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Comparison of online portals: How to book rental cars for vacation as cheaply as possible

2022-12-09T11:32:52.933Z


The corona pandemic caused rental car prices to skyrocket. A comparison between the providers makes all the more sense. Stiftung Warentest has checked online portals and gives tips.


Enlarge image

Rental car station on Fuerteventura

Photo: Tabea Guenzler / Eibner / IMAGO

Renting a car for vacation isn't going to be that cheap for the time being.

When the pandemic started, rental companies had to downsize their fleets, now what?

The car manufacturers cannot meet the demand because they are missing components.

The price increases were dramatic around Easter.

Research before booking for the cheapest prices is becoming all the more important - and comparison platforms for rental cars can help: They offer a larger selection and usually better prices than directly from the provider - this is the conclusion drawn by Stiftung Warentest.

In the current "Test" issue, she examined ten rental car online portals.

According to the information, a brief price comparison with the website of the direct rental car provider is still useful before you finally book.

Because there the prices would have been below those of the comparison platforms in individual cases.

But the product testers also noticed significant price differences between the comparison portals.

Here, too, cross-comparisons are recommended and worthwhile.

On average, Check24.de and Billiger-Mietwagen.de had the cheapest offers in the test and also took the first two places with overall marks of 1.9 and 2.0.

Sunnycars.de came in third (overall score 2.4), followed by Mietwagen-Check.de (overall score 2.5).

Rentalcars.com came in last place (overall grade 4.1) with "very clear" deficiencies in the general terms and conditions.

Be sure to note this before booking and picking up

Renting a vacation vehicle comes with a few pitfalls.

According to the experts, you should always pay attention to these points when booking and picking up rental cars:

  • Comprehensive :

    The rental price should include fully comprehensive insurance with theft protection, preferably without a deductible, so that no costs are incurred in the event of damage.

    It also makes sense if damage to glass, tires, roof and underbody is also insured.

  • Liability:

    Pay attention to a high sum insured, i.e. around 50 or 100 million euros.

  • Hidden costs:

    With offers without unlimited kilometers, additional kilometers can become expensive.

    One-way rentals, child seats or additional drivers can also be expensive.

  • Filling up:

    Here you should pay attention to the customer-friendly rule »pick up full, bring back full«.

  • Documents:

    Don't forget your voucher, driver's license (international driver's license if necessary) and credit card (in the name of the main driver stated in the booking).

    Is the credit limit of the card sufficient for the deposit?

  • Pick- up:

    In the case of pick-up stations at airports, advise the flight number in advance.

    Always show up at the rental car counter on time.

    In case of delays, inform the landlord as early as possible.

  • Contract:

    If you have fully comprehensive insurance without a deductible (or with reimbursement from the booking portal in the event of damage), you shouldn’t be talked into taking out any additional insurance when you pick up the vehicle.

    If there is trouble, ask the booking portal for help.

  • Car:

    Check the inside and outside of the car carefully when picking it up and returning it.

    Document and list possible damage and have the landlord countersign it.

    Call in witnesses if necessary.

abl/dpa

Source: spiegel

All business articles on 2022-12-09

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