Top car rental mistakes users make and how to avoid them

Since car rentals is a complicated industry and there's a learning curve, users tend to make the same mistakes. At EconomyBookings, we deal with these situations every day and help customers resolve them. 

Based on our experience and customer data, we've compiled the most common car rental mistakes and, more importantly, how you can avoid them. Knowing what to look out for before booking and picking up your car can save you time, money and unnecessary stress. 

1. Not reading or understanding the rental terms & conditions

Reading the Terms & Conditions is one of the most important parts of booking a rental car. It shows users what the required documents are, the required deposit amount, what is included when you are booking online, and what kind of mandatory and optional fees you'll have to pay at the desk. If every user took a few minutes of their time to read them, then the majority of the problems would be resolved.

One of the most common situations we see is a customer arriving at the rental desk and refusing to pay a mandatory fee or provide the required deposit because they weren't aware of it. Since these requirements are part of the rental agreement, the supplier may classify the booking as a no-show, meaning the reservation is cancelled and the customer may lose the amount they paid online.

2. Not having all the required documents

Having a valid driver's license is not enough to rent a car as many people have assumed in the past. The required documents are:

• Driver’s license

• Credit card (debit cards are rarely accepted)

• Physical ID or passport

• International Driving Permit (IDP) - depending on the residency and country you are driving in

An important note is that these documents should be in the driver's name. Even if you have purchased an additional driver, every driver with documents in their own name should be present during the pick-up.

The required documents are always stated in the T&Cs.

3. Being late to the pickup or dropoff times

Usually car rental companies give a 30-60 minute grace period, but it's better not to be late at all since they can mark the customer as a no-show (cancelled reservation, lost money). In case of lateness, it's always important to inform the car rental company as soon as possible. They may hold the car for you for a few hours, but in some cases it can still be a no-show no matter the reason for the lateness.

Most rental companies also specify in their Terms & Conditions that force majeure events do not guarantee an exception to their no-show policy. Even if your delay is beyond your control, the reservation may still be cancelled if you fail to arrive within the agreed time.

4. Not inspecting and documenting the car during pick-up

It's crucial to take photos and videos of the car during the pickup process and before driving away. Make sure that the rental desk employee notes any previous damages. Depending on the agency and employee, some will do that for the customer. Regardless, it is best to always double check and make sure the state of the car is documented. 

In rare cases, less reputable suppliers might accuse customers of causing pre-existing scratches. This is why photos or videos taken at pick-up are important evidence. Some suppliers may even pressure you to sign papers accepting responsibility for the damage. If you believe the scratches were already there, our advice is not to sign, as this could make disputing the claim more difficult later. At EconomyBookings, we take customer reviews seriously and may limit or completely remove suppliers that repeatedly receive concerning feedback.

5. Knowing when to say no to optional extras

As previously stated, all mandatory and optional fees can be found in T&Cs. If it's mandatory, there is no avoiding this fee, but all other optional extras you can say no to, saving you money. Arriving at the desk, some agents might try upselling additional insurance; this is done by misleading customers into believing that insurance the customer has purchased is not valid or does not cover the customer fully. It may be partially true, as there are certain vehicle parts that are not typically covered by insurance companies, but in most cases, local rental companies will not explain every nuance and will just lead customers into signing additional protections that one might not need. The main takeaway is that customers should know what is included in their rental and what their insurance can cover, then they can confidently make informed decisions.

6. Skipping insurance or not understanding coverage

Many travelers skip coverage to save money, but it can end up costing far more if the vehicle is damaged. While you don't necessarily need to purchase additional insurance at the rental desk, skipping coverage altogether can be a costly mistake. Accidents can happen while driving or even when the car is parked. If you're driving in an unfamiliar country, different road rules and driving habits can also increase the likelihood of an incident.

Generally, we recommend buying full coverage as it is much cheaper than paying for the damages. It can cover most common types of damage and may save you from paying significantly more out of pocket if something goes wrong. 

7. Not checking your credit card requirements 

One important thing to understand about car rentals is the difference between a credit and debit card. Most rental companies require a credit card in the main driver's name at pick-up, while debit cards are accepted only in limited cases. 

Having a credit card is not always enough. It must have sufficient available credit to cover the security deposit, and it’s best that the credit card is not expiring in 6 months after the rental. Some suppliers take the expiration into consideration and might reject the booking.

Always check the card, deposit and validity requirements in the T&Cs before booking, as failing to meet them could result in the car not being released. 

8. Choosing a rental based only on the lowest price 

While this isn't something you should encounter at EconomyBookings, it's a common issue across the car rental industry. Some offers may look extremely cheap, but come with mandatory fees, restrictive policies or additional costs at the rental desk.

A low price isn't necessarily a bad deal, but if it looks too good to be true, it's worth checking what's actually included in the T&Cs. Knowing about common hidden car rental fees and how to avoid them can also help you understand what to look out for before booking. 

At EconomyBookings, we don't hide mandatory fees behind a very low price. We work with suppliers that follow transparent pricing practices and restrict or remove those that repeatedly use misleading fees. Additional charges may still apply depending on the rental conditions, but these should be clearly stated in the T&Cs rather than appearing as an unexpected cost at the desk. 

Final thoughts

Car rentals can seem complicated, especially if you don't rent cars often. Overall, most car rental mistakes boil down to not reading or fully understanding the Terms & Conditions. Taking a few minutes to read them before booking can prevent most unpleasant surprises at the rental desk. And if something still doesn't go as expected, don't hesitate to contact EconomyBookings for help.