Which Car Rental Companies Are Best?
“Which Car Rental Companies Are Best?”
When it comes to rental car companies, you have plenty of choices ranging from national chains to local services. Breaking down the best deals, service, and policies can be downright overwhelming. We’ve done some research and determined which car rental companies are best, so you don’t have to.
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Toptenreviews.com provides a comprehensive list of the major car rental companies and how they stack up in terms of ease of use, types of rentals, features, and help and support. Their visual chart is simple to read and will help you determine the right company for you. Are multiple pick-up and drop-off locations most important to you? Or maybe the ease of making an online reservation is your priority. Everyone has different preferences, and this chart will help you see how each company stacks up next to its competitor in each of these categories.
Getting the best ratings across the board are Enterprise, Thrifty, and Hertz. Receiving ‘Good’ or ‘Excellent’ scores in just about every category, these rental companies offer you plenty of features, variety, and support, and their online sites will be easy to navigate and use.
Enterprise is the number one pick for car rental companies, and for good reason. Enterprise provides impressive support, and it offera just about every kind of car from convertibles to pick-up trucks, and everything in between. The website is intuitive, easy to navigate, and accepts online reservations with a few simple clicks. Enterprise offers unique services like carpool assistance and a carbon offset program in an effort to fulfill each customer’s needs.
Our second pick is Thrifty. Thrifty offers an array of options to make your rental experience as convenient as possible. The online site offers a 360 degree interior view, so you can see exactly what you are getting, a toll pre-pay option, and even a random car selection tool in case you can’t make up your mind. The website is easy to use and navigate, the company offers a variety of rentals (although pick-up trucks are not available), and support has been rated as ‘Good’ and seems to usually get the job done.
Coming in at number three is Hertz. If you do most of your rental car business online, Hertz might be the right pick for you. Boasting ‘Excellent’ ratings for ease of use, its online site is great for making, changing, and cancelling reservations. Navigation of the site is easy and even offers a keyword search tool, unlike many other car rental sites.
National gets an honorable mention for ranking highest in the J.D. Power 2013 North America Rental Car Satisfaction Study, receiving the highest scores for overall customer satisfaction in last year’s study. Though this year’s study has not been released, we would assume National is still a high performer.
These ratings don’t take into account prices, as these vary based on location. Generally, you’ll find these companies’ rates to be competitive based on location, though you may consider looking into local car rental agencies at your destination, as local companies might offer better rates. Keep in mind that according to the J.D. Power study, “customers who choose a rental car company based on price are least satisfied”. As it turns out, in the rental car business, you get what you pay for.
No matter what company you choose, be sure to research reviews and policies in advance, this way you know what to expect.
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The News Wheel is a digital auto magazine providing readers with a fresh perspective on the latest car news. We’re located in the heart of America (Dayton, Ohio) and our goal is to deliver an entertaining and informative perspective on what’s trending in the automotive world. See more articles from The News Wheel.