rentalcars.com

What is Rentalcars.com

Rentalcars.com is an online platform (a car-hire broker) where you can compare and book rental cars across many providers worldwide. It operates under the legal trading name Booking.com Transport Limited, part of the group that owns Booking Holdings Inc.. (Rentalcars)
Some key facts:

  • Founded in 2004, it has grown into a major player with thousands of pick-up locations in many countries. (PitchBook)

  • On its website they claim “No hidden fees”, “Flexible rentals”, “Cancel or change most bookings for free up to 48 hours before pick-up.” (Rentalcars)

  • Their model: you book via their platform and then pick up the car from a local supplier (a car-rental company) at the destination. Rentalcars.com sits between you and the supplier.

How it works

Here’s a breakdown of the typical workflow when using Rentalcars.com:

  1. Search & compare: You enter destination, dates, pick-up/drop-off times, etc. The platform shows cars from various suppliers at a range of prices.

  2. Select & book: Choose a car, specify options (driver age, extras, insurance), pay via the site or agree to pay later at the counter depending on the offer.

  3. Receive voucher/confirmation: After booking you get a voucher or booking reference.

  4. At pickup: You go to the rental supplier (e.g., a local branch of a major brand). Present your voucher, driver licence, credit-card (commonly required). Collect the car.

  5. During rental: You may deal with fuel rules, mileage limits, insurance coverage, local taxation, border-crossing rules, deposit holds on the card.

  6. Return: Return car as per contract. If no damage, deposit hold is removed (time depends on supplier).

  7. Post-rental issues: If damage occurred or extra charges apply, you may see later claims or fees.

The site states things like “Know exactly what you’re paying” and “No hidden fees”. (Rentalcars) But that claim is where many users have raised concerns (see next section).

Where it works well

There are definite advantages to using Rentalcars.com:

  • Wide coverage: Because it aggregates many suppliers, you can compare many options in one place (cars, pick-up/drop times, locations).

  • Convenience: Particularly useful if you’re going to a destination you don’t know well. Instead of contacting each local rental company, you use one platform.

  • Price competition: Aggregators often drive down prices by showing many suppliers; you can potentially find a good deal.

  • Flexibility (depending on offer): Some bookings allow free cancellation or modification up to 48 hours before pick-up. (Rentalcars)

Also, independent review site Which? notes that for communication the service gets fairly good marks (4/5 stars) for “everything stated clearly and promptly”. (Which?)

So if everything runs smoothly (supplier honouring the reservation, no extras needed, arrival on time, conditions clear), you may get a solid experience.

Where there are problems / user complaints

Despite its usefulness, there are many complaints about Rentalcars.com. Some of the recurring issues:

  • Hidden or unexpected fees: Users report being told one price, then at pick-up paying much more (insurance, deposit holds, local taxes, fees for additional driver, etc). On Trustpilot one reviewer wrote:

    “HIDDEN COSTS on every corner … The price I ended up paying was more than THREE TIMES the amount they originally advertised.” (Trustpilot)

  • Insurance confusion: Some customers say the interface suggests you’re covered when you book, but at the pick-up desk the local supplier demands you pay for extra insurance or use their credit card deposit scheme. Example from Reddit:

    “Yes, I was also scammed by the company. They have heavy hidden fees … charged me 6× times of the booking fee when picking up the car.” (Reddit)

  • Supplier did not honour booking: Some say they booked a car, arrived and the supplier either didn’t have the car or canceled, but Rentalcars.com did not fully refund or handle it effectively. E.g., from productreview.com.au:

    “We booked a van … 24 hours before we are leaving, they explained that they can't give us what we booked. … I cannot stress strongly enough to NOT use this company.” (ProductReview.com.au)

  • Customer service issues: Which? gives Rentalcars.com/Booking.com a three-star average for customer service, noting that when things go wrong, support can be lacking. (Which?)

  • Deposit/credit card issues: Some users say debit cards were not accepted though booking allowed them; or they arrived with the correct voucher but still had problems due to mismatches or local company policies. (Reviews.io)

So the pattern: if all goes as booked, OK. But if any deviation (flight delay, supplier change, local policy, extra fees) then trouble may erupt.

Why these problems happen

Understanding the root causes helps you anticipate and avoid issues.

  • Broker model vs direct rental: Rentalcars.com is a broker, not the supplier. That means your contract is really with the local rental company (supplier) at pick-up. The platform is just the intermediary. So when issues arise at pick-up, Rentalcars.com has limited control.

