A car rental can make your trip much easier, but it's important to choose the right company. If you don't plan ahead, you may find that renting a car costs more than you'd expected. The following are some factors to consider the next time you need to rent a car.

One thing many people forget to keep in mind while looking for rental cars is the high cost of fuel these days. In most cases you are responsible for the fuel you use in the vehicle.

What this means for you is that tank full of fuel isn't really free because you have to replace it. The other option is that you are not charged for gas, and you are responsible for filling it up yourself. It usually ends up that you are paying for fuel you don't even get to use because of the mileage you didn't drive. This is one reason it may be a good idea to pay for your own fuel.

The day of the week and the number of days you need to rent will impact the rates you will pay. If you will need the car for a few days you will find that renting for a full week can save you money on a short term rental. It may be cheaper, for example, to rent a car for a week than to pay the daily rate for five days.

Knowing how long you will need a rental ahead of time can help you get the weekly rate and save money.

There are also clubs you can join to earn frequent driver miles if you travel regularly. There are many of these travel clubs that can offer you discounts on other travel accommodations too. With these clubs you can earn miles to get free rentals or even free airfare. These are such a great idea for frequent travelers to save money. You will save money with these clubs and even get free rentals.

As a general rule rental car contracts are tricky especially if you are not aware of all of the terms and conditions. All you really need to do is read the contract carefully for full disclosure of all fees. It's is imperative that you know your options for which car you want, what the fuel charges will be, and any other surcharges that may pop up. When renting a car use the tips above to save you money and give you a pleasant rental car experience.