If you’re new to renting cars, you will find there is a lot to learn about how to get the best price and how to avoid additional charges.
Even if you frequently rent cars, there are often many tips and tricks that will help you to get a better deal. VroomVroomVroom has years of experience in the industry, and our car rental experts have plenty of advice to share. Here are a few secrets of the car rental industry that could help you save money and get more out of your trip.
People often leave renting a car until the last minute, but booking well in advance — especially during peak travel periods — is often the best way to get the hire car you want at a reasonable price. Popular holidays such as Easter and Christmas see both high demand and rental rates and if you leave booking your hire car until the last minute, you might be left with a smaller selection of vehicles than you had hoped for — and at a premium price tag. An added bonus of booking your rental car far in advance is that there is a better chance you’ll pay less than if you book your car at the last minute.
Thanks to the convenience of getting off a flight and into a rental car, an airport pickup location is often one of the more popular choices, and the most favoured types of car can run out fast — particularly in peak holiday season. With this popularity though, comes additional airport surcharges as airports are classed as “premium locations”. So, if you’re wanting to save some money, consider picking up your vehicle from an off-airport depot. Note that even if you pick up your car from a lower-cost suburban depot, if you return the car at an airport, there may be a surcharge for doing so.
Weekly rates for a rental car may be lower than the daily rate, meaning you could save money if you keep your car for over seven days. Always check if you can save money by keeping your car for the full week, as the added convenience of having a rental car for your entire trip — rather than just a few days — might cost less than you think. Also pay attention to the pickup and drop-off times, as even adding an extra hour onto your request could result in you paying for a full additional day. Car rental rates are measured in 24-hour periods.
Car rental rates change by the day, sometimes by the hour, and if you notice a drop in rental rates for when you have booked, what can you do? Depending on your booking, you might be able to cancel — perhaps at no charge — and rebook at the lower rate. If you’re curious about if your booking is eligible for this, please contact us.
It is important that you have insurance for your rental car so you can avoid paying any damage fees, but if you have existing rental vehicle excess insurance, you may not need to purchase additional products from the car rental company. Purchasing insurance in advance can also save you money, as car rental excess reduction products sold at the counter are often more expensive.
Always be sure to check what the licence and document requirements are, as in some cases, your booking confirmation and driving licence may not be enough. This is particularly relevant if you are renting a car in another country, where you may also be required to show your passport or other travel documents. If you have a foreign licence and you are renting a car in Australia, you may also need an International Driving Permit.
If you — or an additional driver — are under 25 years of age, you’ll generally need to pay a daily “age surcharge” at the car rental counter. Some companies have a lower age surcharge than others, so it is worthwhile shopping around. Also, drivers under the age of 25 may be restricted to certain types of rental vehicle.
If you’re planning on a longer rental, having more than one driver can be a smart choice. Many rental companies allow this, though there is frequently a fee to register each additional driver. This charge varies between rental companies, so compare charges between different companies. Any additional driver will need to satisfy the same identification and licencing requirements as the primary one.
If you need to find a petrol station before dropping off your rental car, a GPS might be handy. In fact, a GPS is one of the more popular add-ons companies offer, but these tend not to be free. So, if you’re wanting to reduce your expenses, bring your own — afterall most smart phones have a built-in GPS — just be sure not to touch your phone while you’re behind the wheel!
Another popular add-on is a baby seat, and while a baby seat is free if you bring your own, if you want one supplied with your rental car, there will be a cost. For peak season rentals, try to book early, as baby seats run out.
If you’re offered an upgrade when you collect your rental car, be sure to check that the upgrade is free. An upgrade could be anything from a GPS like the one mentioned above, to a different style of car. Be sure to clarify what (if any) charges the upgrade entails before you sign the rental agreement. This is why it is so important to read the small print.
Just as it is important to read your rental document, always check your vehicle for damage. While your rental car should be provided in perfect working order, do give it a look over before signing on the dotted line. If you notice any damage, photograph it, point it out to a staff member, and have them sign off on it. Be sure to check both the exterior and interior of the vehicle to avoid any unpleasant surprises at the end of your rental.
While some people may skim over the Terms and Conditions, it’s best not to do this as there’s important information about what is and isn’t allowed with your rental car. For example, some roads or regions may be strictly off limits, and there can be restrictions if you are driving a vehicle outside of certain hours in regional areas, where the risk of hitting animals is higher. If you break the Terms and Conditions you signed off on and have an accident, you may be liable to pay the full costs of any damage.
It’s always a good idea to read the fine print, and in some cases rental cars come with limited kilometres, meaning you’ll be charged for every kilometre you travel over that limit, and this can add up to quite a bit of money. It’s a good idea to check if your car has limited kilometres so you don’t get any nasty surprises at the end of your rental. In locations like the Northern Territory, rental cars often have limited kilometre rules.
You should also be aware of your rental vehicle’s fuel tank size before leaving the depot if you’re travelling long distances. In remote parts of Australia, petrol stations can be a considerable distance from one another, and you don’t want to get caught out on outback highways with an empty fuel tank. Make sure you know what type of fuel your rental car takes as well.
As already mentioned, Australia is a big place, and after driving from Sydney to Perth, the thought of driving back to Sydney to return your rental car might not be all that appealing. Of course, if that sounds like your dream holiday, you should take a look at our road trips section. To save you a long drive back, some companies offer one-way rentals, where you can pickup the car in one city and drop it off in another. One-way rentals do come with surcharges though, and some companies don’t even let their cars out of state. This is something to clear up beforehand, as it would be disappointing to rent a car in Melbourne for a drive to Hobart only to find out you can’t take the car out of the state.
After all that driving, you may well be running on fumes when you roll into the depot to return your car — don’t make this mistake! While some rental companies allow you to return the car without a full tank of petrol, it is a good idea to return your car with a full tank. Why? If you don’t, the company will charge you to fill it up, and the cost might be higher than what you would pay at a petrol station down the road.
