10 Ways to Save Money on Your Next Car Rental in Gold Coast

1) Book As Early As Possible

Whether you need a cheap car rental in Gold Coast to make your vacation with family more convenient or you need one to attend multiple business meetings over a period of time, booking your car early will cost you less. If you can book your car several weeks in advance, it will cost you way less than booking a car after arriving at the airport. If it’s the peak holiday season, you may not find a car available. Rather than depending on the last-minute hustle, you should book the car in advance.

2) Avoid Booking at Airports

Renting a car at the airport is costly compared to other locations, considering the hefty rental charges paid by car rental companies. Renting a car at the airport may add around 10 to 25 percent to the overall cost. Instead, you should look for companies located nearby the airport for renting a car as it will leave you with more money in your pocket at the end of the day.

3) Compare Rates

If you don’t have any specific requirements for renting a car, you will have plenty of options available. Renting a car from Gold Coast airport is costly compared to the price of car rental in town. However, it’s also convenient. Check the prices for Gold Coast car rentals by different companies and see if anyone fits in your budget. You can also compare nearby companies’ prices, which you can easily reach using public transport from the airport. Comparing prices between a few reliable car rental companies will help you find the best car hire deal in Gold Coast.

4) Try to Pick-up and Drop-off the Car from the Same Point

If you rent a car in Gold Coast and plan to visit surrounding cities, such as Bundall, Surfers Paradise, Ashmore, Southport, or Mermaid Beach, and fly out from one of them. In that case, the car rental service may cost you more as the company has to take care of getting the car to the base. Having the same pick-up and drop-off point helps you reduce the cost.

5) Child Car Seat

If you are travelling to Gold Coast with a child and needing a child seat, no need to bring your own seat. Car child seats are provided by Cheaper car rentals free of charge.

6) Track Extra Days

The most significant way to save on car rental in Gold Coast is to Look for car rental companies offering car rental packages for a longer period. You should return the car early if there are no additional fees for early returns.

7) Inspect Carefully

Don’t start your journey right away after receiving the keys in your hands. You should opt for a quick car inspection and see whether there are dents or scratches on the car. Take videos and pictures of the car if you find anything questionable and present it to the company’s counter. It will save you from paying for damages that are not caused by you.

8) Rent a 7, 8, or 12 Seater Car

Renting a 7, 9 or 12 seater car in Gold Coast is more viable than any other option when travelling with a family or group of friends. It costs you less, offers better convenience and gives you a fun travelling experience.

9) Pay Tolls in Cash

If possible, you should pay tolls in cash while driving a rental car. However, many car rental companies have e-Tags on their cars, eliminating the need to pay tolls during the journey. You should check it before renting a car and avoid paying in advance.

10) Choose an Efficient Car

To be entirely successful with cheap car rental in Gold Coast, you should choose an efficient car. From a wide range of options, look for the makes and models that have proved efficient with fuel economy. Renting a car with decent mileage significantly reduces the overall touring cost. However, you need to ensure that the vehicle is well-maintained, safe, and meets your travel requirements in the best possible way.

11) Don’t Drop and Run

When you arrive at the drop-off location after ending your trip, have a bit of spare time to top-up the fuel tank and clean the interior. You may think the interior is cleaned, but if the car rental company has to do it, they might charge you extra. You should also take pictures and videos of the car if the rental desk is closed to ensure that you return the car in the same condition you received it.

You should also keep all the paperwork safe for a few months after returning from your trip. Furthermore, keep checking your credit card bills to ensure that there are no extra charges taken by the car rental company.

12) Do Your Homework

Planning a budget-friendly trip is not rocket science. All you need to do is to get relevant information that helps you plan well in advance. You can search online for available car rental options. If it’s not a holiday season, you might get a luxury car on rent within your budget. Browse car rental companies’ websites to see whether they offer deals that align with your plans.