Hidden Car Rental Fees to Watch Out For

Hidden Car Rental Fees to Watch Out For (and How to Avoid Them)

You’ve found an apparently fantastic deal on a rental car that is too good to resist! Read on about hidden car rental fees on the Costa Blanca. And all too often, it’s too good to resist. That low per-day rate can all too quickly become two or three times more than you expected, thanks to an obstacle course of hidden charges and fees buried in the small print by most car-rental companies.

The car rental industry has mastered the art of the low publicized rate with the sticker shock upon reaching the counter. Although competition has minimized base rates, corporations have offset it by adding an assortment of fees and charges that catch even veteran travelers off guard. Awareness of those sneaky fees is not just about saving money—it’s about being a smart shopper and avoiding bad shocks when you need to depart on your holiday or business journey.

Most Popular Secret Car Rental Fees

Insurance and Collision Damage Waiver Fees

Among the most significant hidden expenses comes in the form of insurance protection. Rental brokers have mastered presenting various insurance options as required coverage, with fear-based situations based on potential responsibility.

Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) will be an extra €15-30 per day, practically doubling the rental cost of a cheap car. The Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) is identical protection and is the same price. Supplemental Liability Insurance is an extra €10-15 per day, and Personal Accident Insurance is an extra €5-10 per day.

The reality is that most travelers are already covered under their personal auto insurance, charge card protection, or both. Prior to adding any rental agency insurance, you need to check with your insurance provider and your charge card company to find out what you already are covered for.

Fuel Charges That Don’t Add Up

Fuel surcharges are another main source of unexpected charges. The “prepay fuel” option would seem like a good idea, but it never offers quality worth. You will typically pay €6-8 per gallon should you prepay for a full tank, far over today’s gas prices.

Worst of all is the “fuel service charge” for bringing back a car without fueling it. This fee typically ranges from €3.99 to €9.99 per gallon, and then there’s a service fee, so it’s very expensive to have the rental agency gas up the vehicle.

The “fuel service option” allows you to return the car with whatever level of fuel, but for a set fee of €15-25. With the exception of when you’re returning the car nearly on empty, this will rarely be cost-effective.

Airport Surcharges and Location Fees

Airport locations usually incur higher additional charges. Airport concession fees will add 8-15% of your rental price, and facility charges will add an extra €2-5 per day. Additional customer facility charges are also levied by some airports between €2-6 a day.

These are because airports are charging fees to rental companies for the privilege of occupying airport land, and these fees are being charged straight on to customers. The convenience of airport pickup entails a real price premium which can amount to €50-100 on a one-week rental.

Charge for Age and Driver-Related Surcharges

Young drivers are charged some of the highest additional charges for vehicle rentals. Young driver charges typically only affect drivers younger than 25 and can range from €15-35 per day. Some rental firms do not rent to drivers under the age of 21, and others charge even more for this age bracket.

Additional driver fees of €10-15 per day are added if anyone besides the primary renter needs to drive the car. This can easily amount to hundreds of euros for couples or groups traveling together. Some companies waive this fee for spouses but not many.

Late Return and Extension Penalties

Leaving your car late can trigger expensive fines. Most companies offer a “grace period” of 30-60 minutes, but any later, you will be charged for an additional day or even per-hour rates that amount more than €25 an hour.

Extension charges to keep the car longer than originally planned will be more costly than if you reserved the extension period when you booked. Your firm may charge their full daily rate for any extension, regardless of the number of hours you actually need the car.

Equipment and Add-On Charges

GPS vehicle navigation systems, child safety seats, and other equipment rentals are straight profit for rental companies. A GPS unit might be €10-15 to rent for a day, while it’s available for purchase for €50-100. The child seats typically rent between €8-13 per day, shortly amounting to more than the cost to purchase one.

Toll transponders or electronic toll collection devices typically cost €3-5 per day, plus any actual toll charges. While convenient, this daily fee can add up significantly over longer rentals.

Proven Strategies to Avoid Hidden Fees

Master the Art of Reading Rental Agreements

The best defense against surprise fees is prudent planning. Before making reservations, read the terms and conditions thoroughly, particularly those sections addressing additional fees, insurance fees, and fuel policies.

When you pick up your rental, don’t give in to pressure to make a speedy choice at the counter. Take a moment to read the rental contract and pose specific questions regarding any fees you’re unclear about. Keep in mind that rental agents typically earn a commission for extras, so recommendations might not be in your best interest.

Use Your Current Coverage

Call your car insurance company to learn what type of coverage is applicable to rental cars. Some comprehensive insurance policies do cover rental cars and make insurance purchased from the rental agency a duplicate cost. Similarly, call your credit card company—many premium credit cards have excellent rental car protection as a cardmember benefit.

If you rent cars frequently, you may purchase an annual rental car insurance policy, which can cost less than buying protection on only a few rentals a year.

Choose Your Pickup Location Carefully

When you can, avoid renting from airport agencies. On-site locations typically have the same vehicles at much lower rates without the list of airport fees. Most companies provide shuttles to nearby locations, and a bit of hassle can save a lot of money.

City destinations apart from airports also likely have lower overhead and fewer regulatory fees, so better prices for consumers.

Bring Your Own Equipment

Bring your own GPS device or smartphone navigation instead of renting the rental agency’s GPS. If you need child safety seats, bring your own with you or purchase inexpensive ones where you are traveling rather than paying daily rental fees.

For toll roads, try to pay cash or determine if there are apps available that will work in your rental car without the rental agency’s transponder.

Fill ‘Er Up Strategically

Always return your rental car with a full tank of gas. Identify gas stations close to the return location in advance, and allow some extra time to fill up. The cost savings compared to allowing the rental agency to handle fuel can be significant.

If you are short on time, calculate whether the prepaid fuel option actually pays off based on today’s gas prices and how many miles you are likely to drive.

Why Transparent Pricing Matters

The use of surprise fees by the rental car industry renders the car rental process inconvenient for consumers who simply want to know the true price of their rental when they go to pick it up. It renders comparison shopping nearly impossible, since the price advertised will barely be the final price.

LowCostaCarHire.com is different because it is committed to charging clearly. Our site reveals to you the whole cost of car rentals right from the start, including obligatory fees and taxes, meaning you get no hidden surprises. We have rental companies who share our commitment to clear pricing and honest communication.

When you book through our site, you’ll find:

• All obligatory fees included in the price quoted
• Clear explanations of add-ons and their cost
• Insuring feature and other breakdowns
• Objective analyses of when add-ons are worth it and when they aren’t

And this openness continues to customer service, where our agents help you understand what you’re paying for and how you can skip unwanted expenses while still getting the coverage and features you need.

Making Smart Rental Car Decisions

The key to avoiding surprise rental car fees is preparation, caution, and choosing partners who believe in openness. Through an awareness of the standard fee structures, making the most of your existing coverage, and utilizing honest rental sites, you can ensure that great value priced rate truly equates to the amount you will be paying.

Keep in mind that the lowest price quoted is not always the best value considering an array of buried charges. A slightly greater base fee from a company with clear pricing usually spells lower overall cost and a far more pleasant rental experience.

Ready for clear car rental rates? Contact LowCostaCarHire.com and compare upfront, all-inclusive car rental rates from an ethical provider. With us, you get to see the true cost up front—no tricks, no hidden fees, just reasonable rates that allow you to make an informed decision for your trip.