Car Hire- Watch Out On New Car Rental Surcharges

Car hire companies have come up with new creative additional fees for unsuspecting car rental customers. Consumers are taken advantage of through a number of non-conventional surcharges in the form of fees they have already paid for, stadium tax, extra driver fees and so on.

With the ever increasing hidden fees by car hire companies, renting a car can be an expensive undertaking. Car consumers should take note of new “creative” fees so that they are not taken advantage of. Below are a few tactical suggestions:

a) All Inclusive
Before you book your car rental, make sure that the company is offering you an all inclusive package. You may be tempted to go for online car rental websites, which normally offer cheap car hire. However, keep in mind that the lowest rates may be exclusive of Theft Protection, Collision With Damage (CWD) and other local taxes. Call the company and let their execs outline clearly all that is included in the car rental package.

b) Understand the Fuel Policy
Fuel surcharges are the most common additional fees that car consumers have to contend with. To avoid these charges, review the car rental fuel policy. Some firms have a full-empty policy and the consumer will be required to fill the car and return it empty. The fuel usually costs higher than at outside gas stations and the rates are available at the customer care desk.

However, if you are managing kids on vacation or going on a business trip, returning the car empty can be convenient. When you return the car, let the attendant checking in the car mark the receipt ENC (empty no charge) and give you a copy to ensure you are not charged.

c) Know How the Cancellation Policy Works
To avoid hidden fess, make sure you read the company’s cancellation policy before you make your reservation. Most companies allow consumers to cancel their bookings within 24 to 48 hours without any charges. On the other hand, you may have to pay high fees if you cancel within 48 hours of your pick up date. If you are not sure of your date of travel but have come across a great price, find out whether you can apply for cancellation protection fee. The fee is usually calculated as a parentage of the car rental charge and if you are booking a costly car, it may be worth protecting yourself to avoid high surcharges.

d) Fees for Extra Drivers
If the car rental will have additional drivers, go for the Gold or Platinum package of the car hire company. The packages usually cover for additional drivers and initial tank fuel. For example, if you will be hiring the rental car for three days, plan on using one fuel tank and have an additional driver, the fuel cost and driver surcharges may be higher than that of taking a Gold or Platinum package.

e) Do Not be Timid.
Unfortunately, car consumers may have to cater for one or more surcharges at the car rental desk. Before you take the keys to the car, make sure you ask what you will be required to pay. Ask the agent for any other fees you will be expected to pay during the course of your car hire.

Avoiding car rental surcharges is not easy nowadays but with the above tips, you are bound to save some bucks!

Article Tags: Rental Surcharges, Make Sure

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