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The holidays are a busy time for us, but let’s face it–it’s not our rental cars that are on your mind this season! And we wouldn’t have it any other way. As we round out 2016, seeing the steady flow of traveling families, out-of-towners, and bustling locals helps to remind us that our job is about so much more than being a face on the other side of the booking desk. We love being able to help members of our community get moving in the direction they want to go–whether that’s a journey to family, a special trip, or just the ability to keep going when the best laid plans go topsy turvy. We know you, our customers, have many options when you’re deciding on a rental car company, and we’re honored to be able to serve our communities in Savannah, Hinesville, Statesboro, Coastal Savannah, Hilton Head, and Beaufort. We know the people who call and walk in every day are not just customers, but often neighbors, family, and valued members of our own communities. We like to think this focus is the reason our customers continue to choose us over more monolithic national brands. But we know being local is not enough. To win loyalty, we have to do something else: listen to you, our valued customers. Here’s how we at Savannah Car Rentals tried to do that in 2016: We developed new financing options. In response to noticing some common obstacles to financing our customers have faced in the past, we were able to tweak some of our requirements and hopefully increase some eligibility for renting. We continued to develop our “Rent-to-Own” program, a practice we started entirely as a response to regular customers who fell in love with their rentals and wanted a path to ownership. As members of our community, we were able to respond quickly in times of local weather crisis. When rental demand soared in the face of storm damage this year, we began to hear from customers that other rental companies had turned them away with no more cars available–so we set to work getting the word out that we still had options available, and stayed open as long as we were able. We don’t think this makes us special–responding to our customers’ needs is exactly what we should be doing, and we wouldn’t have it any other way. So as we prepare to take 2017 off the lot for a spin, we want to thank you for continuing to choose us, and to wish you safe and happy travels, wherever you’re headed. Happy New Year from all of us at Savannah Car Rentals! May you reach every destination you set this year.

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2016 flew by as fast as 2017 is approaching! It’s time to start making New Year’s Eve plans. Some superstitions say how you spend New Year’s Eve determines how you’ll live in the coming year, so it’s a great time to broaden your horizons with change of scenery. Our suggestion for a doable quick trip?: Ring in the New Year in Hilton Head Island, just a 30 mile drive from Savannah. End your last day of 2016 on the cooler side. The 16th Annual Polar Bear Swim begins at 10am on December 31st 2016. Skip out on your morning coffee, throw on your swimsuit and take a quick dip in the Harbour Town Pool to wake yourself up; All of the cool polar bears do it! Shake off the cold water and warm up with hot chocolate and refreshments. 20 years later, the tradition is still alive and glowing! Take a stroll through the Dove Street Festival of Lights with lights covering Shelter Cove Towne Center. There are over 70,000 lights to admire and falling snow (bubbles) to walk through. From 6-10pm, you will be walking in a winter wonderland. Put your ice skates on and twirl around the ice skating rink for great holiday entertainment. In previous years, $120,000 was raised for local charities, more than 40,000 cans for families in need and 20,000 gifts for children. The Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund, PEP (Programs for Exceptional People) and Island Rec Center will be on site accepting donations. In Hilton Head, you can count down to the New Year not once, but twice! The New Year’s Eve ball drops from the Harbour Town Lighthouse starting at 7pm and then again for the official ball drop at midnight on December 31st. Listen to live music and dine at Harbourside Burgers & Brews, The Quarterdeck and Topside Waterfront Restaurant. There will be complimentary party favors from Harbourside Burgers & Brews for everyone to enjoy as you ring in the new year. Book your rental car soon to save on your New Year’s Eve plans–rates are lower the further ahead you book!

