Deals on Wheels

By Carolina A. Miranda

Renting a car? May is one of the best months for deals, report the experts at hotwire.com a discount travel site. That's when the big agencies expand their fleets for summer and have cars to spare. You can also save money by following these tips:

1 Check the Neighborhood

Renting at airports can be pricier because of extra fees, so opt for a neighborhood location. Avis, Enterprise and Hertz have added more off-airport sites in the past year.

2 Smaller Can Be Cheaper

Renting from a small, local company can save up to 15% on your bill, but car selection may be limited. Find reputable agencies at orbitz.com and travelocity.com

3 Go Green

Travelers can save at the pump by renting a hybrid like the Toyota Prius, offered by Hertz in most major markets and evrental.com in the Southwest.

4 Compare and Contrast

If you're not traveling until the peak season, save money by comparing rates on discount travel sites such as Hotwire. And don't forget to check the rental-agency sites too. --By Carolina A. Miranda