Advanced planning

Choose a travel agent
Whether planning a trip close to home or around the world, a professional travel agent can save you both time and money. Travel agents provide the most up to date information about destinations and preferred rates. They also have instant access to information about airline availability and fares, hotel and car rental reservations, air and land tour packages and other travel related products.

With the information and recommendations of a professional travel agent, you will have everything you need to make the most of your trip.

Check the weather
Especially when driving, it is always recommended to check the weather in advance, in order to plan your trip accordingly. If snowstorms are expected, it is best to have an alternative plan and to check if special snow equipment or a four-wheel drive vehicle is needed.

Book ahead
As availability tends to vary throughout the year, it is always recommended to book your rental car as soon as you finalized the details of your trip (maximum 3 working days in advance)

Note that in order to be able to rent a car, you must meet the rental requirements regarding age and driving seniority. The minimum rental age is usually 21, with a driving seniority of at least 12 months, unless stated otherwise in the rental conditions (these will be stated while booking online). With most suppliers, drivers aged 21-25 may be charged with an insurance surcharge or be limited to specific car groups.

Picking up the rental car

Your rental vehicle will be available up to 2 hours of the estimated arrival time given when booking, in case no flight details were provided, or up to the closing time of the rental location (the earliest of the two).

At the counter
When arriving at the counter, you will need to present an international credit card (under the driver's name), the driver's valid driving license (local and international), the driver's passport and the prepaid rental voucher.

An international credit card in the name of the driver is obligatory for a deposit and guarantee for the car to be returned on time and unharmed. A cash deposit will not be accepted.

You will be requested to sign a rental agreement with the rental supplier, so make sure you are familiar with all the terms and conditions (these will be stated while booking online). Your signature is binding and cannot be canceled post factum.

At the counter you will be offered additional insurance options and other optional extras, which are not included in the prepaid voucher. If you chose to purchase any of them, your signature will incur additional charges, adding local vat as required by law. 

Additional drivers
Aside from the main driver, any additional driver wishing to use the car is also required to be present at the time of pick up. Additional drivers must meet the rental requirements concerning age and driving seniority. They will be authorized to drive by presenting a valid driving license and passport at the counter, and adding their details to the rental agreement.

There are usually surcharges for additional drivers that vary from destination to destination. These charges will be stated while booking online.

Your rental vehicle
Take a few moments to familiarize yourself with the vehicle's features, especially its safety equipment (including hazard lights, windshield wipers, spare tire, seat belt and door locks).

Confirm the type of fuel the car consumes (leaded gas, unleaded gas or diesel) and fill it with this fuel only. Filling-up the wrong gas type will incur in a charge of up to the full repairs amount by the rental supplier.

Before you leave the rental location, make sure that the vehicle is fully fueled. If you received it less then full, have the rental clerk note it on the rental agreement. You will be requested to return it the same way. Any existing dents or scratches should be noted on the original check out form as well, for insurance purposes.

During your trip

Traffic laws
The policy regarding speed limits, parking and other traffic related issues varies from country to country. Observe traffic signs while driving and follow their instructions carefully. Fines are often high and must be paid. If you leave the rental country without paying a fine, a notification will be sent to your home.

In any case, make sure you park your rented vehicle in a supervised, public parking lot, and do not leave your luggage exposed to avoid thefts of any kind. 
Emergency road service/accidents

All suppliers operate a 24 hour emergency road service. Should you require any assistance, call the number printed on the rental agreement cover, the key tag, or the windscreen and follow their instructions. 

In case of an accident or theft, you must notify the rental supplier and the local police immediately, and keep a copy of the police report. You will also have to fill out an accident report with the rental supplier, for insurance purposes.

Driving into other countries
The policy regarding taking the rental car out of the pick up country varies throughout the different destinations and suppliers. Generally, entering Eastern European countries, Italy, Great Britain, Ireland, Mexico etc., is problematic and requires advanced confirmation and at times additional charges, but the rental supplier may impose other restrictions as well. The policy in each destination will be stated while booking online. 

Returning the rental car

To avoid additional charges, make sure you return the rented car up until the time it was taken. 1 rental day is 24 hours, so any delay will result in an extra charge of a full additional day, according to the supplier's local rates, plus insurances and mandatory local charges. 

Please make sure that the car is returned at the pre-booked drop off location, fully fueled. Partially full or empty fuel tanks will be filled-up by the rental supplier at a higher rate, adding a service fee. The sum will be automatically charged to your credit card.

It is highly recommended to keep the final copy of the rental agreement for future reference. Note that if the vehicle was returned outside the locations' working hours, the renter is responsible for it until its receipt by the supplier and the closure of the rental agreement.

One-way rentals
It is possible to return the car at a different country than where the car was picked up. One-way rentals usually incur an extra charge, which is paid at the rental counter. One-way rentals cannot be booked online, so if you wish to return your rental car at a different country, please call our call center on 1-700-700-500 for details about the different possibilities and fees.