Car Hire FAQ

Yes, completely free. We earn a referral commission from suppliers when you book — you pay nothing extra for using our comparison service. The price you see is the price you pay.

No booking fees. You book directly with the rental company at the price shown. There are no hidden service charges from Best Car Hire.

Payment is made at the time of booking with the rental company. Most accept major credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express). Note that at pick-up, most suppliers also require a credit card for the security deposit — debit cards are not accepted by most major suppliers for the deposit hold.

A security deposit (pre-authorisation) is a temporary hold placed on your credit card at vehicle pick-up. The amount varies by supplier, vehicle type and destination — typically between $200 and $2,000. The hold is released when you return the vehicle undamaged and with the correct fuel level. This is separate from the rental charge itself.

This depends on the rate type. "Pay now" rates are charged at booking and are usually cheaper. "Pay at pick-up" rates are only charged when you collect the vehicle. Check the rate terms carefully when booking.

To cancel or modify a booking, visit our Manage Booking page and enter your booking reference number. You can also contact the rental company directly using the details on your confirmation email. Always check the cancellation policy before booking — terms vary significantly between suppliers and rate types.

Refund eligibility depends on which rate type you booked and how far in advance you cancel. "Free cancellation" rates (clearly marked at booking) are refundable if cancelled before the pick-up date and time. Non-refundable rates are cheaper but cannot be refunded. Check your booking confirmation for the specific cancellation policy that applies to your reservation.

Yes, in most cases. Visit the Manage Booking portal with your reference number. Note that changing dates may result in a different price for the rental period — you'll see the updated cost before confirming any change.

Most suppliers charge an additional day for returns that are even one hour late. Some allow a 29–59 minute grace period, but this is not guaranteed. Always aim to return the vehicle at or before the agreed time. If you know you will be late, call the rental desk in advance — they may be able to extend your rental rather than charge a penalty rate.

You will typically need: (1) your valid driving licence, (2) the credit card used for booking — in the primary driver's name, (3) your booking confirmation or voucher number, and (4) a passport or national ID at many non-EU destinations. Some countries require an International Driving Permit alongside your home licence.

Most airport rental companies track incoming flights and will hold your booking for a reasonable period if your flight is delayed. It's still good practice to call the rental desk if you anticipate a significant delay — they can note it on your booking and ensure a vehicle is held for you. The rental desk contact number is on your confirmation email.

Yes — this is called a one-way rental. A drop-off fee typically applies. The fee amount varies significantly between suppliers and routes — some routes (particularly popular tourist circuits) have low or zero fees. Always check the total price including one-way fees when comparing. See our one-way car hire guide for more detail.

Before driving away: (1) do a full exterior walk-around and photograph every panel with a timestamped photo, (2) check the condition report matches the vehicle's actual condition — insist any undocumented damage is added, (3) confirm the fuel level and fuel type, (4) check all four tyres including the spare, (5) confirm the excess amount matches your booking. See our detailed pre-drive checklist.

Most suppliers require a minimum age of 21. Drivers aged 21–24 typically pay a young driver surcharge of $15–$40/day depending on the supplier and destination. Some suppliers require drivers to be 25+ for premium or large vehicles. Maximum age restrictions also apply at some suppliers (typically 70–75). See our young driver guide for full details.

Yes. Most rental companies allow additional drivers for a daily fee (some include one additional driver free with certain rates). The additional driver must be present at pick-up with their own valid driving licence. They must meet the same age and licence requirements as the primary driver.

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is required by many countries outside your licence's home jurisdiction. It is required alongside (not instead of) your home licence. Countries commonly requiring an IDP include: Japan, China, Thailand, UAE, Morocco, many African and South American countries. Always check the requirements for your specific destination before travelling.

A basic level of cover — usually Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) and Theft Protection (TP) — is typically included in the rental price. However, this almost always comes with a significant excess (the amount you pay first in the event of a claim). Full zero-excess cover can be purchased additionally at the desk or — usually more cheaply — via a standalone excess insurance policy before you travel.

The excess (or deductible) is the maximum amount you would be charged if the vehicle is damaged or stolen, even with CDW included. For example, an excess of $1,200 means that if the car is scratched, you pay up to $1,200 regardless of your CDW cover. Excess insurance policies cover this amount for a much lower daily cost than buying "Super CDW" at the desk.

Standard CDW and TP typically exclude damage to: tyres, wheels and rims, windscreen, roof, underbody, and interior. Many suppliers sell additional cover for these items separately. Third-party excess insurance policies vary in what they cover — always read the policy wording before purchasing.

Some premium and gold credit cards include car hire excess insurance as a cardholder benefit. Check with your card issuer before travelling. Key things to verify: the countries covered, vehicle categories included, whether the hire must be paid on that card, and the claims process. Do not assume cover applies without confirming these details.

Full-to-full: you receive the car with a full tank and must return it full. This is almost always the most economical option. Full-to-empty (or prepaid fuel): you pay for a full tank upfront and return the car empty — you pay for fuel you don't use. Full-to-full is strongly recommended wherever available.

Cross-border travel usually requires advance permission from the rental company and may incur an additional cross-border fee. It is never permitted to take a hire car across a border without explicit prior approval — doing so typically voids your insurance cover entirely. Always declare cross-border plans at the time of booking.