What do I need to know about picking up a rental car?

Important facts described briefly below:

Please note that the renter/main driver must carry the following original documents with him when picking up the vehicle:

• Your rental car voucher (printed)
• Your original driver's license (if necessary additionally with an international driver's license)
• Identity card or passport
• Your credit card to pay the deposit (PIN code may be required)

Attention: The credit card must be issued in the name of the main driver. Pre-paid, Electron, and Debit credit cards are not accepted for the deposit on-site.

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You have booked a rental car and are looking forward to your trip. To ensure that everything runs smoothly when you go to pick up your rental car, you should pay attention to a few points. Below we explain to you, which documents you need, and how to pick up your vehicle.

Rental car pickup: Where is the pickup location?

When you make your booking, you determine where you will pick up the rental car. This can either be at a branch of the car rental company or an agreed location. Many rental companies offer to bring the car to the airport or the train station. With some suppliers, it is also possible to have a rental car brought to your hotel.

What do I have to consider regarding the pickup time?

At the time of booking, it is determined when you pick up the rental car. An exact pickup time should be specified. When traveling by air, there may be flight cancellations or delays. Therefore, it is advisable to indicate your flight number when booking. This makes it easier for the local car rental company to prepare for a possible delay.

Tip: In the case of any delay, you have to contact the car rental company (the phone number can be found on your car rental voucher) to inform them about the delayed pickup of the rental car. Otherwise, you may no longer be entitled to the car. Whether the rental car is held for you in the case of a delay is up to the rental company.

What should I know about hotel delivery?

If you wish to have the rental car picked up at a hotel, an additional fee may be charged. This varies depending on the country, season, and car rental. You should also note that the term, “hotel delivery” can be interpreted differently. What is meant depends on the car rental company and the country. It does not always mean that the car will be brought to your hotel. It may also mean that you will be picked up at the hotel and taken to the pickup station. You can usually find more details about hotel delivery in the respective offer, or you can ask our customer service.

What documents do I need to collect my rental car?

You will need your reservation confirmation and your driver's license. Depending on the country you are traveling to, an international driver's license may be required. You should also have your identity card or passport with you. To pay the deposit for the rental car, you need a credit card. You should have your voucher in printed form.

Tip: Before you sign the contract, you should compare whether all data from the online booking has been transferred correctly.

Car rental pickup: What do I have to pay attention to when signing the rental contract?

Make sure that the contract includes all the services and insurance you require and agreed upon. Check whether the location for the car rental pickup and return is correctly entered. Also, check the times at which you can return the rental car.

• What are the regulations for filling up the fuel tank in the rental car?
• How much is the deposit?
• Have extra services been added?

Read everything at your leisure and check whether everything in the contract corresponds to the online booking.

What do I have to pay attention to when receiving the car?

Check if the rental car has any damage. Damages must be previously listed. If this is not yet the case when you pick up the car, you must insist that a list is made on-site.

Will the operation of the rental car be explained to me?

If you wish, you can ask a member of staff at the station to do so. They will then explain how the vehicle works, and what you should pay attention to when using it.

Is there an upgrade?

Many car rental companies offer upgrades. There are free upgrades and paid upgrades. With the free option, you get a higher-class rental car at no additional cost if the model you booked is not available. If you notice on the spot that you would rather have a different vehicle, you can ask for a paid upgrade.