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When you travel for business, it’s best to expect the unexpected. No matter how fastidiously you plan, you can bet on a minor setback or two once you’re on the road. These days, the most likely culprit is likely to be internet access. Whether you’re tearing your hair out over not finding Wi-Fi, losing it, having spotty access to it, or being charged too much for it–it’s a frustration you’re not likely to want to repeat on your next business trip. Before you hit the road, try our suggestions for saying goodbye to bad trip Wi-Fi. Know Your Data Plan First things first: if all else fails and you end up with roaming charges from your mobile device, it’s best to know ahead of time what that damage will look like. Check the fine print on your data plan for devices and make a worst-case guess on how much you could be charged if you end up using data for some or all of your work-related internet use. If you’re using a work-provided device, check with your employer ahead of time to see if you can be reimbursed for any worst-case scenario charges. Pick a Hotel with Wi-Fi Yes, we said hotel. Airbnb rentals may be popular, but their amenities aren’t always as reliable as hotel amenities. If you have a problem with a Wi-Fi password or connectivity, you might not have your concerns addressed as quickly as you need with just an app for support. Many hotels offer free Wi-Fi guaranteed, and there’s something to be said for a help desk. Be Aware of Public Wi-Fi Risks We all know using public Wi-Fi is a privacy risk, but when you’re travelling for work, the need for a connection NOW can make public Wi-Fi look like an oasis in the desert every time. Let’s face it: there’s probably no avoiding some form of public Wi-Fi use on your trip. Plan ahead for it by taking a moment to download all security updates on your devices prior to your trip. If you’re going to be accessing truly sensitive company material, consider using a VPN for extra protection. Consider Making Your Phone a Wi-Fi Hotspot This step takes some planning to set up, but if you travel for work often enough, it will be a godsend. This guide from New Atlas can help you figure out how this might work for your device. Be sure to check with your provider first: some will allow you to create a Wi-Fi Hotspot for free, but others may charge. Double check any potential data charges with your provider as well. A final tip for rainy-day planners: to find Wi-Fi hotspots on the go at any point of the trip, you can download an app on your phone that helps locate them, like Free Wi-Fi Finder or Avast Wi-Fi Finder. Need a rental car for your business trip? Make a reservation online.

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Take a trip to the warmer side during this holiday season. Packing is always easier when you don’t have to bring jackets, scarves, boots and wool socks! It’s the perfect time to rent a car for a quick, restorative road trip to a toasty location. With Orlando, St. Petersburg and Delray Beach all within driving distance from Savannah, there are plenty of options to choose from! Orlando, home of Disney World and only 4 hours away from Savannah is a great go-to for you and your family. Pack your walking shoes, and leave those winter coats at home for a fun filled holiday vacation, or weekend trip. During the holidays, Disney World turns into more of a lit up magical attraction than ever before. Mickey’s Merry Christmas Party occurs during the majority of December. The party begins at 7pm and goes until midnight with snowfall covering Main Street. Watch gingerbread men, elves, snowmen and wooden soldiers and all of Mickey and friend parade around with Santa as the grand finale! Enjoy the Christmas caroling, holiday cheer and complimentary hot cocoa. Drive towards the Gulf of Mexico to St. Petersburg to catch some sun rays and light shows. The Holiday Lights in the Gardens is a light show you won’t want to miss. The Florida Botanical Gardens hosts a transformed garden into a holiday paradise with over 750,000 lights. From 5:30-9:30pm, walk around and gaze at the thousands of lights and end your evening with a visit from Santa Claus. Cruise the coastline with Santa this December. Grab the family, jump into a Savannah Car Rental vehicle and cruise 6 hours to Delray Beach, Florida. On December 3rd, 10th and 17th, Delray Yachts hosts a magical event for you to join Santa Claus on the Cookie Cruise from 10am-noon. Jolly Old Elf will be on board while you cruise through Delray Beach, Boca Raton, and Highland Beach. Call to reserve your spot with Santa! 561.243.0683. On December 24th, partake in the first candle lighting of the menorah at 6pm. Don’t worry about adding miles to your vehicle. Savannah Car Rental is happy to get you, your family, and friends to your hottest destination this holiday season. Book online today.