General Rental Guidelines
Terms and conditions
1. The elements detailed below are merely informative and only represent the set of information, rules and obligations commonly required by rental companies.
2. Each rental company has its own particularities in the contract, which is why it is important to read it carefully before signing it at the time of opening.
3. BookingCars is not responsible for any changes and/or requirements made without prior notice by the rental companies. Any questions regarding these procedures and requirements must be submitted in advance, as they could prevent the rental agreement from being opened.
4. Rental Agreement: The rental agreement outlines the terms, rules, rights, and obligations between the rental company and the renter regarding the contracted services. The rental company will present the agreement to the renter on the day of vehicle pickup, and it is the renter's responsibility to carefully read its clauses. Some rental companies may offer the rental agreement in their native language. It is the renter's responsibility to inquire about its availability before signing.
5. Minimum Customer/Driver Age: 25 years. Drivers with a valid driver's license and between 21 and 24 years of age will be subject to additional fees from the rental company. Specific age limits may apply for some countries or vehicle categories. Consult our experts for more information.
6. Driver's License: The renter must present the rental company with a valid physical copy of their national driver's license, valid for the entire rental period. The driver may only rent vehicles of the categories authorized by their license. In some cases, an International Driving Permit must also be presented along with the driver's license from the country of origin. Rental companies may require that the driver's license be held for a minimum of 3 months or more, according to their internal policies.
7. Passport: The lessee must present to the rental company the passport from the same country as the original and valid Driver's License for the opening of the rental contract.
8. Credit Card for Security Deposit: The renter must present the rental company with a valid international credit card in their name with sufficient available credit for the security deposit (the name must be printed on the card, as well as the 16 digits. Cards without a printed name will not be accepted). Third-party credit cards, prepaid credit cards, or cards not authorized for international transactions will not be accepted. Credit card acceptance will be at the rental company's discretion at the time of signing the rental agreement. The security deposit varies according to the vehicle group rented and the rental period and may be retained by the rental company in case of a breakdown of the rented vehicle or for payment of optional services contracted directly at the company's counter.
9. Restrictions: Rental companies reserve the right to require more than one specific credit card with available credit in order to allow the rental of certain vehicle categories. These restrictions apply at different locations, so we recommend that you check with the company for more information.
10. Booking Confirmation Document (voucher): The voucher serves as your vehicle reservation guarantee with the rental company and must be presented in printed form when the rental agreement is opened. This document contains the essential booking details (name of the holder, confirmation number, dates, etc.), which must match the rental company's records in full. Failure to present the voucher may prevent you from using the contracted service and will also result in the forfeiture of the prepaid amount. It is important to note that this document cannot be modified or edited by the renter under any circumstances, as any alteration may invalidate the booking.
11. Currency: The value of the pre-paid reservation in your country of origin is normally expressed in local currency converted according to the exchange rate of the day since the original currency of the fee is in US Dollars (USD).
12. Payment of Fees and Additional Optional Items: Any additional services, products, or accessories contracted by the renter with the rental company on the day the rental agreement is opened or during the rental period are the renter's responsibility, and payment of these fees must be made directly at the rental office. Once the contract has been signed and the rental period has begun, any additional optional services cannot be canceled and will not be refunded.
13. No Smoking: Smoking is prohibited inside the rental vehicle. A fine may be applied; the amount varies between rental companies and can therefore only be confirmed at your destination.
15. Vehicle Return: Failure to return the vehicle on the date specified in the Booking Confirmation Document (voucher) will constitute misappropriation and may result in a search and arrest warrant, as well as other civil and criminal penalties. The vehicle must be returned exclusively to the office and location indicated on the voucher. Changing the return location is not permitted without the prior express authorization of the rental company. Returning the vehicle to a different office without authorization may result in additional charges, penalties, and/or legal action by the rental company.
16. Vehicle Collection Deadline: The rental company guarantees vehicle availability until the shorter of the following: 29 minutes after the agreed collection time or until the corresponding office's closing time. If the renter does not arrive within this period, the reservation will be automatically canceled by the system as a no-show, resulting in the loss of the right to use the service and no refund of the amount previously paid. The rental company may also apply penalties for late arrival, according to its business policies. In case of delays of any kind—including, but not limited to, flight delays, flight rescheduling, or overbooking—the renter must inform the rental office indicated on the Booking Confirmation (voucher) directly, using the contact number provided. If the office cannot be contacted, it is recommended to immediately contact the support team to assess the possibility of rescheduling the collection time. It is important to note that any modification of the original schedule may imply an update in the previously contracted rate, the difference of which must be assumed by the lessee.
17. Vehicle Return Deadline: The renter must return the vehicle to the rental company on the date, at the time, and at the location specified in the rental agreement. After the agreed-upon return time, the rental company reserves the right to adjust the reservation price by adding penalties and/or additional fees based on the rates already stated at the counter. We suggest you go to the rental office to return the vehicle at least four hours before your departure. This will ensure sufficient time to complete the rental agreement and return to the airport.
