What are your terms and conditions?
Full Terms and Conditions can be found here.
What booking options do you have?
We offer two different payment options:
Pay Now & Save allows you to pay for the booking now with a 5% discount off the rental rate only. We require a credit card and payment at the time of booking. These bookings are non-refundable. These bookings can be canceled at any time and we hold the value of your bookings as credit which can be used for a future booking when booked directly with us. This option can be used in conjunction with other discounts. Pay Now & Save options and discounts are only available to customers booking via the website or the Contact Centre and do not apply to same-day bookings (ie. not walk-in bookings created at the counter, or bookings made today for collection today).
Book Now, Pay Later allows you to make a booking now at the full rental rate and provide a credit card, but not make any payment until you arrive at the counter. You can cancel anytime prior to collecting your vehicle and no cancellation fees will apply.
What methods of payment can i use?
Only Visa/MasterCard credit and debit cards and American Express credit cards may be used for payment. A 1.4% merchant fee is applicable to these payment methods.
We do not accept cash, cheques, EFTPOS cards or Diners Club.
Can i use someone else’s credit card?
No, the card holder must sign the rental agreement and hold a valid driver’s license. By signing the agreement they agree to have their card charged for any costs associated with the rental.
Do you require a bond/holding deposit when hiring a vehicle?
Yes, we generally require a $500 pre-authorisation on all Standard and Commercial bookings. This may be reduced to $1 with the Platinum Liability Waiver for either Standard or Commercial bookings.
Luxury bookings require a $1000 pre-authorisation regardless of liability waiver.
First Time Renters in some locations may be charged a pre-authorisation if they meet specific conditions. Please visit our terms and conditions for full details about First Time Renters.
What is a pre-authorisation?
A pre-authorisation is a temporary transaction where a set amount of funds from a credit card or debit card is put on hold. The pre-authorisation is frozen in your account in the event we need to process payment for damage, or any outstanding bills post vehicle return such as traffic infringement fees, etc.
A pre-authorisation is much like any other charge to a credit card, except instead of debiting funds from the cardholder we put a temporary “hold” on the funds that lasts for 7-31 business, this period varies from bank to bank, or the pre-authorisation is automatically released back to your bank no later than 3 days after the vehicle is returned and we’ve finalised your reservation.
What do I need to bring to the counter to rent a car?
All drivers need to sign the rental agreement and hold a current drivers licence. You must present a physical driver’s licence, except where digital licences are accepted. Copies or photos of a driver’s licence will not be accepted.
Digital driver’s licences can be accepted where we’re able to complete the verification of licence via the barcode or QR code function.
You will also need to bring a credit or debit card for payment. Payment is required at the time of renting the vehicle.
What age do i need to be to rent a vehicle?
Drivers between the ages of 21 to 85 years of age who hold a full, unrestricted licence may hire a vehicle.
Do I need to have an International Driver’s licence to drive a vehicle in Australia?
International drivers permits are required in a number of Australian States and Territories. There are some exceptions. Customers should check what’s required for each state or territory before arriving to collect their vehicle.
An English Licence is still required for States not requiring an International licence.
If your licence is not in English then you do require an international drivers licence.
Can I still hire a vehicle when holding an interim paper licence?
Yes, we will accept valid interim licences.
Do you charge a young drivers surcharge if I am under 25?
Bargain Car Rentals does not charge any extra fees for drivers under 25.
Drivers aged under 21-24 must still hold a full unrestricted licence.
Can I hire while on my P Plates?
Learners permits, provisional licence or probationary licence holders are not permitted to drive our vehicles.
How do I amend my booking?
If you booked with us directly and need to amend your booking, please call us on +61 3 6165 0838.
If you’ve booked via a travel agent or third party, you need to contact them directly for changes prior to collecting the vehicle. If you need to make changes to your reservation after you’ve collected the vehicle, please call us directly.
If your request is not urgent (outside 48 hours) you can email us at info@bargaincarrentals.com.au
What is your cancellation policy?
Your cancellation options depend on the payment option you have chosen. If your booking is via:
Pay Now & Save, your booking is non-refundable but can be cancelled and the value is retained by us and can be used as a credit toward a future booking. If the vehicle is returned earlier than stated on the agreement, the value of any unused days will be retained by us and can be used as a credit towards a future booking. If you wish to cancel your booking, you can use our manage booking portal. This can be accessed in the header of our website.
Book Now, Pay Later, can be cancelled at any time without penalty. It can not be refunded once the vehicle has been collected and paid for and if the vehicle is returned earlier than stated on the agreement, the value of any unused days will be retained by us and used as a credit towards a future booking. If you wish to cancel your booking, you can use our manage booking portal. This can be accessed in the header of our website.
Third-party agent, please refer to the cancelation terms with your agent as their cancellation terms will apply.
