Finding the best rate on a rental car often requires detective work. Despite ever-shifting rates and unadvertised deals, there are a few surefire tips to help ferret out a good deal on a rental:

Avoid Name Brands: Use sites like carrentals.com carrentalexpress.com to find smaller rental agencies.
Avoid The Airport: Rates are always higher near the airport. If you are staying at a hotel, see if there are rental agencies nearby.
Ask For A Discount: Always ask for a discount, especially if you're a member of an organization like AAA or AARP.

Once you find a deal, take pictures of the car before driving off the lot to protect against fraudulent damage claims; and don't even think about returning the car without a full tank of gas. What tips do you have to find the best deals? Tell us in the comments.

Tips for Finding the Best Deal on a Rental Car [KABC]
(Photo: presta)