Seasonal Prices:
The highest rates for New Zealand are in the summer months from December until the end of February, during this period cars must be booked well in advance or you will have little chance of getting one when you turn up.
November and March are almost as busy, because the weather is still good but the prices are cheaper. Booking is advised.
October and April are a bit cheaper again and during these months you may be able to arrive in New Zealand and pick up a cheap rental car or relocation deal.
May to the end of September is the quietest as this is winter and a bit chilly with a good ski season. Booking is not really needed during this time and you will be able to phone around to pick up good deals including good relocation deals.
A relocation deal is where you could pick up a car in one city and drop it in another for a minimum charge.
Extra Km Charges:
Almost all of New Zealand car rental companies do not charge for kms on top of their daily hire cost. The exception to this rule is if you wish to hire a car for less than the rental companies minimum daily hire time.
Car rental companies sometimes have a km charge for diesel tax, which is a government cost to all owners of diesel vehicles. Most companies will include this in their daily rental cost.
What is one day of Rental?
Most rental companies charge per day you have the vehicle eg, a rental from 11am Friday to 11am Saturday is a 2-day rental. This is because the vehicle cannot be rented out to anybody else on either of these 2 days. To make the most of this rule pick the vehicle up on the morning of the first day and drop it off at the end of the second day.
You will still find some rental companies that treat this situation as 1 day but have penalty charges if you are late for any reason.
Diesel Tax:
This is a government tax and is not made up. But this is another way companies can make some extra money because there will be a “mark up” on the government cost. junkyards near me
GST (Goods and Services Tax):
This is a 12½% government tax on items brought in New Zealand. This should be included in all company advertised prices.
Airport Transfers:
Car rental companies will sometimes include free airport transfers, some only supply or pay for transport to pick up your car. If you are hiring a budget car you may have to pay for your transfers.
Windscreen, Tyre and Headlight Insurance:
The way that rental car companies handle this area can vary. Some don’t cover damage to these things at all, which means you the traveller has to pay for any damage. Some car rental companies charge extra to insure against damage. Some car rental companies include it in their excess/bond reduction options. Whatever they do we would suggest you cover yourself against damage to these items. New Zealand has many stone chip roads with trucks that can and do throw up stones. The insurance also covers tyre damage. Windscreens can range from $300 upwards
To fix Stone chips companies charge from $30 upwards per chip
Tyre’s can range from $100 upwards
All of the above estimates depend on the type of ca