8 tips for getting cheap rental cars overseas
Want to squeeze in one last road trip for the summer but you're on a tight budget?
No problem. Renting a car is only expensive if you get sucked into buying unnecessary add-ons or get stung by unexpected fees. Follow these eight steps, and you won't have to watch your travel cash go up in a cloud of smoke.
1. Check for free rides
Most companies offer free or discounted trips to anyone willing to relocate their vehicles back to depots where they're needed. They don't promote this much, but you can browse listings on RentalCarRelocation, iMoova and Transfercar. Often they'll even throw in a few sweeteners, like free insurance and a full tank of gas. There are some strings attached, and you have to be flexible with dates and locations, but it's well worth checking out. Read more here.
2. Shop around
Assuming you can't score a freebie, use price comparison websites such as Kayak, Travelocity and Expedia to compare hundreds of cars at once. Double-check the main operators' websites, too – sometimes they have special promotions that don't get picked up by the aggregators.
3. Think small
Do you really need a huge 4WD to traverse the wild terrain of Wellington? Rental car operators always try to upsell you to a bigger vehicle, because they can charge literally twice as much. Stick with a popular compact car. There's only a certain number available, so if they run out they'll often upgrade you for free anyway.
4. Avoid airports
The convenience of throwing your luggage straight from the carousel into the boot of the car comes at a price. The big companies charge $40 or more for airport or ferry terminal pickups, so it may be better to get a shuttle into town or a nearby depot.
5. Take a video
There's a popular scam in Southeast Asia where tourists rent dirt-cheap scooters, only to be charged for all the pre-existing dings and scrapes when they return them. Major car companies overseas do the same thing, but wait to charge your card for the alleged damage until you're back home. Always take a detailed video of the vehicle's condition before you drive off the forecourt, and if possible, make sure the operator sees you do it.
6. Don't pay to reduce your excess
Rental companies charge huge excesses of $3000 or more for any damage, even for crappy cars that would barely even be worth that much. They then offer you a daily add-on "peace of mind" fee to reduce it to a less extortionate level. Don't fall for this. First, check if your credit card company or your travel insurance automatically covers rental excess fees. If not, it'll almost certainly be cheaper to buy coverage from a specialist insurer.
7. Bring your own
Hiring a car seat for your grandkids will set you back an extra $10 – $15 a day, which means it's better to bring your own if you can. Many airlines are family-friendly, and will let you check in a car seat for free. The GPS up-sell is another classic trick, but it's redundant in the smartphone age. Even if you're overseas and don't have data, just download the relevant areas on the Maps.me or Google Maps app beforehand, and you can navigate anywhere while offline.
8. Go slow
Once you're finally ready to hit the road, take it easy on the accelerator. Getting pinged with a speeding ticket or fine while on holiday is a pain. Getting pinged another $40 or $50 by the rental company for having to pass on the costs and any offence notices rubs salt in the wound. Navigating the tricky rental car industry can be enough to send anyone around the bend.
Follow these steps and always read the fine print, and you won't end up blowing a gasket. What are your other tips for renting cars? Share your experiences in the comments below.
Written by Richard Meadows. First appeared on Stuff.co.nz.