Cheap car rental: how not to be fooled? 6 tips for drivers

Cheap Car Rental: How to Avoid Getting Scammed? 6 Tips for Drivers

Found a car rental offer for 4 EUR per day and excited about the savings? Hold on, because when you return the car, the amount you pay could increase by several times, and what seemed like cheap car rental may not be so cheap after all.

• 4 EUR per day for a new SUV rental? What a cheap car rental!

This article will help you avoid falling for the traps of dishonest rental companies and avoid unexpected costs.

Cheap Car Rental: Is It Really Possible?
First, let’s think: is it really possible to rent a car for 4 EUR per day? The answer is simple: yes, it is. It could be that car rental companies are heavily competing in broker listings. The lower the price, the higher the company will rank, increasing the chances that a customer will choose the provider offering the lowest price. After all, why pay more when you can pay less? In today’s market, with high competition, car rental companies use this strategy. It’s better to rent out a car for 5 EUR and have it driving on the streets than let the same car sit in the parking lot generating no income. More accurately, it generates a loss since someone has to clean off that 40 cm thick layer of snow.
It may seem that cheap car rental benefits both drivers and rental companies. But is it really advantageous for both sides? You might think prices are special during peak seasons, and that’s true to some extent. However, throughout the years, there have always been rental companies whose practices might seem less than honest.

How to Choose a Reliable Car Rental Company That Won’t Charge Extra Fees?

• Check the rental company’s reviews online.

If people feel cheated, they will surely share their experience. Research shows that to soften the impact of one bad review, you need at least seven positive ones. However, here’s the flip side: if everything goes smoothly, the car is clean, the manager is friendly, and everything was fine, only a small percentage of people will take the time to share their positive experience publicly. They could do it more often!

• Read, read, read the rental terms.

Familiarize yourself with the document before signing the rental agreement. Often, these terms are available on the rental company’s website. Besides the usual fees for smoking in the car or delivery to a specific location, some rental companies may add extra charges like an airport fee or car pick-up fee. Additionally, hidden fees for reservation cancellations or car maintenance (in case of flight delays) may appear. With TopRent, you can cancel a reservation for free up until the last minute, and we will wait if your flight is delayed.

• Check if the rental company offers a grace period for returning the car.

This means how much time you can be late without paying for an additional day’s rental. The standard grace period is usually one hour.

• Some companies charge extra fees for specific payment methods.

You can find information about this in the rental terms. (TopRent has never charged such fees and never will—welcome to the 21st century, with diversity and democracy, Watson!).

• Take photos of the car from all angles before driving it.

And take another set of photos when you return the car. No, not for memories. These photos can be very helpful if your credit card is charged for car damages after the rental period. If you accidentally scratch the car while parking or bump into your neighbor’s vehicle, notify the rental company and discuss what to do. But if they try to pin damage charges on you, the photos can help save you hundreds of euros. By the way, scratches up to 2 cm are generally considered normal wear and tear and shouldn’t cost you anything, as long as you’re renting from a reliable company.

• Most importantly: the good “vibe” created by the atmosphere, the communication with the managers, the interior colors, shapes, and even smells.

We don’t really pay for things, we pay for the emotions and good feelings. That’s why we wish you a great experience—both when booking the car and picking it up, as well as during the ride. Cheap car rental will truly be cheap if you rent from a reliable company.
Here you can find TopRent’s car rental offers.