Consumer Reports: Real Advice on Rental Cars – Indianapolis News | Indiana Weather | Indiana Traffic

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — If you’re planning a summer vacation with a rental car, you probably have a few questions: Am I getting a good deal? What are the best rental companies? Is it safe to connect to the car’s Bluetooth?

A Consumer Reports survey found that the average cost of a rental car was about $86 per day, says Jeremy Jenkins, News 8 consumer anchor. That works out to about $600 per week. National was the only car rental company that ranked highest for overall satisfaction and was the least expensive, averaging $73 per day. Members praised the company for its customer service, vehicle condition and price transparency. Enterprise and Alamo came in second and third.

CR members were disappointed with the experiences of Dollar, Fox and Thrifty.

Dollar received poor ratings for customer service and ease of rental car pickup. Thrifty didn’t live up to its name, averaging $91 per day, the most expensive.

Half of respondents booked directly through the company’s website, with about three in four saying they used a discount to get a better deal, such as one from AAA or AARP. Another 15 percent booked through a warehouse club travel portal, such as Costco or Sam’s Club.

CR recommends that when you find a car that fits your budget, make the reservation, but don’t pay the full amount up front! Use a site like Autoslash.com or Kayak to track your reservation and alert you if a lower price becomes available.

While Bluetooth, Android Auto, and Apple Car Play can be useful technologies during your rental car travels, be sure to unpair your phone and delete any data or addresses you may have stored before returning the car! To keep your information private, check the permissions on your phone and only give the car the access it needs.

Another tip: Most rental companies will put a hold on your debit or credit card to ensure that there is enough money or credit available to pay your final bill. They will not charge you any additional fees if you return the car as promised in your rental contract. However, if you are close to your credit limit or have a low balance in your bank account when a hold is placed, your card may be declined for additional purchases.