• Aug 17, 2023
• / by admin

Do You Pay For a Rental Car Before or After: Rent Cars Better

Car rental has evolved the world of transportation, making traveling more affordable and luxurious. No matter if you need an SUV van, a sports car, an economy four-wheeler, or a small truck, there are no bounds to what you can't rent. Car rental companies like Bon Voyage provide their clients with numerous choices in every genre.

If you book rental cars frequently, then you must have mastered the art of car renting. However, if it's from your first few times, there must be a lot of questions in your mind. The primary question we have found in car renters' minds is, "Do you pay for a rental car before or after." Well, if you are also looking for an answer to this, let's find it out together. 

When Do You Pay For A Rental Car? 

Generally, in most traditional companies, you have to pay before you pick the car. But, this usually depends from company to company. 

When we talk about renting cars, we usually see two industries that seem similar but are far apart. Yes, we are talking about car rental and car-sharing industries. Same as the car rental industry, the car-sharing industry also provides car rental services, but the timeline & payment options are different. So, if you are thinking about when to pay for a rental car, you should first consider which company you have to rent the vehicle from. It is because most companies in a specific industry have the same payment method. 

Typically, in the car rental industry, you have to pay before you pick the vehicle. Also, you have to pay the security deposit when making vehicle payments. Ensure you have reserved the car a few hours or days before you pick the car.

Why Is It Important To Reserve A Car? 

Reserving a vehicle before is essential because you want the rental company to know which car you have chosen so that they make sure of the availability of the car when you pick it up in person. And to utilize your time in the best way, you can book the car online by visiting the company's website, or if you want to see it in person, go to the car rental location.

Also Read: What Happens If Your Rental Car is Reported Stolen?

No Guarantee Of Getting The Car Available

The car rental industry is not like the car-sharing industry because, in the car rental industry, you don't have to pay at the time of reservation. Since you are not paying, there is no guarantee you will get the car you reserved. It means the car you choose on the website of a car rental company may be the car that will not be available at the time of picking. It depends on the pickup location and the availability of the vehicle. 

Get A Wide Range Of Options

You may wonder if rental companies are waiting for you with endless cars from which you can choose your favorite. But think twice. During busy days, like holidays or summer, it is common for rental companies to have limited options to choose from. Are you the person who only rents a fresh car at the rental counter? You have done it, right?

However, if you want to rent a car like a sports car, a car with four-wheel drive, or a minivan, of course, you have to book the car in advance to ensure the company has it available on the due date. If you think rental cars have unlimited fleets, you misunderstood that. Generally, car rental companies tend to have fewer unique vehicles. So book the car in advance to make sure you choose from a good selection and get the best car to make your trip memorable. 

How Much Is The Security Deposit For Car Rental, And When You Have To Pay?

A Security Deposit is an extra cost that the car rental company keeps as a backup if you cause any damage, accident, dent, or violation to the rental car. 

The fee could be between $200 to $1000, depending on some factors, including:  

• Car type
• How long is the rental period 
• Location of your rental and more! 

When you pay the actual amount of your rental car simultaneously, you have to pay the security deposit. Remember that this fee will not be deducted from your account, but they put it on hold instead. 

Note:- The security deposit will not be debited from your account, as they just put it on hold. But in case there is any damage, violation, or accident caused to the rental car, from the security amount, they will debit the extra cost and return the rest of the amount when the rental period is over. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

What happens when you pay before for a rental car?

Not every car rental company offers a prepaid or "Pay Now" option, and generally not on every vehicle. And when the company has this option available, you will typically get a price 5% to 15% lower than the actual rate. By paying before, you confirm to the car rental company that you will show up for the car.  

How much does a car rental company hold on a credit card?

Many car rental companies require a credit card hold of approximately $200. In some cases, they may request a hold on the actual rental charges if they exceed $200. The credit card hold may depend on the percentage calculation of the rental costs.