What are the most common hidden fees when renting a car, and how can you avoid them?

At first glance, the cost of renting a car often seems straightforward: you select a vehicle and the number of days, and the daily rate is displayed.

However, other factors can also affect the actual cost. When it comes to hidden fees in car rentals, it’s not just the cost of the vehicle itself that matters, but especially what exactly is included in a specific reservation and what situations might lead to additional charges.

The most common additional costs include fuel, airport fees, late return of the vehicle, cancellation or no-show fees, an additional driver, a young driver, or excessive dirt or damage. For example, the current AVIS price list lists an airport fee of 17% of the rental price, a refueling fee of €20 plus the cost of any missing fuel, and a fee for returning the vehicle outside of business hours.

The good news is that most of these costs can be avoided. You just need to know which terms and conditions to check before confirming your reservation and which obligations to follow when picking up and returning the car.

Hidden Fees When Renting a Car: Why Do They Happen?

The term “hidden fees” doesn’t necessarily mean that the car rental company is charging the customer for something it didn’t want to disclose. Often, these are fees listed in the price list or rental terms, but the customer simply overlooks them when comparing offers.

The difference arises mainly between the base rental price and the final price for the specific use of the vehicle.

When making a reservation, therefore, keep an eye on three levels of costs:

1. Base Rental Price

This is the price for the actual use of the vehicle during the agreed-upon period. It may be listed as a daily or total rate.

2. Optional services

These may include, for example, an additional driver, a child seat, roadside assistance, or other supplementary services. At AVIS, these items are listed separately in the current price list.

3. Fees Incurred During the Rental

These costs often depend on the specific situation. Examples include missing fuel, excessive dirt, late return, or a change in the vehicle drop-off location.

It is precisely this third category that customers most often fail to factor into their original budget.

Fuel Policy: The Most Common Source of Additional Costs

One of the easiest ways to increase the final rental price is to return the vehicle with less fuel than when it was picked up.

AVIS typically delivers vehicles with a full tank and requires them to be returned with a full tank. If fuel is missing, the cost of refueling is charged according to the current price list, including a handling fee.

The current AVIS price list specifies a refueling fee of €20 excluding VAT and a separate coefficient for missing fuel. For electric vehicles, a separate coefficient is listed for missing charge.

How can you avoid the refueling fee?

Before returning the car, allow yourself enough time to stop at a gas station.

Practical steps:

• Check the fuel level when you pick up the car,
• take a photo of the dashboard display if you want to keep your own record,
• fill up to the required level before returning the car,
• keep the receipt for refueling,
• for an electric vehicle, check the required charge level.

The biggest mistake is waiting until you’re in the parking lot to refuel before returning the car.

Airport fees can significantly affect the price of your reservation

If you pick up your vehicle at the airport, the base rate may not be the same as when picking up at a standard city location.

With AVIS, rentals starting at the airport are subject to an airport fee of 17% of the rental price.

For short-term rentals, the difference may be relatively small, but for longer rentals, it can add up to a significant amount.

How do you compare an airport branch and a city branch?

If you’re flexible about the pickup location, compare:

• the rental price at the airport,
• the rental price at a city branch,
• any airport fees,
• the cost and time required to travel from the airport to the branch.

Therefore, the lowest daily rate may not necessarily mean the lowest total rental cost.

Cancellation and Failure to Pick Up a Car: A Reservation Isn’t Always Non-Binding

Another cost that customers often overlook is the cancellation of a reservation or a situation where they fail to pick up the vehicle at the agreed-upon time.

AVIS’s current General Terms and Conditions specify a fee of 30% of the total rental price for canceling a reservation and a fee of 50% of the total rental price for failing to pick up the vehicle on the reservation date.

The rental terms and conditions page also states that if a reservation is not canceled at least 24 hours before the agreed pickup time and the vehicle is not picked up, the applicable no-show fee may be charged in accordance with the current terms and conditions. The current price list lists a no-show fee of 65 € excluding VAT.

How can you avoid the cancellation fee?

Always check the cancellation policy before making a reservation.

If your plans change, make the change as soon as possible. Not waiting until the last minute is the easiest way to minimize the risk of an additional fee.

Car Cleaning: When Might an Additional Fee Apply?

Normal vehicle use and excessive dirt are not the same thing. You should return the vehicle in a condition appropriate for normal use.

