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Even if you've rented cars many times, getting a nasty surprise when you return the car can still be a common occurrence. With all the options and fine print some car rental companies can fleece your wallet without much effort, so what do you do?
The following 10 car hire tips will help simplify the confusing aspects of renting a car.
1. Shop around online
Check out an online comparison shopping site to get a sense of what’s available, then check the rental car companies’ Web sites directly to see whether you can snag an even cheaper rate there. Some companies have regular special offers that you can only get form their website.
2. Make some sums
If it sounds too good or cheap to be true then there most likely is a catch lurking in the fine print. Make sure about which taxes, surcharges and miscellaneous other fees you’ll have to pay, and watch out for charges for "extras" you really need, like permission for other people to use the car as well.
3. Hunt for deals
Always be on the lookout for weekend discounts or special weekly rates. If you're shopping online, keep a sharp eye for areas where you can use a promotional code or discount code. If you do, open another tab in your browser and Google for the car company’s name along with the same catch phrase they used on the site. Within a few seconds you could save hundreds on your car rental - and bear in mind that you also may have access to discount codes through organization memberships and other affiliations.
4. Get a smaller car
A lttle known fact is that rental car companies usually run out of cheaper 'economy' models as they’re the most popular with car renters, so oftentimes you’ll be prompted to upgrade - which obviously makes more money for the company - so just say no as you stand to get the upgrade at the same price as the economy car.
5. Check if the car is limited to certain areas
If you're planning on crossing a border make sure it’s going to be OK before you sign. Some rental car companies’ "unlimited mileage" rates don’t include certain areas or countries and you could get burdened with a massively inflated bill unless you’re aware of the restrictions ahead of time.
6. Why extra insurance?
Car rental companies often urge car renters to spend more unnecessary money on collision damage waivers and other insurance coverage. Have a look at your car insurance policy and credit-card agreements - you’re most likely covered already, but you might want to consider "loss of use" coverage - this covers the period of time that the rental agency could need to spend getting the car repaired if you happen to have an accident. As mentioned, check your insurance policy first.
7. Fill up
Avoid prepaying for petrol, and when you return the car remember to fill the tank again. If you don't, you can expect to be liable for much more than the market price as the car hire company has to go through the added effort of refueling the vehicle.
8. Be timely
Late returns can run up your bill far more than you think - some rental agencies can charge as much as a full day’s rental if you're late, sometimes even at a rate higher than before. If you know you are going to be late, call the agency ahead of time and tell them, explaining your situation and see if they are accommodating. It may be helpful to clarify what extra charges you could have to pay if you have todrop the car off early.
9. Airport fees
If your car rental company is at the airport, you'll probably have to pay extra fees like airport surcharges, drop-off fees or taxes levied by government. To avoid these you could consider renting your car from a suburban location outside the airport.
10. Supply your own car seat.
If you're travelling with kids and need a car seat, you can save a small bundle by bringing along your own child safety seat instead of renting one.
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