Pre-Purchased Fuel Option
Pre-Purchased fuel enables you to pay in advance for your fuel, so you can bring the vehicle back with any level of fuel, even empty, without having to incur any additional cost.
Pre-Purchased Fuel is cheaper – Our Pre-Purchased Fuel rates are $0.15/litre cheaper than what you’ll normally pay at the pump.
Pre-Purchased Fuel is easier – You can return your vehicle without refilling.
Otherwise, you can either refuel to a full tank yourself before returning the vehicle, or return the vehicle without refilling and we’ll refuel for you at a charge of $4.49 per litre.
Can I pre-purchase fuel at the time I collect my vehicle?
Yes, you can purchase a full tank of fuel when you collect your vehicle at a reduced rate from the current market rate. If you pre-purchase a tank of fuel you can return the vehicle to us with an empty tank, there’s no need for you to re-fill the fuel prior to returning it.
You can also pre-purchase a tank of fuel when you make your booking directly with us or you can add the fuel option after making your booking by calling us on +61 3 6165 0838 or via email for non-urgent enquiries (outside 48 hours) at info@bargaincarrentals.com.au
What is a Liability Waiver?
Liability Waivers provide great peace of mind. In the event of an accident, it reduces your financial liability to a reduced liability of an agreed amount. For more information please, head to our Terms and Conditions.
How do I purchase a Liability Waiver option?
There are a number of ways you can purchase a Liability Waiver option;
- Select a Liability Waiver option when you book a car via our website, each of the options will be offered with a quote and details on what is covered;
- Contact us on +61 3 6165 0838 to add a Liability Waiver option to a new or existing booking;
- Purchase a Liability Waiver option at the counter when collecting your vehicle.
Can I pre-purchase roadside assistance?
Our roadside assistance package can be purchased for a daily fee of $4.99, waiving the $180 call-out fee each time roadside assistance is required. This also covers the cost of key replacement and breakdown-related towing.
Roadside assistance is available 24/7 for all our vehicles.
Do you hire baby and booster seats?
Yes, you can add a request for a baby or booster seat to your new booking or via Manage Booking, or call our Contact Centre on +61 3 6165 0838 or email info@bargaincarrentals.com.au for non-urgent requests (outside 48 hours)
We offer car seats and booster seats at $12.50 per day, each car seat is capped at $112.5 per rental (9 days).
Our rear facing seats are suitable for 0-6 months, please note these are not a capsule type seat however they are suitable for an infant 0-6 months old with the use of manufacturer provided inserts. Our forward facing seats are suitable for children from 6 months up to 4 years of age.
A booster seat is for children 4 years and over. Booster seats are always forward-facing. These will be provided with the vehicle at the time of collection and are usually fitted by us prior to pick-up, however you may need to make final adjustments to ensure straps are fitted correctly for your child.
Can I request a specific make, model or colour?
We will endeavour to provide you with your preferred vehicle. Vehicle make, model and colour are based upon availability and cannot be guaranteed.
Why do rates change?
Rates are subject to change due to availability, and will differ between locations, vehicle type, season, etc.
Do you have Hybrid or Electric vehicles?
No, Bargain Car Rentals doesn’t currently have any Hybrid or Electric vehicles in our fleet.
Can I hire a 4WD vehicle?
No, we don’t currently have any vehicles that are intended for off-road use.
Are animals/pets allowed in Bargain Car Rentals’ vehicles?
Animals / pets are not permitted in our vehicles, except for service dogs via prior arrangement with us.
Can I add additional drivers to my booking?
You may add one additional driver to your booking free of charge. All subsequently added drivers will be charged at $20 per driver per booking.
You can use the manage booking function on our website here to self-manage this.
How do I redeem a credit?
You can redeem your credit value with Bargain Car Rentals at any time. The credit value doesn’t expire, may be transferred to another driver, and can be used in any of our locations throughout Australia!
To redeem your credit; when you’re ready to make a booking, email us at info@bargaincarrentals.com.au or call our Contact Centre on +61 3 6165 0838. Refer to the booking number of your credit and we will help you make your new booking and apply the credit. You’ll be able to access our ‘Pay Now & Save’ discount or choose ‘Book Now, Pay Later’ and pay at the counter.
What currency are your rates in?
As a business based in Australia, all of our rates are in AUD.
How many kilometers can I travel during my rental?
We offer unlimited kilometers with all our passenger vehicles except in Darwin and with our commercial vehicles, which offer a generous 250km/day
Kilometers above the daily limit will incur a fee of $0.30/kilometer.
What if I am going to the snow?
The Australian snow season spans from 1 June to 31 October. Bargain vehicles are not permitted to travel above the snow line, which is defined as the point of entry into a national park where carrying snow chains is mandatory.