Mastering Car Rental: Tips and Tricks for a Stress-Free Journey

Navigate the car rental process with confidence as Sharon takes you on a comprehensive journey through securing the perfect vehicle for your needs. Wave goodbye to the frustrations of language barriers and step into a zone of clarity and ease. This episode is a treasure trove of actionable advice, from booking your ride online to meticulously inspecting it for any pre-existing damage. You'll discover how to snag the best deals by reserving early and choosing the smartest pickup locations. Plus, Sharon's essential tips will ensure you're armed with the right documents and know exactly what to ask when you're at the rental desk.

Whether it's a compact city car or a spacious estate for a family adventure, get ready to unlock the secrets to a seamless car hire experience. Sharon breaks down the variety of car options available and teaches you the key phrases to help you communicate with confidence. You'll learn the nuances of insurance inclusion and the ins and outs of additional driver policies. By the end of our discussion, you'll be equipped to hit the road with peace of mind, knowing you've covered all your bases in choosing the perfect rental car. Join us and turn your next car rental into a smooth ride, all while avoiding any unwelcome fees for scratches that weren't your doing.

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Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:00

Are you looking to rent a car but find it challenging because of the language barriers? Look no further. Hi, I'm Sharon and welcome to another Look and Listen English Lessons podcast. In this step-by-step guide, I will walk you through the process of renting a car in English, from booking online to picking up the car at the rental agency. We've got you covered. So say goodbye to confusion and hello to a stress-free car rental experience. So, whether you're traveling abroad or just need a car for a weekend getaway, this podcast video is perfect for anyone looking to navigate the car rental process in English. Don't let the language barriers hold you back and learn how to rent a car with ease. Don't forget to subscribe to my channel for more helpful tips and tricks, and I will appreciate your likes and comments. So are you ready? Let's get started Finding a rental car.

Speaker 1: 1:05

The best way to get the car you need at a price you can afford is to plan ahead and book in advance, before you travel, if you can. This gives you plenty of time to compare different car hire companies, read and understand the conditions of hire and consider the cost and value of any additional charges. You'll need to consider pickup locations where you'd like to collect your rental car for your journey. You'll find many car hire desks at the airport, which are very convenient but often cost more. There's a good chance that the cost of hire will be lower if you book in advance online, before you collect the car. To save even more, you might want to consider picking up your rental car. You can also say hire a car from an out-of-town location or a city-centre location rather than the airport. While this might not be as practical an option for those travelling as a group or with lots of luggage, car hire companies often charge you less money to pick up hire cars from these locations. One more thing to consider is the car hire company's list of drop-off locations. These are places where you can return the car when you've finished your journey. When you do drop off the car, it will be checked over for any signs of damage, bumps, scraps, dents and so on that you may be charged a fee for.

Speaker 1: 2:34

Next, make sure you have all the necessary documents. You'll need a valid driver's license, a credit card for payment and sometimes an additional ID. Once you've selected a rental company and gathered your documents, it's time to make a reservation. You can do this online or over the phone. Be sure to specify the dates, times and any extras you may need, like GPS or car seat. When you arrive to pick up your rental car, inspect it for any damages before driving off, ask questions, take note of any dents or scratches to avoid being charged for pre-existing damage.

Speaker 1: 3:18

Hi there, listeners, let's go through the essential questions and phrases that you, as a customer, can use. I would like to rent a car. I'm hoping to rent a mid-sized van. Can I get a car with an automatic transmission? I need the car for two weeks. Is it possible to extend the contract if necessary? How much does the rental cost per day? Does the price include insurance? How long is the minimum rental period? I would like to add an additional driver to the contract. Where can the car be returned? What kind of car would you like to hire? This all depends on how many of you are travelling, the level of comfort you are seeking, how much luggage you are carrying and the nature of your trip.

Speaker 1: 4:13

Here are some of the popular car classifications that you'll find available Hatchback. These are small cars, typically with two doors. They're ideal for city breaks where roads are narrower and parking spaces are more limited. They will use less petrol too, so are the cheaper option for single people and couples. Saloon or Sedan these are larger cars designed to seat five adults comfortably, and they also come with a boot. If you're in the UK or Europe, so a trunk. This is what they call a boot in the US. So pay attention if you're in the UK and Europe, you're far more likely to see the term saloon being used, whereas sedan is the more popular term in the US, canada, australia and New Zealand.

