Is it advisable to rent a car on vacation? Discover the discounts of up to 20% offered in summer

The long-awaited vacation. For those who are lucky enough to start the rest period and are considering traveling by land to a destination in Chile, an option presents itself that could allow for a better experience with family or friends. Is it better to rent a car or is it better to go with your own vehicle?

To answer this question, we contacted various companies to find out their impression and what should be taken into account when making a decision, since it would be an additional expense if you do not use your own car, but the possibility of rent a car. has the positive aspect of avoiding wear and tear on the family car with a significant increase in mileage.

The first thing to take into consideration when analyzing whether it is advisable to rent a car to go on vacation is to know what the destination will be, the roads, the distance to travel, the weather conditions and the number of people who will do it . journey.

For Javier Muñoz, deputy commercial director of Gama Rent a Car, it is essential to anticipate the conditions that one will find at the destination.

“It is important to look at the passenger capacity and luggage space of the vehicle in relation to the passengers who will be making the trip. In addition, it is important to consider that the vehicle has the necessary maintenance and safety measures that allow you to enjoy a trip without setbacks,” explains Muñoz.

In this sense, Salfa, with its Salfa Rent unit, has provided some tips to make the search and choice of a rental car a successful experience:

1. The main tip for choosing the ideal car is to make sure it fits the capacity of the passengers you will be carrying: whether it is for 5 or 7 people.
2. If your adventure involves off-road terrain, consider options with 4×2 or 4×4 drivetrain, but make sure they have solid ground clearance to avoid problems.
3. If you are traveling with babies and children, make sure the rental can provide you with important accessories like a baby seat or booster seats.
4. Plan your trip in advance, this will allow you to get better benefits by making your reservation in advance.

“At Salfa Rent, we offer a wide variety of vehicles to ensure your trip is safe and comfortable. A crucial tip is to reserve the vehicle in advance. This not only guarantees the availability of the desired models, but also allows you to access the best rates,” explains Javier Benavides, Commercial Director of Salfa Rent a Car.

Concerning values, some companies will make attractive offers to attract consumers. One of them is Kinto, Toyota’s mobility division.

According to the company, throughout the summer there will be a discount coupon for the application Kinto Share Latam, 20% off on the total amount of the reservation by entering the code “VÉRANOKINTO” which provides access to vans and various hybrid SUVs, which offer better performance and lower emissions.

“As KINTO Share Chile, we want to be part of our customers’ summer experiences, offering them the opportunity to rent a Toyota during their vacation. Our mission is to ensure that you enjoy your moments in complete safety and with exceptional service. To do this, we have created the promotional code “VeranoKinto”, which offers customers a 20% discount when renting one of our vehicles, available from Antofagasta to Punta Arenas,” explained Nicolás Poblete, manager of mobility (Kinto) at Toyota Chile.

Another different alternative to classic car rental is car sharing or the car rental system by the minute, hour or day, the most recognized player of which is Awto.

“As pioneers of the car-sharing ecosystem in Chile, our service offers an economical and smart travel option, while promoting respect for the environment. During the summer months we have the AwtoDías option, where you can rent a vehicle from our fleet for periods ranging from 1 to 30 days, with rates starting from a minimum of $47,990 for the Citycar model . This alternative is an excellent opportunity, since the fuel is incorporated in its final value thanks to the recharge cards located inside each vehicle, but also to the associated accident insurance and the collection of VAT”, indicated Francisco Loehnert, CEO of AWTO.

As an added benefit, the executive adds that “as an additional fact, if the lease extends for more than 5 days and you are part of the Metropolitan Region, as a company, we will leave the Awto vehicle at your home. Additionally, we have our customer service to resolve any issues.

As we pointed out previously, there are a series of details before the vacation that must be taken into account and made clear.

For Javier Muñoz, an essential aspect is distance. “Before traveling, it is advisable to review the distances to be covered to reach the final destination and check what other places of interest are nearby, to have a range of coverage in a suitable vehicle. “The journey from Punta Arenas to Torres del Paine is 250 kilometers, which can be easily covered with a rental vehicle, which is collected directly from the airport,” explains the manager of Gama Rent a Car.

Another very important aspect concerns the capabilities of the vehicle. “Each location has geographical characteristics that require a special vehicle, so it is optimal to carefully examine the climatic and terrain conditions of the chosen destination and, in this way, choose the vehicle that best adapts to that climate , it helps to take care of your own car and avoid mechanical breakdowns that can spoil the family outing,” he commented.

A third element not to be overlooked is the number of people. “Before choosing the vehicle in which to travel, it is important to define the number of people who will participate and select a model in which each member can travel comfortably,” said the executive.

Finally, no less important, he emphasizes that it is necessary to “consider that the car to be rented has additional features to guarantee a smooth experience for its customers, such as a tow truck service in case the vehicle is left in a breakdown”. , as well as a roadside assistance service, which allows minor defects to be quickly repaired, allowing the tourist to continue their trip in the event of this type of damage. In addition, the vehicle must have insurance covering the driver and passengers, as well as the rented vehicle and third parties if they exist.

Renting a car has many advantages, among which the ease and comfort of choosing the vehicle that best suits your trip and destination stands out. On the website www.salfarent.cl you have the freedom to choose between low-cost economy cars and premium vehicles with three rows of seats.

Pay attention to the following advantages of renting a car:

• Flexibility and mobility: Renting a car gives you the freedom to explore different places at your own pace and in the comfort you need. You can visit off-the-beaten-path destinations and adjust your itinerary according to your preferences.
• Saving on long trips : For long distances or long trips, opting for a car rental can be cheaper than using other means of transportation, especially if you are traveling in a group. By sharing the cost between passengers, renting a vehicle becomes a cost-effective alternative, allowing you to enjoy the comfort and flexibility of your own transport at an affordable price.
• Facilitates the transport of luggage : If you’re carrying a lot of luggage or bulky items, a rental car provides extra space and makes transportation easier without the restrictions of airlines or trains.
• Insurance and roadside assistance : Thanks to leasing, you can count on benefits such as insurance and roadside assistance, which give you peace of mind in the event of an emergency or accident.

“With Salfa Rent a Car you can enjoy the convenience of renting a car anywhere in Chile, since we are present from Arica to Punta Arenas, passing through all airports in the country. In addition, to make your experience even more efficient, we offer an exclusive express delivery and return service. This service stands out with a check-in process that customers can comfortably complete up to 48 hours before the vehicle pick-up date and collect their keys at the counter at the destination airport,” explains Benavides.