Is it beneficial to take the fuel tank option with renting a car?

Every car rental agency has its own policy. However, they do have a common policy that allows customers to choose a prepaid option when renting one of their vehicles. This prepaid option permits the driver to pay an upfront fee, as stated in the rental agreement, eliminating the need for the drive to return the vehicle with a full tank of gas. No refund is given to the driver for any fuel that's left in the tank when the vehicle is returned.

If you decide not to choose the prepaid plan, and you return your vehicle with a gas tank that's less than full, you will most likely have to pay the rental company for having to refuel the vehicle. Their fuel charge will most likely be based on an estimate: the number of gallons needed to fill the tank times the cost per gallon as stated in the rental their rental agreement. Quite often, car rental agencies will charge a higher price per gallon than your local gas stations.

Rental Car Agencies May Charge $8.00 or More per Gallon

Here's the shocker! There are some rental companies that may charge $8.00 or more to fill up the gas tank after you return a vehicle. That's a huge dent in the wallet, especially for people who've opted for the prepaid plan. At some point, a person will need to add fuel. And if that person returns the vehicle with more fuel in the tank than starting with, he/she won't be credited for the additional fuel. So the rental company makes a profit on prepayment. That's extra gas the rental agency won't have to replace.

Business travelers can easily get the short end of the stick. Initially, they may have chosen not to go with the prepaid option. And in a hurry to return their car and catch a flight, they didn't fill up the tank. This last-minute chaos can cost them to pay dearly. Rental car agencies may charge $8.00 per gallon or more.

Think Before You Sign the Dotted Line

Is it possible to know exactly how far you'll end up driving and what the fuel costs will be? Probably not! So, in the rush to take advantage of what seems like a good bargain up front, people quite often go for the prepaid plan. And this attitude may be what many car rental companies are counting on. Business travelers may take the attitude that paying the extra fee is no big deal, since their companies are footing the bill. That may be the wrong attitude. Companies do examine their expenses.

Some Car Rental Companies are Flexible

A number of car rental companies may allow you to forego the prepaid option, and free you from the worry of having to fill up the tank before returning the vehicle. In this scenario, you're only required to replace the gas you've used. If your rental had a half tank of fuel to start, you're only required to return it with a half tank of fuel. Take the time to weigh the pros and cons of the fuel tank option.

You won't pick a cheap car rental if you leave it to the last minute

There's a very simple rule in this world of predatory sellers. If they think you are desperate, the price goes up. Just picture the scene. You quickly packed a bag, ran down to the airport and got on the plane. Now you have arrived with a crowd of others and begin queuing at the nearest rental agent's stand in the airport lobby. When you finally get to the counter, there are only a few of the most expensive, top-of-the-range vehicles available to drive away. If you could wait. . . but, obviously, you are in a hurry. Then there are additional fees to cover the paperwork. The price just keeps going up and up. So, to protect yourself against being gouged, you should always prebook as far in advance as possible.

Let's start with a quick summary of the reasons for advance booking. No matter how many times you see the advice, it remains true. Shopping around really does save you money. This site offers you access to multiple car rental companies, all of which are competing for your business. That gives them all an incentive to keep the rental rates low. Now check whether the airline or travel agency is offering a package deal of flight plus cheap car rental (and possibly plus accommodation). If that's the case, you could make a bigger saving instead of buying direct. Or perhaps your credit card or some other affiliate group to which you belong has a promotional offer on car rental. Or perhaps you belong to a loyalty program or your air miles reward program can be used to pay for the car rental.

Then take a further moment or two to check out the off-site rental agencies. Yes, you will have to take the airport shuttle bus or a taxi, which can cost you a few dollars, but often the more distant sites have really cheap car rental offers. If there's any doubt about whether it's going to be easy to get to the location to collect the vehicle or you are worried about finding additional fees, a quick telephone call will usually resolve matters. Remember the rental companies located at airports always have higher rates. Protect yourself and drive away the car you booked, at the time you booked, at reduced rates.

Save money on flights, and enjoy your travel experience even more

Any time we wish to save money, we look for possible "discounts" and special offers. There are some basic facts to keep in mind. These facts can help you get the lowest ticket prices available from major airlines.

Fact #1: It is Necessary to Be Aware of Peak Travel Times

Mid-week days are always the best days to fly unless a major holiday falls during that time. Weekend travel is the most expensive as are holidays. You may have a good sense of when peak times are in your own country. But if you plan to fly internationally, you should know that peak travel times vary by country. For example, you may think that traveling to London during the fall is a safe bet. However, many London families travel during school breaks which can make for a hectic experience if you are traveling at the same time. In addition, you will be paying more for your airfare.