AVIS states in its instructions that the vehicle must be clean upon return. The current price list also specifies a fee of €30 (excluding VAT) for excessive exterior dirt, and for extreme dirt requiring special cleaning, disinfection, decontamination, or ozone cleaning, a fee starting at 250 € excluding VAT.

What should you check before returning the vehicle?

Before returning the vehicle, perform a simple check:

• remove any trash from the interior,
• check the area under the seats and in the trunk,
• remove any visible dirt,
• do not leave mud or other contaminants in the vehicle,
• check to make sure you haven’t left any personal items in the vehicle.

For a standard rental, you don’t need to have the car professionally cleaned. The goal is to return it in reasonable condition.

An additional driver or a young driver may increase the rental price

The reservation price may also increase if the vehicle is not used solely by the primary renter.

AVIS currently charges a fee of €10 per day or €50 for the entire rental period for an additional driver. For a younger driver, the price list specifies a fee of €9 per day or €50 for the entire rental period, with the standard minimum age requirement being 25 years.

So if you’re planning to travel as a pair and want to take turns driving, be sure to add an additional driver when you make your reservation.

Why is it not worth omitting a driver?

The General Terms and Conditions specify who is authorized to use the vehicle. Use of the vehicle by a person who does not meet the requirements or has not been approved may constitute a breach of contract.

Saving a few euros is therefore not worth the risk of problems in the event of an accident or an inspection.

Returning the car late may result in an additional day of rental

When renting a car, it’s important to keep track not only of the date but also the exact time of return.

AVIS states that the daily rate covers a 24-hour period from the time of rental. If the rental period is exceeded by more than 59 minutes, an additional daily rate will be charged.

The General Terms and Conditions also state that in the event of a late return without prior approval, AVIS reserves the right to charge for an additional day’s rental and a late fee in accordance with the current price list.

How can you avoid this?

If you have a flight or other time-sensitive trip planned, do not schedule the vehicle return for the very last minute.

Allow for extra time to account for:

• traffic conditions,
• refueling,
• parking,
• vehicle inspection,
• returning the keys and documents.

If you know you won’t be able to return the vehicle by the agreed-upon time, contact the branch as soon as possible.

Fees for Vehicle Drop-Off Outside of Business Hours

Another specific item is the drop-off or pickup of a vehicle outside of regular business hours.

The current AVIS price list specifies a fee of €50 (excluding VAT) for drop-offs or pickups outside of business hours (7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.). For drop-offs or pickups between 7:00 PM and 7:00 AM, on weekends, or on holidays, the fee is €100 excluding VAT. For returning a vehicle outside of business hours using a keybox, the fee is €20 excluding VAT.

If your schedule is flexible, it may be more convenient to plan your pickup or return during standard business hours.

How can you avoid hidden fees when renting a car?

The best approach isn’t to look for the car rental company with the lowest daily rate. It’s much more effective to create a simple checklist before making a reservation.

Pre-Booking Checklist

• Check the total rental price, not just the daily rate.
• Check to see if an airport fee is charged.
• Verify the fuel policy.
• Read the cancellation and no-show policies.
• Check the fee for an additional or younger driver.
• Check the conditions for returning the car outside of business hours.
• Find out if your planned destinations are permitted if you’re traveling abroad.
• Check the terms for late returns.
• View the current price list for additional services and fees.

Car Pickup Checklist

Before departure, take a few minutes to inspect the vehicle.

Compare the actual condition of the car with the inspection report. If you find any damage not listed in the report, report it immediately to an AVIS representative. Photos or videos taken by the customer in accordance with current AVIS instructions do not replace the proper documentation of damage in the report.

This inspection can significantly simplify the resolution of any potential issues when returning the vehicle.

The most important factor is the final price, not the lowest daily rate

When choosing a car rental company, it’s worth changing the way you compare offers. Instead of asking, “Where is the cheapest car per day?” ask yourself, “How much will I pay for the entire rental based on my scenario?”

Include the following in your calculation:

rental price + mandatory fees + planned extras + estimated costs during the rental period.

This will give you a much more realistic picture of the total costs.

Transparent car rental doesn’t mean there can never be an additional fee. It means the customer knows under what conditions one might arise and what they can do to avoid it.

If you read the terms and conditions before booking, check the fuel policy, return time, drop-off location, and any additional services, you can easily avoid most unpleasant surprises.