  • Local supplier policies vary widely: Countries differ in rules (age limits, licence requirements, fuel policy, extra driver fees, coverage, deposit hold amounts). These might not always be clear at booking.

  • Currency, tax, deposit, insurance details may be fine-print: Base price may look low, but required local deposit, mandatory insurance, border-crossing fees etc add up.

  • Time zone/arrival delays: If you’re late (flight delay, etc) you might breach the pick-up window and the reservation may be cancelled or you may incur late fees; some users report this.

  • “No hidden fees” versus real experience: Marketing says “No hidden fees” but from many user reports, hidden/extra fees still emerge. The gap between marketing and ground-reality causes dissatisfaction.

How to use Rentalcars.com more safely

If you decide to use it, here are practical tips to reduce risk:

  • Read deeply the supplier terms shown at booking (age limits, driver licence origin, credit card vs debit card, deposit amount, border-crossing policy).

  • Check the local rental company’s own policy (sometimes booking through aggregator doesn’t override local rules).

  • Ensure the voucher shows total cost including all mandatory fees (tax, surcharge) and what you’ll still need to pay at pick-up (deposit, fuel, local insurance).

  • Use a credit card where possible (deposit-hold issues tend to be easier, cards tend to offer more protection) rather than debit. Many users report issues with debit cards.

  • Be on time for pick-up and make sure you’re communicating arrival delays to supplier; document any deviation.

  • Photograph the car before driving off (existing damage) and note the fuel level, mileage, etc to avoid disputes later.

  • Understand currency conversion or local payment practices.

  • If something changes (supplier cancellation, car unavailable, etc) contact Rentalcars.com immediately, document the incident (emails/screenshots), keep receipts.

  • Consider direct booking with local car-rental brand if you are going to a major destination or if you value full service backup; use aggregator only if cost‐benefit is clear and you’re comfortable with risk.

Verdict — is it worth using?

In summary: yes, rentalcars.com can be useful, but with caveats.

If you are well‐prepared, travelling to a location with major rental-companies, and you understand what you’re booking (and accept some risk), then you might find a good deal and convenience.

But if you are travelling somewhere less familiar, or you dislike dealing with surprises (extra fees, deposit issues, customer-service hassles), then you might prefer booking directly with a known rental supplier where you deal only with them, no intermediary.

Independent review (Which?) says that Rentalcars.com is “a solid option when hiring a car, but its customer score is still well below the top performers.” (Which?) So it is functional—but has weaker points.

Key takeaways

  • Rentalcars.com is a large global car-hire broker, part of Booking Holdings.

  • It offers wide coverage and convenience by comparing many suppliers.

  • But many users report hidden fees, deposit/insurance issues, poor support when things go wrong.

  • Because you’re dealing with an intermediary, alignment between website promise and local supplier reality can break down.

  • Use it with caution: read fine print, check supplier terms, prefer credit-card, photograph everything, arrive on time.

  • If you need maximum certainty and minimal hassle, direct booking with the rental company may sometimes be safer.

FAQ

Q: Does Rentalcars.com own the cars or rental companies?
A: No. It is a broker. You book the car via their platform, but the actual vehicle is provided by a local rental company (supplier). Rentalcars.com does not operate the fleet.

Q: If I pay via Rentalcars.com, am I covered by insurance?
A: Not necessarily fully. While you may choose to pay for options or “coverage” via the booking, the local supplier may still require you to take their own insurance, or hold a large deposit, or have stricter local conditions. Always check supplier conditions.

Q: What happens if my flight is delayed and I arrive late?
A: Depends on supplier policy. Some bookings may have a grace period; others may treat you as a no-show and cancel the booking. Review the pick-up time terms, and contact the supplier or Rentalcars.com in advance if you anticipate delays.

Q: Are there truly “no hidden fees”?
A: That’s the claim by Rentalcars.com ("No hidden fees" on their website). (Rentalcars) But user reviews suggest many felt misled by fees at pick-up. So consider that as marketing rather than guarantee.

Q: Should I use my debit card or credit card to pick up the car?
A: Credit cards are generally safer for car-rental pick-up (due to hold/deposit requirements, dispute mechanisms, card issuer protections). Many users report problems when using a debit card. Check supplier policy for the specific location.

Q: If something goes wrong, is Rentalcars.com helpful?
A: The service’s performance here is variable. Some users report good outcomes; others say that when the supplier misbehaves, Rentalcars.com offers little help or shifts responsibility. Independent review gave customer service 3/5 stars. (Which?)

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