Although many people consider that renting a car is one of the most expensive ways to get around, the reality is that it doesn't have to be that way. If you choose wisely, it can be even more economical than other options, as well as much more comfortable and safer. However, choosing the wrong rental company not only guarantees a bad experience, but also excessive costs. For those who are planning a trip, finding a reliable option of 
Car Rentals in Guadalajara can significantly enhance your travel experience, offering both savings and convenience.

In this article we will tell you in detail the points to take into account before booking. Although what we will tell you can be applied to any city in the country, here we will talk in particular about car rentals in Guadalajara. In addition, we will give you some keys to identify unethical strategies by some companies, which will help you avoid scams or bad experiences. With our advice and a little research on your part, we assure you that you will be able to enjoy your vacation to the fullest aboard a car rental in Guadalajara. car for rent in Guadalajara. 

Cheap is expensive: Identify the prices that are just a hook in Guadalajara Car Rentals

We know that price is one of the most important factors when acquiring any product or service. However, you should know that in the car rental industry, there are companies that publish ridiculously low prices that are just a hook.  

Their strategy is to charge you a much higher amount at the time of rendering the service than what you were initially offered. For example, if you compare the prices of car rentals in Guadalajara Airport In specialized sites, you will notice that, for vehicles of the same category, there is a great variation between the rates of one company and another. This is due to the fact that some of them do not include in their initial price the cost of insurance, which is mandatory to be able to drive the vehicle. Therefore, when you pick up the car, you will have to pay these additional insurances without exception. 

That is why, when choosing based on price, it is important to make sure you are comparing the final price and not just the initial price you get hooked on. We will discuss in more detail below the aspects that you should make sure are included in the car rental price. 

Get to know the details of the car rental conditions in Guadalajara

All services are subject to conditions, but the reality is that we rarely take the time to carefully read the terms we agree to when signing a contract. Even though we know the importance of carefully reviewing the contract, it is likely that we continue to sign without reading. For this reason, we want to tell you what are the most important points that these contracts usually include, so that, before signing, you can ask and make sure that there are no unfavorable clauses for you. And if there are, and it is not possible to modify them, at least you will be aware of what you are committing yourself to. 

• Stick to the reserved schedule: Although picking up the car 30 minutes after the agreed time is not usually a problem, returning the car 30 minutes late can generate a penalty, especially if the company has already committed the unit to another client. 

• Deposits. When renting a car, it is common to leave a deposit. In both cases, deposits serve to guarantee the payment of possible damages. Before booking, find out if there is a deposit and how much it is. Especially in car rentals in Guadalajara, since some unethical rental companies arbitrarily raise the amount of the deposit as a means of pressure to force customers to purchase additional insurance.  

• Cancellation policies. Car rentals and other tourist services are considered 'perishable' services. This means that, for example, an airline cannot sell today a seat that was left empty on yesterday's flight. For this reason, contracts often include specific cancellation clauses. Our advice is to ask directly what happens if you need to cancel the service. Find out if there is a period in which you can cancel without penalty or what happens if the cancellation is due to natural causes, such as a hurricane, for example. 

Beware of Hidden Charges 

Earlier we mentioned that in the car rental industry, there are dishonest companies that use hidden charges to get more money from their customers. In this section, we will tell you which are the most common surprise charges, so that, when you book, you can make sure that they are already included in the price.  

Usual Hidden Charges in Car Rentals 

• Car protection insurance. It is by far the most common hidden charge. Don't count on being able to use the insurance provided by your credit card. The problem is not that it is not valid, but that, if you booked a "hook" price, the company will depend on generating additional income from the sale of its own insurance. This is usually sold at a much higher price than the rental itself, raising the total price up to 5 times the initial amount. 

• Unfavorable Exchange Rate. It is not unusual that, upon receiving a quote, we are offered what appears to be a good price in dollars. The catch is that, at the time of payment, the leasing company applies a much higher exchange rate than the official one. Since car rental transactions are made almost without exception by credit card, the customer does not have the option of paying in dollars in cash to avoid the unfavorable exchange rate. 

• Charges for "Airport Branches" or "Premium Facilities". Airport branches usually add a 19% for airport taxes, which are not always included in the initial price. Although this charge is imposed by the airport, it is often not made clear at the time of booking and is simply stated as 'plus tax'. This leads many customers to assume that they will only pay 16% VAT, when in fact, adding the two charges together, the total increase is 35%. Even outside the airport, some companies apply a similar charge for 'premium facilities', even though these are nothing special. This type of charge is actually a strategy to generate additional revenue, rather than offering a lower price at locations not subject to airport tax. 

Tips to choose the best option for car rental in Guadalajara 

• Be clear about what you need. When it comes to a rental car, you should be clear about how many people you will be transporting, how much luggage you will be traveling with and where you want to pick up and return the car. Having answers to these questions will help you choose the right car at the right place. 

• Choose companies that respect your reservations. Particularly in car rental, it is common that, in offices with high demand, such as those located in theGuadalajara Airportor theCancun AirportIn some cases, traditional car rental companies accept more than one reservation for the same car. The intention behind this is to prioritize the reservation with the highest rate or the one with the longest duration, leaving other customers without a car or with a different vehicle than the one reserved. The worst thing is that if the available car is smaller, they usually do not offer a bonus, but if it is larger, they will charge you the difference in price.  

• Reserve in advance.  In the travel industry, booking in advance usually means getting better rates. In addition, this allows you to choose from more car options, which, if you wait too long, may no longer be available.  

Plan your trip with expert advice

• Investigate any additional charges. Prefer companies where there are no additional charges. Talk to each of the Guadalajara car rental companies you are considering and make sure of this. If there are any, consider them in the total cost when shopping for prices among different companies. 

• Read reviews and check the company's reputation. Chances are that if a company uses dishonest strategies such as last-minute surcharges, other customers have already written about it online. The information you need to make the right decision is already online at sites like Google Maps, Yelp, Tripadvisor and other similar ones.  

• Avoid Intermediaries. It is always advisable to book directly with the car rental company. Neither Kayak, nor Expedia, nor Booking have fleets of rental cars in Guadalajara or anywhere else, they are only intermediaries. In case of a problem with the car rental company, they do not have a representative in person that can help you solve it, you will be on your own. In the best case scenario, if you are not granted service, they will offer you a refund which can take months. 

A rental car, besides allowing you to move around the destination with total freedom, is an economical way to get to and from the airport or to visit nearby towns and places of interest. Keep in mind that, in the most visited cities in Mexico, the trips are usually long, which makes them expensive. For example, the Private Transfers at Guadalajara Airport can cost the same or more than a day's rental car. 

Now you know, doing your research before booking your next car rental in Guadalajara is the key to a vacation without surprises and full of unforgettable moments and good memories. 

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