Gasoline
Charges
You
will often pay a high premium for returning a car with an empty tank, so in most
cases you'll want to fill up before you return your vehicle. However, most car
rental companies now offer the option of purchasing a full tank of gas when you
first take the car, enabling you to return the car with as much or as little fuel
as you wish.
Note
that there is no refund for unused fuel, so you'll likely be paying a little extra
for the convenience of skipping the trip to the gas station.
Drop-Off
Charges
An
extra fee is usually charged if a car is returned to a different location than
where it was picked up. This fee varies by location; in some instances there is
no charge, while you could pay $1,000 or more for cross-country drop-offs. However,
some companies do not require a charge when dropping off in-state at many Florida
and California locations.
For
more information, see One-Way
Car Rentals and Driveaways.
The
24-Hour Clock
Be
aware of the 24-hour clock rate. If you rent your car on Wednesday and return
it on Thursday, most companies charge you one day only if you return it within
24 hours. Some companies will give you a 59-minute grace period before hourly
charges start kicking in; after 27 to 28 hours you'll then be charged for the
full extra day.
Early
Return Fees
You
might imagine that returning your car a day or two early would be a good thing
for your car rental company, but unfortunately you'll most likely be dinged for
that too. Many car rental companies will charge you $10 - $15 per day for early
returns, but that's not all -- you may also have to pay a hefty rate difference
as well, particularly if your shortened rental period means you no longer qualify
for a weekly rate. At that point you'll be charged the default daily rate, which
could
cost you hundreds.
Mileage
Most
major rental car companies allow for unlimited mileage in the same state, but
it's a good idea to check their policy before you reserve a car. Many smaller,
local companies charge mileage if you exceed a given daily allotment. Another
caveat: Some "special" rates may not include unlimited mileage, so be sure to
read the fine print.
License
Fees
Some
states allow car rental companies to charge extra to recover the costs of licensing
their cars, usually between 3 and 8 percent of the cost of the rental. You may
not be told about this fee in advance, so make sure to ask.
Varying
Rates and Peak Season Surcharges
Rental
car companies' rates vary a great deal from city to city, and sometimes even within
the same city. Make sure to shop around. Be aware that you may pay a specific
surcharge for traveling at a "peak" time.
Age
Penalties
If
you're under 25, you may have to pay an additional fee, usually about $25 per
day. Those companies who will rent to drivers under 21 often charge much steeper
surcharges. Internationally, you'll not only see penalties for underage drivers
but also for older ones -- those over 70 may have to pay extra (if they're able
to rent at all).
Additional
Drivers
Adding
more than one driver to your rental agreement often carries a surcharge, anywhere
between $7 and $25 per day. Note that some companies, like Avis and Budget, will
allow the renter's spouse or life partner to drive the vehicle for no extra charge
-- so if both partners are planning to take the wheel, consider renting from one
of these providers.
Frequent
Flier Fees
Car
rental companies often charge a small fee when you request frequent flier miles
for your rental. The fee varies by airline, and can range anywhere from a few
cents to $2 a day.
Extras
There
may also be additional charges for things you had not considered, like infant
and child seat rentals, roof racks and other extras. These could run you anywhere
from $5 to $25 or more per day, depending on where you rent.
Overseas
Many
of the above charges, including airport fees, underage driver surcharges and local
taxes, also apply to international rentals. Most travelers rely on credit cards
to cover collision insurance overseas, as costs are significantly higher than
they are in the States. But due to the high risks, some credit card companies
now refuse to provide this coverage. Be sure to contact your credit card issuer
before you leave to be sure you have coverage in the country you're visiting.
There
are many country-specific fees and charges to keep an eye out for. For example,
theft insurance is mandatory in Italy, and there are highway charges for cars
driven in Austria or Switzerland; you'll need to purchase a sticker to avoid paying
a fine.
If
you don't have an international driving permit, you may also have to pay for a
temporary permit, which can cost $10 to $20 or more. For more on international
driving permits, see
International Car Rental Tips.
Editor's
Note: IndependentTraveler.com is published by The
Independent Traveler, Inc., a member of the TripAdvisor Media Network, which also
owns SmarterTravel.com. Last Updated: 05/20/09
The
article is reprinted with permission
of IndependentTraveler.com
See
also: Driving in the USA
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