18. Rental Office Opening Hours: The office opening hours may change without prior notice. In the event of pick-up or drop-off on a date, time, or location different from that specified in the rental agreement, the responsibility for verifying availability with the rental office or BookingCars will fall on the renter.
19. Extending the Return Date: Should the renter need to extend the vehicle return date, they must notify the corresponding rental office in advance. All extension requests must be duly authorized by the rental company and are subject to vehicle availability and any changes to the previously agreed-upon rates. The contract extension cannot be unilaterally authorized by the renter and will only be valid once confirmed by the rental company. Failure to provide this prior notice may result in penalties and additional charges, in accordance with the rental company's current policies.
20. Delivery or Shuttle Service: To use the delivery or shuttle service, the renter must provide their flight number and airline in advance. These services will only be provided by car rental offices located outside the airport complex. Failure to provide this information may result in the cancellation of the reservation by the rental company without prior notice.
21. Optional Services and Accessories: The lessee may request, directly at the rental office at the time of vehicle collection, optional services and accessories, such as:
These services are subject to availability and the commercial policies of each rental company. All optional services and accessories incur an additional cost, which will be communicated by the rental company at the time of signing the contract and must be paid upon arrival. Once accepted and incorporated into the rental agreement signed upon arrival, these services and accessories are non-refundable.
22. Additional Driver: The addition of an additional driver must be arranged at the time the rental agreement is opened. This driver must be physically present at the time of signing the agreement and will be subject to the same conditions and requirements as the primary renter. The additional driver may not be responsible for picking up the vehicle or act as the reservation holder under any circumstances. Furthermore, they must be at least 25 years old, without exception. Rental companies do not accept additional drivers under 25 years of age, even if an additional young driver surcharge is paid, as this exception does not apply to this role.
23. Vehicle Group: Vehicles will be reserved by GROUP and cannot be guaranteed based on make, year, model, color, license plate, or configuration. Models may vary without prior notice during fleet renewal by the rental company. Luggage capacity is merely indicative and may be reduced depending on the number of passengers and the quantity and size of luggage to be transported. If the number of passengers and/or luggage exceeds the capacity of the rented vehicle, BookingCars is not responsible for the reservation being denied or for additional charges for upgrading the vehicle category. It is common to be offered an upgrade at an additional cost upon vehicle pick-up. If the upgrade is accepted by the renter, the prepaid amount will be used as part of the payment, and the difference will be charged directly to the renter's credit card.
24. Return/One-Way Fee: This fee is charged when the vehicle is returned to a different location than where it was picked up. It is necessary to check beforehand which locations allow this option, and the fee must be paid directly to the rental company. When the vehicle is returned to a rental office other than the one specified in the rental agreement, in addition to the return fee, the rental company may charge an additional fee for what is considered a 'breach of contract'. The rental company may accept or refuse the return to a different location without prior negotiation.
25. Border Restrictions: Rental companies reserve the right to restrict or apply additional charges for crossing borders between states or countries with their vehicles. This condition varies depending on the rental company, the destination, and the vehicle category reserved. It is the renter's responsibility to inform the rental company in advance of their itinerary if they plan to cross a border. Additionally, some rental companies may require additional documentation to authorize this type of travel, such as:
Failure to comply with these requirements may prevent the rental company from authorizing the border crossing.
26. Additional Expenses: Any additional expenses not shown on the voucher will be charged directly by the car rental company to the renter, using the credit card used for the security deposit hold. Examples of additional expenses include: traffic fines, damage or breakdowns to the vehicle not covered, fuel, tolls, optional damage coverage, and services and accessories purchased directly at the rental office. Other additional expenses may apply at the discretion of the rental company.
27. Traffic Fines: Payment to the responsible authority in the country and any civil and criminal liability related to traffic fines will be the sole responsibility of the renter. The car rental company may reserve the right to mediate and/or advance payments, which will be subsequently collected from the renter, and in which case the rental company may also charge administrative fees.
28. Early Return of Vehicle: No refunds are issued for unused rental days.
29. Price Updates: The reservation prices are based on the information contained in the voucher. Prices may be modified when: a) Itinerary, group, service, or reservation information changes; b) Optional services and items are added or removed; c) Additional charges are added by the rental company that were not calculated at the time of booking or shown on the voucher; d) The rental car company alters the rates payable on arrival. If you disagree with the recalculated prices shown in the contract, you may dispute them directly with the rental company. The customer's signature on the contract will be interpreted as an agreement between the parties, and any additional costs cannot be disputed afterward.
