What you require to know about Rental Car Fees and Charges
When you are renting a car and searching for a rental car office, it is important to know the types of rental car fees that can apply. All of these types of fees are common and apply to all rental cars, regardless of whether you are renting a car in the UK or anywhere else in the world.
If you choose to drive to a destination where you do not have a valid driving license, you will be charged an extra fee per day in advance. It is illegal to drive without a license, but many people still do. Most reputable rental car companies will charge you an extra day’s allowance.
The reason for this fee is so that you will receive the vehicle at the price you paid for the vehicle and not overcharge you for the depreciation of the vehicle or the good rental car rate. You will receive a fixed rate amount per mile. A rental car company or most of the companies does/do not have this fee. If you choose to drive in your own state, you will receive this fee. Several types of rental car fees exist to help prevent theft and misuse. Some companies, such as Avis, include a cancellation fee with the rental charges.
TYPES OF RENTAL CAR FEES
- Additional Authorized Driver Fee
Additional drivers may be charged with an additional fee per mile. You may choose to drive another driver to your contract who is driving the same type of vehicle as you.
- Airport Arrival Fee
This fee is charged by most major car rental companies in advance of the date of your rental. Some companies, such as Hertz, also charge an airport arrival fee if you pick up your rental car from the airport and return it on a later date.
Once you arrive at the airport, you must pay the airport arrival fee in order to enter the terminal. This fee may be different in your country and may be higher than that of your destination country.
- Flight Departure Fee
This fee is typically charged in connection with any travel after a certain time. Many companies, such as Hertz, also charge additional fees for travel that takes place after a certain time.
If you are not sure regarding how much the fees are, you can use online forms that allow you to enter the information. Other options include calling your local rental car company for more information.
- Lost Key Fee
Most companies that offer rental cars charge fees for lost keys. The fee is in addition to the actual rental rate and is charged to any person who rents a car, with or without a rented key. Many renters pay the fees when they return the car with a rented key after using it.
Some companies may make cars available for rental and keep the keys. If the keys aren’t returned to the rental company, and the car is rented again, it becomes a lost key. The person who rented the car pays the company a cancellation fee to cancel the rental at the last minute and avoid paying a late fee or additional rental costs.
- Frequent Traveler Program Fee
Some companies offer a Frequent Traveler Program Fee. This fee is in addition to the associated cost of the rental and is charged to any person who has used a car, with or without a rented key, within a year. The fee is different for each company, so it is important to check the terms of use before renting a car. Some companies may make all cars available for rentals, with or without keys, and charge the Frequent Traveler Program Fee to any person who has used a car, with or without a rented key, within a year.
- Short-term or vacation ownership fee
There is a short-term or vacation ownership fee that is charged to the cardholder if the card is declined for non-payment. The fee is subtracted from the rental price, and the car is returned with a credit or debit card.
A great option for vacation ownership is to use a rental car that is owned by the cardholder. Ownership is not owned in an account at the bank or credit card company. Ownership of the car is held at the rental company where the rental is taken.
One type of vacation ownership is a credit-type program. A credit-type program is one that requires rent fee to be paid by credit card. The credit card will only be billed when the rented car is used and does not include a deposit for the car. The credit card’s annual percentage rate will be charged regardless of how many miles are driven by the cardholder.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE BILLED IN ERROR
When you think of returning your rental car, the first thing you should do is to check the receipt properly and ensure that there is no additional or redundant fee associated. If there are any charges that have been charged by mistake, and the corresponding company doesn’t agree to remove that from the already generated bill, then in such a case, you need to take a stand for yourself. What you should do is to contact the rental car company directly via email or phone call, and get the issue resolved. Also, you can discuss the disputed issue with your credit card company, and see how it can help. That is the only reason why you should save all the emails, receipts, and letters with you so that they can be used as pieces of proof when there’s a need for the same.
