Planning a vacation car rental? Beware: 'cheap' often means expensive, with scams plaguing the industry that can ruin your trip before it starts.
Need a car for your getaway? Many turn to Google with searches like 'cheap car rental,' 'car rental holiday,' or 'car rental + destination.' For our Kos trip, that's exactly what we did.
Eye-catching ads promised deals like:
"Car Rental In Kos €5 p/d – Fully Insured €6.45 p/d"
"Car Rental Kos from €7/day – Unlimited Kilometers"
"-70% Rent a Car – Kos Airport (KGS)"
These led to budget providers starting at €5 per day. Compared to trusted names like Hertz, which quoted double, the choice seemed obvious: save a few hundred euros for a one-week rental and spend more on fun.
But that's where problems begin. What starts as savings can balloon into costs exceeding multiple rentals.
Budget operators often hike prices post-rental or at drop-off. Here's how, based on widespread reports and my own research.
They upsell costly coverage for damage. Skip it, and minor scratches trigger massive fees. Staff use high-pressure tactics to force buys, doubling or tripling the total.
Tip from experience: Buy excess insurance online beforehand—it's cheaper and more reliable. For our 8-day Kos rental, Allianz Global Assistance's policy cost €44, covering the €400–800 deductible fully if needed.
Low-cost firms routinely bill for pre-existing or invented damage, like tiny scratches. A Which.co.uk study revealed charges up to 300% for non-existent repairs, passed to renters. They delay fixes until major service, profiting off each 'victim.'
Disputing rarely works; consumers often lose.
Expect surprise charges for cleaning, excess mileage, fuel, or admin—deducted weeks later via credit card. Recovery involves endless emails and calls, dragging on for months.
Pushy desk clerks, long lines, pickup location changes, and even violence threats are common. This wastes days and piles on costs before you drive off.
On our recent Kos holiday, we decided at the airport. A budget desk looked tempting, but spotting Hertz staff nearby, we switched.
The Kia rental totaled €200—fair, with no hidden fees. Deposit was just €200 (vs. €600 elsewhere), returnable with a full tank.
Pre-rental inspection noted existing damage (deep bumper scratches from prior curb parking) on the form, protecting both sides.
We explored freely all week—no issues, except a user-error stall on a steep hill. Pre-return refuel: €32. Drop-off was quick: visual check, full tank confirmed, deposit refunded in 2 days.
In a COVID era with capacity limits on public transport, independence was key. Hertz made it seamless.
Budget rentals rarely pay off. The EU's 'big five'—Avis, Europcar, Enterprise, Hertz, Sixt—now offer transparent pricing after regulatory pressure.
Smaller firms and brokers lure with low rates but deliver the headaches above, costing hundreds extra. Note: Europcar paid €40 million in compensation for fraudulent repair overcharges; its Goldcar subsidiary topped Which.co.uk's 'worst' list for five of six years.
Choose trusted providers for clear terms. It may cost more upfront but ensures stress-free adventures.
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