There are several things that you should be aware of when renting a car for your vacation.

Everyone wants the best rates and a quick fool proof way to find them. You can spend a lot of time reviewing major car rental companies, or comparison shop on consolidator web sites like Expedia, Orbitz, etc.   Only to find that many of those sites don't have the offers and savings of car rental companies web sites.

Travel Leaders travel agents can take the frustration out of renting a vehicle for your next vacation. They have access to rates not found online, and regularly compare rates of individual companies with vacation packages from tour operators that bundle travel components for a maximum value and savings.

Rental policies may vary slightly by location and rental agency, but here are some consistent renter requirements:

• Must be at least 25 years of age. (Drivers under age 25 may be assessed additional fees to rent.)
• Must present valid driver's license.
• Must present a major Credit Card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Diners Club or Discover), even if rental is prepaid.  The name on the credit card must match the name on the driver's license of the renter.
• The credit card should have enough available credit to cover the cost of the rental.  Some rental agencies will place a credit hold on the card to act as a security deposit for the rental vehicle.  The credit hold is then released at the time of return when payment is applied.
• Some rental agencies no longer accept debit cards at time of rental.  These cards can only be used for final payment at the time of return. 
• The lead name on the confirmed reservation must be the person whose credit card is used to pay the charges. If a credit card of another person with a valid driver's license is used, that person will become the primary renter and the original name on the reservation will become an additional driver.  Additional charges may apply for an additional driver.
• Rental car companies offer collision and liability insurance coverage for car rental for additional fees. Most renters have an auto insurance policy or car rental coverage through their credit card. If you don’t have automobile insurance coverage on your own vehicle, you may want to consider this coverage.  It’s recommended that you call your insurance and credit card companies to find out if they cover you when you rent a car. You may find that you can decline all of the rental car company’s coverage’s.

International Driving Permits
Although many countries do not recognize U.S. driver's licenses, most countries accept an International Driving Permit (IDP).  IDPs are honored in more than 150 countries outside the United States.  (See AAA’s application form for the list of countries).  An IDP functions as an official translation of a U.S. driver's license into ten foreign languages.  These licenses are not intended to replace valid U.S. state licenses and should only be used as a supplement to a valid U.S. license.  IDPs are not valid in an individual’s country of residence. Before departure, you can obtain an IDP from an automobile association authorized by the U.S. Department of State to issue IDPs.  Article 24 of the United Nations Convention on Road Traffic (1949) authorizes the U.S. Department of State to empower certain organizations to issue IDPs to those who hold valid U.S. driver’s licenses.  The Department designated the American Automobile Association (AAA) and the American Automobile Touring Alliance as the only authorized distributors of IDPs.

Many foreign countries require the deposit of a customs duty or an equivalent bond for each tourist automobile entering their territory, and the motoring associations are equipped with the necessary facilities to expeditiously provide a standard bond document (Article 3 of the Convention).  The Convention is not applicable to United States motorists using their cars in the United States.

How to Apply for an International Driving Permit:
Before departure, you can obtain an IDP at a local office of one of the two automobile associations authorized by the U.S. Department of State: the American Automobile Association and the American Automobile Touring Alliance (through the National Auto Club).

To apply for an IDP, you must be at least age 18, and you will need to present two passport-size photographs and your valid U.S. license. The cost of an IDP from these U.S. State Department-authorized organizations is less than $20.00.

International Driving Permits Issued by Unauthorized Persons:
The U.S. Department of State is aware that IDPs are sold over the Internet and in-person by individuals not authorized by the U.S. Department of State pursuant to the requirements of the U.N. Convention on Road Traffic of 1949. Moreover, many of these IDPs are sold for large sums of money, far greater than the sum charged by entities authorized by the Department of State. Consumers experiencing problems should report them to their local office of the U.S. Postal Inspector, Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the Better Business Bureau, or their state or local Attorney General’s Office.