Planning on a car rental this summer holiday season, and really hoping for a hassle-free experience, with a smooth pick up procedure and no unexpected extra costs? Read these few pieces of advice. Here we try to make it easier for you to avoid unnecessary supplementary costs by listing just a few things to consider before you click 'the submit button' of your car hire booking.
Book Earlier at More Advantageous Rates
Moreover, if you postpone booking your holiday car hire, the availability of cars will grow smaller. You may face a limited number of cars you are not particularly willing to hire.
Fuel, Fuel - and Onnce Again, Fuel
Pay attention to the fuel policy! It has become a popular practice with rental companies to charge customers upfront for fuel at much higher prices than the local petrol stations in many European tourist destinations, like Spain, Portugal or Cyprus. As a customer, you have a choice. You can choose to book with the 'full to empty' or 'full to full' fuel policy. Here you will find a fuel policy guide. Basically, it is sometimes much better to hire a car at a higher price with the fuel already included, as the local fuel price will make your cheap car hire more expensive in the end.
Check Out Insurance
What is included in your insurance? The exclusions can be purchased locally, and you can be more than sure that the option to purchase them will be offered at the rental desk. Check what you are paying for and what to excpect locally as an additional cost. Know your booking details (and remember that if you book on the Auto Europe site, all the mandatory insurance is already included in the rate).
Pick Up at the Airport
The airport tax will be added to your final rental bill if you buy anything at the local car hire counter, like fuel or GPS, for example. So book with 'full to full' fuel policy, update your own GPS with local roads and get your holiday started!
Long Pick-up Queues
If you are flying to a popular tourist holiday destination, prepare yourself to queue to pick up your car or try coming at a less popular time of a day, if there is any...If you are travelling with children or elderly people, send them to a nearby café so that the can have some rest while you are queuing.
Fine Print
Last but not least. Don't let yourself get surprised. Know your rental conditions before you book. Read the terms and conditions part, even if it is the last thing you want to do. You will not regret it.
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