Secrets to saving money when renting a car

Renting a car provides freedom of movement and comfort when traveling. However, in today’s economic conditions, it is vital to approach expenses wisely. In this article, we will share practical tips on how to save on car rental without sacrificing convenience and safety.

Choosing a rental company

When choosing a company to rent a car, it is important to consider not only the cost of booking, but also the rental conditions, service level, as well as reviews and rating. The main options are:

• international aggregators;
• official websites of large networks;
• local rental companies.

Car rental aggregators

These are online platforms that compare offers from different rental companies, allowing you to choose the most profitable option. These sites often have discounts and promotions, and also allow you to book a car in advance and fix the price. But aggregators are only a link between you and the rental company. Carefully read the terms and conditions, so as not to lose more and not pay twice for the same service.

Official websites of major rental companies

These are global brands that offer high quality service and transparent rental conditions. They adhere to clear standards and value their reputation, so the client is the first priority for such companies. But such sites may have higher prices, as well as strict conditions for insurance and deposit.

Local rental companies

These are small companies operating in individual cities or regions. They have a significant advantage over international companies — low rental costs. However, the price is fully consistent with the quality of services: few offices, often poor service and a poor choice of cars, the condition and mileage of which leave much to be desired.

We recommend comparing prices on aggregators and official rental sites. Check the cost of insurance, deposit, mileage limits, fuel policy in advance, and also check reviews on independent sites.

The optimal choice of car

Rental companies offer a wide range of cars of different classes and with different technical characteristics. In order not to overpay, choose a car based on the purpose of the trip: an SUV is suitable for country trips, an executive sedan is suitable for business meetings, and a budget compact option is suitable for traveling around the city. We already wrote about this in the article about the ideal choice of car.

It is also worth paying attention to the type of fuel.

• Gasoline cars are the most common option. This is a practical vehicle that can cover any distance and refuel almost anywhere, given the prevalence of gas stations.
• Diesel cars are more economical compared to gasoline cars, but in winter, this type of transport becomes more demanding of the quality of fuel. It is advantageous to rent large, oversized diesel cars.
• Electric cars are only suitable for driving around the city and short distances outside the city. The charging time for such cars is about 3–4 hours, which is very disadvantageous in many situations. And not everywhere on the route is there an opportunity to charge electric vehicles.

The choice of transmission is also important: a manual transmission will cost less than an automatic. However, the savings must be justified: if you do not have enough experience driving a car with a manual transmission, have poor orientation in the area, or feel insecure in dense city traffic, it is better to give preference to an automatic transmission.

Car rental companies also offer a wide range of additional features: child seats, GPS navigators, additional drivers, a full tank of fuel upon delivery. Whether to overpay for additional options or not depends on your needs and rental conditions. Before booking a car, study what options are included in the price and choose only those that you really need.

Booking

Renting a car in advance is not only convenient, but also an opportunity to reduce costs. This service allows you to choose from a large number of cars with suitable characteristics. Many companies offer discounts for advance booking, especially during the tourist season.

Another way to save is to book transport for a long period. Short periods of 1–3 days are usually more expensive than renting for several weeks or months. However, you should not try to cheat the system by booking a car for a month to get a discount and then returning it after a few days, as such manipulations can lead to fines.

You can save on fuel if you think through your route and check the mileage conditions before renting. Exceeding the mileage limit is subject to an additional fee, so if you are planning long trips, it is better to choose a tariff with unlimited mileage. It is also important to determine the place of return of the car in advance. If you plan to return the car not at the agreed point, this may also entail additional costs.

Lifehacks when receiving a car

1. Some companies try to add additional services to the rental, for example, upgrading the car class or offering a full tank of fuel at an inflated price. We recommend that you clarify all payments and possible surcharges with the rental company in advance. And before signing the contract, carefully study all the terms and conditions and demand that unnecessary services be removed so as not to overpay.

1. Check the car before receiving it: record all scratches, dents, chips, condition of tires and glass in the contract; check the fuel level and mileage so that it matches the data in the contract; make sure that the car has everything that is provided for in the documents. If you notice damage, but it is not specified in the rental contract, demand that it be written down, otherwise after the trip you will not be able to prove that the damage was not your fault.

1. Take photos and videos of the car from all sides before the start of the trip and upon return. Record the condition of the body, headlights, wheels, glass and interior. We also recommend taking a photo of the dashboard to record the mileage and fuel level. Photos will help prove that damage already occurred if the company wants to blame it on you.

Insurance

You can avoid unexpected expenses even in the event of damage to your car if you make sure you understand all the insurance terms before signing the contract. Not all insurance policies include the same terms. In some car rentals, damage to mirrors, glass, tires and the bottom may not be included in the standard coverage. Therefore, carefully study which cases are covered by the insurance. If some parts of the car are not insured under the contract, you can take out additional coverage. We have already written about specific types of insurance in one of our articles.

Another important point that you should understand before booking a car is the franchise. This is the amount you will have to pay if the car is damaged, even if you have insurance. To avoid overpayment, choose a rental with a zero franchise, but check the cost of such coverage. And find out if you can reduce your sum by using bank card insurance.

Many companies try to push additional fees, such as theft insurance, accident processing fees, or double insurance (from the bank and the rental company). So, before booking, find out about all possible fees and compare the cost of the rental company’s insurance policy with alternatives.

Additional fees

Mileage limit and fines for exceeding

If you choose a limited mileage plan and increase the daily limit, the rental company may charge a fine for each extra kilometer. To avoid overpaying, if there is a mileage limit, calculate in advance whether it is enough for your route. If the mileage is limited, check the cost of each additional kilometer.

Fuel policy

Car rentals typically have one of two fuel policies:

1. Full/Full. If you return with less than the specified rate, you will be charged.
2. Full/Empty. At the end of the rental, when you return the car, the remaining fuel in the tank will be refunded minus the surcharge for refueling.

We recommend that you keep the receipt from the gas station until you return the car to avoid any controversial situations.

Toll roads and fines

Many countries have toll roads, bridges, and restricted traffic zones. Driving through them can be automatically recorded by cameras, and fines can come through the rental company. To avoid surprises, check with the rental company in advance whether the car has an electronic pass for toll roads. Sometimes renting one is more profitable than paying for each section separately.

Parking and possible fines

Not all cities have free parking spaces. The fine for illegal parking can be quite high, and in some cases your car can be towed. To avoid this, find out before your trip where you can park for free and which zones require payment. Check the parking rules, and especially pay attention to signs with time restrictions.

Conclusion

Renting a car can be convenient and profitable if you take into account all the nuances in advance: check the insurance, find out about additional fees, record the condition of the car and carefully study the terms of the contract. By following these simple rules, you can significantly reduce costs and avoid unpleasant surprises during your trip.

Wayrent offers optimal rental conditions, transparent rates and no unexpected surcharges so that you can enjoy your trip without unnecessary expenses!