When you pick up your car, check it inside and out for anything that could potentially be considered damage before you drive away. Look for scratches, scuffs, loose parts, working power windows and mirrors, and more.
Keep an eye out for problems both small and big; the tendency is to take a quick walk around the car looking for scratches and blemishes, thinking that big problems would have already been noticed, but this is not always the case. I once rented a car with a loose back bumper that the car rental company had not noticed previously. If I hadn’t caught this before we left the garage and an inspector had seen it later, I would have been held completely responsible.
Your best protection here: Take photos or a video of a slow walk around the car, and “kick the tires,” so to speak.
Opt for an “opaque” booking.
Hotwire offers steep discounts through “opaque booking,” a practice where you make and prepay a booking without knowing exactly which agency you’re booking with – it will still be a major agency, though.
While it may sound risky, it’s actually perfectly fine – you’ll know exactly how much you’re paying, where you’ll be picking up and dropping off, what class of car it is (and sometimes the specific model), and any terms. Unless you’re dead set on a certain agency, this is a great way to save a fortune. More info about rent a car in Havanna
Expect a Hold Charge
Every single one of our forty or so rental cars has put a hold on our credit card for the rental period. Holds can range anywhere from a few hundred bucks to $1000+ in some countries. The “excess charge” as it is called is typically stated in your reservation details, but it is easy to miss.
We are aware that they must put this hold on our card, but it can be a huge shocker if you are unsuspecting and end up over your credit limit on your credit card. These excess charges are for scenarios where you disappear with the car and are never seen again. Stuff like that.
Pay with a rental-friendly credit card.
So long as you’re making your reservation with a credit card, be sure to use a card with maximum potential for rewards. Brad’s Deals travel editor Mark Jackson’s round up of the best credit cards for car rentals takes both points and insurance benefits into account. It’s worth a look before you book. Read more about rent a car in Faro
Some car rental deals come with limited mileage. The limit might be shown as a number of miles/kilometres per day or per trip. If your deal has a mileage limit, you’ll have to pay an additional fee for every mile or kilometre you drive above that limit.
Tips for avoiding mileage limit trickery
It’s obvious, but it all depends on how far you’re planning to drive. Deals with unlimited mileage tend to be a bit more expensive, while deals with limited mileage can be cheaper, although the limit can be as low as 15 miles per day on some cars.
If you’re using the car for a few journeys such as going from an airport to your hotel, or you’re visiting a small island, a deal with limited mileage might work for you.