Fact #2: There are Differences between Scheduled Flights and Charter Flights

When you search for affordable airfare, you will most likely be reviewing scheduled flights offered by the major airlines. These are the flights that travel agents access to help book your flight. However, if your airfare is part of a vacation or tour package deal, you may be on a charter flight. These flights are often used to take passengers to popular destinations. Peak seasons are when charter flights operate. When charter flights are not full, individuals can still get a seat. However, you may pay more as those seats tend to be sold at a profit by travel agents and consolidators who purchase seats in bulk.

Fact #3: It is Possible to Find Low Rates Online

It has never been easier to locate great deals on airfare on the Internet. There are plenty of online resources to help with your search. It is a good idea to compare offers from multiple airlines to makes sure you get the best deal possible. Using an aggregator site that allows you to search for deals from all of the major airlines is always smart. But after you compare deals and have identified the best ones, visit those airlines' websites to see if you can get an even better deal. Often airlines post last minute deals on their websites that the aggregators do not have access to immediately.

These are just several facts to keep in mind when looking for cheap flights. There is always an opportunity to get affordable airfare, but you can also end up paying too much for a ticket if you do not have an understanding of how the industry works. It just takes a bit of research to find the best cheap flights to your destination.

Getting Discounts from Car Rental Companies

You can easily save money at car rental companies by taking advantage of discounts. Most rental companies offer discounts for one reason or another. The challenge is to know about available discounts so you can make sure you get those you are eligible to receive. Following are specific ways you can get car rental discounts.

Redeem Rental Coupons

There are several places you can get rental coupons including from online coupon sites as well as certain rental sites, coupon books, and travel magazines. Typical coupons include free day car rentals and discount coupons. Cash discounts can range from $10 to $100 off a rental that meets certain eligibility requirements.

Present a Discount Code

If you are a member of travel associations such as AAA, you may be eligible for rental discounts. Your membership will include discount codes you can use to get lower rental rates. Certain business memberships also provide rental discounts. Most rental companies allow renters to use discount codes along with rental coupons which can help drivers save significant money.

Look For Online Deals

Just about all rental agencies advertise online. You have probably seen these ads yourself. Companies use online ads to drive web traffic to their website. Most ads also include toll-free telephone numbers that people can call to make reservations. You can check a rental agency's website to see if they have posted special offers. Sites that book car rentals may also have deals for renters. Online travel agencies and consolidators are a great resource for drivers looking for car rental discounts.

Become a Frequent Renter Program Member

Members get access to special offers and discounts that result in extra savings. Depending on the program, members may be able to also use coupons to get even lower rental rates. Many programs offer free rental days and substantial discounts to members on a regular basis.

Ask for a Business Discount

Corporations often get discounts because of the volume of business they give to the rental agency. Large companies may have corporate accounts at multiple rental agencies so check a head of time before making a reservation.

Check Out Credit Card Discounts

Depending on the credit card you are using, you may be able to get rental discounts you can use at car rental companies. Rewards credit cards can be a good source for discounts. The more points you earn, the larger the discount you may be able to get. You need to have this information in hand before you go to car rental companies.

Cheap Flights to Popular Destinations

Traveling can be a wonderful experience. But it can also be expensive. Fortunately, travelers can get cheap flights to even the most popular destinations if they are willing to follow these basic guidelines. You must be willing to be flexible in your travel schedule to get the very lowest airfare rates.

Time Your Flight

Peak travel times cost more - there really is no avoiding this fact. If you must travel during holidays or on weekends, you can still save money by booking several weeks in advance. You can also select the day before or after peak days for your own travel departure times. For example, airfare on the day before a major holiday costs more than if you fly on the actual holiday.

Try Secondary Airports

Tickets at major airports often cost more than those at smaller nearby airports. Regional airports may offer additional discounts to encourage travels to use their services. And you can still travel to popular locales from these airports. Smaller airports may have limited destinations but are still worth checking out if you are headed to a major destination. You may even be able to take a flight to another major airport that is closer to your destination which can save you money.

Take the Long Route

If you are willing to stop in multiple cities on the way to your destination, you will find lower airfare rates. Travelers pay more for the privilege of direct flights. But a more leisurely approach can save you quite a bit of money. These layovers may or may not require you to de-board the plane. People who just do not like flying may be unwilling to do this and will need to seek other options to get cheap tickets.

Use Connecting Flights

This takes the previous recommendation one step further. You can save money if you do not mind changing planes along the way. Most travelers do not like doing this if the departure times are too close together or because the chances of you losing luggage increases. But if you plan it well, using several short connecting cheap flights can produce significant savings.

Travelers have many options when it comes to saving many. Cheap flights are available to those who are willing to be flexible and enjoy flying. And you can use online aggregator sites which can easily help you in developing your flight itinerary.

