If you are traveling during a holiday season, making your car reservations early will assure you of a car. Making the car reservations too late may leave you in a bit of a lurch, without a car, or having to rent one that is more expensive than you had planned. Making car reservations can be done online or through an 800 number. When making the car reservations, specify what kind of a car that you want, so that something that you want to drive will be there for you.

Car reservations can be made far in advance, and they do not tie up any money on the credit card that you use to make them. If you do not have a major credit card, some car companies will require a big cash deposit, which will be completely refunded when you return the car safe and sound. Getting insurance on a rental car is a good idea if your credit card does not automatically cover the car, because now car rental agencies are charging a daily rate while the car is being fixed, in case the car is in an accident, whether or not it is the renter's fault. Check with your credit card company to see if they have this feature before making your car reservations.