Things You Need to Know When Renting a Car
- What to do if my flight is delayed or rescheduled?
In case of changes to your flight itinerary, such as delays, flight replacement, or overbooking, it's important that you contact the rental car pickup location immediately. The contact phone number can be found in your booking confirmation voucher.
It's important to note that you have the following options:
If you're unable to reach the rental agency, you can make changes to your reservation through the Rentcars website or app. Detailed information on how to make these changes can be found in our related article. Be sure to check these guidelines;
If needed, visit our Help Center for more inquiries.
- Can I drive or return the vehicle in another country, state, or city?
It's best to confirm with the rental agency if it's allowed to drive your rented car in other cities or states.
If you plan to return the vehicle in a different country, city or state from where you picked it up, the rental agency must have a branch at the destination location and authorize this practice.
Either way, on the Rentcars website, when selecting the option to return to a different destination during your search, all displayed results will be from agencies that accommodate this need.
Important: Watch out for the one-way fee!
Returning the rented car to a location different from the pickup point may result in a one-way fee. The amount of this fee will be determined based on the distance between the cities and the administrative fees of the rental agency.
- What to do if the vehicle has any issues?
In case of any problems during your rental, please do not hesitate to contact the rental agency. You can find the contact number for the store in your booking confirmation voucher. Additionally, rental agencies provide 24-hour assistance documents, which include services such as towing, mechanical assistance, and other essential services for urgent situations where the vehicle is not in suitable conditions for use.
- How does the fuel policy work?
During both the pickup and return of the vehicle, it is a requirement that the tank is completely full.
If the car is not returned in accordance with the criteria outlined in the contract, refueling charges will apply based on the rental company's pricing, which is available at the service counter and will be deducted from the security deposit.
What happens if I return the car with more fuel than when I collected it?
If you choose to perform a full refueling but initially picked up the vehicle with a partially filled tank, please retain all necessary receipts.
These documents are crucial, particularly when refueling is carried out at locations far from the store, as they serve to confirm the mileage.
Remember: reimbursement of any amount is not guaranteed by the rental companies.
Important
Thoroughly review the entire contents of the rental agreement before signing it;
If you opt for a service package that includes the "Full Tank" option on our website or at the counter, it will not be necessary to return the vehicle with a refueled tank to the rental company. However, the remaining fuel will not be refunded.
- Should I inspect the car at the rental agency?
Yes, it's crucial to carefully inspect the vehicle before picking it up and also during the return. We recommend thoroughly checking the body, the car's interior, the technical aspects, and all accessories with the assistance of the rental agency representative.
What should I do during the inspection?
During the inspection, it's advisable to take detailed photos of the car. Additionally, ensure you obtain the vehicle inspection document from the rental agency. This document plays a vital role in ensuring a smooth experience with the rented car and helps prevent any unwarranted charges in the future.
- What is the One-Way Fee?
The One-Way Fee, also known as the Drop-Off Fee, is a charge applied when the vehicle is returned to a different location than where it was initially picked up.
This fee aims to cover the costs associated with transporting the car back to its original location, as vehicles are initially assigned to specific stores, thereby impacting the final cost.
Important: This service is only available for rental companies that have stores in both cities of your reservation. If your search on our website includes the condition of returning the vehicle to another city, all displayed results will meet this requirement.
- What happens if I’m late returning the vehicle?
In situations where the return of the rented car is subject to delays, it is crucial to understand the policies and procedures adopted by the rental agencies.
How are late returns charged?
In cases of delayed return, rental agencies apply various policies for additional charges. These fees can vary, ranging from a proportional amount for the extra hours to the equivalent of a full day.
What to do in case of the need for an extension?
If you need more time with the vehicle, it is essential to notify the rental agency immediately. Lack of communication can result in a request for vehicle search and seizure, as well as additional costs.
Pay attention to the rental agreement
Charges due to delays will be calculated according to the rates established by the rental agency, not Rentcars';
Therefore, always carefully check the rental agreement provided by the agency at the time of vehicle pickup.
- What happens if I return the vehicle earlier than planned?
