Getting a Deal on a Rental Car

I use Expedia or one of the other deal sites. Priceline is a good one too. The prices will vary depending on the type of car and if you want to pick it up in the airport or get one off the airport property (they will provide transportation). It is much cheaper to get one outside the airport and the compacts are always well priced.
I have found that Alamo has decent prices and nice cars, Hertz has better quality cars but they are higher priced. Prepay for the gas it is so worth it. Then you don't have to worry about stopping on the way back to the airport.
FYI: Here in Orlando there are two gas stations near the airport and the last time I had to stop at one they were charging $5.00 for a gallon of regular gas. That was a year or so ago, but they take advantage of people.

Rent online, NOT at the airport. Rates tend to be higher at the airport. Enterprise is as good as any.
Pre-pay the gas when you pick the car up, saves you a little trouble finding a gas station close by when returning the car 'full' and the gas is usually the same price as on the street.

Check with your auto insurance to make sure you're covered in a rental and if you are then don't take the insurance they offer you. Sometimes they try to make it seem like you'll have trouble if you're in an accident if you don't take their insurance. That's usually not true, and their insurance is very expensive.

Not sure about DFW, but check and see if they have Enterprise or Budget, you could check you local companies and see what they can do for you when you travel. Does your company have any special discount rates that you could use or how about your road service memberships (for example AAA)?

Blessings.....

My husband rents LOTs of vehicles for work. Enterprise is the best. Reserve on-line NOT when you get there! You can use a AAA discount, Entertainment book upgrade, etc.
NEVER get the insurance (if you have car insurance, you're most likely covered, call to check) and NEVER return without the gas tank being where it was.
I like Enterprise because it is a family-owned business.

Try www.rentalcarmomma.com
I've usually had good luck there

My hubby travels a lot and rents cars all the time.

Enterprise is a good company, especially if they have a location on site.

We've done a lot of business with Alamo as well.

Go directly to the car rental website and they sometimes have deals. Make sure you are POSITIVE about any mileage charges.

Do not buy into the extra insurance they try to sell you. It is a gimmick and the way they make money. You have car insurance already, if something happens, you are covered. PLUS, depending on what credit card you use for your rental, the credit card has certain coverages as well.

Ex: Last week hubby was in Houston with a Thrifty rental car. Someone broke into the car, grabbed his briefcase thinking his laptop was in it I guess, and took the IPhone charger from the car. His house kes and his Mercedes key for his car that was parked at Dallas was in the briefcase as well.

The credit card company we used, Chase, has covered all expenses. This includes the $350 to make a new Mercedes key for him. Total loss was about $500. They also replaced his briefcase and charge cords.

EX #2.... about 5 yrs ago he was with Hertz and totalled the car. We never incurred any expenses whatsoever.

You should be able to get a good deal at DFW. There is a lot of competition!

I find that National or Alamo car rental usually has the best rates around. As for pre-paying your gas, make sure you are actually going to use the full tank. Gas stations in the DFW area right now are anywhere from $2.90 to $3.05 a gallon.

Call the car rental companies and ask if they have any promotions going on or what they suggest to save $. For instance, my Enterprise usually has a few options. IF I tell them I'm a State Farm insured, they will give me the SF rate, but I dont get to take advantage of weekend rates and have to pay every day. If I tell them I am looking for best price, they will tell me about weekend rate and may throw in the pickup day for free is it's late in the afternoon. But I have to ask them which is the best route and take thier advice. Sometimes its better one way, sometimes another.