton, Austria

St. Anton is a top choice for those seeking both thrilling ski runs and an exciting nightlife. The resort is famous for its challenging terrain, deep snow, and a lively après-ski scene. With modern lifts and excellent facilities, it’s a must-visit destination.

Courchevel, France

Part of the massive Les Trois Vallées ski area, Courchevel is known for its luxury, well-groomed slopes, and incredible dining options. Skiers of all levels can enjoy the diverse runs, while non-skiers can indulge in world-class shopping and fine dining.

Verbier, Switzerland

Verbier is a haven for expert skiers looking for steep, off-piste challenges. The resort also boasts breathtaking views, excellent après-ski venues, and a lively atmosphere. With a vast ski area and luxury accommodations, it is perfect for thrill-seekers and luxury travelers alike.

Kitzbühel, Austria

Kitzbühel is one of the most charming ski resorts in the Alps, known for its picturesque medieval town and world-famous Hahnenkamm downhill race. With diverse terrain suitable for all skill levels and a cozy atmosphere, it is an excellent destination for families and professionals alike.

Val d’Isère, France

Val d’Isère, combined with Tignes, forms one of the most extensive ski areas in the world. Known for its reliable snow conditions, varied slopes, and lively après-ski scene, it is a top choice for skiers of all levels looking for a well-rounded experience.

Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy

Located in the Dolomites, Cortina d’Ampezzo offers breathtaking scenery, world-class ski slopes, and a touch of Italian elegance. This resort is perfect for those looking to combine skiing with a luxurious and stylish experience in one of the most beautiful regions of the Alps.

Mexico is the most popular international tourist destination for American travelers. But what are the safest areas to visit?

Mexico is one of the most popular destinations for travelers. According to research, it’s the top location of choice for Americans who want to flex their passports, and for good reason. The nation is easily accessible with countless flights arriving at major ports of call every day. Likewise, land crossing is also possible, which makes it convenient for anyone who lives near the border.

But just as when traveling to any locale, tourists do have to focus on safety. While taking proper precautions and being somewhat street smart is always advised when traveling anywhere in the world, many people often ask where are the safest places to travel in Mexico. Overwhelmingly, the best advice is to stick to the well-known tourist regions. That still leaves travelers with plenty of options in a country as diverse and beautiful as Mexico.

Safest Parts of Mexico in the Pacific Coast

Known for its beautiful coastline and sapphire waters, the Pacific Coast region is a popular one for tourists traveling to Mexico. Popular destinations in this region include Puerto Vallarta, Ensenada, and Huatulco.

Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta is a beach destination in its own right. But many people are unaware that it’s also known for its rich art scene. Specifically, there are plenty of art galleries to spend time when not on the beach. Likewise, architecture is stunning in this city with one of the crown jewels being the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Puerto Vallarta is a definite tourist town so the infrastructure here is more than sufficient to give travelers peace of mind. Crime rates are fairly low when compared with national averages and even organized crime is not as influential here as with other parts of the country. As is the case with many tourist destinations, petty crime such as pick pocketing and scammers trying to either upcharge at restaurants or convince unsuspecting tourists to repay them for phony broken cameras are the biggest threats.

Ensenada

This beachside town is also located on the Pacific coast but is part of Baja California. Ensenada is close to Tijuana, making it a great nearby pitstop for people choosing to enter Mexico through a land crossing. This town is a lot more laid back than other tourist destinations across the country and may be a bit pricier than other locales that attempt to woo budget travelers. Crime is also relatively low here with petty activities being the most likely scenario to occur — if at all.

Huatulco

Huatulco is another Pacific coast town that’s got a laid back vibe and a strong tourist industry. This flourishing destination offers over 30 white sandy beaches, along with plenty of luxury resorts to choose from. Unlike most of the other places on this list, organized crime is a bit more prevalent here. However, as with US cities with organized crime ties, tourists should be okay if they stick to more populated or well-trafficked districts across the city.

Cabo San Lucas

Cabo San Lucas is a popular tourist destination on the Pacific Coast. It’s located along Baja California Sur and is known for the gorgeous beaches, beautiful golf courses and countless outdoor activities on land and sea. Cabo San Lucas is another locale that’s really designed with tourists in mind so the infrastructure prioritizes safety.

