“How much to rent a car?” is a question we get very often at QEEQ.COM. The answer is not simple since many factors influence the price. The same car rented for the same amount of time can vary vastly depending on the car rental deals you find. However, if you know what you are doing, it helps to cut down the cost than you don’t.
So let us see what a car rental fee is made of and what factors can influence your final cost?
The Small Charges That Influence Car Rental Fees
Here are some of the most often seen fees in a car rental deal (but not necessarily have to appear all in a particular rental package), and you should be able to check this detailed information either during the booking process with us or on the rental contract you get to read and sign at pickup.
One Way Fee
One-way fee applies to people who rent a car in one location and return it to another location. This fee is also commonly known as “drop charge” or “vehicle return fee” and can end up costing anywhere between $10 and $1,000.
VAT Car Rental Tax
VAT stands for Value Added Tax, which is a sales tax that is standard for European countries. It can cost you anywhere between 15% and 30%, depending on the country where you’re renting. The VAT is paid on the car rental rate, extra equipment fees, as well as any other additional fees. Unlike other sales taxes, you cannot claim it back.
Local Taxes
Local taxes are usually between $1-$5 a day and depend on the kind of vehicle you are renting. This tax is also known as an environmental fee, road safety fee, vehicle license fee, or simply road tax.
Additional Extras
These include child seats, winter tires, GPS, and so on. You will have to pay a daily fee on these which usually amounts between $5-$15 per item, per day.
Premium Location Fee
If you wish to collect your car at a premium location, for example at the airport, or a train station, you’ll have to pay extra.
Out-of-hours Fee
If the regular opening hours of a car rental shop do not suit your schedule and you want to pick the car up or drop it off outside of those hours, you’ll need to pay an additional fee. This fee usually costs between $15-$50 but not all car rental companies offer this service.
Mileage Fees
Some car rental deals impose a mileage limit. That means that there is a set number of miles you can drive in your rented car and if you want to drive more, you will have to pay for the extra distance. You will normally be charged per mile/kilometer. Most car rental deals inclusions at QEEQ.COM do offer unlimited mileage, which provides freedom of mind.
Driver Fees
The person who drives the car also affects the price. The rentals usually charge extra for young drivers, senior drivers, and multiple drivers.
What Factors Can Influence Car Rental Prices?
Apart from the standard and additional fees that you need to pay, other factors can also influence the final price of your car rental deal. Wondering how much to rent a car? Now, let’s take a look below.
Car Type/Group
You need to think about what kind of car you need. Sedans are always less expensive than station wagons, minivans, vans, SUVs, trucks, convertibles, and so on. All car rental companies and booking sites categorize car rentals based on different car types/groups. Cars with similar class, pricing, passenger and luggage space fall into the same car type/group.
Location
The location where you’re renting a car will influence the price as well. If there are more car companies in the area and the competition is strong, you will probably be able to get a good deal.
Time of the Year
Some dates are more popular than others when it comes to car rental deals. Prices usually surge around popular holidays and are usually higher between April and September. Also, last minute car rental deals will usually cost you more than renting some time in advance, especially compared to walking into the brick and mortar shop to get a rental car.
Insurance
Insurance is a big factor that can influence the answer you get to the question, “How much to rent a car?” Normally, you have CDW, Theft Protection, Third Party Liability insurance (also called ”SLI”), PAI and PPI to decide on.
Car Rental Companies
Some car rental companies give more economic car rental deals than others, depending on their service, pricing strategies, and brand segment.
Visit QEEQ.COM now.
QEEQ.COM guarantees the most competitive car rental deals for your travel and the secret is our Price Drop Protector program! We can automatically track your rental rates and RE-BOOK you if prices drop! See how our customers love this feature here.