Wise and affordable selections at car rentals

Being confronted with a not-inconsiderable bill due to extra fees from car rentals could be a spoiler of your other than that wonderful trip. Truth be told, companies try to load you with a ton of unnecessary additional fees, ending up paying expensively a rather economical reservation. Find out below what you should have in mind prior to your booking.

• Beware of the toll charges

Most rental cars come with a toll transponder device, which you can use as an e-pass. Companies charge you a fee for using this device plus the tolls. How can you avoid it? You have two options. First of all, skip the device and leave it behind. This way you will only pay for the tolls. Secondly, you can also avoid tolls by using map apps, which plan routes without going through tolls. This might make your trip a little longer, but it’s a considerable way to save some money.

• Mileage limits

Read carefully your car rental agreement before signing it. In some cities, there are limits to the miles you can put in your car. This policy makes sense as companies are trying to expand their fleet lifetime. If your routes exceed this limit, you get charged. So make sure this orientation applies to the car you have rented. If it does, plan your everyday trips to stay under the limit.

• Rent a car Athens: Fill the tank up yourself

Before delivering the vehicle, fill it up by yourself at a gas station near the drop-off point. While searching for a rent a car Athens service you should check a company’s policy regarding this issue. If you deliver the vehicle with less than a full tank, the company will refuel it and charge the fuel higher than the usual price. Additionally, they will charge the refueling fee too. What’s more, you should also try to fill the tank at a gas station near the delivery point and keep the receipt. In this case, the company can’t claim you didn’t refuel the car nor that the station was far away.

• Book early for economy class

The most popular cars are those in economy class, which makes total sense. They are cheaper to fill up with gas and to park in a city with heavy traffic. This is why they sell like hot cakes. When economy-class cars are not available, the upgraded ones are, and this comes at a cost. It is not an exaggeration to say that in the USA one should make a reservation 56 weeks earlier to find the car he wants to drive for Thanksgiving. In other countries it might not take this long, but making a reservation 3 to 6 months earlier, will get you the vehicle you are looking for.

• Rent a car: Delivery on-time privileges

When you rent a car make your best effort to deliver it on time because either earlier or late drop-off comes with a fee. You might want to enjoy the sun and the sea more, but if you have a settled delivery schedule, try to keep up with it. Otherwise, you could be charged for a whole extra day, even if you were as late as one hour. On the other hand, delivering the vehicle a day earlier also comes with a cost. If despite all your efforts you can’t make it in time, call the company and ask what the fee might be. In some cases, it’s worth it to extend the reservation a day rather than paying the fee.

• Don’t prepay for gas

If you prepay for gas, you pick up the vehicle with a full tank, and you can deliver at any level. This way, you don’t have to spend time refueling the car. It also means that you will pay the company’s charge for gas, which is pricier than you would find it at any gas station. In some company policies bringing the car fully fueled is a must, while in others there are no such terms. Finally, some companies give you a discount for delivering a car with a full tank.

• Rent a car Athens airport: To skip or not to skip

When you browse rent a car Athens airport you should bear in mind that airports price the rental companies a recession fee for using their premises. As a result, you might have made an economical booking, but fees and taxes push the price higher. Consider hiring a taxi or using public transportation to rent from downtown. This may have the disadvantage of having to choose from a smaller variety, plus it might take more time.

The best you can do is try to find the perfect deal before starting your trip. Once you get to the car rental company, read the agreement thoroughly. Don’t be afraid to ask about costs, and nothing can go wrong.