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Rental cars: know the pitfalls

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From getting a good deal to figuring out insurance requirements, renting a car can be a complicated experience that’s prone to pitfalls. Here are some best practices to follow, from reservations to returns.

Prices vary widely depending on vehicle model and agency location. Airport rentals, subject to additional taxes and fees, are generally more expensive.

Some cities now charge similar fees if an agency is within 20 miles of the airport, said Jonathan Weinberg, founder of AutoSlash, a car rental platform. “Always check both,” he said.

If you fly and choose an off-airport rental location at your destination, consider the cost and convenience of transportation to the travel agency. Most have more limited opening hours than airport branches, which can be important if your flight is delayed.

Many agencies offer discounts for prepayment. But prepaid contracts often charge a fee if you cancel.

Most unpaid reservations are flexible, allowing you to cancel at any time without penalty. Experts recommend booking early and then using the time before your trip to check prices. If they drop, you can cancel and rebook at the lower rate. Many agencies, including Budget And Dollarsoffer best price guarantees, meaning if you find a better rate on their cars elsewhere and they can verify the claim, they will rent you the car for 10 percent below that price.

The AutoSlash website tracks your reservation for free and warns you of any price drops.

Use memberships with the retailer Costco or the organizations AAA or AARP to get discounts from specific companies. The payouts vary. If you join Costco strictly to rent cars, it may take a few times a year to recoup the $60 membership fee.

If you participate in loyalty programs with Avis, Hertz or other major rental companies, which are usually free, you are entitled to express pick-ups, which means you can skip the line at the counter and go straight to your vehicle.

Turo And Getting by act like Airbnbs for rental cars: owners offer their vehicles for rent through company websites or apps. Turo, available in 11,000 cities in the United States, Great Britain, Canada, France and Australia, requires renters to determine where and when to pick up their renter’s car, although some owners will bring the car to you.

The app- and Internet-based rental company is available in more than a dozen cities across the United States Kyte, which has no physical locations, will deliver and pick up its competitively priced cars wherever you specify at no additional charge. The contactless and app-based UFO ride rents electric vehicles in more than 20 cities in the United States and Europe.

If the car you reserve with traditional travel agencies is not available upon arrival, it is common practice to provide you with the next best available car at no extra charge. This may not always be made clear and agencies have been known to ask if you would like to upgrade for a fee. Before accepting, request your original car class. If this is not available, you are entitled to a free upgrade.

Beware of ‘manager specials’, these are usually bargain leftovers. As agencies transition to electric cars, tenants have been left behind surprise EVs that they didn’t necessarily want, said Mike Taylor, director of travel, hospitality and retail at market research firm JD Power.

If you already have car insurance, this coverage extends to a rental car in most cases. Many credit cards also offer theft and damage coverage, as long as you use that card for payment. Check both before purchasing additional coverage from the travel agent.

“Credit card insurance is just collision, not liability,” Mr. Weinberg said, noting that liability insurance will run about $20 a day.

If you don’t have insurance and are relying on credit card coverage, be aware of the exclusions of certain types of car and peer-to-peer rental companies like Turo.

“You want to avoid double coverage, but you don’t want to think you’re fully covered when you’re not,” says Chuck Nardozza, general manager of sales at AAA Northeast.

Most personal auto insurance policies do not cover driving abroad, with some exceptions for Canada and Mexico.

Look for damage, including dents and scratches and tears in the upholstery. Take photos or video to determine the condition of the vehicle upon pick-up. If there is any damage, ask the company to document it in your paperwork.

Take photos again when you return the vehicle. Even if an employee assesses the car and gives you proof of purchase, you will have an overview of its condition should a more thorough examination reveal any damage.

Fuel options include returning the car with a full tank or having the company fill it up at what may seem attractive per gallon rates. However, in the second scenario you have to buy a full tank.

“If you use three-quarters of a tank, you give the rental car company a quarter of a tank of free gas,” Mr. Weinberg said.

When you return the vehicle, take a photo of the gauge showing a full tank. Companies have been known to charge extra for gas, and photographic evidence usually wipes out those charges.

A rental car day typically lasts 24 hours from the moment you leave the parking lot. For anything later, an extra day may be charged.

Even if you have reserved a car from 12:00 noon on the pick-up day to 12:00 noon on the return day, if you arrive early and take the car at 11:30 am, you are expected to return it by 11:30 am on the due date. . “They may give you some leeway, but that window is usually short, about 60 minutes or less,” Mr. Nardozza said.

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