When in an unfamiliar region like Alicante in Spain, most travelers want to have the flexibility to see as much of the area as possible in one trip. You never know when you might get the opportunity to return. That means creating your own itinerary and navigating the city at leisure, which would require a rental car. 

Before departing for your holiday, familiarizing yourself with car rental guidelines is wise. Please visit leiebilguiden.no/spania/alicante/ for rental details to start you on your journey. You want to avoid making costly mistakes if you can. 

Each rental agency is unique in its rules and regulations. Comparing options is a vital step to ensure the most value for the price and quality, expertise, and optimal customer support. 

Guidelines to Prevent Costly Mistakes with Car Rental in Alicante 

Before heading to an unfamiliar country for an extraordinary travel experience, the trip’s logistics should be worked out so the holiday can start upon arrival. That means becoming familiar with car rental rules and booking the scheduled dates. 

A priority is avoiding mistakes that can end up costing tremendously and depleting funds set aside for fun. Here are some common tips and mistakes even seasoned travelers can make when renting a car for their travels. 

Not considering insurance for the rental 

One of the most common mistakes is not considering insurance needs for the rented auto. The credit card you use for the holiday will often have some insurance specifically for rented vehicles, but not always. It’s important to confirm these details before departing for the trip. 

Read the credit card agreement and reach out to the issuer to learn what the policy covers so you can supplement with extra coverage to avoid tremendous costs if there’s an accident or incident resulting in even the slightest damage to the car. 

Considering the circumstances, the risks of an incident are far greater than they would be if you were in your natural environment. Motorists in another country could be more aggressive with little concern that you’re in a rental car or about having an accident. 

Refill The fuel tank before returning the auto

Finding a fuel station before heading to the rental agency to return the car is critical. Rental agencies expect that the vehicle will be returned to them with the same level of fuel that the car had when it left the lot. If the vehicle comes back empty, the agency will tack on added fees for refilling the tank; these are substantial. 

The agency is forthright about the expense in the agreement signed upon renting an auto. They explain the policy before the contract is signed, making it abundantly clear that the tank needs to be filled before the car is returned. Many people make the mistake of waiting a little too long to get to the airport. 

Combine that with the difficulty of finding a station, and the car goes back without being filled. Two things to help the situation are paying attention to fuel stations when you arrive and leaving early when departing to allow plenty of time to fuel up. 

Avoiding coupons/discounts is a mistake 

When renting a vehicle, numerous discounts are made available to consumers, the most prominent being a “discount/budget booking tool” to assist with searching for a rental. You have the option of comparing prices directly through agency websites or using a tool that will allow considerable savings. 

In that same vein, banks, and credit card issuers, even AAA offer clients discount codes when planning a trip and scheduling a car rental. These perks will often include some of the additional features. 

The car rental agencies sometimes provide promotion codes online directly from their companies. It can benefit you to search before booking to find these coupons to get the best deal. 

Remember, when using a booking tool, you won’t get additional perks through the rental agency. It’s worth weighing the advantages against the downsides to see which would be better. 

Avoiding the rental agency club 

Money-saving perks and benefits will be something you lose out on if you avoid the rental agency club program. A primary benefit is the ability to pass through the long lines and go directly to your vehicle. 

Some agencies have “Gold” reward programs that allow clients to skip the counter, search for their vehicle location on a posted board and drive away without the long wait. These agencies offer point programs that accumulate to be used for future car renting, added features, upgrades, and more at no cost. 

Travelers need to check with their chosen agency since most have reward programs. Sometimes, the discounts, perks, and benefits you receive through an agency’s reward program outweigh any you’ll find with any other platform. 

The navigation system and additional features   

Some features provided by the car rental agency are offered for individuals who might not have access to another option and are genuinely beneficial in those cases, especially in another country where these items might be difficult to find. 

For instance, the GPS navigation system, when you’re in a new city like Alicante, trying to navigate an unfamiliar vehicle and read roadway signs that may or may not be familiar to that of your home country, a GPS can offer incredible peace of mind. It lets you know you’re going the right way to avoid getting lost. 

There are, of course, options for the average person who might have a mobile phone if you have a SIM card or can download international maps before arriving; however, some people find the GPS a more convenient and accurate option.  

In that same vein, travelers often prefer to use the rental car agency’s child safety seat instead of lugging one along from home and enjoy the addition of satellite radio while road-tripping through a new city. 

Many seasoned travelers believe the added features to be mistakes that unknowing newbies make the first few times they take trips. 

The reason is primarily because the costs can be substantial when traveling for a week or more since the charges accumulate daily. Still, many other travelers view these as conveniences and prefer to take advantage of their availability. It all depends on your personal preferences.

Pay attention to existing damages to the vehicle 

Before driving the car off the lot, it’s essential to inspect the vehicle with the agency’s associate to document any existing damages. The company offers a form with a diagram of the car where any damage can be listed, along with time-stamped photos. 

Taking these steps will ensure that you won’t be held responsible for the damage that was there before you took possession. When returning the car, you can repeat the same inspection, comparing the diagram with the vehicle to note the possibility of new damage. 

If you had an incident or accident, this is the time to disclose those details with the staff member. 

Final Thought 

When traveling to Alicante in Spain or any country, it’s imperative to take note of that country and city’s specific car rental rules and regulations. Some have particular guidelines for which rental companies or insurance carriers are not responsible. 

In Italy, there is a $5 road tax charge per day. Some countries expect $10 each day for an environmental fee. You might also see a $20 mandatory charge daily for theft protection. 

If you want to cross a border in a rental car, the charges can be exorbitant. For instance, going from Portugal to Spain is roughly $650. Read here for the dos and don’ts of driving in Spain. 

All said every country has specific regulations for car rentals. Before taking a rental in a new country, become familiar with the guidelines, so you’re not caught by surprise.