Paying for a rental car AFTER we have used it?

Legacy_user

Hi all,

I was wondering if you could help me out.

I have booked a special holiday for my girlfriend and I to go to Antigua for 2 weeks (Thanks to this site we got a great deal):j

Once booked I got onto the car hire, I had a good search over many comparison sites and the company that kept coming back cheapest was "Alamo". It was about £280 for 2 weeks compared to all the other companies at about £390 for the same time.

So as it lay in our budget (just) I booked it through Hotwire.
I received conformation through that it is all definitely booked but haven't given any card details or paid a penny??

It says in the small print that we pay for the car when we return it.
Iv'e had a quick google and this apears it may be the norm in some countires? I've never experienced it before.

My question is, how reassured can we be that we will end up paying the price we have actually been quoted upon return of the car? If it's gong to be more then we can't afford it.

Anyone have any experience of this? Should I be rightly weary or sleep easy?

Thanks,

System

Anyone please?

Premier_2

I don't think I've ever paid for a hire car before the rental.
Rental price varies by company and deal, so for example, if you are charged by the mile how can they charge you before you return the car as they don't know how far you've driven.

When you pick up the car, you will be asked to sign a contract. Check the terms carefully before you take the car as that is what will be the basis on which you will be charged.

System

Premier wrote: »

I don't think I've ever paid for a hire car before the rental.
Rental price varies by company and deal, so for example, if you are charged by the mile how can they charge you before you return the car as they don't know how far you've driven.

When you pick up the car, you will be asked to sign a contract. Check the terms carefully before you take the car as that is what will be the basis on which you will be charged.

OK thanks, I just hope the price they charge me is the same price as the "quote" I have printed out here. as otherwise I will have to try and shop around again once there as we have no airport transfers.

agrinnall

Given the variation in price from other rental companies have you checked that it includes all the things (specifically insurance) that the others do? Also check out what their refuelling policy is.

I would imagine that none of the rental companies include full CDW so you should investigate taking out separate cover before you go which is likely to be a lot cheaper - I use insurance4carhire in Europe, I'm not sure whether they offer it for the Caribbean but I'm sure someone will.

Tilt

Normally you pay the 'expected' rental charges up front plus any security/fuel deposit and CDW. Most rental co's nowadays don't accept cash and either get authorisation from a credit card for the 'predicted' payment or they take an actual payment from a debit card and then make a refund at the end of the rental.

Perhaps you will find out when you actually collect the car.

beanybot

Tilt wrote: »

Normally you pay the 'expected' rental charges up front plus any security/fuel deposit and CDW. Most rental co's nowadays don't accept cash and either get authorisation from a credit card for the 'predicted' payment or they take an actual payment from a debit card and then make a refund at the end of the rental.

Perhaps you will find out when you actually collect the car.

Well thats what I thought. In the past I've paid for the rental + left credit card detail, then upon return they check fuel, look for damage etc.
This time I'm a bit miffed because it says you leave a credit card and pay everything upon return of the car. Bit risky if you ask me and I've rather have a lawyer with me when I return the car!

mikey72

Anything like this (not done it with a car specifically though), I get them to write the daily, or weekly cost on the paperwork before I sign, so we all know how much I'm paying when I get back.

Tilt

No way would I leave my credit card with them. There is no reason to do so.

beanybot

Tilt wrote: »

No way would I leave my credit card with them. There is no reason to do so.

Not physically left it with them, just the details or "deposit" encase you steal the car. This is the norm.