Martin Lewis reveals quick trick to cut car hire costs – it could save holidaymakers £100s but you need special clause
MARTIN Lewis has revealed a quick trick to help you cut your car hire costs.
Following it could yield holidaymakers hundreds of pounds in savings, but you’ll need a special clause to secure it.
Speaking on the “Summer Special” edition of the Martin Lewis Money Show, the founder of MoneySavingExpert.com explained how travellers can do this.
Martin said: “Is your hotel car hire cheaper now than when you booked?
“If so, and you got free cancellation, and if you suddenly find it cheaper, well, rebook and then cancel.”
It comes after one Martin Lewis fan wrote into the show explaining how they saved £100s by following this trick.
They said: “In January 24, I booked a two-week car rent in the US for $1,024 after checking comparison sites.
“In May, I checked back, and the same car was available for $575.
“I cancelled the first booking, had my deposit refunded, and rebooked at a lower price.”
In response, Martin said: “The lesson here is that booking early does not always guarantee the best price.”
But remember, you’ll only make a saving if you had free cancellation on your original booking in the first place.
So, make sure to check the fine print before cancelling and accepting a better quote.
CAR HIRE PRICES HAVE STABILISED
A family renting a compact motor on holiday in Europe can expect to pay on average £225 for the week, down from £280 last year, according to figures compiled for The Sun by icarhireinsurance.com.
Prices are broadly down by 20% but still vary hugely by destination, costing from £135 for a week in Tenerife to £363 in Nice, on the French Riviera.
However, Scott Dixon at consumer site thecomplaintsresolver.co.uk told The Sun last month that it’s still easy to fall into costly traps when hiring a car on holiday.
He said: “Firms are using unscrupulous tactics to exploit customers.
“Travellers must keep their wits about them and watch out for underhand ploys at the pick-up desk.”
WATCH OUT FOR PRICEY EXTRAS
IT'S important that travellers read the small print and watch out for the dozens of sneaky extra car hire charges.
The typical cost of paying for an additional driver in Europe is £67, and you can also expect to pay a further £67 for a child’s car seat, plus £82 for a sat nav.
There is a big variation in extras, depending on location.
Packing your own devices or car seats can help. It’s possible to buy a second-hand sat nav for around £25.
The cost of renting a child’s car seat varies from, on average, £42 in Larnaca, Cyprus, to £84 in Barcelona.
But many airlines including British Airways and easyJet will let you bring a seat with you for free.
BEST WAY TO SAVE
You might think it’s wise to book your car rentals early for the best savings.
But as Martin Lewis’ advice shows, this isn’t always the case.
However, you should always have your car hire booked ahead of arriving at your destination.
It will cost you hundreds of pounds more to just turn up at the desk and hire a car once you arrive.
Travellers can also save up to £200 in some holiday hotspots by booking with firms or branches based outside the airport.
Sometimes, they offer a free shuttle.
And remember, steer clear of hiring extras, such as satnavs or children’s car seats, to save the most.
Always buy your excess cover in advance by comparing costs on a site such as moneymaxim.co.uk, where policies cost as little as £15 a week.
This compares to an average of £259 if you buy it at the car hire desk, according to icarhireinsurance.com.
These policies cover you for the expensive insurance excess you will have to pay if you have an accident in your hire car.
When you buy your own cover, you will still need to provide a credit card in the name of the driver on the contract.
Firms demand this so they can charge you the excess if you have an accident — and you then claim this back from your insurer.
Without a credit card, firms normally insist on taking a large deposit from your debit card instead.
Choose a “full-to-full” fuel policy, where you return the car with a full tank, as you could pay an extra £30 in petrol costs on a “full-to-empty” policy.
When you pick up the car, take lots of photographs and mark any existing damage on the paperwork so you do not get stung.