CNN has published a great set of tips outlining the secret tactics car rental companies will use to try to rip you off.
Like airlines, car rental companies don’t think twice about changing your rate. Except that they sometimes raise the price after you’ve driven off the lot.
Like airlines, car rental companies are astonishingly creative with their fees, from additional driver add-on costs to premiums for customers under the age of 25. There’s even a down-to-earth equivalent of the cramped regional jet: Car rental companies are quietly redefining their vehicle sizes in an apparent attempt to lift their profits.
It seems that just about the only thing car rental companies don’t have in common with airlines is — well, cars don’t fly.
Well worth a read.
Image via CNN
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I used to work for a car rental company. I will tell you one thing: read the fine print. Counter agents pretty much have the authority to do whatever they want, and if you don’t like it, go to the next counter. Only the next counter will be exactly the same, if not more expensive. Car rental companies run on sales, and counter agents are motivated by their commissions. Good luck getting a real deal with car rentals, they don’t exist.
I also used to work for a car hire company and have two bits of advice for anybody renting a car.
1) When picking or even at time of booking check the fine print. Most cars (like your home or personal car insurance) have an excess for crash damage or theft. Make sure ALL scratches or marks are signed onto the agreement as being there before you drive off.
2) When returning the car find a representative from the car hire company and get them to sign you off on the rental agreement. If there is no one or you are renting out of hours, get your camera out and take photos of the car all over.
“Another clever way car rental companies make a little extra is to change their car classes, upgrading them to the next category so they can charge you more money.” These companies do anything to squeeze a few extra dollars out of their costumers. This has reached a point that it’s absurd!
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Sometimes, even if you have the best level of cover for your hired car, and you aren’t careful then you may end up paying for the damage. So to avoid such situations when you first pick up the car, check it for any dents, scratches or other damages and make sure the car hire company recognizes that damage in writing before you sign the rental agreement so you are not held liable when you return the vehicle. Take photos of the car and any present damage, so you can prove that anything that’s on the car was already there before you drove it.