If you need a car for more than a few days, the length you book can change the price a lot. CarmaCars uses four rates for every car: a daily rate, a weekend day rate, a weekly rate and a monthly rate. This guide explains how they fit together, so you can choose the cheapest way to book.
The four rates
Each car's page shows its rates:
- Daily: for days that start Monday to Thursday, and Sunday.
- Weekend day: for days that start on a Friday or a Saturday.
- Weekly: the price of a week.
- Monthly: the price of 30 days, the longest single booking.
A rental day is 24 hours from your pickup time, and a part day counts as a day.
The weekly cap
A short trip at the daily rate can cost more than a week. So we cap it: a trip of 1 to 6 days never costs more than the car's weekly rate. If you need a car for five days, check the weekly rate before you book. You may find the week costs the same, and you get the extra days for nothing.
The monthly cap
The same rule applies above a week. A trip of 7 to 29 days never costs more than the car's monthly rate. If you need a car for three weeks, the monthly rate may be the better deal, and you can keep the car for the full 30 days.
Your offer shows exactly which rate applies to each day, so you always see the final number before you pay.
Kilometres over a longer rental
Each car has a daily kilometre allowance. Over a rental, it is multiplied by the number of days you book and shared across the whole trip. On a monthly rental, that is a lot of driving: a long road trip in the first week is fine as long as the total stays within the allowance. Past it, extra kilometres are charged at the rate on the car's page, between and each depending on the car.
Deposits on longer rentals
For rentals of 7 days or less, the deposit is a hold on your card. For longer rentals it is charged and refunded after you return the car, within 7 business days. When you renew a monthly rental, the deposit carries over.
Renewing a monthly rental
A single booking can run for up to 30 days. If you need the car longer, tell us before the rental ends. We prepare a new agreement for the next period at the rate in force, you sign it online, and the next payment is taken. You keep the same car unless you ask to change.
When weekly makes more sense
If you are not sure how long you need the car, book the shorter period and extend it. An extension is priced before you pay, and it must be paid before the current return time. For anything past about three weeks, compare the weekly and monthly totals in the offer: the cap does the work for you.
Saving a little more
If your dates are fixed, choose the non-refundable option when you send your request. It takes 10% off the rental charge, but it is not refunded if you cancel. And if you can collect the car from our location, you save the delivery fee.