Mexico City

Along with being the capital of Mexico, Mexico City is a destination in its own right. This massive metropolis is home to the fifth largest city population in the world at over 21 million residents. This historic city which was formerly Tenochtitlan during the Aztec empire, features a vibrant collection of old world meets new world as travelers can see architecture from the Aztecs, during European rule, and modern structures of today.

The city is also home to countless historical and cultural sites, museums, and is known for a vibrant food culture and nightlife scene. While it is a major city, it actually has a well-deserved reputation for being fairly safe thanks to an increased police presence and incorporation of surveillance cameras to deter would-be criminals.

Still, as with any city vacation, stick to well trafficked areas to avoid becoming a victim of crime. Specifically, tourists are cautioned to stay away from Tepito and Merced especially at night. Both of these neighborhoods are known to have more reported crimes than other parts of the city.

Safest Parts of Mexico in the Yucatan Peninsula

The Yucatan Peninsula is inarguably one of the most frequently visited regions in Mexico. This area is home to popular tourist attractions like Tulum, Isla Mujeres, Play Del Carmen, Cozumel and Cancun. Generally speaking, this region — which is also known as the Riviera Maya — is one of the safest in Mexico because it’s so highly coveted as a tourist destination.

Tulum

Tulum is a popular attraction that’s fairly easy to reach even for travelers staying in other cities along the Yucatan Peninsula. The town has a wealth of Mayan ruins for tourists to explore along with plenty of excursions and activities.

As is common in this part of the country, tourist destinations have areas designated as tourism zones. Staying in this area is the best way for travelers to avoid becoming victims of violent crime. However, petty crime is still a risk in this area with the majority of them being pickpocketing, and credit card or overcharging scams.

Cancun

The major tourist towns in the Yucatan Peninsula aren’t that far from each other. This is why many travelers can easily hop between the top cities thanks to shuttle buses or taxis. Cancun is not only a popular tourist destination, but it’s also where the main international airport is located in Quintana Roo, the state that mainly encompasses the Yucatan Peninsula.

Because of its popularity, crime is fairly low here thanks to governmental efforts to create a safe environment for visitors. Similar to Tulum, tourists are urged to stick within the designated tourist zones which have more of a police presence and surveillance. This area is unlikely to be a backdrop for more serious crime. Petty crime is still possible and tends to center around pickpockets, credit card scams, and up-charging scams.

Playa del Carmen

Whereas Cancun is a more vibrant party tourist town, Playa del Carmen is a bit more laid back. This town is just east of Cancun, and is easily accessible via shuttle, ride-share or taxi from the Cancun International Airport. Playa del Carmen is known for its all inclusive resorts that line white sandy beaches and popular shopping malls are the main attractions here. Again, stick to the tourist zones to avoid rough experiences.

Isla Mujeres

Isla Mujeres is an island just off the coast of Cancun. Most tourists choose to visit the island as part of a day trip rather than stay onsite for the entirety of their trip. This little island getaway off the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula is considered incredibly safe. Visitors can book boat cruises, peruse the island and of course enjoy the gorgeous beaches. Guests are more likely to find themselves fighting the ferry schedule to get back to the mainland on time from Isla Mujeres rather than running into criminal activity.

Cozumel

Cozumel is another of the island destinations that sits just off the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula. It’s a popular port of call for cruise ships traversing the Riviera Maya. Because it’s so heavily frequented by tourists, this town also has a fairly safe reputation. Often people visit here for half day trips — especially the cruise goers. From water attractions to historical sites, there are plenty of things to do here to keep travelers occupied and entertained. While Cozumel is considered fairly safe, it’s always smart to be vigilant of pickpockets and scammers trying to overcharge tourists for souvenirs or food.

Is Mexico Your Next Destination?

Mexico is a beautiful country that offers visa-free entry for US passport holders. Thanks to countless flights heading to the region, cruise ships that stop in various ports of call, and several land entry points, there’s no reason not to add Mexico and its vibrant cities to a bucket list. As with any travel plans, be smart. Avoid flashing large amounts of cash or expensive items. Don’t wander into questionable neighborhoods, especially late at night. And always be aware of your surroundings.