drive or ride
Transportation
Get where you need to.
Big city or small, roads will have a part in taking you where you need to go. Will you need your own car, a car that you use sometimes, or just a ride?
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PAGE SUMMARY
Travel by Car
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Buying a car: how to get a great deal on a new or used car
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Car rentals & rideshare: maximize rewards and save money
​How will you pay for your car?
While some sites dealers may offer loans direct to you, make sure that you get the best rate possible. A small change in your interest rate can lead to a big change in your monthly payments. You might want to look at car loan interest rates from financial institutions such as:
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Banks: Chase, Bank of America, Capital One
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Credit Unions (a credit union is a nonprofit entity and sometimes offer lower rates)
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Your car dealer
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By searching multiple types of loan providers, you may be able to quickly find a loan with the best available terms given your financial goals and background.
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You might also consider getting a personal loan through a company like SoFi.
I will only need a car occasionally or just need a ride
If you don't need your own car, but do need the use of one on occasion, there are a variety of options available to you. One route is to look at sites like Orbitz, CheapAir.com, or Expedia. Any of these sites will search available travel deals (car rentals, flights, or hotels) across many providers. Particularly when you are hoping to find the best price available, these are good search options.
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If you plan to travel often, particularly if travel is part of your job, you may want to compare the points programs for the major rental companies such as: Hertz, Avis, Enterprise, and others. Frequent travelers can benefit by receiving perks like free upgrades, free rentals, shorter lines, and preferred services. A downside of these companies is that a car rental can be expensive and may come with fees that you may not expect.
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Some consumers prefer car share programs like ZipCar, which can be a great option if you live in a densely populated area. And if you just need a ride you might consider: ​Lyft, Uber, or other rideshare providers.