Picture this: you walk into a car rental office, excited to finally get the keys to your ride. The rental clerk smiles, pulls up your reservation, and then hits you with it—“Would you like to add a GPS for $20 a day?”
You hesitate. After all, that’s just a small add-on, right? But let’s do the math:
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Average rental car in NYC (compact sedan): $45–$60 per day
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Average GPS add-on fee: $15–$25 per day
That means you could end up paying more for the GPS than for the car itself. Ridiculous, right?
Here’s the part rental companies don’t want you to know: some simple tricks and hacks let you avoid these outrageous GPS fees, save money, and still get turn-by-turn navigation everywhere you go.
And the best part? If you act tonight, you could have your rental set up for tomorrow without ever paying an extra dime for GPS.
Why Rental Companies Overcharge for GPS
Exotic Car Rental companies thrive on upselling extras: GPS, insurance packages, child seats, toll passes—you name it. These add-ons are where they make serious profit.
Let’s break it down:
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Actual cost of a GPS device: $50–$120, one-time purchase.
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Rental companies’ daily GPS fee: $15–$25 per day.
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Average weekly trip cost: $100–$175 for a GPS you’ll return at the end.
Do the math, and you realize that one week of GPS rental often costs more than buying your own device outright. And if you’re a frequent traveler? That’s money flushed down the drain.
The Hidden Truth: You Don’t Need a Rental GPS
Here’s the big secret: you already own a GPS.
Modern smartphones—whether iPhone or Android—come preloaded with apps like Google Maps, Apple Maps, and Waze. These apps are not just reliable; they’re actually better than most rental GPS units, offering real-time traffic updates, live rerouting, and even gas station recommendations.
So why pay extra for outdated, clunky GPS systems when your phone can do it all for free?
The “One Thing” You Need to Do Tonight
Okay, here it is: download offline maps before your trip.
That’s right. Whether you’re worried about poor signal in remote areas or expensive roaming charges, apps like Google Maps and Maps.me let you download entire regions directly to your phone.
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Open Google Maps.
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Search the city or region you’ll be driving in (say, “New York City” or “Long Island”).
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Tap “Download Offline Map.”
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Boom—you now have turn-by-turn GPS even without Wi-Fi or cell service.
This single step means you’ll never need to pay for a rental company’s GPS again.
Hack #1: Use Your Phone (But Avoid Hidden Fees)
While using your phone is the obvious solution, beware of two common pitfalls:
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Roaming charges if you’re traveling internationally.
? Hack: Get a local SIM card or an international data plan. -
Phone mounts aren’t included in rentals.
? Hack: Bring your own air vent or dashboard mount ($10–$15 on Amazon) to avoid balancing your phone on your lap.
Hack #2: Ask for Free In-Car GPS
Many newer rental cars already come with built-in navigation systems, especially in luxury rentals or SUVs.
Rental agencies don’t always advertise this, because they’d rather upsell you on a separate device.
? Hack: When reserving, ask specifically for vehicles with factory-installed navigation systems. You’ll often get GPS included at no extra charge.
Hack #3: Book With Local Agencies, Not Giants
Here’s something most travelers don’t realize: local rental agencies often include GPS at no cost as part of their packages, while big-name companies (Hertz, Avis, Enterprise) will nickel-and-dime you.
Agencies like Premier Auto New York know their market—NYC drivers rely on navigation daily. That’s why many local services include GPS as standard.
? Hack: Always compare local agencies before defaulting to airport rentals.
Hack #4: Use Apps That Do More Than GPS
Why settle for basic turn-by-turn directions when you can have apps that act like a personal driving assistant?
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Waze: Best for real-time traffic and police alerts.
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Roadtrippers: Perfect for planning scenic drives and pit stops.
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GasBuddy: Helps you find the cheapest gas near you.
? Hack: Download two or three of these before your trip. Together, they give you a smarter, more complete GPS than any rental unit.
Hack #5: Pair GPS Savings With Other Cost-Cutters
If you’re serious about saving money on your next rental, combine your GPS hack with other insider tips:
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Skip Airport Rentals: Avoid location surcharges.
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Use Discount Codes: Students, military, and AAA members often get rental perks.
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Bundle Insurance: If your credit card covers rentals, decline pricey agency insurance.
When you combine these hacks, you can save hundreds on your next trip.
Why Paying for GPS Is Like Paying for Bottled Air
Let’s put this into perspective. Paying $20 per day for GPS is like paying for bottled air when you already have oxygen for free.
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Your smartphone is your GPS.
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Offline maps make it work everywhere.
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Mounts cost less than one day of rental GPS fees.
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Many cars already include built-in systems.
So why are you letting rental companies rob you blind?
Real-Life Example: How I Saved $150 on a 6-Day Trip
Last summer, I planned a six-day trip across New York State. When I went to book a rental car, the clerk tried to tack on $25 per day for GPS.
That would have been an extra $150—basically the cost of another entire week’s rental.
Instead, I did the following:
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Downloaded offline maps on Google Maps.
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Used my credit card points to upgrade to a luxury sedan that already had built-in GPS.
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Brought my own phone mount.
Total extra GPS cost? $0.
Not only did I save money, but my maps were updated, faster, and more accurate than the clunky rental GPS units.
Why Premier Auto New York Makes GPS Add-Ons Obsolete
At Premier Auto New York, we believe luxury and convenience should be standard, not “extras.” That’s why our rentals are designed with customer-first policies:
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Built-in navigation systems in most vehicles.
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Options to include GPS at no extra charge.
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Premium cars equipped with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Whether you’re renting a Lamborghini Huracán, a Rolls-Royce Ghost, or a luxury SUV for your family, you’ll never be nickel-and-dimed for something as essential as navigation.
Because in a city as fast-paced as New York, you deserve to focus on the drive—not hidden fees.
Final Thoughts: Stop Paying for Overpriced GPS
Next time you rent a car, remember this: you already own the best GPS money can’t buy.
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Download offline maps tonight.
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Bring a $10 phone mount.
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Ask for cars with built-in navigation.
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Choose rental companies that include GPS in their packages.
Do this, and you’ll never again waste $20 a day on outdated navigation systems.
In fact, the money you save could easily pay for an upgrade to an exotic car rental in NYC—because why drive an economy car when you could cruise in style for the same price?
Browse Premiere Auto Newyork to keep control of your drive