
Cancel for free!
Change of plan? You can cancel online up to 2 days before your pick-up date free of charge.T&Cs apply.
Rental cars offer the freedom to explore a different country. They give you flexibility, allowing you to travel where you want, when you want.
Like most things, however, car rentals can be stressful and costly. Every day, unwitting travellers are cornered at car hire desks and handed a whopping bill along with the car keys.
It doesn’t have to be like this! Read on to find out how to avoid hidden costs, tips to get the best deal, and get your holiday off to the best possible start.
Cancel for free!
Change of plan? You can cancel online up to 2 days before your pick-up date free of charge.T&Cs apply.
Find the best car hire rates at Europcar
Looking to hire a car in the UK or anywhere else? Explore a vast variety of options in worldwide locations at Europcar. See how much you can save on your next car booking. T&Cs apply
Book in advance and get up to 25% off car hire
Early birds are treated well at Sixt. Make a booking 25 days in advance to get up to 25% discount. T&Cs apply
It’s best to book early, no matter where you’re headed. Car rentals are priced higher when rented directly at the counter.
Set aside some time and shop around a few different companies to see which one is gives you the best value. Here are a few things to compare:
Paying in advance is important too. This will protect you from changes in exchange rates, hidden clauses, and other unexpected charges that could come up at the counter.
Make sure that you understand the policies regarding petrol on your return, late penalties, and how to report an accident or incident.
When you make your online reservation, print your confirmation details and have that document along with the receipt of payment readily available when you arrive at the rental car counter.
Getting the right deal on the car is one thing. You’ve got to be on top of all the little extras they heap onto you, be it online, over the phone, or at the rental desk. Car hire excess insurance can be a killer! But what is it…?
Check out our page on excess insurance to find out more.
Before travelling, you need to request a personal code from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). You should do this 21 days before travelling to ensure everything is sorted on time.
Car hire companies may need this code to check for your driving points, as paper licenses are being phased out. You might not be asked for a code (in fact it’s more likely that you won’t) but it’s best to have it ready and avoid being unable to hire the car!
If you are attempting to save money with a rental car, the model type you choose should be perfectly suited to your needs. Here are some things to consider:
Whether the damage is caused by an accident, or you’ve mistakenly broken a window, the first thing you should do is contact the car rental agency.
Depending on their policies and the type of insurance you have secured, they will let you know what to do next. If the car is damaged to the point where you can no longer drive it, yet you still need a car, they will take care of the repair and issue you a replacement car to finish out your contract.
If you note charges on your credit card from the rental car agency that you were not made aware of, contact them immediately and ask for an explanation.
If it turns out to be an error on their part, then they will have to charge back your account.
If there is a dispute, and you believe that the car hire company overcharged you, you could also file a dispute with your own credit card company. They will investigate the charges and work directly with the car rental company to come up with a resolution.
Be advised, however, that many of those charges can be explained in the fine print of your rental car contract, making it very important that you read all of those documents thoroughly and ask any questions before renting a vehicle.
Depending on how long you plan to rent a car, you may find that buying is a less expensive option. With a buyback deal you could get up to 50% back when a purchased car is sold back to the dealer at the end of your trip. This scheme works best when you need the car long term, but you have to take a lot into consideration.
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