Business Traveller offers tried-and-tested tips on getting more for your money. This month: car hire.
Book early
If your plans are fixed, book a car as soon as possible – depending on the company, you can save up to £100 on a three-night midweek rental by reserving two months ahead. Paying online rather than at collection is roughly £20 cheaper. Bear in mind that you may have to pay a fee of about £30 if you cancel.
Search for deals
Check comparison websites such as comparecarhire.co.uk, and follow the major car hire companies on Facebook and Twitter – they often promote deals and discounts on these sites.
Join a car rental loyalty programme…
If you hire a car frequently, consider joining a loyalty scheme – all the main hire companies have one. Ken McCall, chief executive of Europcar UK, says: “Our Privilege programme is free to join and from the first hire, members receive a 10 per cent discount on leisure rates. Members completing ten hires in a year join Privilege Executive, [which gives them a] 20 per cent discount on leisure hires plus one free upgrade.”
...or airline scheme
Many carriers have tie-ups with car hire firms. Avios is partnered with Avis – BA Executive Club members earn three Avios points for every £1 spent with the hire company, which can be redeemed on rentals. Points can also be earned with supermarkets – Sainsbury’s Nectar points can be earned through Hertz rentals.
Book by the hour
If you only need a car for a short time, join a sharing scheme. City Car Club (citycarclub.co.uk) has vehicles in 14 UK cities and costs £60 a year. Hourly rates start from £5.70 and fuel is 22p per mile.
Upgrade your cover
Consider buying super collision damage waiver protection – this involves paying a daily fee (usually £15-£20) to reduce the excess charge should you have an accident. “I would always recommend taking it out and bringing your excess down on a shorter rental,” says Neil Cunningham, general manager of Hertz UK. “However, if you’re hiring a car for two weeks, you may feel it’s worth taking a risk.”
Scour the small print
Read the rental policy carefully. Does it include unlimited mileage and VAT? What is the excess charge? See if there are restrictions that will end up costing you.
Get good insurance
If you buy separate car insurance, ensure you check the terms and conditions (see “Excess damage”, businesstraveller.com/ask-alex). If the worst happens, it’s your job to provide evidence to the insurance company, so be prepared to take photos and get witnesses’ signatures and contact details
Avoid one-way hires
If possible, arrange to return your vehicle to the same office you collected it, as one-way rentals tend to cost extra. If it can’t be avoided, try websites such as onewaycarhireonline.co.uk and kayak.co.uk to find the best deal.
Choose carefully
Do you really need to hire a prestige model? A smaller or more fuel-efficient vehicle will save you money – some car hire websites indicate which models consume less petrol.
Pack your sat nav
Hire firms can charge roughly £10 per day for a GPS navigation device, so if you have your own, it may be cheaper to download the latest version of the map you need (a new map of Europe for a Tom Tom Start 20 costs £60). Check whether your hire car will have a compatible charge point.
Check for damage
Carefully check the vehicle both when you collect and return it, and make sure the documentation on the car matches its condition. The British Vehicle Renting and Leasing Association’s website (bvrla.co.uk) advises: “Note every single chip, dent and scratch. Pay particular attention to the wheels, windscreen and lights.”
Obey the rules
If you break the highway code, don’t think you’ll get away with it. The BVRLA website states: “If you commit a road traffic offence or fail to pay toll or congestion charges, the rental company will chase you for payment.”
Know where to refuel
If you’re required to return the car with a full tank of petrol, beware of price hikes – petrol stations near airports can charge premium rates. “It will almost always be cheaper to fuel your car away from the rental depot,” says Toby Poston, head of communications at BVRLA. If you fail to fill up the tank, you will be charged for the missing fuel and possibly a small administrative charge, he adds. Avis’s Fuel Up Front allows you to buy a full tank before you arrive and promises not to charge more than local petrol stations.
Be punctual
If you’ve hired the car on a 24-hour basis, an extra day’s rental may be payable if you bring it back late.
Get the bill
“When you return the car, pick up your invoice then and there,” Cunningham advises. Check it thoroughly. “This closes the deal,” he says.
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