Finding affordable car hire doesn’t need to be complicated. You just need to take a few things into account when it comes to choosing the car hire company. Here are a few tips to make your life easier!
Trains and buses are usually considered to be the cheapest way to travel, but they can be more time-consuming, and you can’t afford to waste any time when planning a short break or travelling with the family. You’ll be able to squeeze the most out of your trip if you can get around at your leisure. And if you follow a few basic tips, you’ll see that cheap car hire isn't that hard to come by!
- Compare the prices of lots of different companies
The more companies you look at, the easier it will be to find a low price.
Vueling Cars is a powerful search tool where you can choose from over 1,600 companies and compare their prices. You’ll also find that each deal explains clearly what is included, so you can make an informed decision and there will be no unpleasant surprises at the end.
- Make the most of loyalty programmes
Some car hire companies offer their frequent customers lots of benefits. Every time you book with Vueling Cars you can collect Avios, which are like a virtual currency that you can use to get discounts on your bookings. If you don’t know what Avios are or what you can use them for, read this post to find out!
- Be careful of extra charges
You know what they say – you get what you pay for. Be careful of amazing deals and read the small print because more often than not they have hidden extra charges. Make sure that the portal you are booking your car through offers all the information you need: insurance and excess, extra charge for additional drivers, extra fee because of the driver’s age, etc.
Here’s something to watch out for: many companies charge extra if the driver is under 24. So, if you are travelling as a group, make sure you book under the name of the oldest person.
- Insurance: excess or no excess?
This is up to you. In any case, it’s advisable to check the excess limit offered by the insurance that you choose, because if it’s very high you might have to end up paying a large amount if you have an accident. You can also take out excess insurance with a third party, as well as the insurance that comes with the hired car.
- Book in advance
Just like with plane tickets, it’s hard to find last-minute deals. It’s better to book well in advance: about one or two months before you travel, depending on whether it’s low or high season.
- Look for deals that offer free cancellation
This is important! Make sure you won’t lose your money if your plans change. Vueling Cars offers free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.
- Check the car thoroughly when you collect it
It’s important to check the car that they give you to make sure that there are no dents or scratches; or, if there are, that they are already recorded in the contract. This way you’ll avoid having to pay for damage that you didn’t cause.
- Fill up the tank before you return the car
Most companies give you the car with a full tank and ask you to return it the same way. Check with the company and make sure you fill it up before returning it. Otherwise the company will end up charging you more for fuel.
These are all our tips. We hope you find them useful!
