The price on a booking site is rarely the price you pay.
- The most common extras are desk insurance, fuel policies, extra drivers, young or senior driver fees, child seats and sat-nav, cross-border and one-way fees, out-of-hours fees, currency conversion and admin fees for fines.
- Which? found desk excess waivers costing on average 177 pounds a week against 23 to 38 pounds for standalone cover.
- Most extras are legal if they are clear before you sign, so the trick is to know them in advance.
You booked a week for 140 euros. At the desk, the contract says 390. Nothing illegal may have happened, but the gap is real, and it is the most common frustration in car rental. Most of the difference comes from a handful of extras that are predictable, if you know them in advance. Here are the nine that matter most, and how to check each one.
The nine extras at a glance
| Extra | Typical form | Check before you sign |
|---|---|---|
| Desk insurance | Super cover, per day | Do you already have cover? |
| Fuel policy | Full-to-empty or service fee | Is it full-to-full? |
| Extra driver | Per day or per rental | Is a second driver included? |
| Young or senior driver | Per day, by age | Does your age trigger it? |
| Child seat, sat-nav | Per day, often capped | Can you bring your own? |
| Cross-border | Fixed fee | Are your countries allowed? |
| One-way | Fixed fee | Is drop-off elsewhere priced? |
| Out of hours | Fixed fee | When does your flight land? |
| Currency conversion | Margin on the exchange rate | Pay in local currency |
Desk insurance
The biggest single extra. Which? compared prices in 2024 for a week in Malaga and found desk super cover costing on average 177 pounds, against 38 pounds for excess insurance through a broker and 23 pounds bought directly from an insurer. The most expensive desk waiver was about twelve times the cheapest standalone policy. Which? advises declining desk cover if you have your own, even under pressure. Read extra insurance at the rental desk and compare options with the excess calculator.
Fuel policy
ECC Austria calls full-to-full the fairest and cheapest fuel policy. With full-to-empty, you pay for a full tank at the company's price, often with a service fee, and unused fuel is usually not refunded. See fuel policies explained.
Extra drivers
Adding a second driver is often charged per day. ECC Austria warns that extras such as a second driver add up quickly, so check the price before you book. Only drivers named on the contract are covered.
Young and senior driver fees
Many companies charge extra for drivers under a certain age, sometimes also above a certain age. The thresholds and amounts differ per company and country. Enter the driver's real age when you search, so the fee shows up in the price.
Child seats and sat-nav
ECC Austria lists child seats and sat-nav among the extras that quickly add up. Child seats are often charged per day with a cap. Some families bring their own seat; check your airline's baggage rules. A phone with offline maps replaces a sat-nav.
Cross-border fees
Taking the car to another country often costs a fixed fee, and some countries are not allowed at all. Read driving a rental car to another country.
One-way fees
Dropping the car at another location, especially in another country, can cost a lot more than the daily rate. See one-way car rental fees.
Out-of-hours fees
Picking up or returning outside opening hours often costs extra, and a late flight can turn into a fee. Returning outside hours also means nobody inspects the car with you. See our key box return checklist.
Currency conversion
If the card terminal offers to charge you in your home currency, the conversion usually includes a margin. Choose the local currency. Read currency conversion at the rental desk.
And after the rental
Two more charges can come later: fines with an admin fee, and damage. ECC Austria advises keeping the card valid for at least six months after the rental for this reason. See admin fees for traffic fines and what a damage claim should contain.
Pre-selected extras on booking sites
In 2022, ECC-Net screened 78 online rental intermediaries and found that 21% showed pre-selected extras, and nearly half gave unclear information about insurance. Untick anything you did not choose, and save the final booking page. Read comparison sites and the small print.
When an extra was not agreed
If your bill contains an extra you did not agree to, or that was not clear before you signed, object in writing. Quote your booking and the contract, and ask for a refund of that line. Our sample letters give the wording. ECC-Net's general advice holds: read the contract before signing, and keep copies of everything.
Frequently asked questions
Are extra charges at the desk allowed?
Many are, if they were clearly stated before you agreed to them. Rental companies are free to set their prices. A charge that was hidden, pre-selected without your choice, or presented as mandatory when it is not, can be challenged.
Is desk insurance always a bad deal?
Not always, but often expensive. Which? found desk super cover at 177 pounds a week on average, against 38 pounds for excess insurance via a broker and 23 pounds bought directly. Desk cover can still make sense if a large deposit is a problem for you.
How do I avoid paying in the wrong currency?
When the card terminal offers to charge in your home currency, choose the local currency. The conversion offered at the desk usually includes a margin.