Renting a car on holiday with Cheap Car Rental Car gives you the freedom to travel on your own terms. If you want to visit a remote national park, go hiking or get off the beaten tourist trail, having a hire car makes life so much easier. You don’t have to work out complicated bus and train timetables. You’re not limited to places you can get to on foot. And you don’t have to try stopping down a taxi once you’re ready to head back to civilization.
Although, hiring a car can sometimes be a hassle in itself. Getting booked and making sure you have the right cover without overpaying can be complicated. But we have put down the procedures of searching for a cheap Uganda car rental deal.
Look at multiple locations to find the most affordable car hire
Most car hire companies have multiple locations in a destination it may two to three, and prices can vary wildly between them. You’re more likely to find
Cheap car hire. Picking up your car can work out cheaper as you don’t have to worry about airport fees. However, you might find cheaper deals at airports as there are usually more rental companies based there so prices need to be competitive.
Reserve your car early
Unlike hotels, there are no last-minute deals when it comes to car rental. That is waiting until the last minute can often cost more. If you book 24-48 hours before pick-up, it can cost you up to 30% extra. Waiting can also give you less choice. You can be stuck with whatever vehicles they’re left with. So, if all the cheaper cars have already been booked up, you might have to shell out for an expensive luxury vehicle when all you wanted was a cheap and cheerful three-door Mini. So this can mean, for affordable car hire, it pays to book as far in advance as possible to get the best prices and selection.
Tweak the pick-up time
Sometimes getting an affordable car hire deal is as simple as your pick-up time. Prices may be higher at peak hours, try moving your time forward by 30 minutes. If the price drops dramatically, it might be worth having a coffee at the airport for an extra half hour, while avoiding the rush of people just off the flight, too.
Don’t pre-pay for fuel
One of the sneakiest hidden charges for car hire is for pre-paid fuel. This is where you pick up the car with a full tank, and return it ‘empty’. The charge for a full tank of fuel is often far higher than it would be at a local petrol station and it’s unlikely you’ll drop off the car with a completely empty tank. To avoid these charges, opt for cars with fuel and mark exactly where it stops and you also bring it back as the same level took it. You pick the car up with a full tank, and fill up just before you drop it off.
Ask for an upgrade
Once you get to the pick-up point, it’s worth turning on the charm and asking for an upgrade to a more luxurious vehicle, for no extra cost. It’s far more common than you think. It helps if you know how to drive an automatic, as many premium vehicles have this type of transmission.
Some car hire companies make a habit of rewarding their loyal customers. If you’re a frequent visitor to a certain holiday spot, make a habit of booking through the same company and make reference to the last time you visited while you’re picking up your car. You never know.
And finally, avoid these general pitfalls
There are a few traps that are super easy to fall into if you don’t hire cars regularly:
Watch out for cancellation fees. Unexpected delays and last minute changes of plan can end up costing you if the car hire company has strict cancellation fees
Pre-read the Terms and Conditions before booking. Reading the small print helps you to avoid surprise charges that can turn your affordable car hire into an expensive rental
Don’t be tempted to take out extra insurance. You must cover for your life and property insurance. Car hire companies can often be quite persistent on the insurance up-sell. If you already have separate cover, stay firm. It’s a good idea to have the terms saved to your phone to compare with the car company’s.
Take pictures of the inside and outside of the rental car before you drive off. You’ll be desperate to start your holiday, but having evidence that any damage existed before you even got behind the wheel could save you a lot of stress once it’s time to drop off.
You have to make sure all existing damage is noted on the form. If you do notice any damage, double check that it’s already been acknowledged. It could save you a lot of stress on the way home.
