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How to Make the Rental Car Checkout Process Go Smoothly
Sometimes, renting a car for vacation is seen like a necessary evil. No one wants to have to deal with it, from paying the required extra fees to waiting in lines after hours of air travel. We can’t guarantee you won’t have to stand in line or that you’ll always get the exact car model you want, but we share some tips below that will make your rental car checkout process go smoothly.
- When we pick up a rental car, we’re usually tired or stressed and anxious to get on our way. This makes us naturally want to hurry and be done, but as a renter, we need to take the time to be sure we’re reading through our car rental contract. We’d much rather you take the time at the counter to be sure you understand everything than to have unanswered questions.
- In fact, we recommend you read the rental policies on our website before you even head to the location. This will answer most of your questions about how to pay your rental deposit, how long it takes for a rental deposit to be returned and how to add an additional driver. (Did you know that different states have different policies for how rental car agencies can charge for additional drivers?)
- Our online rental policies also address prepaying for your gas, what identification you need, where you can take your rental car and how you can pay for your rental car. Read them thoroughly before you go to pick up your car and notate any questions you may have for us. (Another interesting rental fact: some states prohibit driving the car out of that state, so inquire ahead of time if you’re unsure!)
- While online reading the policies, look at your insurance options and other add-ons. This will help prevent sticker shock when you get your final bill, while helping you feel more comfortable with your rental.
- You, as the customer, have say in which car you drive off the lot. Be sure to take advantage of that! Inspect the vehicle when you are given the keys. If you see damage, be sure the gate agent notates it. If you don’t want the vehicle, now is your chance to speak up! This also applies if you feel the vehicle is not sufficiently cleaned or you see that a prior renter left something in the car. We do our best to provide you with a clean, empty vehicle, but sometimes things happen. The time to swap the vehicle is when you are still at the location.
- Prepaying for your fuel may cost more, but it can be extremely convenient. If you return a vehicle with less than a full tank of gas, you will be charged so plan ahead! This is also something you can handle when you pick up the car.
- We don’t ever want to make you wait, but the fact is, sometimes lines happen. When an airport is facing a traffic nightmare, or flights have been grounded or delayed, renters sometimes retain their vehicles beyond their return time or they can’t get to the location on time. We do our best to still get you in a car at the promised time, but if there is inclement weather or known issues, getting to the location a little early is always a good idea.
Fox realizes that when you rent a car, you are planning on having it when you need it, and we promise to try our hardest to make that happen. If we can answer any questions about your discount rental car, please ask. We are here to help!