Frequently Asked Questions
1. What do I
need to bring when I pick up my rental car?
You should have three things with you when you
arrive to pick-up your rental car:
A valid U.S. drivers license or a valid driver's
license issued from your country of residence and an International Driver's
Permit -- you'll need to present it at the rental counter to prove your
identity, verify your birth-date and, if necessary, for a driving record check.
Your Rental Car Itinerary/Receipt - which is
available on the homepage of our website at the top right-hand corner of the
page. Enter your Request Number and your receipt and full itinerary will be
right there for you to print.
A valid major credit card with available credit.
Debit/check cards are not accepted by all rental car companies. If you need to
use a debit card please contact the rental car company directly.
Cash: The driver will not be allowed to leave a
cash deposit in lieu of a credit card or debit/check card.
2. Which
companies can you rent from on AutoRentals.com?
We partner with the following
rental car companies to give you the best prices and biggest deals when renting
a vehicle in the US, Canada or abroad:
AutoRentals.com has other
partners that supply vehicles as well as auto rental pricing aggregator
partners such as CarRentals.com, Economy Bookings, Car Rental 8, Priceline
Hotwire and more.
3. Can I rent
cars in Canada, Europe, and other International locations?
Yes you can rent a car in Canada, Europe, and other
International locations. For rental cars in Mexico, please ask the rental
partner what their specific policies are once you are at the rental counter. We
offer great savings, selection, and customer service for your international
rental car travel. Simply go to our homepage and type the name of the city or
airport you are traveling to in the search fields at the top of the page.
Important Information Regarding Exchange Rates:
Purchases made on our web site are transacted exclusively in United States
Dollars (USD). If you make a purchase from us using a non-USD-denominated
credit or debit card, please be aware that, due to the constant fluctuation in
exchange rates, our charge to your card or the estimated charge amount we
provide you, may differ based on the exchange rate at the time you make your
reservation versus the rate at the time the charge is reflected on your credit
card statement. Also, in the event that we must credit your account, we will
refund the exact USD amount initially charged and will not be responsible for
any fluctuations in exchange rates which may cause differences in your billing
statement.
4. Can I place a
request if I am not a U.S. resident? What kinds of cars can I rent?
If the driver of the car is not a U.S. resident,
the driver must present a valid International driver's license at the rental
counter when renting a car in the United States. Most U.S. rental car companies
accept international credit cards.
5. What kinds of
cars can I rent?
We offer the following car types:
·
Economy Cars
·
Compact Cars
·
Mid-size Cars
·
Standard Cars
·
Full-size (4
door) Cars
·
Premium Cars
·
Luxury Cars
·
Convertibles
·
SUVs
·
Mini-van (7
passenger)
·
Full-size Vans
Our web site includes a full
description of each car type, including the typical number of passengers and
pieces of luggage each will accommodate. Rental car companies carry a variety
of makes and models for each car type listed above. As a result, the rental car
companies are not able to guarantee the specific make or model you will receive
at the rental counter. Requests for non-smoking vehicles should be made at the
rental counter. Rental car companies are not able to guarantee the availability
of a non-smoking vehicle.
6. Can I
cancel/change my reservation/itinerary?
Yes. Simply visit the
Review/Change/Cancel Reservation section of our website and select the Cancel
this Reservation. link at the top of the page. You will need your Rental Car
Itinerary Number and the email address you entered when you reserved your car.
7. Same Day
Reservations
You can book a rental car
reservation up to one hour in advance of your pick-up time. When searching our
site, we will provide you with the available options based on the itinerary
details you enter on our website. For example, if you place a request on our
website at 11 a.m. the earliest you can pick up your rental car is noon the
same day.
8. Can I reserve
a car for someone else?
You can submit a request for a
rental car that someone else will be driving as long as you enter the driver's
full name and age and the driver meets the following requirements:
Has a valid driver's license issued in his or her
full name - the rental company will verify age and may check the driver's
driving record. Non-U.S. residents must present a valid international driver's
license from his/her home country.
Has a valid credit card with a minimum of $200 or
more of available credit. Most locations also accept debit cards.
Meets the minimum age requirements.
Keep in mind that when you initial the request on
our Web site you are indicating that the DRIVER accepts all of Priceline
Partner Network Rental Cars. Terms and Conditions and that the driver will be
denied rental if any of the above criteria are not met.
9. Where can I
find my itinerary or get a receipt?
You can find your itinerary by going to the
Review/Change/Cancel Reservation section of our website. Enter your Rental Car
Itinerary Number and the email address you used to place your request, and your
receipt and full itinerary will be right there for you to print. You will not
get a copy of your receipt or itinerary by mail.
10. Can I get a
one-way rental?