30. Vehicle Inspection: When offered by the rental company, the renter is advised to actively participate in the vehicle inspection upon pick-up. It is essential to verify and record the vehicle's general condition, including cleanliness, hygiene, state of repair, and the presence of any visible damage, scratches, dents, or other defects. If the renter is not satisfied with the vehicle's condition upon pickup, they must immediately inform the rental office staff to formally document the issue or, if necessary, request a replacement vehicle. Additionally, it is recommended to take photographs or videos of the vehicle at the time of pickup, including both exterior and interior shots, as documentation in case of any discrepancies upon return. The rental office is authorized to charge for any damage, breakdowns, or deterioration incurred during the rental period, as well as for cleaning and disinfection services, if the vehicle is returned in a condition that does not match its original condition. These charges will be applied according to the table of values established by the rental company.
31. Vehicle Documents and Safety Items: Check the vehicle documentation and the existence of the following safety items at the time of vehicle collection: spare tire, jack, cross wrench, warning triangles and the fuel tank level.
32. Fuel and Refueling: The vehicle will be delivered to the renter with a certain amount of fuel, generally a full tank, and must be returned in the same condition. If the vehicle is returned with a lower fuel level than when received, a refueling charge will be applied according to the current price list, available at the rental company counter. This charge will only be waived if this condition is expressly included in the contract or if the service was purchased at the rental location at the time the rental agreement was opened (Fuel Option or similar). To avoid any disputes upon return of the vehicle, it is recommended to refuel immediately before delivery, ideally within a 5 km radius of the return office, and to keep the fuel receipt. If paying by credit card, it is suggested that the card be in the name of the reservation holder, as this receipt will also be considered valid as proof of purchase in case of claims or discrepancies in the fuel level.
33. Items Not Covered by Damage/Mandatory Insurance: The renter is subject to the terms and conditions of the rental agreement with the rental company. As a general rule, damage coverage does not include, but is not limited to, the following: accessories, damaged tires, damaged rims, suspension damage due to potholes or impacts, cracks in the windshield, damage caused by flooding or any other natural disaster, and loss of or damage to the vehicle key and/or documentation. These items may vary between rental companies and must be confirmed at the time of vehicle pick-up. Carefully check the details of the vehicle damage coverage available in your booking. If you are interested in purchasing additional damage coverage or have any concerns about the terms presented, please contact BookingCars. BookingCars is not responsible for the loss of vehicle coverage due to driving by unauthorized persons, driving under the influence of alcohol/drugs, or failure to comply with applicable traffic regulations.
34. Co-participation and/or deductible amounts: Where applicable, the co-participation and/or deductible amounts and rates will be specified in the rental agreement. In the event of breakdowns or damage to the vehicle, the rental company will charge the customer directly. In addition to these charges, the rental company may also charge for the period the vehicle is out of service for maintenance. Please inquire about how these charges work when you sign the rental agreement, as each company has its own specific procedures.
35. Traffic Accidents: In the event of an accident, theft, or damage to the rented vehicle, it is essential that the renter immediately notify the car rental company and file the corresponding police report. The renter must complete the car rental company's accident report form within 24 hours.
36. Cancellation: The customer must contact BookingCars to request cancellation of their reservation before the scheduled vehicle pick-up date and time. Once canceled, the reservation cannot be used. Reservations can be cancelled free of charge up to 24 hours before the scheduled pick-up date and time. Cancellations made between 24 and 12 hours before the scheduled pick-up time will incur a 50% penalty. Cancellations made less than 12 hours before the scheduled pick-up time will incur a 100% penalty. If the reservation is cancelled by the rental company due to the customer's failure to meet the minimum requirements (minimum age, valid driver's license, valid passport, valid credit card for the security deposit in the driver's name, printed voucher, etc.), or if the customer fails to pick up the vehicle for any reason, the penalty will be 100%.
37. Reservation Modifications: The request to change your reservation request will be subject to a pre-analysis of vehicle availability and an update of values based on the current rate table and the currency exchange rate at the time of the modification request, which may be different from the one used in the pre-payment of the reservation.
38. Duplicate Booking: The rental company may prevent the same person from opening more than one rental agreement for the same period. Therefore, if you need to make two bookings under the same name, we recommend contacting BookingCars for advice.
39. No-Show: A 100% penalty will be charged if the passenger does not appear on the day the contract is opened.
40. Vehicle Availability: BookingCars is not responsible for the rental company's failure to meet its obligations regarding vehicle availability. It is the renter's responsibility to inform BookingCars of any difficulties encountered by the rental company at the time of signing the rental agreement or picking up the vehicle. BookingCars cannot be held liable for any loss, alteration, cancellation, or delay due to force majeure, including airline disruptions, civil unrest, natural disasters, and other similar events.
41. Non-Compliance with Rental Requirements: The rental company may refuse to open a rental agreement to any person who does not meet the requirements established by the company, or who is deemed incapable of driving a vehicle.
42. Reservation ownership: the reservation confirmation document (voucher) is individual and non-transferable.
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