Car Rental Fees:  Understanding Rate Structure

Many Factors Affect Your Rates

Your rental car rate structure will depend on many factors, including how long you will have the car and whether you want unlimited miles, and a small host of other tedious factors. These additions can make the rate you think you’re getting seem galaxies away. You may even end up with twice your normal charges because of these inflated rates.

The basic rate is going to be, of course, your daily rate. This will depend on how long you will have the car and the mileage charges (or unlimited miles). If you reserve the car for a certain number of days, you may pay as much for returning the car early as returning it late. Returning your car late can stack up charges by the hour, and returning it early can change your daily rate structure completely.

Automobile Types

The charge is also based on the size of the car. Smaller cars are less expensive as one might guess, but often the rental companies will substitute a larger one if no small ones are available, and will rent the larger car at the smaller car rate if it isn’t reserved.

Location

Often the rate structure will change with the location of the rental. If you are renting in a high risk area like some of the boroughs in New York City, your rate structure can sometimes be double what it might be in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Rental companies may also charge more for rentals outside one’s own country, so if you are planning international travel and will need to rent a car in another country, talk extensively with your rental agency to make sure you know your charges.

Seasons

Whether in the United States or elsewhere, your rate may also depend on seasons. If you are going to an area that experiences a seasonal tourist influx, you may have rate changes depending on whether it’s off season or not. For instance, if you travel to a beautiful beach area in the dead of winter, you may fare much better with your car rental rate structures than if you were going at the height of the tourist season. Be aware that a lot of rental agencies advertise their off-season rates during the entire year, so if you are going to the summer hot spot in summertime, you may be reading a quote for the winter rates.

Equipment

The rental companies are also equipped with computer programs that adjust their rates according to how many cars they have available. So the rate you are quoted over the phone is a rate valid right then, and you would need to reserve your rental then. If you wait a day, the rate may change depending on the company’s available fleet.

When you turn in your car, make sure you don’t let little things change your plan. Be sure you understand early and late drop off rates, insurance rate structures, and refueling rates (it’s always cheaper to fill the car yourself).  If you are on a mileage rate structure, check the odometer before you turn in the car. Also check for body damage with an agent present and compare to your rental agreement.

Also be sure you know the rate structure for one-way rentals—often it’s higher and other fees may apply as well.