This varies depending on the location of your reservation.
If the vehicle is returned before the date specified in the contract, the daily rates will not be recalculated, and rental companies will not issue refunds.
Reservations in Brazil
If you decide to return the vehicle before the scheduled date in a Brazil reservation contract, the rental cost may be recalculated to reflect only the period used, depending on the rental company's policy.
- What to know when renting a car in Mexico
One of the most important things to know is that Mexican insurance is an absolute requirement to drive in the country. When searching for car rental options in Mexico, you may notice that the prices seem unrealistically low. That’s because the price you’re seeing does not yet include the coverage you’ll need while in the country so, before settling on one offer or another, make sure that the price already includes insurance. For more information on car rental coverages, jump over to our insurance page.
It’s also important to make sure to print out your online booking voucher before picking-up your vehicle. That way you avoid being charged for anything you hadn’t originally requested. Now to avoid any hassle when dropping-off your rental car, it’s always a good idea to accompany the vehicle inspection closely (performed when picking-up the vehicle), making sure to check that the headlights and windshield wipers are functioning properly and that there’s a jack and a spare tire in the trunk. Snap a few pictures of the car’s conditions when picking it up to make sure that you’re not charged for any pre-existing damage when dropping it off.
Now, you’ll often find that the car doesn’t come with a full tank of gas so one of your first stops will most likely be a gas station. In Mexico, gas stations are full service, so you won’t be pumping your own gas. Just let the clerk know how much and what type of gas you need and sit back. Don’t forget, however, that Mexico uses the metric system so you’ll be buying your gas in liters (one gallon is equal to 3.8 liters).
The Green Angels (Ángeles Verdes) are also a great resource when in Mexico. If you run into mechanical issues, need first aid or would simply like information, the Green Angels, a bilingual tourist assistance crew, is just a call away. Just dial 078 from any phone in Mexico. If you can’t get to a phone, just pop your hood and wait for a Green Angel patrol car to stop by. The service is free, however, you will be required to pay for any parts, gas or oil they may use to get you on the road again. You should be aware though that the service is only offered on major highways and toll roads and, despite the 078 hotline being available 24/7 for phone assistance, the service itself is only available from 8am to 6pm, all year round.
- How can I save money on my car rental?
Simple, go for weekly rates.
Car rental companies will usually reward longer term rentals with a discounted daily rate. These are what they call weekly rates which, depending on the car rental company, is defined as being at least a 4 or 5-day rental period.
Instead of paying, hypothetically, $60/day for your rental, on a weekly rate, the rental company may charge you only $30/day. The interesting thing is that because of this pricing system, sometimes a 5-day rental can come out to be cheaper than a 3-day rental.
That’s why we recommend always doing your homework and comparing a few different rental periods before settling on which best suits your needs. It may just save you some extra spending money for your trip.
- What is "Carta Verde"?
"Carta Verde" is a mandatory insurance for international trips with vehicles registered in Mercosur countries, excluding the country where the car is rented. Essential to protect third parties in case of traffic accidents during the rental period, this insurance must be acquired directly from the rental company.
When obtaining the "Carta Verde," please note:
Make sure to verify the issuance of the "Carta Verde," along with all associated fees and costs, with the rental company responsible for the vehicle at least 3 days before pickup. It's worth noting that the "Carta Verde" insurance does not replace the need for a specific authorization to cross borders. Failure to present the "Carta Verde" when requested by the country's authorities may result in fines.
- How does car rental work in cities with a rotation system?
Reservations cannot be made based on the license plates of the cars. Therefore, we recommend that you check the rotation schedule in the city where you'll be driving the car throughout the entire rental period and consult the rental agency to find out which license plates are exempt from the rotation restrictions during the time you have the car.
This ensures that the rented vehicle is not affected by the imposed limitations.
Please note:
1 - Rental agencies cannot guarantee specific license plates for the available cars, regardless of the current rotation restrictions;
2 - In the event of fines or traffic violations, it's important to highlight that the responsibility for the amounts does not fall on the rental agency.
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