Car rental: 10 tips to save money and avoid nasty surprises

Car rental is a very popular form of mobility in our country. Keep the following tips in mind.

The rental car is one of the most widely used means of transport for tourists on holiday, but before making a booking, we should take into account several factors that will help you save money and avoid surprises.

1. Book in advance

Spain is one of the European countries with the highest tourist traffic, so if you want to rent a car to travel around the Iberian Peninsula, it is advisable to make the booking at least one month in advance.

As key dates such as the summer holidays, Christmas or Easter approach, demand for car rental rises and prices increase. Bear in mind that the price also varies depending on the model chosen and the location.

2. Make several bookings

Making different bookings in advance helps you decide calmly on the destination you wish to visit and secure it at the best price. Furthermore, if you are not sure of the dates on which you will be travelling, it is best to make bookings for different dates.

But, of course, make sure before booking that the reservation includes a free cancellation option.

3. If you are under 25, do not be the main driver

Most rental companies require an additional charge if the driver is under 25 years old. Although a minimum licence age of one or two years is usually required, for some companies being under 25 carries an extra cost. To avoid this charge, it is better for the person who will drive the car to be over that age and to hold a driving licence, preferably for more than four years.

4. Take out fully comprehensive insurance with no excess

When booking a vehicle, most companies hold a fairly high amount on credit cards to protect themselves against possible damage, collisions or fines. This deposit or security depends on many factors and sometimes can reach the amount of the excess. If we take out fully comprehensive insurance with no excess, we will make sure that a smaller amount is held on our account.

5. Be careful with the fuel policy

When choosing the fuel policy for the model, there are several options. The most common is to pick up the car with a full tank and return it in the same condition. With this option you will not have to pay for the fuel in advance, nor any other fee, and you can also choose the cheapest petrol station.

6. Rent the vehicle for more days

Many rental companies have offers that depend on the number of days. For example, with most operators, renting a vehicle for five days costs the same as for four. In addition, by having some extra time we will make sure to avoid penalties even if we return the car later than expected.

7. Compare via website, apps or telephone

Although most operators launch their offers online, some can offer a discount if you are a member, subscribe to one of their apps or have discount codes. To get the best price, it is very useful to compare across different websites and comparison tools.

8. Take photos of the car when you pick it up and when you return it

It is important to check the condition of the car thoroughly, both at pick-up and at drop-off, and to take photos.

9. Choose the office where you pick up the vehicle carefully

Car rental companies usually have several pick-up points in the same city. Prices vary depending on the office we choose, so it is important to check several different pick-up points in the same city. For example, if we want to pick up a car in Málaga and they charge a 10% pick-up fee in the city centre, it may be worth collecting the vehicle from another office.

10. Be careful when crossing borders

Before renting a car with which we want to travel through different countries, we must check whether the company allows it. Some operators do not allow you to leave the country, others require additional insurance, and some only allow you to travel to certain countries. It is therefore important to select companies with which we can make the desired route, within and outside Spain.