When renting a car, most people probably want to rent it at the lowest possible price.
"Why not rent a car affordably and use the savings elsewhere?" For you, we'll explain **how to rent a car cheaply** and **key points to consider**.

How to Rent a Car Cheaply

To rent a car more affordably, several effective methods exist.
These can be combined, so try using them effectively.

Early Booking to Avoid Peak Season

Rental car prices surge during peak seasons like holidays and tourist periods.
If possible, book outside peak seasons. If you must travel during busy times, early booking is advised.
Many rental companies offer early bird discounts, letting you rent at a **better rate** by booking weeks or months ahead.

Choose a Compact Car

Don't choose an unnecessarily large car; it saves money. Select a car size appropriate for passengers and luggage.
Compact and eco-cars offer good fuel economy and lower rental fees, making them economical choices.

Use Flight and Car Rental Packages

Booking flight and car rental packages is often cheaper than separate bookings.
Look for such package deals at travel agencies or online travel sites.

Choose the Right Rental Car Company

The market offers various rental car prices. Choosing smaller, budget companies over major ones can often save money.
Budget rental companies are often cheaper due to older vehicles, less central locations, or lower operating costs.

Sapporo Rent-a-Car, for example, originally focused on corporate contracts, applying those rates to individuals, thus offering competitive prices.
Though slightly pricier than budget options, as a manufacturer-direct company, most vehicles are new and well-maintained, ensuring reliable use.

Utilize Price Comparison Websites

When researching rental cars, using "rental car price comparison sites" is more efficient than visiting individual company websites.
Sites like Rakuten and Jalan allow you to search many companies at once, quickly finding the best price. Just enter dates and car type for easy comparison.

Utilize Credit Card Benefits and Point Rewards!

Many credit card companies partner with specific rental car companies.
These partnerships often offer benefits like extra points or discounts on rentals, so check your credit card company's details.

Effectively Use Coupons and Campaigns

Rental fees may be discounted during specific periods or under certain conditions through campaigns run by rental companies or search sites.
Such information requires research, so **it's essential**. When renting, check for ongoing campaigns or coupon offers.
Generally, some campaign or offer is usually available.

Points to Note When Renting a Car Cheaply

When seeking cheap car rentals, it's easy to focus solely on price.
Services you expect to be included might be extra charges upon use.
Before choosing based solely on price, check **these three points**.

Point 1: Check if Collision Damage Waiver is Included
Adding Collision Damage Waiver is recommended for accidents, but with budget rentals, it's often an **additional fee**.
There are several types of Collision Damage Waiver.

・NOC (Non-Operation Charge) refers to compensation for business loss when a vehicle is damaged.
This applies if a rental car needs accident repairs, covering lost business during repair time, not the repair cost itself.

Sapporo Rent-a-Car's coverage includes the "Complete Peace of Mind Package," which also covers NOC.

・CDW (Collision Damage Waiver) is an optional insurance covering the deductible in case of an accident. At Sapporo Rent-a-Car, this is an optional extra selectable during reservation.
When adding Collision Damage Waiver for an extra fee, confirm the cost.

Point 2: Check for Optional Items with Extra Charges
Always check in advance for rental items like ETC devices and child seats, which are often free options.
Cheaper rentals often charge for these. At Sapporo Rent-a-Car, ETC devices are free, and child seats are a very affordable **110 yen (tax incl.) per day**.

Point 3: Check User Reviews Before Using
While staff guide you at the rental company, it's reassuring to check their service and responsiveness via reviews beforehand.
Low price doesn't guarantee a pleasant experience if service is poor. Reading actual user reviews is very helpful, so check them beforehand.

Sapporo Rent-a-Car Offers Affordable Mid- and Long-Term Rentals

Sapporo Rent-a-Car provides monthly and weekly mid- to long-term rentals at below-market rates.

As a guide, for compact cars, our services are roughly 10,000-30,000 yen cheaper than major Hokkaido rental companies.
As a manufacturer-direct operation, our high-quality vehicles and robust maintenance ensure excellent cost performance.

Summary

To save on car rentals, it's effective to combine methods like early booking (avoiding peak season), choosing smaller cars, and using flight packages. Comparing prices from various companies via comparison sites is also crucial.

When making your final selection, consider not only the Price but also included options, service quality, and vehicle condition to find a rental car you can use with confidence!