1. Late Penalties
If you return your car late than the stipulated time, you are bound to be charged “late fees”. The fees are usually levied per hour. While a number of companies will give you a one hour grace period, some will not. Thus, it is important to stick to the scheduled return time to avoid these fees.

You can be late due to traffic jams, poor weather conditions, unforeseen personal emergencies and other reasons. If you anticipate you will be late, call the agency and request for a time extension. You are likely to be granted one at very minimal additional charges.

2. Equipment Rentals and Conveniences
Car rental add-ons make your trip much convenient but also increase you cost. Satellite radio, child car seats, ski racks and navigation systems will increase your bill by several dollars a day. Also, keep in mind that some add-ons may not be offered by the rental car agency. If it is really important, like a child seat, bring your own.

If you would like expedited road-side assistance from the agency, prepare to pay for it.

3. Cleaning Charges
Make sure you return the car when it is clean both on the inside and outside. If your kid had messed the inside seats, have the car washed in a nearby garage before you return it. Otherwise, you risk being fined extra charges for cleaning.

There are no set rules for how much premium you should pay for returning the car dirty. Most companies categorize all dirt as one and whether you spilled a soda on the dashboard or your child used the backseat as a potty, you are likely to be charged high premiums.

Returning the car clean will save you from extra charges that he agency may want to slap on you.

4. Fuel Charges
If you return the car without filling the tank, you could be charged about $5 or more a gallon for the missing fuel. However, prepaying for a full tank may not be the best option. This is because if you return the car with extra gas, you will not be compensated for it. It is essentially a donation to the agency. To avoid these fees, skip the prepaid option and fuel the car at a convenient gas station as you leave. You will not have to fully fill the tank when returning the car.

If you are taking the car when it is filled, have the car rental agency representative note the fuel level before you drive out. Thus, you will only need to fuel the tank to the level that it had when you are returning the car.

The above are some of the hidden charges that can make your car rental bill soar up in price. Knowing how to prevent them will reduce your car rental charges so you can spend your money on other things.

To help you save money and for a quote, please visit car hire Gold Coast and car rental Perth.