Yes. You can book a rental car
reservation with a different pick-up and drop-off location (also known as a
''one-way'' rental). For example, you can enter a pick-up location in Orlando
and a drop-off location in Miami if that is where you will end your trip.
One-way reservations are currently limited to
airport locations only (for example, pick-up at Orlando International Airport
and drop-off at Miami International Airport.) There may also be a ''drop-off''
fee charged by the rental car company. One-way rentals from off airport
locations will be available soon.
11. Helpful
advice for renting a car.
Know Your Insurance Coverage:
Be sure to research the insurance coverage
available on your current automobile policy, your credit card agreement and
your homeowners or renter.s policy prior to picking up your rental car. This
will help you make the most informed decision about optional coverages offered
at the rental counter.
Inspect the Condition of Your Rental Car: Take a
walk around your rental car with an agent before you leave the rental location.
Be sure to make note of any scratches, dents, dings, etc. and report them so
there is no confusion regarding the car.s condition upon return.
Get to Know the Features on Your Rental Car: Take a
few minutes before you leave the rental location to familiarize yourself with
where everything is on your rental car. Check the headlights, hazards,
windshield wipers, door locks, spare tire, etc.
Look at a Map Before Leaving the Airport: Be sure
to ask the agent at the rental counter for directions or a map of the area.
Most rental car companies provide free maps as a courtesy.
Avoid Additional Charges at Drop-off: Be sure to
return your rental car at the designated date and time on your rental agreement
to avoid extra day and/or extra hour charges. If you do not opt to pre-purchase
gas at the rental counter, be sure the gas tank is full upon return to avoid
gas and re-fueling fees.
12. Can I drive
my rental car outside the United States?
While your rental car comes
with unlimited mileage, the rental car company that is providing the car may
have restrictions about driving your rental car into another country. If you
plan on taking your rental car outside the U.S., we suggest you ask at the
rental counter about its company.s policy prior to driving off the rental car
lot. This includes inquiries regarding driving into Canada and Mexico.
13. When will I
be charged for my rental car?
When you choose your rental car company and your
exact rate we will provide an estimate of what the rental car company will
charge you when you rent the car. This estimate is based on information available
from the rental car company directly and includes an estimate of taxes, fees,
and surcharges that may apply to your transaction at the time of reservation.
It does not include any additional gas, fees, or other surcharges.
Please check with the rental car company when you
are at the rental counter for complete rate details.
Pointer - If you have any questions about what
you.ve been charged - check your paperwork! Charges for optional items will be
listed on your rental agreement (provided by the rental company) and you are
often required to initial by them at pick-up. Any questions concerning optional
items should be directed to the rental company that accepts your request.
14. What if I
have questions about charges that appear on my rental agreement?
Please read the following information, which will
help you to understand your rental agreement and clarify any charges.
Your rental agreement shows charges for all
optional items (insurance, gasoline, upgrades, extensions, ski-racks, cell
phones, etc.) you elect to take at the rental counter, and you are typically
required to initial by them when you pick up your car. These charges are in
addition to the cost of your rental.
We do not have access to the actual rental contract
you signed at the counter or any additional charges the rental car company
billed to you based on that contract. If you have questions about any of the
charges on your rental, you will need to contact the rental car company
directly.
Here is a definition of terms to help you
understand your rental agreement:
COLLISION DAMAGE WAIVER (CDW/LDW):
This item involves waiving or limiting your
personal responsibility for damage to or loss of your rental car.
EXTENDED PROTECTION/LIABILITY COVERAGE (EP/SLI):
Protection for claims made against you.
PERSONAL ACCIDENT INSURANCE (PAI):
Coverage for renters in the event of accidental
death or bodily injury for the duration of the rental.
PERSONAL EFFECTS COVERAGE (PEC):
Coverage for damaged or stolen personal property.
PREPAY FOR A FULL TANK (GAS A):
Prepaying for gas at the rental counter upon
vehicle pick-UP - UNUSED GASOLINE IS NOT REFUNDED.
REFUEL UPON RETURN (GAS B):
Rental Car companies charge for gas if a customer
does not pre-pay and returns the car with less than a full tank.
OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT:
Rental car companies charge for additional items
you elect to add at the rental counter - such as child safety seats, ski racks,
cell phones, navigation equipment, etc.
These charges vary by rental company and are not
included in the cost of the retnal reservations itself.
We do not have the ability to view our rental
partner's rental agreements and each partner has a different version, however,
this is an idea of what you might see.
15. What if I'm
traveling with children and need additional equipment?
Check out our partner BabyQuip,
they deliver all the baby gear essentials you could ever need right to your
destination; they will even meet you at the airport!