Speaker 1: 5:10

Estate car, also known as a station wagon these are much like saloon cars but are elongated at the rear, creating far more boot space and sometimes extra seats in the back. This makes them ideal for those traveling with lots of luggage, camping equipment or with additional passengers. Sports cars these cars are small, low and fast think Ferrari and Porsche. They will typically cost more to hire and will hold very little luggage. Mpv this stands for multi-purpose vehicle and is also known as a people carrier, because this type of car can hold lots of people. Like a tall estate car, an MPV can usually hold around 8 passengers, so there's lots of room for luggage too.

Speaker 1: 6:08

Suv this stands for sports utility vehicle and is the name given to large cars designs to be driven off-road, that is, they are good for driving outside the cities and motorways and on dirt roads or sands and on country roads. They are sometimes called four-wheel drive cars or four-on-fours, which means that all four wheels of the car move when it is stirred, not just the front two wheels. So Land Rovers and Jeeps are popular SUVs and they can usually hold a lot of luggage and five adults comfortably convertible. If you're traveling somewhere warm, you might want to opt for a convertible, also known as a soft top. This type of car has a route that folds down, allowing you to soak up the Sun and enjoy a cool breeze as you drive Minibus. If you're looking for a vehicle that can accommodate even more passengers perhaps you're traveling with a large group of friends or colleagues then a minibus will do the job.

Speaker 1: 7:24

This is the name given to vehicles designed to carry more than 8 passengers with luggage. It's basically a van with additional seating and Camper Van. You might want to save some money on accommodation by renting one of these instead of a regular car. Camper vans have fold-down beds on board and some have their basic cooking facilities and toilets. Very large camper vans are known as RVs and these have more speciality sleeping arrangements, kitchens and even showers on board, speciality sleeping arrangements, kitchens and even showers on board. They are a popular way for families to travel on holiday, especially in America.

Speaker 1: 8:08

So, before hitting the road, adjust the mirror seat and steering wheel to your liking. And, lastly, return the car on time. To avoid any late fees, fill up the gas tank before returning it, unless you've opted for a prepared fuel option. And that's it. You're now ready to enjoy the freedom of the open road in your rental car. So have fun.

Speaker 1: 8:35

Now let's hear Natalie Smith renting a car on her last trip to Los Angeles. Renting a car on her last trip to Los Angeles. Hi, can I help you? Yes, I would like to rent a car. Oh, that's fine. Do you have a reservation? No, that's all right, let's see what we can find.

Speaker 1: 8:56

Well, we have several cars to choose from. What size are you looking for? What are my options? Well, you have a compact car or a mid-sized car and a minivan. Oh, I see, how much are they? Well, the compact is $21.95 a day, the mid-size is $27.95 a day. The mid-size is 27.95 a day and a minivan is a 35.95 a day. Oh, I see. Well, I'll take the mini mid-sized car. Thank you all right? All right, let me check on the computer. All right, and how long will you be renting the car? Uh, I think, um, it will for one week. Very well, how many people will be driving the car? I'm afraid just myself. That's great, awesome, let me check.

Speaker 1: 9:54

Would you like an insurance, madam? How much is it? Well, it is like $14.95 daily and covers everything, regardless of fall. Oh, I see, yes, please Can I have your name, madam? Sure, natalie Smith. All right, and your address, please? Well, I am from the UK. Would you like my address in England? Oh, no, just the city name, please, london, I'm sure. Yes, it is London. Well, can I see your driver's license and credit card, please? Sure, here it is. Oh, that's great, awesome, let me check. That will be $324.92. Would you like me to charge it on this card? Oh, yes, that will be fine, all right, uh, please sign here and you can pick up your car downstairs.

Speaker 1: 10:55

Your expected time to return the car is june 29, and that is exactly one week, so show the attendant this invoice right when you return the car. Bring this invoice with you. Also, the gas tank is full, so you should fill up the gas tank before you return, and if you don't want to, we can do it for you for three dollars a gallon. And is there anything else I can do for you? Uh, no, that will be all, thank you all. Right then. Thank you, enjoy yourself, goodbye, goodbye. Thank you very much, bye, bye, and that's it for today's lesson. Let me know in the comments below about your car rental experience. Okay, I would recommend you to check on the complete podcast series here on the link and keep it in your playlist. Thanks for listening to Look and Listen. English Lessons Podcast. To continue improving your English, you are welcome to join my channel and watch the videos on different topics and levels. Till next time, bye, bye.