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Everything You Need To Know About One-Way Car Rental Drop-off Fees
This is our guide explaining one-way car rental drop-off fees & everything you need to know before your next trip.
What is a One-way Car Rental?
A one-way car rental is when a driver picks a car up at one rental location and drops it off at a different one. For example, renting a car from Enterprise in Seattle and dropping it off at an Enterprise location in Los Angeles, or renting a car at Avis JFK Airport and dropping it off at one of Avis’s downtown locations. Often, this creates problems for car rental companies as they accumulate too many cars in some locations and not enough in others. In order to manage this problem, it’s common for car rental companies to charge an additional drop-off fee for one-way car rentals.
How to Avoid One-way Car Rental fees?
Having the right tools is a great place to start! That’s where the MirrorTrip comes in handy. In general, though, if MirrorTrip isn’t available in your city yet, you need to shop around. Rental agencies may give you a discount or waive their drop-off fee completely if picking up your car reduces a surplus of drop-offs at one of their locations and dropping it off returns the car to where it started.
So it pays to check all major rental companies. Often, rental companies won’t disclose up front if a drop-off fee is going to be charged for a one-way car rental, so always phone ahead to the location to confirm before you slap down your credit card.
Make sure you’re calling the location itself rather than the call center, as boots-on-the-ground knowledge is a big help when it comes to the nitty gritty. Be sure to give them the exact details of your trip, including the dates and what kind of car you plan on booking. And of course, be sure to emphasize that you’re looking for a one-way car rental. Finally, don’t forget to specifically ask about the drop-off fee.
One Way Fee In Car Rental Explained
Learn everything you need to know about one-way car rental fees and what to expect when renting a car for a one-way trip with Orbit Car Hire.
One-way car rental can be an excellent option for those who need to rent a car for a one-time trip or those who need to rent a car for an extended period. One-way car rental can also be an excellent option for those who need to rent a car for a special event. One-way car rental works by renting a car from one location and then returning it to the exact location when you finish your trip. It can be done by either taking the car back to the place where you rented it or taking it to another location closer to your destination. One-way car rentals can be found in most major cities and towns worldwide.
What is a one-way fee for a car rental?
A one-way fee in car rental is a charge that is incurred when you drop off your rental car at a location other than the one where you picked it up. This fee can vary depending on the rental company but is typically around $50.00.
Suppose you’re planning on taking a road trip and want the flexibility of being able to drop your car off at your final destination. In that case, a one-way rental is a way to go. Just be sure to factor in the additional cost when budgeting for your trip!
How to find the one-way fee
When you search for a car rental, you insert the location where you would like to pick up the car; then, you insert the place you would like to return the vehicle. After that, you can search for offers. All offers will display a one-way fee within the deals on the webpage.
You will find all information about one-way fees and others under the T&C in your offer.
You might also find one-way fees written as OWF in the T&C or on your rental agreement.
You will find a charge for the OWF from the car rental company in your bank account. You will always be charged all fees and the rental cost in one payment. You will see the breakdown on your rental agreement, where each fee and price of the car are divided into sections.
How do I pay the one-way fee?
The one-way fee is always paid at the counter when you pick up the rental car. When you book the rental car, you pay a confirmation fee to Orbit and the remaining amount to the car rental company, including all necessary fees.
How to get cheap one-way car rentals
If you’re looking for a cheap one-way car rental, you can do a few things to ensure that you get the best possible rate. First, always book your rental in advance. It will allow you to shop around and compare rates from different companies.
Another tip is to ensure that you put in the correct information before searching for offers. You will see offers without one-way fees if you forget to insert the accurate pickup and drop-off location. And changing the reservation afterwards can be more expensive than booking it right away.
Finally, make sure to compare one-way fees between rental companies. Each company will price their fees differently, and a few might even offer one-way fees free of charge.
Changing the travel plans last minute
Suppose you have booked a trip where you return the rental car to the exact location you plan to pick it up and need to change the reservation at the last minute. In that case, you can expect to see the price increase for the rental itself and the additional one-way fee.
The reason is that when you make a change to your booking, the prices in the modification will be updated prices. And since prices tend to increase the closer you get to the trip, the car rental price might be higher. You will also find the one-way fee to be charged on top of the rental cost when you pick up the car.
If you decide to change the return location after you pick up a car, you can expect to see a penalty fee but not just a one-way fee. Penalty fees are always more expensive, so it is recommended to avoid them.
Why are one-way car rentals expensive?
In general, car rental companies will charge more for one-way rentals as the car is rented in a specific location. They might need to collect the vehicle back at the original office. The price can also be higher the further the pickup and return locations are from each other.
Car rental companies have dynamic pricing and are built on demand and supply. Therefore they try to keep the majority of their fleet where the demand is higher. So when returning a car where demand is less, the fee might be higher.
Is a one-way car rental still charged if you drop off in the same city?
If you plan to return the car to the exact location within the city, a one-way fee will not apply. However, the rental companies might charge a one-way fee if you plan to return it to another place within the same town. Typically, the fee will be lower than if you would return it to another city.
One-way car rental in Europe
It is possible to rent a one-way rental between countries in Europe. However, some factors need to be considered before. The best chance to find a one-way car rental in Europe is to look for more prominent car rentals companies like Sixt, Europcar and Enterprise.
The car rental company must have an office in both countries to be possible.
A cross-border fee can also be applied if the car is taken between countries. And in Europe, car rental companies might not allow their vehicle to travel to all countries within the continent. So it is essential to contact Orbit or the car rental company and ask if they allow cross-border between the companies you plan to drive.
Do all car rental companies charge a one-way fee?
