We tell you what to look for when renting a car to get a cheap car without any unexpected surcharges.
#1. Think about renting a car in advance
On peak days, inexpensive cars quickly run out. Therefore it is worth booking a car at least a week before the trip. Renting a car without a reservation at a rental station is usually more expensive.
#2. Choose a small car with a manual transmission
The smaller the car, the cheaper the rental cost. The most affordable are small cars with a manual transmission. Automatic transmission is more expensive.
Remember, the rental station has no right to refuse to rent a car with a reservation, and if the car you need is not available, you will get a higher class car for free. The chance is not as small as it may seem: budget cars sell out quickly.
#3. Don’t forget about extra services and check out hidden fees
If you find a good deal, like when you take a VIP rental car Dubai, you should know that all rentals charge extra for services, but there are also options that you might need, but you will have to pay extra for them. As a rule, companies as the one mentioned above, work transparently without any hidden conditions, nevertheless read carefully what renting services charge additionally and estimate the final cost.
Hidden fees when booking a rental car
- Returning the car elsewhere. If you return the car to another office, you will be charged a surcharge. A particularly large fee is for returning to another country;
- Extended insurance. In most cases you will receive your car with a basic insurance policy included in the price – usually CDW (Collision Damage Waiver Waiver). Keep in mind that CDW does not cover broken windows, headlights, and wheels. Other types of insurance may be included for free, such as TI – theft protection. The minimum insurance always includes a deductible (usually €900) – this is the amount you pay in case of damage, and anything higher is dealt with by the renter.
Additional payments when you get a rental car
- Young Driver. Many companies charge €10-20 extra per day if the driver is under 25 years old;
- Second driver. So that the husband and wife can alternate at the wheel, you have to pay extra. It may also be charged if the contract is in the driver’s name and the passenger has to pay with his credit card; the passenger will be treated as a co-driver;
- Additional equipment. Winter tires and chains for the wheels, ski mounts on the roof, GPS-navigator, child seat for the baby, and booster for an older child – all can be included in the reservation and paid locally upon receipt of the car. To save money, bring the car seat for the baby with you, and instead of the built-in GPS navigator download the offline map package into the navigation app on your smartphone.
Additional fees when renting a rental car
- For mileage. It happens that the renter sets a limit on the number of kilometers you can drive per day. Let’s say 150 kilometers are included, and all of the excess — for a separate fee of 0.2 euros per kilometer;
- For the lack of fuel and refueling. The fuel policy differs from one rental company to another. The most advantageous — you take the car with a full tank and return it with a full one. If it turns out that the fuel is not enough, you should pay the missing liters at the price of the renter and, probably, pay an extra charge for refueling. It is better to check the location of the nearest gas station and how long it is open, and fill up on the way back;
- For the fines. If the rent-a-car company receives a fine receipt for your traffic violation, your card will be charged a fee for the transfer of your personal data to the police. You will receive the ticket in the mail and will have to pay for it yourself. There were cases where the fine and fee were written off six months after renting.
Conclusion: what else you should know before you rent a car
When you rent a car, renters usually block the deposit on your bank card – this is called “holding”. When you surrender the car, the amount is fully unblocked (unless the rental company receives fines for your traffic violations) and will be available again. Sometimes you have to wait a long time to unfreeze – up to 30 days from the date of blocking. And the bank, which has the money “on hold,” is responsible for this, not the renter. To speed up the process, contact the bank after handing over the car and leave an application to unblock the money.
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