As winter draws to an end and the days begin to lengthen, thoughts turn to the open road, fresh air and sunshine. If you’re planning a trip this spring, the last thing you want to worry about is your car rental.

Rent-A-Wreck has some car rental tips to help get the right car and best value for those long weekends and getaways.

1. Research car rental companies before your trip. Call ahead or use the Internet to find out which companies are in the area and their rates and policies. Check online for discounts and last-minute rates.

Reserve your car ahead of time and call the renting location at least a week in advance to confirm the reservation. Always ask for hours of operation and return policies. Many locations offer a key drop or off-hour returns, but don’t assume that all do.

2. Consider “neighborhood” (non-airport) car rental companies. These locations usually offer more reasonable rates and will often come to the airport to pick you up. Off-site rental locations have grown in popularity with budget-conscious travelers who take advantage of lower rates resulting from the absence of airport fees that are passed on to the customer.

3. Choose the right mileage plan, and pay attention to fuel efficiency. With gas prices on the upswing again, consider fuel efficiency when making your selection. Many rental agencies train their agents to “sell up” to a larger-sized vehicle, often for $5 to $10 more per day. Also, many infrequent renters will unnecessarily request unlimited mileage, paying the premium rate.

4. Rent a car on weekends and holidays - it’s cheaper. With 70 percent of the car rental business geared toward business travelers, the best rates for vacationers are during non-work times.

5. Find a rental company that is knowledgeable about the area. Neighborhood car rental operators can be an excellent source for “inside” information on local dining and attractions or simply good directions.

6. Check out the savings between new and used car rentals. In almost every case, you’ll find that a used car rental company, such as Rent-A-Wreck, provides clean, late-model quality used cars often for half the cost of renting a new car.

Limo services. They can make a special event extraordinary, but not all limousine services are created equal. If you want to make sure that your next special event goes off smoothly, be sure to get all of the details in advance. Continue reading to find out the questions that you simply must ask your limo service.

The first thing you need to ask is what types of limousines your potential limo service uses. They do not all use the same type. One might rent brand new Hummer or Lincoln limousines while another might have a 10 year old rusty Cadillac that smells of cheese. You need to find out what you are getting before you commit to a limo service.

Next check and see who will be driving the limo. Do they have chauffeurs dressed in formal attire or just a guy in a polo? Are their employees drug tested and have they done extensive background checks on them? The kind of driver you want will depend greatly on whether you are renting your limo for a night on the town or for a formal wedding. In any case, you should once again know what you are getting.

Finally, find out how much you will be charged for your limousine. You may think that rates are pretty standard but they can vary greatly depending on the level of service and the type of limousine you are getting. Find out how much the limo will cost and what the overage charges are in case you run late and need the limo longer. Also find out if the gratuity is included in the rate. It is customary to tip your driver and some companies include the tip in the price while others do not.

Getting all of the details in advance will greatly improve your odds of a fantastic night. Once you have decided on a limousine service, be sure to get a written contract with all of the details spelled out in writing.