It's important that you understand the rental agreement to ensure that you don't rent a car without paying any hidden fees. These fees could include cancellation fees, underage driver fees and Air conditioner surcharges. It's also important that you know what the maximum value of each fee. This is an important step in comparing rental car rates.
Underage driver fees
Smart planning can help you avoid paying underage driver fees while renting a car. There are special programs offered by car rental companies that allow minors to drive at no cost or at a discount. You can also find a car rental company that waives underage driver fees for military personnel and their families.
An app like Kyte can be used to avoid the underage driver fee. You can choose a car, add extras and see the estimated cost on your screen. There are some car rental companies that only charge underage drivers if they are Carla members. Hertz will rent you a car for those under 25.
Cancellation fees
Cancellation fees on rental car fees vary by company and location. If you do not cancel your reservation within 24 hours of the rental beginning, you could be charged $200. Before you make your reservation, be sure to review the cancellation policy. Also, be aware that there may be additional charges if you book online. You should also be aware that cancellation fees may vary depending on where you rent a car.
The cancellation fee can be avoided if you've made a booking with a credit or debit card. If you are unable to pay in advance, you can still book a rental car. But, you might be charged a fee for cancelling at the last minute and not showing up for your rental car. This is why it's important to cancel your rental car reservation well in advance.
Air conditioner surcharge
Rent a car company may add an air conditioner surcharge to its rental car fees. This fee is separate to the rental rate, and cannot be added on to the rent during lease renew. For more information, see the Operational Bulletin. This bulletin details the regulations and rules for surcharges.
These fees are to be used to cover the additional costs that a rental agency must incur to maintain and upgrade its facilities. They help offset the rising cost of fuel and parking in certain areas. Furthermore, car rental companies charge federal excise to air conditioning.
Options for insurance coverage
Check with your car insurer about rental car coverage if you are planning on renting a car while you travel. Many policies cover rental fees up to a specified dollar amount per daily, although some policies limit coverage to only a particular number of days and dollars. The daily amount is generally $40, which covers the rate and tax of a rental car. Other insurance policies might cover rental car fees of up to $1200. Enterprise, among other rental companies, offers special rates for their insurance partner.
You may be eligible for their insurance coverage options if you use your credit card to rent the vehicle. Major credit card issuers provide rental car insurance when you use that card to pay. If you're renting a car for a short period, this coverage is generally sufficient, but you'll need to decline the damage waiver offered by the rental company. Many credit card policies do not cover rental cars beyond a set period of time. They may not be able to cover rentals cars in certain countries or models.