Top 6 Effective Ways to Save on Car Rental Costs: Maybe you’re thinking about hiring a car if you’re planning to go abroad for the May bank holiday or in the summer.
Table of Contents
When on vacation, renting a car can be a great way to see the sights and get around, especially if there isn’t much public transportation available.
A rental car can quickly add up in costs, and there are several pitfalls to avoid. Customers are often pressured into buying extras at the desk, and penalties can apply for returning a car late or dirty, or without a full tank of gas.
In addition to arranging your travel money, and packing a credit or debit card, make sure you get the best deal on your car rental too.
Also Read: Today Mortgage Rates On April 11, 2024: A Comparison Of 30-year Vs15-year Mortgage Rates
Top 6 Effective Ways to Save on Car Rental Costs
These 6 tips will help you save money on car hire and avoid common pitfalls.
1. Keep an eye out for last-minute deals if you book early
Book early to get the car you want at a reasonable price, but use a company that offers free cancellations.
Check for better deals closer to your departure date. If a cheaper one appears, book that and cancel the original one. Some holidaymakers have saved hundreds of pounds by cancelling their car hire and booking a cheaper deal just before their trip.
For instance, Europcar is quoting £312 for a week’s summer hire in Crete from 27 July – 3 August 2024, while Avis and Budget are quoting more than £500.
Also Read: OJ Simpson, American Football Icon Dies At 76, NFL star acquitted in ‘trial of the century’
2. Avoid hiring at the main airport or railway station
You may save money by renting a vehicle a short distance from main transport hubs, such as airports and railway stations. In addition, you might save time and money by skipping the car rental line.
Getting a taxi to another car hire office may not seem appealing after a long-haul flight, or if you have children and lots of luggage.
The convenience of picking up your car at the airport will almost certainly come at a cost, so if you’re trying to cut costs, it might be worth exploring alternatives.
3. Make sure you don’t violate the car rental fuel policy
There’s also the fuel policy. The best option is often to take a full-to-full deal, which means you must return the car with a full tank or you’ll be charged an inflated rate to refill it.
Keep the receipt from the petrol company as proof that you returned it with a full tank, as the penalties can be expensive if you don’t.
Also read: Analysts Warn UK GDP Growth Could Sustain High Interest Rates
4. The rental desk should not be used to purchase extras
Other extras may be offered at the car rental desk in addition to excess insurance.
Many car rental companies offer sat navs (average cost £72), the option to add another driver (£56) and child car seats (£67).
On average, you could save £195 by saying “no” to these items.
As part of a child’s airfare ticket, most airlines will allow you to bring a bulky item such as a car seat for free.
5. For booking and to cover excess charges, use a credit card
If there is a problem with the rental car, you could get your money back if you use a credit card. Under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act, your credit card provider will protect purchases over £100 (and less than £30,000).
Also, suppose you buy excess protection insurance in advance from a specialist insurance provider, rather than the rental company. In that case, you will need a credit card to cover the excess amount during the rental because debit cards are usually not accepted.
The hirer pays for any claims initially on their credit card, and the insurance company reimburses them later.
6. Examine the car thoroughly and take photos of any damage
You should take a video or several photos when you pick up your car (and when you return it) so that you can inspect the vehicle for damage. If there is a dispute over repair, you will have evidence of any pre-existing damage and the condition of the car when you returned it.
Make a note on the paperwork if it is dark when you collect the car and perform a full inspection as soon as possible.
Also Read: Pension Savings Fall Short by £119,000, Retirees Disappointed
