Book a rental car direct, on a comparison site or with an agency?

First things first: the car is the same

Whichever way you choose, you pick up the car at the counter of the same rental company (Hertz, Avis, Sixt, Alamo, Europcar and the rest). And the same rules apply in all three cases:

• A credit card in the driver's name, a valid physical driving licence and a passport.
• The rental company places a security deposit hold on your card.
• The car category is guaranteed, not the exact model.
• You pay fines and tolls, even if they arrive after your trip.

What changes is who puts the price together, what it includes, how you pay and who you contact if something goes wrong.

1. Direct with the rental company

Pros

• You deal directly with the company that gives you the car.
• If you travel often, you earn points and perks from its loyalty program.
• They sometimes run their own promotions.

Cons

• Each website shows only its own brand: to compare, you have to visit several.
• The website price does not always include all the insurance; it is often offered at the counter, once you are already there.
• Support is usually in English or the local language, and you pay by card in a foreign currency.

2. Comparison or search site (Kayak, Rentalcars, Rentcars and others)

Pros

• You see many rental companies and prices in a few minutes.
• You book instantly, at any time.
• If you know exactly what you want, it is fast.

Cons

• The lowest price on the list sometimes does not include everything: insurance, an additional driver or a one-way drop-off are paid separately.
• Some comparison sites sell their own protection, which is not the rental company's insurance. If there is damage, the rental company charges you and you then claim a refund from the comparison site.
• Some, like Kayak, are search engines: they send you to another website to book, and your booking is with that other company.
• If something goes wrong at the counter, the rental company may ask you to take it up with whoever sold you the booking.
• Nobody checks whether the category suits you (for example, four people with four suitcases in a compact car).

3. With an agency like CarzRental

Pros

• A person prepares your quote, looks at your trip and recommends the category that suits you.
• A clear final price before you book: almost always with insurance, taxes and unlimited mileage included. If a rate does not include them, we tell you beforehand.
• You pay by bank transfer or with a card payment link.
• We answer on WhatsApp in Spanish, English, Portuguese and Hebrew, also during your trip.
• The quote is 100% free, with no commitment.
• Clear cancellation: 48 hours or more before pick-up, we refund everything minus a USD 50 fee; with less than 48 hours, 50%; if you do not show up, there is no refund.

Cons

• It is not instant: a person prepares your quote and that takes a little while.
• We do not have our own counter. The rental company hands you the car, and the service at the counter, the inspection and any charges at the destination depend on it. If something happens, message us and we will help you sort it out.
• We do not promise the lowest price on the market. We promise a clear final price, with no surprises.

Which one suits you?

• Direct with the rental company, if you travel often, have points with one company, are comfortable with the language and know which insurance you need.
• A comparison site, if you know exactly what you want, have a card to pay in a foreign currency and take the time to read what each rate includes.
• An agency, if it is your first time driving in that country, you want the final price settled before you travel, you prefer to pay by bank transfer, or you want someone to answer you in your language during the trip.

Before you book, check this (anywhere)

1. Which insurance is included and whether there is an excess.
2. Whether taxes and airport fees are included.
3. Whether mileage is unlimited.
4. The fuel policy (full to full is the most common).
5. How much an additional driver and the under-25 surcharge cost.
6. If you return the car somewhere else, how much the fee is.
7. What happens if you cancel.