If you are considering hiring a rental car in the Gold Coast, then you need to do your homework so you can find a reliable and affordable provider. Hiring a car is a great way to get around the coast, visiting all the best beaches in your own time and not having to rely on anyone else’s timetable. So if you’re in the mood for your own set of rental wheels, here’s seven top tips that will help you have the time of your life without breaking the bank.
Top tips for the best car rental in the Gold Coast
You could just sign up with the first car rental you come across, but that can result in spending much more than you anticipated and ruin your holiday! The way to get the best deal is to know what to ask and what type of conditions will reduce your costs.
Make sure that your rental car includes unlimited kilometres
There is so much to see and do on the Gold Coast that you need to make sure that your rental contract includes unlimited kilometres. If you don’t do this, then every kilometre over a set limit will cost you money that can add up very quickly. There’s so many great places to visit around the Gold Coast, as well as into NSW and north of Brisbane that it’s a shame if you have to limit your holiday because of the costs. This is particularly relevant if you want to explore further north, south or out west, because Australia is a big country and you will eat up the kilometres very quickly. So always make sure you include unlimited kilometres in your car rental contract.
Limit yourself to just two nominated drivers
Your car rental contract will usually allow you to have two nominated drivers without any additional charges. If you want to nominate more than the two driver limit, then you will need to pay an additional charge. So unless there’s a powerful reason for having more than two nominated drivers, just stick with the two that are included for free with your car rental. In Gold Coast areas, as everywhere else in Australia, don’t try to get around this limit by allowing someone who’s not a nominated driver to take the wheel. That’s because if the provider finds out, they can void your insurance if you have an accident. So it pays to check the Terms and Conditions of your rental and keep it legal!
Consider your pickup and return location
Whilst it might be easier to collect and return your car rental at the Gold Coast airport, you might find that it’s cheaper if you change this location. Each provider will have a list of the locations where cars can be collected and returned, so it pays to compare the costs for each of these locations. You might find that the costs are exactly the same, but you might also find that it’s cheaper at another location. Also ask about collecting and returning at different locations. For example, you might prefer to collect your car rental at the Gold Coast airport and return it at the Brisbane airport before you take an international flight. This may or may not be cheaper than collecting and returning your vehicle to the same location.
Fill up the tank before returning the car rental
Most providers will give you a rental with a full tank, expecting you to return it with a full tank. In fact, this is usually included in the Terms and Conditions, so make sure you look for this clause before signing the contract. If you don’t return the vehicle with a full tank when it’s included in the contract, it’s likely that you will be charged for a full tank of premium fuel, even if it’s half full.
Read the insurance cover of the car rental
Insurance cover can vary greatly between providers, so you need to read their policy so you know exactly what is and isn’t covered. Most companies will include a Collision Damage Waiver in the cost of the rental, but this isn’t a full comprehensive insurance. It’s just a basic insurance that limits the excess amount payable by you if you have an accident. This is usually $4000 to $5000, which means that you won’t pay more than this if you have an accident in the vehicle.
Some providers will ask if you want to reduce this excess by increasing the cost of the car rental, so it’s a good idea to check if the car rental insurance is covered by your credit card or travel insurance first. If this isn’t the case, then you might consider taking out third party insurance from an insurance provider instead. This is an important point, because if you do have an accident and your rental provider charges you this excess, you can claim it back from your third party insurance policy.
Consider booking your car rental in advance
Given that there are seasonal fluctuations in car rental prices on the Gold Coast, it pays to shop around. This is best done before you leave for your holiday, because then you can spend your time comparing prices and policies. Some companies will also have limited time deals, for example you might be able to get five days for the price of a three day hire. If you can catch these deals before you leave for the airport, you can often save yourself a considerable amount of money! Most providers will also allow you to cancel the car hire with no penalties if you do it at least 48 hours before the collection time, giving you sufficient time to change your mind if needed.
Make sure there’s no hidden charges
All charges will be in the Terms and Conditions, so you really must read these to ensure that you don’t miss any of these so called ‘hidden charges’. They are not really hidden, it’s just that if you don’t read the Terms and Conditions and the provider doesn’t draw your attention to them, you might be unhappily surprised at some point. The type of charges that can escape your notice include a young driver surcharge for drivers under 25 years of age. Then there’s the possibility of a relocation surcharge if you collect and return the vehicle at different locations. Finally, there are optional extras that can include fees for a GPS unit, baby capsule and a booster seat. So always ask about these additional charges and read the Terms and Conditions.
With these seven tips, you should have no problems finding the right budget friendly, quality car rental for your next holiday on the Gold Coast.