How to save on car hire – and avoid getting ripped off

theguardian.com:

Hiring a car can be full of financial pitfalls. Do it right and you should emerge from the experience unscathed. Get it wrong and the bill can run into thousands.

It is tempting to automatically log on to the Hertz or Europcar website to make your booking – but third-party or broker websites almost always offer a cheaper price.

This week Holidayautos.com quoted £217 for a busy week in May from Málaga airport using Delpaso. This is compared with the £335 Hertz wanted.

Guardian Money recommends the broker Zestcarrental.com – which scores highly with Which? users – while Rentalcars, and Ryanair’s car hire also offer access to deals from a range of companies and can be good value.

If two of you will be driving, or you aren’t aged 25-70, factor that into the price comparison, as most firms charge more for additional and younger or older drivers.

If your flight is late at night, check the hire firm will still be open when you land.

Unless you really are only going to do 100km over the whole week, go for unlimited mileage.

Opt for a full-to-full fuel deal – it’s much easier, and you won’t be landed with an unexpected refill charge at the end, assuming you return it with a full tank.

Always collect the car from the terminal rather than off-airport. The latter is usually cheaper but you could find yourself being driven miles, and it can take hours.

Avoid the cheapest two-door car; instead, go for four. It will only add a few pounds but you’ll get a better-value car.

If you need optional extras, such as booster seats, factor that it when comparing prices. Zest offers free boosters on some rentals.

Holidayautos and Zest score each supplier, and we’d always pay a little bit more to hire from a better-rated supplier.

Our £217 quote for Málaga