Car rental hidden fees left me short for gas and food

I booked a rental car with a big discount. Surprise fees at pickup left me with little money for gas and food. How do you plan for extra costs when you travel?

4 comments

4 Comments

henry1503d ago

Avis at LAX hit me with a $30 daily fee for additional drivers last year. Now I always call the rental office a day before pickup and ask for a full cost breakdown. I also set aside at least 20% of the rental quote for surprise charges. That buffer means I don't end up scrambling for gas money like I did before. Reading the fine print online helps, but talking to a real person confirms what you'll actually pay. It takes extra time, but it saves a lot of stress and cash on the trip.

bennett.simon2d ago

Honestly, it's like they want you to fail at budgeting. One thing nobody mentioned is digging into your own car insurance or credit card perks before you book. You might already have rental coverage, so you can say no to their pricey insurance plans. That saves a ton of money you can keep for gas and snacks. Sure, it means making a boring phone call to check, but it beats getting ripped off.

dylanr513d ago

My buddy learned that the hard way last summer.

david1343d ago

Just read an article suggesting you call the rental place directly to confirm all fees upfront.