Guidelines to Starting Your Own Travel Business Online

Starting your own travel business online can be one of the best decisions you will make in your lifetime, especially if traveling is your passion and helping others find the best travel deals is your goal. There are many companies offering various opportunities to people like you who are interested in making money in the travel industry, and as long as you keep an eye on details and are willing to spend some time finding some of the most affordable yet excellent deals you will surely have a steady stream of clients at the soonest possible time. If you are new to online business opportunities and would want to start making money through having a travel agency of your own here are a few things that you may want to consider.

First, take the time to look for travel companies that are not only easy to deal with but would also provide you with special deals on various travel packages. Many travel companies are constantly on the lookout for people who want to start their own travel business or agency. These companies often provide assistance to aspiring travel agents by providing them with affordable travel packages and paying them commissions for each package successfully booked. However, it is always best to find a reputable travel company to work with in order to establish your reputation among clients as soon as possible. Search for reviews and testimonials and determine which companies can provide the best deals and the best compensation for travel agencies and freelance agents.

Ceramic Hybrid Bearings: The Best of Both Worlds

Ceramic is one of the world's oldest materials known for its strength and durability, but you might not know that, considering the phrase is so often associated with things that are fragile, like pottery and ceramic Christmas ornaments.

Ceramic is a non-metallic solid that is created with heating and cooling, and it was used thousands of years ago to manufacture everything from pottery to weapons. Today, ceramics are still used in a number of ways due to the material's inherent strength and resistance to heat and harsh operating conditions. Little do many know, but ceramic is actually used in a wide variety of industrial applhcations when businesses need a solid and more resilient alternative to metals that might not stand up to certain hazardous environments. When combined with today's technology and manufacturing methods, ceramics have risen to the challenge to continually make more and more effective products possible for industries everywhere. One of these products is the ceramic hybrid bearing.

While bearings and ball bearings are used in all kinds of machines and products around the world, ceramic bearings are often used in industrial applications where high RPM's, high temperatures, and high speeds are at a level that steel simply can't handle. Additionally, ceramics are harder, lighter, and have a smaller coefficient of friction than steel.

Laptop Replacements

In the age of the computer and the Internet, laptops have become ubiquitous. Laptops are designed for mobile use. In furtherance of this aim, laptops run on lower power batteries. The laptop battery is one of its most important parts. Most current laptops use lithium ion batteries, although some newer models use lithium polymer technology. Laptop batteries are not designed to last more than five hours. And the battery's performance decreases with time, leading to the need to replace the battery within three years.

Laptops are convenient but they do require care and attention. Laptops are not always as sturdy as they should be to absorb the minor shocks of a daily commute. And it is important to remember that the components of a laptop, including its battery and LCD screen, are fragile as well. The ease and comfort of using a laptop makes them the center of our increasingly busy lives. Indeed, many of us have gotten so use to the idea of having a laptop handy to write, conduct an internet search, and communicate with colleagues, friends, and family that we've forgotten just how much wear and tear we put on our laptops through daily use.

However, replacing a laptop battery does not have to be difficult. There now many firms that manufacture and distribute high quality laptop battery replacements at good value. The most important first step in laptop battery replacement is becoming familiar with the many different brands available. Not all computer manufacturers are the same. Knowing a bit about the specifications and expectations of Toshiba or Acer or Dell or Apple, for example, can help a potential buyer get a better understanding of the product they are thinking of buying.

Learn More About Elevated Work Platform

Elevated work platform is very important Access equipment that is used in many sectors but, is mainly required for the people dealing with the construction business. No matter it is been used in whichever sector, but it serves the same purpose everywhere. Elevated work actually fall under the category of Access equipment. These tools are especially designed to reach up to extreme heights which without these equipments can never be possible. These equipments are very helpful in tackling emergency situations like rescuing people out from a window during an outbreak of fire, for an example. These equipments are also used by the celebrities and stage artists for dance performances as well. The smaller sized Elevated work platforms which are commonly known as 'aerial work platforms' are also available in the market and are really helpful for the loading and unloading from an overhead storage and also to repair as well as change the lights and electric fittings.

There are numerous reasons and purposes for which we require an platform. One must keep that specific purpose in mind while buying these instruments from the stockiest. There are actually two types of Elevated work platforms available in the market, "cherry picker" and the "scissor lifts". Cherry picker is the most popular among all the work platforms that one can find in the market. These lifts can actually move in all the directions, and it has a very long neck that can be extended to as long as one requires. These cherry pickers have features like hydraulic or pneumatic powered pistons to handle fold. There are many companies that provide you Elevated work platform, so that one can do the research about the company's authenticity and price tag at which they are offering it to the buyer before cracking a final deal. It is again a wise idea to take the help and suggestion from someone who has an ample knowledge about this particular instrument as then you can get some great tips and advices about the right equipment which you should choose to serve your purpose well. Take the advice and be wise while shopping for the Elevated work platform.