Smarter Car Renting

Here are car rental tips from the road trip-seasoned editors of RoadsideAmerica.com:

•  Book your reservation in advance. Rates can vary drastically, even for the same rental car in Saint Petersburg Florida. By booking your car early, you can avoid last minute rate increases. It can also help assure your desired vehicle-type will be available at high demand car rental locations.

•  Credit Cards for Pick-Up: Many agencies require a credit card upon pick-up. Yes, Opie, we live in that kind of world. So make sure you are in good standing with your "plastic." Call the car rental agency in Saint Petersburg before arrival or verify in the rental policy and rules to see which forms of payment they accept.

•  Leave Nothing Behind: At a road trip's end, we find we've accumulated souvenirs, kitschy mementoes, and piles of brochures from tourist attractions. These treasures prove you really traveled -- that it wasn't just some wacky delusion. When dropping off your rental car, carefully check every door pocket, drink holder and storage bin for these keepsakes. The rental car company sure doesn't have any use for them.

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Saint Petersburg FL Area Attractions

• All Children's Hospital
• Bayfront Medical Center
• Boyd Hill Nature Park
• Eckerd College
• Great Explorations
• Northside Hospital & Heart Institute
• Pinellas Trail
• St Anthony's Hospital
• The Pier
• Tropicana Field - Tampa Bay Rays
• Palms of Pasadena Hospital (4.52 miles)
• Hubbard's Sea Adventures (6.94 miles)
• Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary (11.61 miles)
• Ruskin Seafood Festival (12.83 miles)
• Largo Medical Center (12.92 miles)
• Sun Coast Hospital (13.13 miles)
• Clearwater Christian College (13.29 miles)
• Bright House Network Field (14.30 miles)

Saint Petersburg rental guide