Offer checklist
Use this before you book anything. It’s boring. That’s why it works.
Payment method accepted
Credit card vs debit card. If it’s not explicitly accepted, assume credit is required at pickup.
- Is a credit card required in the driver’s name?
- Is debit card accepted for THIS supplier/location/category?
- Do they require 2 cards or a minimum credit limit?
If it doesn’t say “debit accepted at pickup”, assume credit card is required.
Bring a credit card in the main driver’s name. Treat debit as “maybe”, not a plan.
If you only have debit: switch to city pickup, choose a supplier that confirms debit in writing, and expect a higher hold.
Deposit amount + hold time
How much gets blocked and how long until it releases (often bank-dependent).
- Exact deposit amount (not “from …”)
- Hold release timing (supplier vs your bank)
- Extra deposit rules (young driver, premium cars, cross-border)
Assume the hold will be meaningful. Don’t arrive with tight available credit.
Plan available credit for a real hold (not symbolic). If you’re tight, reduce risk: smaller car class, better coverage, clearer supplier.
If you can’t find the exact hold amount: treat it as unknown downside and pick a different offer or operator.
Insurance: excess + exclusions
Ignore marketing names. Confirm deductible and common exclusions.
- Deductible (excess) amount and what triggers it
- Common exclusions (glass/tires/undercarriage, key loss)
- Third-party coverage clarity + what’s included by default
Excess + exclusions matter more than the insurance brand name.
Prefer predictable downside: pay for excess reduction if winter driving or long trips are involved.
If exclusions aren’t clear: assume tires/glass/underbody are excluded and don’t book that offer unless price is insanely good and you accept the risk.
Fuel policy
Full-to-full is usually cleanest. Other policies hide costs.
- Full-to-full available?
- If not: refuel charge / admin fee details
- Is pre-purchase fuel forced at pickup?
Full-to-full is the default. Anything else needs scrutiny.
Choose full-to-full if possible. It’s the simplest way to avoid invisible fees.
If you can’t get full-to-full: calculate worst-case fuel + admin fee and compare again. Many “cheap” offers stop being cheap.
Mileage and borders
Unlimited mileage? Cross-border allowed? Verify before booking.
- Unlimited mileage or daily cap?
- Cross-border permitted (Finland → Estonia/Sweden/Norway)?
- Ferry use allowed and documented?
If your plan includes borders/ferries, only book offers that explicitly allow it.
If you might cross borders or take a ferry, pick offers with clear written permission. No guessing.
If it’s unclear: assume it’s not allowed. Choose a different supplier or keep your route domestic.
Cancellation terms
Free cancellation window and what counts as a no-show.
- Free cancellation deadline (48h/24h etc.)
- No-show definition (late pickup, missing card, missing docs)
- Amendment rules (time changes, location changes)
No-show rules are brutal. Treat pickup time as a hard deadline.
Pick offers with free cancellation and clear no-show definitions. Pay a bit more for flexibility if timing is uncertain.
If terms are vague: assume strict no-show and don’t cut timing close (flight delays, queues, after-hours).
Apply it to a pillar
Pick what you’re actually booking, then use the pillar guides to avoid the most common traps.
Quick copy template
Paste this into your notes while comparing offers.
Offer: Price: Payment method: Deposit amount: Deposit hold time: Insurance excess: Key exclusions: Fuel policy: Mileage: Cross-border / ferry: After-hours pickup: Cancellation: