5 car rental tips that rental companies don’t want you to know

You’re excitedly planning your summer vacation and looking for car rental deals. You find a great, low-priced offer, feel lucky, and make the reservation. However, when you get to the counter to pay, something’s off with the final amount. Instead of “X,” it’s “X” times two.

On the other hand, there is always this friend of yours, who constantly snags good deals, brags about them, and you wonder how they make it. By reading the following car rental tips, you’ll learn the tricks too.

5 car rental tips for scoring great deals

The best day to rent a car

The idea that there’s a specific best day to rent a car is somewhat of a myth. Abroad, some claim that Saturday is the best time because that’s when everyone says they want to rent. They book online, don’t show up, and the cars remain in the company’s parking lot.

To avoid having idle cars, companies offer them at low prices. What’s the key difference in our country? Imagine the summer season (from May to September). Let’s say you want to rent a car anywhere in Greece, especially on the weekend when most travelers are on the move. If you haven’t booked in advance, it’ll be hard to find one, no matter which day you search.

Do you actually need that insurance sold at the counter?

When you go to the counter to pick up your car, the clerk will suggest extra insurance. However, this isn’t exactly insurance, but something like a waiver of liability. Regardless of what it’s called, the point is that your car insurance might already cover you.

But before you decide you don’t need the insurance offered at the car rental, ensure that your car insurance does cover you and in what aspects. So, read your insurance policy or ask your insurer for clarifications to be sure. This way, you won’t pay for something unnecessary when delivering the car.

Rent a car at the airport or downtown?

It’s well-known that renting a car at the airport is more expensive because companies pay a fee to operate within the airport, which usually gets passed on to the customer. This fee ranges from 2% of the total price up to 18%. So, the obvious answer is that it’s not cost-effective to rent a car at the airport.

However, to be sure, first check the prices of a company at the airport and compare them with the prices at a downtown branch. Then calculate the cost of getting downtown, whether by public transportation or taxi.

If you find that the cost is similar, choose the option that’s more convenient for you. For example, if the car rental company is next to your hotel, it’s convenient to rent downtown. Otherwise, and to save time, if the cost is similar, go with the airport car rental.

Get ready for photos!

We’re not talking about your vacation photos, but those of the car. Take pictures of the car from every angle with your smartphone, so they’re saved with the date and time in your files.

This way, if anything happens, you can prove that the car had a defect when you picked it up or that it was in perfect condition when you returned it.

Don’t go off-road

Anyone planning a vacation or a nature trip is eager to explore new terrains, but this might cost a bit more. One detail often overlooked is that many companies prohibit driving on non-paved roads.

Even if you buy one of the insurances mentioned above, chances are, it won’t cover you if you drive on gravel or unpaved roads. Stay on the beaten path, unless you’re willing to pay for your off-road adventures.