"Travel is one of the finest and most life-enhancing stimulants to good health, happiness and longevity."

One of the most annoying and niggling worries for the traveler is finding the most reasonable rates for car rentals and dealing with all the micro-print legalese of the contract. There are also those worrisome 'shall I, shan't I' questions that flurry through your mind about all those different optional insurances that can almost double the daily/weekly base rate. And then of course there's also the key question "How can I get limo-luxury at economy/compact car hire rates?!"

Let's deal with the basic issues first: the best rate

Arriving at the car hire counter and placing your credit card down in front of a beaming-faced attendant is definitely not the best way to get the best value. It's actually the worst possible way. And running back and forth between the different counters, at an airport for example, won't help much either. They know you're stuck and desperate. You'll likely get the worst possible deal -- that's why everyone's smiling so much! And even if you do get what sounds like an excellent offer, wait until you see what happens to the actual cost when, in the USA particularly, they start to add: sales tax; airport surcharge; cleaning fee; gasoline top-up fees; extra driver fees; collision damage waiver; personal injury insurance; mileage charges; personal effects insurance, and that notorious 'drop-off' charge if you don't return the car to the place you rented it. And watch out for that even more scandalous 'turnback charge' if there's damage, even covered damage, to the car.

So try a few alternative strategies to counter some of these outrages:

• Let your travel agency do the work. They know all the tricks, they have the patience to wade through the unbelievable range of price-options and under-the-counter specials, and they can usually get you a better rate than a 'walk-up' or calling the 800-number yourself, especially if they can book the car well in advance and in conjunction with your flights and other travel arrangements.
• Of course it will also help if you can show evidence of membership in such automatic (5-15%) discount-generators as the AAA (American Automobile Association in the USA), AARP (American Association of Retired Persons), etc., or your national equivalents.
• It would also help if you are willing to pick up your car in some 'non-peak' location away from airport terminals and other such gotcha! places. A short cab ride (or even a free jitney-journey) to some 'off-center' location could make a world of difference to the quoted rates, even with the same company.
• Watch out for those additional insurance options. Check with your credit card company for their 'bonus' coverage (usually 'secondary' after your own car and homeowners insurance has paid up and usually only for gold and platinum card-holders). Often you'll find you can cross out those charges that, along with the other fees and taxes already described, can virtually double the net rental cost.
• Consider taking trips to and hiring cars in the less expensive countries -- for example USA, Belgium, Germany, Portugal and Spain, rather than Scandinavia or Eastern Europe, where rates are usually outrageous.

So, now you've got the best basic price but you'd like a little more luxury than what you've purchased. You'd like a nice juicy upgrade please! Well, the following often helps:

• If you use rental cars regularly, establish a loyalty-relationship and history with your car hire company (in fact, do it with two so you'll have some bargaining power) and join their 'Preferred Renters Clubs;' usually free of charge -- especially if you ask!
• Join 'frequent renters' programs that in addition to earning you airline frequent-flyer miles also amass points for upgrades or discounts (or both!).
• Carry discount coupons or anything that suggests your preference for your selected company. It makes it harder for them to risk losing you as a 'loyal' client.
• You'll likely get a newer, cleaner car if you request a non-smoking car and, as these can be scarce, you'll usually be upgraded if none are available in your class.

Think 'The Best!' When you get into your (inadequately-sized) car, drive to the office on the lot and explain to the manager that you thought it would be bigger. Be charming -- it's the manager's job to keep everyone happy and he/she certainly doesn't want you to make a public fuss or hold up other customers. Charm usually wins out (a little personal thank you note helps too, particularly if you expect to be a regular customer).

If you've tried any other ways to upgrade successfully from subcompact to super luxury, let us know and we'll do a follow-up column describing your strategies. (No, sorry, there's no prize, just the knowledge that you've saved your fellow-renters from rip-offs and inflated fees.)