Most car rental companies will charge a one-way fee. You might be lucky to snag a deal with a rental that might not charge a one-way fee. It is most likely found during low seasons within the country you plan to visit.
How much is a one-way fee
One-way fees mainly depend on the distance between pickup and return locations and whether the sites are within the same country. Here we have listed the most popular one-way trips.
| Lisbon Airport | Faro Airport | 60.00 — 150.00 EUR |
| Port Elizabeth Airport | Cape Town Airport | 48.00 — 76 GBP |
| Tenerife South Airport | Tenerife North Airport | 28.00 — 65.00 EUR |
| Milan Malpensa Airport | Milan Linate Airport | 46.00 — 75.00 EUR |
| Palermo Airport | Catania Airport | 73.00 — 128.00 EUR |
| Zagreb Airport | Dubrovnik Airport | 80.00 — 365.00 EUR |
Prices found in May 2022. The prices shown are an example and can be changed at any time. Please find updated prices in the search criteria on Orbit Car Hire
How Does One Way Car Rental Work?
Vacation planning is always fun especially when you know that you’re traveling by road trip instead of getting your knees crammed up in a flight. The endless open road with the wind blowing through your hair and the sound of cheerful music playing on the car radio is the ideal way to travel with loved ones.
But most people forget about the logistical side of planning a road trip and the nightmare that can ensue if you don’t dot your I’s and cross your T’s.
For instance, car-hire or luxury car renting companies impose a special fee if you drop off a car at a destination other than where you picked it up. This is to recoup the cost of returning the car back to its original destination and it’s called a one-way rental.
About the one-way rental fee
The fee incurred can be in the form of a drop-off surcharge. A round trip rental seems more viable than a one-way rental which has higher base rates but when you factor in raking up your mileage, it’s a small price to pay.
Some companies require upfront payment when you pick up the car, whereas others require payment upon its return. It’s important to note that one-way car rental fees are processed at the rental desk; hence if you’re traveling from one country to another you may end up paying in a different currency.
Some car rental companies offer the convenience of using the same credit card for all payments, while others will require a separate card for the one-way fee. Like many other red-tape barriers, there’s always a way around it if you’re smart about it.
Here are some tips on how to get low-cost car hire and stay on top of the one-way car rental fee.
Get your act together.
Decide on your pickup and drop-off destinations in advance in order to score a great deal and pay for everything upfront. The early bird catches the worm. If you divert from this plan, be prepared to pay an extra fee. Same thing if you need a bigger vehicle than a sedan. If you plan on going for a 9-passenger van rental, make sure to reserve in advance—spoiler alert: most rental services don’t typically have vehicles that big so you might need to look around a bit.
If you search thoroughly, you can find an all-inclusive bargain that will ensure you have all hands on deck. Be sure to read through the terms and conditions very carefully to avoid unwanted surprises and clauses.
Clues about your one-way car rental fee can be hidden in the terms and conditions, a separate fee on your bank statement or in the directory of cars available so pay close attention to these sections in particular.
Paying online can be a great way to ensure that there is nothing left to pay when you pick up your car, just a set of keys waiting for you to twist them into your ignition.
Stick to Plan A
If you drop the car off in a location different from what you paid for and specified, you will incur extra costs, so try and avoid doing this. The price usually varies depending on the distance and how near you were to the pickup day. There are perks to sticking to your original plan such as discounts that can be as high as 35%.
Compare and Contrast
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Use a booking website to find rates that align with your budget. Most rentals offer coupon codes which can go a long way in helping you save. Following these sites religiously also means being up to date on the patterns of how the rates fluctuate throughout the year and choosing the best time to make use of these.
A friend in need is a friend indeed
If things seem like they’re not going as planned you can always commission a “driveaway”. Apart from the fact that it sounds super cool, a driveaway comes in handy when you need someone to move a car from one location to another. This option is ideal for those who would opt for adding mileage on their own vehicle instead of renting one. As a driver, you would only pay for accommodation, food, tolls, and fuel costs above the first tank.
There are however certain requirements for this service: You should be older than 23 years, have an impeccable driving record and furnish the hefty cash deposit of a couple of hundreds which will be refunded if the car is returned in good condition. Time is still imperative as companies have a time limit of when you should deliver the car.
This means you’ll need to stick to break times, meals and sightseeing in between transit. Otherwise, you’ll be charged if you exceed your mileage allowance.
This option is apt for people who don’t mind exercising flexibility and last-minute scrambling around. If you return the car beyond the time stipulated then you should be prepared to pay the fine.
Go with the flow
Car rental companies, similar to birds, migrate their fleet to certain areas during certain seasons. The south beckons during winter and the Northern areas are more suitable for the spring. If you catch onto this wave at the right time you can take advantage of it and score a bargain rate on a one-way car rental from companies looking to move their vehicles.
The aforementioned tips are pretty helpful but you’re probably curious about how much you’re likely to spend. Well, certain one-way trips are free. For instance, some companies like Avis, Hertz, Keddy by Europcar, Budget, Enterprise, and Sixt don’t charge one-way rental fees for certain destinations.
Traveling in any country will be more comfortable with a rented car. For example, luxury car rental Monaco will give you the opportunity to see every attraction of this small country with comfort and pleasure.
Conclusion
Making your way downtown, driving fast, faces passing and being homebound doesn’t just have to be lyrics stuck in your head. With one-way car rentals, you can literally drive a thousand miles. Lack of transportation isn’t a valid excuse anymore as there are a myriad of options available for you if you do the necessary research. Of course, there’s no blanket approach to one-way rentals.
If you’re more on the flexible side, then driveaways can be your shtick. For those who are more pedantic, planning ahead, sticking to the plan and booking in advance is the way to go if you want to stay ahead of the curve.