When planning a trip to Miami, you need to think about transportation. The subway and bus system there is usually very slow and the distances that have to be traveled between places of tourist interest immediately make you think about renting a car. Having one for your stay in this city is one of the best decisions and today we want to explain in detail what requirements you need to get the one that best suits the needs of your tour and your budget.
You have to know that if you rent your car in Miami, it will be much cheaper than renting it in other cities, because it is the second city with the cheapest prices in the United States, after Orlando. In addition, you can take advantage of doing it directly at the Rental Car Center at Miami International Airport, which will save you having to travel by other means to your accommodation.
What are the requirements you need to rent a car in Miami?
For an agency to rent you a vehicle from its fleet, you must meet certain requirements and present some current documents at the counter. You have to know that if you are missing any of them, you will not be able to take the car, so keep this in mind before booking.
To start, as a general rule, you must be over 25 years old. However, some car rental agencies offer the opportunity to rent to anyone between 21 and 24 years old, a customer known as a “young driver,” as long as they pay a surcharge. Additionally, they can only access certain categories of vehicles.
If you meet this requirement, you must present your passport and round-trip or one-way tickets to your next destination. Likewise, they will ask you for your driver’s license, which must be issued in your country of origin more than a year previously. It must also be in the Latin alphabet and if not, you will also need to show your international driving license. At least in the United States we have always managed with the Argentine license without problems. We have only taken it out once to drive in Europe
As a last requirement, they will ask you for a credit card in your name and with sufficient capacity to pay the security deposit for the vehicle you are going to rent, which you must pay directly at the counter; At least it is USD $200, it all depends on the type of car and the agency, so read the terms and conditions very carefully. Said amount will be frozen or withheld in case it is needed; Otherwise, it will be refunded after delivering the car in optimal condition.
What booking options do I have?
There are several ways to rent a car, but there are 2 that are the most common: making a reservation by phone or on the web or ordering it directly at the agency counter.
In the first case, you will only need to have a credit card on hand (of which you do not necessarily have to be the owner), create your itinerary from the portal and confirm the request. Once the day arrives that you are going to pick up the vehicle, you must go to the counter, where you will pay the car security deposit (refundable) and any additional items.
Note: remember that to access any vehicle in the fleet you must be over 25 years old. If you do not meet this requirement, even if you have booked online previously, they will not deliver the car if you chose one to which you do not have access.
On the other hand, if you decided to rent once you are at the counter, you could be surprised to not find availability of the car category you need, plus it will be much more expensive. That is why it is highly advisable to prepare this part of your trip in advance.
If, for example, you want to pick up your rental vehicle at the Rental Car Center at the airport as soon as you land, use price comparators such as Miles Car Rental in advance, where you can save time evaluating their options, and also money, as they offer all-inclusive rates.
How do I know which car is best for me?
That will depend on the needs of your trip. If you are accompanied by your family or a group of friends and you have a lot of shopping in mind, an SUV is the best option; But if your plan is to visit several cities, perhaps a minivan may be more functional. On the other hand, if you are traveling alone or as a couple and for a few days, a more luxurious car may be better for you, so the category you choose depends largely on what you will do during your stay in Miami.
Another factor to take into account is your budget. Perhaps renting a large car can be more expensive not only because its price increases compared to simpler ones, but because it requires more fuel. In this case, if you can share the rental costs with the other passengers, this will not be a problem.
Additionally, another inconvenience will be finding parking and complications in maneuvering if you are not used to this type of car. If you have money, the best thing is to treat yourself and rent a sports car.
Choosing how you are going to get around is an essential part of the trip and the best thing about renting a car in Miami is that it turns out to be super economical compared to other cities. However, remember that you must meet all the necessary requirements to be able to rent one. Likewise, it is always better to book online and with enough time to be able to secure the car category you are looking for at a much more convenient price.