This article outlines the basic steps to take when returning a car rental. These suggestions and tips will allow you to save time and prevent any extra fees. We’ll begin by answering the most frequently asked questions and guide you step-by-step on the process of returning a rental vehicle.
This guide can also answer any queries you may have about return flights for car rentals at airports. Some important points can be used in any circumstance!
Let’s begin by answering a few commonly asked queries…
How Long Does It Take To Return A Rental Car?
If you are in contact with an agent from the business, returning the rental car typically takes about 10 minutes. This allows the agent to look over the vehicle and fill out a return form for the rental car. You must provide the agent with your keys and then go your way. If you’re using an option to drop your keys, it takes only two seconds to retrieve the car.
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Can Someone Else Return My Rental Car?
A different person can return the rental car If they are the named driver on the rental agreement. If that isn’t the scenario, get in touch with the rental company to ask for an amendment to the agreement. It could result in an administration cost, so only do it in the event of need. This is required for the other driver to be covered by the insurance for the automobile.
Should Clean Rental Car Before Returning It?
There is no need to wash the exterior of your car rental before returning it. There will be cleaning facilities available at the rental office that they utilize to prepare the car for the next client. It’s essential to clean the vehicle’s interior since a failure to do this could result in a valeting or cleaning charge. The most common causes for being charged are sand, upholstery stain, and smoking.
How To Return A Rental Car Step-By-Step
This is a step-by-step procedure for returning the rental vehicle. Also, you can follow these suggestions if leaving the rental car on the way to the airport.
Check the drop off location and determine your route
Typically, you leave your rental vehicle at the exact location where you collected it. Make time to think about your route for the last day of the rental and set the appropriate time for departure.
Also, be aware of possible traffic conditions and the necessity of stopping at the gas station before dropping off.
Clean the interior of your car
The day you return from your rental, make sure you take away any trash in the car’s interior. The car must be returned in a decent state of order. If there’s a lot of material inside the vehicle, you’ll have to clean it before leaving it. It is not necessary to clean your car’s exterior in this case since the rental company will perform it.
Your belongings into your luggage
It’s best to load your bags completely at the end of the day or the night. This eliminates the stress of trying to squeeze everything into the drop-off point at the shortest notice. If you are leaving for the airport or going to your drop-off point, it’s good to be able to clean your car inside.
Place all the essential items into a backpack to make it easy to ensure that you’ve not forgotten any of the essential items. This will ease the stress when you drop the car off.
Make sure to refuel the car before dropping it off
Most rental policies require a full-to-full contract. It means that you receive the vehicle with a full fuel tank. You will need to fill it up before returning the vehicle. To avoid paying more for gas:
- Fill up the tank with a low-cost gas station close to the drop-off spot.
- Avoid airport gas stations.
- Utilize an app such as Gas Buddy to find cheap stations close to you.
Be sure to look for signs as you approach the drop-off area
Most of the time, an app like Google Maps or Waze will suffice to lead you to the right spot. It is possible to do this when you drop off at the exact location you picked up your luggage from.
If you’re unsure about the location, search for signs while nearby. If you’re leaving at a new address, adding 15 minutes to your schedule to accommodate having to search for the location is recommended.
Meet at the drop-off area and search for an agent
At the drop-off area, search for a representative from the rental car business. They’ll typically inspect your vehicle. You should request a copy of the inspection report with your signature to prove that you returned the car in a good state.
This is the primary evidence you will need if any unexpected charges or difficulties are getting your money back.
If there’s no agent available, look for the key dropbox
Many rental car rental companies have key drop boxes that let you leave the vehicle rental without speaking to the agent. They are typically situated near the offices of the business.
Before putting the keys in the lockbox, ensure that you’ve thoroughly checked all the items you have left in the vehicle and secured them.
Photograph the vehicle
After you have dropped off your vehicle, take a few photos of the car. This will ensure that you’re not found guilty of causing damage to the car that you did not cause. Photographs should illustrate the exact whereabouts of the vehicle and reference points in the background to prove that it’s located in the location of the drop-off.
In addition, to complete the process, you can send the photos to yourself for an official record. Make sure to take a picture of the gauge on your gas tank to show that you left the vehicle with a full tank.
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Review your account statement in the future
It is important to review your credit card bill shortly to ensure there aren’t any unexpected charges. You likely paid an initial deposit to rent the car, so it’s important to ensure there are no charges and there aren’t any charges you didn’t know about.
We’ve got you covered if you’re thinking of hiring a car to go on your next road trip. You have written a complete article about that!
Returning A Rental Car To The Airport
If you’re looking to return a car rental at the airport, think about other things. Gas prices tend to be higher near airports So, try filling with gas about 10 miles away for the lowest price. Be sure to know where the drop-off area is ahead of time.
If the car you are renting is dirty or has any damage, be sure you arrive sooner than normal. Do not be pressured to make your flight if it is likely to require a lengthy chat with the company’s representative.
Off-Site Rental Car Return
Most rental car rental companies have a place located a short distance far from where the terminal is. Use Google Maps to check the place of the drop-off location concerning the terminal that you will be leaving from.
Numerous companies offer a complimentary shuttle bus service from the drop-off point to the terminal at the airport.
However, you must allow a minimum of 30 minutes for this. If you plan to be at the airport two hours before your flight departure, you should arrive at the drop-off point 2 hours and 40 minutes before your departure time. This will allow you an additional 10 minutes to drop the car off before getting on the shuttle bus.
On-Site Rental Car Return
In some instances, the car rental company is operating from the terminal. There might be a car park on the premises where drop-off and exchange occur. If that’s the case, then you will need to arrive two 1 hour 10 minutes before the time you leave for your flight.
Returning A Rental Car FAQs
Can I return my rental car dirty?
It is possible to return a rental vehicle with a filthy exterior. When your car’s interior is deemed dirty, you have assessed a cleaning charge by the rental company. The main reasons for a valeting cost to be imposed include stains on upholstery, sand on the vehicle, or smoking in the vehicle. The cost can be up to 400 dollars in the US. Be sure to avoid eating or drinking in the vehicle to keep it as clean as possible.
Do you need to vacuum the car you are renting before returning it?
Before returning the rental vehicle, especially if there’s substantial material within the interior and especially around the seats, car rental companies may charge an additional cleaning charge when the car is filthy. If you’ve been eating in the car and drinking or have dust in your car, you must think about cleaning.
What is the best way to return your rental car if there is no office?
If you’re looking to return your rental vehicle when the office is closed, inquire with the rental agency to find out if they offer an option to drop off keys. This involves dropping the rental car off at a particular location and dropping the keys in an enclosed box. Always take pictures to document the car’s overall condition before you leave.
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Do Ineed to return the vehicle with a full tank?
Car rental firms typically enforce an agreement that requires you to return the car with an empty gas tank. Review the fuel policy in the rental contract to ensure that it’s a full-to-full arrangement. The rental company will always verify the fuel level in the vehicle at the time of return, so make sure you refill the tank before you leave to avoid being charged.
What happens if you return your rental vehicle without fuel?
Go through your rental agreement to verify the fuel policy in place. The majority of companies have a full-to-full policy, which requires that you return the rental vehicle with an empty gas tank. If you return the car with no gas, it will result in a cost by the company that is usually higher than the price at the local pump. The best option is to return the vehicle using the exact amount of fuel you used when you bought it.
