If you happen to take road trips frequently but do not own a vehicle or have access to one, you have several options. Two of the more popular possibilities are renting a vehicle or hiring a chauffeured car service. Only by looking at the pros and cons of each can you decide which solution is best for you.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Renting a Car
- Pro – You have more control. For example, if you decide to stop for lunch, you have the opportunity to pull over where you want, when you want, and you can stay as long as you want.
- Pro – In certain situations, renting a car is more cost-efficient.
- Pro – It is relatively common for rental car companies to offer specials, such as a discounted rate, free miles, or the opportunity to keep the vehicle longer without paying more.
- Con – Depending on the rental car company, you could be charged a hefty fee for going over the allotted mileage.
- Con – Sometimes, there are limits as to the type of vehicle you can rent, meaning you may not end up with the model or size of vehicle preferred.
- Con – Usually, an insurance policy has to be purchased from the rental car company, which can be quite expensive.
- Con – If you bring the vehicle back with less fuel than at the time rented, a refueling fee is applied. Unfortunately, the cost of fuel is much higher than what you would pay at a standard gas pump.
- Con – If the rented car were to break down, it may be difficult to get a replacement vehicle to you in time.
Chauffeured Limousine Services
- Pro – Because someone else is driving, you have the ability to focus on work or simply relax.
- Pro – Chauffeured services are far more luxurious.
- Pro – Limousine companies offer a wide range of fleet vehicles, as well as added amenities so you can choose a specific vehicle based on the length of the trip and number of passengers.
- Pro – In many cases, chauffeured services are less expensive than renting a car.
- Pro – If traveling with luggage, the limo driver will place the items in the trunk and retrieve them upon arriving at your destination.
- Pro – Chauffeured services are more convenient. Instead of driving to a rental car company, picking out the vehicle, filling out all the paperwork, and then getting on the road, the limo driver arrives at the pickup location and drives you to the final destination.
- Con – Reputable limo drivers have basic mechanical knowledge so if something relatively minor were to occur, the driver could fix the problem. However, for a major breakdown, you may end up stranded for some time before another vehicle could come to assist.
