This photograph is from August 31st, 2020 and was captured somewhere between Taos and Santa Fe in New Mexico. It shows the highway, a Cow-Crossing sign, and a rainbow breaking through storm clouds in the distance over the desert grasslands.

I grew up traveling by car in a family of five and developed a penchant for vacationing with a rental. IMO one of the best ways to learn about a new place is on wheels. Rideshare has its convenience, but doesn’t afford the same flexibility and may end up being just as expensive. Some notes on rental cars:

• Joe-conomics justify reserving a car rental at a cost around $50 per day. Anything around the $30 price point is probably a really good deal, though do your research on costs and inconveniences related to parking it.

• If you have a corporate job, check your company’s travel policy to see if they offer discounts. Otherwise, check pricing through your bank’s travel portal and compare against other travel sites—though I highly recommend creating a loyalty account and booking directly with the rental company.

• If you travel more than 4 times a year, get a credit card with Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) coverage. and use it to pay for the entire reservation. If you already have car insurance make sure you get a card with primary coverage. With secondary coverage, the bank will contact your insurance company if there are any issues, and that can affect your premium.

• When picking up the rental—if the assigned car is one you really don’t like—ask the attendant if they have a vehicle with in-state plates or a different fuel economy, etc. This is an opportunity to make small talk and better understand your options.

• If your rental is damaged, be upfront with the return staff—confirm what damage they have recorded—and then head to the rental desk (this is where CDW coverage kicks in.) Make sure you get copies of all the documentation the clerk fills out; it might be helpful to let them know you’ll be filing a claim through your credit card benefits. I have secondary coverage through Amex. In addition to the documents from the car lot, Amex requires a notarized statement declaring you do not have car insurance, or to contact your insurance company. For cards with primary CDW coverage, you are not required to provide insurance info. Once you submit the documents online, ~poof~ the damage disappears from your statement and the card pays for itself.

• Based on current infrastructure and the length of time it takes to recharge a vehicle, I do not recommend renting an EV unless you are familiar with the area.

For route details on driving through the American Southwest, see the journal entry for Postcard 3005.