5 Tips for RV Renters

Are you in the process of planning a cross-country trip to see the United States firsthand?  Or, are you in the process of planning a long distance road trip to visit friends and family?  If you are, you will want to consider traveling by RV.  There are a number of benefits to traveling long distances in a motor home.  These benefits include luxury, comfort, and having many home-like features.

As nice as it is to hear that traveling by RV is a great way to travel long distances and with large families, many are unsure about doing so.  One of the biggest concerns is the cost of buying an RV.  If you are interested in traveling by RV, but cannot afford the cost of owning one, you still have options.  RV rentals are an affordable way to gain access to a motor home.  With that being said, RV rentals can get expensive if you are not careful.  For that reason, five helpful tips for RV renters are highlighted below.

1 – Know All Of Your Options

Knowing all of your options is the best way to see success when renting a motor home.  First, examine all of your options in terms of local RV rental companies.  Many have multiple companies to choose from. 

Next, examine the types of motor homes available for rent.  For comfort, as well as safety, rent a motor home that is able to accommodate you and your traveling party.  For example, a group of six travelers should not try and squeeze into a motor home built for five.  Also examine features, such as number of electrical outlets, onboard television, movie players, and so forth.

2 – Compare Rental Prices

As previously stated, most individuals have multiple RV rental companies to do business with.  To limit the cost of your next RV trip, compare prices.  In addition to comparing the average rental price for different companies, also examine the different motor homes.  As previously stated, size is not something that you will want to be short on, but by limiting additional features, you may be able to save money.

3 – Read All Fine Print

When renting an RV, you will be required to sign a contract.  This contract is similar to one that you would sign if you were renting a car.  With that being said, never assume that all rental contracts are the same.  Always fully read an RV rental contract, including the fine print.  Never sign anything that looks too suspicious.  When in doubt, ask to take the contract home and review it first.

In keeping with reading all fine print, it is important to know all RV rental rules and restrictions upfront.  Many times, these rules and restrictions are highlighted on a rental contract, but there is no harm in asking for additional information.  Be on the lookout for any rules that may limit the number of guests allowed on board, age requirements for children, and so froth.

4 – Be Careful With Use

Being cautious is an important component of renting an RV.  If you are not careful, you may be financially responsible for any damage that occurs.  That is why you should always use caution.  Some tips involve keeping all food and drinks properly covered or put up while on the road, don’t prepare foods while driving that can cause harmful stains, and so forth.  Also, if you have children, be sure to set some ground rules.

5 – Return Your Rental On Time

Returning your RV rental on time is important for keeping your rental costs low and affordable.  Late rentals may incur late fees.  These late fees, should they exist, should be outlined on the RV rental contract.  If you know you are running behind schedule and will be late, be sure to contact your RV rental company to inform them of your delay as soon as possible.

As a recap, RV renters are encouraged to examine all of their rental options, compare prices, thoroughly read through rental contracts, use caution, and return their RV rentals on time.  These steps, when properly implemented, can not only help to improve the overall quality of your next RV trip, but they can also help to keep the costs associated with that trip reasonable. 

Until Next Time,

Jeané Elliott Bennett

Elliott Exquisite Vacations

Are you ready to Travel for the Holidays?

 

Going to another country for the holidays is a great way to learn about a new culture. In some instances the travel is to visit family that is located there instead of just for a vacation. Regardless of the reason why you are traveling to another country during the holidays, you need to make sure you are prepared for the trip.

For most countries you are going to need a passport with a photo ID. This will allow you to remain in the country for a specified amount of time. Generally, this time frame is from 30 days to 90 days. You can take your passport photo at any post office, but it is going to take several weeks to get it back. There is an expedited option and it is very expensive. If you wait until the holiday time to obtain your passport it is going to take much longer, even for the expedited option.

Make sure you keep your passport and other pertinent travel documents in a safe place. You don’t want them to get lost or stolen as this can delay your travel plans. Make sure you arrive early for your flight so that you can get through all of the necessary inspections and verifications in plenty of time.

There may be vaccinations that you are required to get and others that you are encouraged to get before you can travel to certain countries for the holidays. Plan ahead and find out what these vaccinations are and then schedule appointments with your doctor. Some of the required vaccinations have to be given in a series with a specific amount of time between each shot in the series to be administered. Therefore you don’t want to wait until close to your time of travel to take care of this matter.

Depending on where you are traveling, you may have to deal with a different type of currency. You can get your money exchanged at your local bank before you leave. This will save you time trying to take care of it when you arrive in the other country for the holidays. There may be language differences as well that you need to take into consideration.

Be careful what you pack when you travel for the holidays. Most modes of transportation have strict guidelines on the size of your luggage, how many bags each person can have, and the weight guidelines. They will be enforcing these restrictions during the holidays because of the volume of people traveling. You don’t want to have to get rid of some of your items or purchase more bags at the gift shop.

Make sure you are aware of how much luggage you have for your return trip as well. While it can be fun to purchase items while you are there, think about how you will get them back. It may be a good idea to pack an extra bag in your luggage when you go so you can fill it up for the trip back. Another idea is to have items shipped but that can be quite expensive.

While traveling to another country for the holidays can be exciting, you need to remember that their customs may be significantly different than your own. Be respectful of such differences to avoid any conflicts while you are in that country. It is a good idea to read about the various customs that will be in place so you won’t reach them by accident.

Until Next Time,

Jeané Elliott Bennett

Elliott Exquisite Vacations