ST. LOUIS, MO--(Marketwire - March 9, 2010) - Just in time for spring break travel, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, North America's largest rental car company, is partnering with Emily Kaufman, the expert in family travel nationally known as "The Travel Mom," to offer tips for hassle-free, affordable family travel fun.
"Spring break travel offers families an opportunity to spend quality time together," said Kaufman. "It's a family friendly break from the hustle and bustle of daily life, school events, homework and extracurricular activities. Families reconnect during spring break road trips and create long-lasting memories no matter where their destination."
Enterprise Rent-A-Car is offering Spring Break travelers affordable vehicle alternatives in order to save wear and tear and mileage on their own vehicles. Enterprise has more than 5,000 neighborhood locations, found within 15 miles of 90 percent of the U.S. population.
"Cost-conscious motorists especially crave the security, comfort and reliability of a newer, fuel-efficient vehicle," said Steve Short, vice president of leisure business development for Enterprise. "Families seeking a roomier vehicle will often rent a mini-van or SUV for those longer road trips. And, our neighborhood locations allow for fast, reliable pick-up and drop-off services."
Kaufman offers the following five tips for a successful family road trip:
- Be Prepared. Organize before you hit the road -- load the luggage, print driving directions, assemble a first aid kit and create "Boredom Bags," which are travel cosmetic cases filled with age-appropriate activities for kids. Each child's Boredom Bag should hang on the back of the seat in front of them and include hand-held games, small activities, crafts and a water bottle. Save the sticky juice pouches for a special treat when stopping for gas or meals.
- Consider the Vehicle. Families requiring a safer or larger vehicle for long-distance travel should consider renting a newer and/or roomier car, van, or SUV from a reputable company such as your neighborhood Enterprise Rent-A-Car. Upon request, an Enterprise employee will both pick you up and drop you off at your home.
- Make Technology Your Friend. For long road trips, consider a portable DVD player for kids, a GPS system for staying on track, and an mp3 player for enjoying everything from audio books to rap music. Many restaurants now have special DVD sections, and many locations have options to rent a movie in one city and return it in another.
- Stay Realistic. The bright idea to load sleeping kids into the car at the crack of dawn often backfires. Fatigue causes crankiness as well as accidents. Incorporate the actual travel time into your vacation and stop frequently. Parks make a great lunch stop because everyone can let off a little steam.
- Pack Smart. Our nation of "over" doing everything includes packing. It doesn't matter where you are headed -- Grandma's, a campground or a cruise -- just about every place has laundry facilities available. Also, make sure to pack car friendly food. A thin cookie sheet slipped into the pouch behind the front seat provides a table top for eating or drawing. A jump rope or ball helps kids loosen up during stops.
For additional tips on family travel, go to http://aboutus.enterprise.com/springtraveltips.
About Enterprise Rent-A-Car
Founded in 1957 and headquartered in St. Louis, Enterprise Rent-A-Car is an internationally recognized brand with more than 6,000 neighborhood and airport locations in the United States, Canada, the U.K., Ireland, and Germany. In addition, Enterprise of North America is part of a global strategic alliance with Europcar, creating the world's largest car rental network.
There are more than 5,000 Enterprise offices located within 15 miles of 90 percent of the U.S. population, and local customers are picked up at no extra cost. Known for exceptionally low rates and outstanding customer service, Enterprise was named to BusinessWeek's annual list of "Customer Service Champs" in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010. Enterprise also has ranked highest in customer satisfaction among airport rentals in 10 of the past 11 years, according to J.D. Power and Associates Rental Car Satisfaction Study. To minimize the environmental impact of car rentals, Enterprise not only offers customers the opportunity to offset carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, but also to rent a hybrid vehicle in more than 30 major markets. For more information about Enterprise, visit www.enterprise.com.
Contact Information:
For more information, contact:
Ned Maniscalco
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
314-512-5523