From the usual $1 a day, car rental fees will increase to $4.50 daily in the four airports of Hawaii beginning September of this year. This was pushed by state airport officials and car rental agencies in line with the objective of financing a plan of building consolidated car hire facilities in the airports of Honolulu, Kahului, Hilo and Lihue which is budgeted at $497 million.
The $4.50 fee, which was approved early this year by the Legislature, will be effective for the next twenty years or so.
The goal of the centralized facilities is to provide better customer services at lower costs. Director Brennan Morioka of the state Transportation Department further mentioned that the customers will benefit through savings in terms of reduced rates.
With this strategy, it is estimated that $50 million will be raised annually. The $229 million will finance a four-level car rental facility at the Honolulu Airport which will rise on the area where the Avis, Budget, Dollar, Hertz and National currently share an open lot at the Diamond Head end-portion of the Airport.
Similar facilities are planned for Kahului Airport for a budget of $190.5 million and slightly smaller ones for Hilo and Lihue Airports. These facilities could start operations in 2013 if the project can get started on time.
However, Reg White, a tourism executive, raised the issue of whether there is really a genuine need for a $299 car rental facility in Honolulu. He commented that money could otherwise be used for the improvements of tour operators, restaurants and other facilities that cater to tourists. White is the VP for Project Development for Paradise Cruise Ltd., operators of the Star of Honolulu.
In defense, the General Manager for Operations of Hertz Hawaii, Aaron Medina, emphasized that this new facility will enhance security and comfort for airport passengers and customers since they will not have to wait outside to rent vehicles. Medina further stressed that the construction of centralized car rental facilities is a part of a trade trend which would allow agencies to share resources in connection with customer services.
According to Medina, customers who are not amenable to pay the $4.50 fee may opt to rent car facilities offered by agencies that are not located on the Airport property and are therefore not part of the fee hike. Medina also sits as President of a non-profit trade group Catrala-Hawaii which represents major car rental firms.
It is worthy to note that similar centralized car facilities are already in place in mainland airports such as the Anchorage in Alaska and Fort Lauderdale in Florida. Some $170 million was spent in Las Vegas and $419 million in Seattle, Tacoma Airport for such facilities.
A feasibility study was done by the state and accordingly, Honolulu car rental agencies would get about one car hire business day from every five airline passengers to Oahu. It remains to be seen if this number changes once the higher fees take effect.

Insurers predicted that within the next year, 255 million cars will be rented in Europe, of which 45% of the car drivers will take out "excess" cover to reduce their liability to nothing in case of an accident or damage. Car rental desks charge an average of £9.99 daily for top-up insurance, which is charged on top of the rental fee. Buyers have no choice but to take it out when it is time to pick up the car.

Note that excess car rental insurance does not include "vulnerable" car parts. And consumers can actually pre-buy this from independent suppliers online at a much cheaper price – as low as £2.99 daily, saving them as much as £49 weekly. For some online suppliers, this amount is already good for a year's unlimited cover on all car rentals in Europe.

Unfortunately, most car hire companies do not mention anything about this excess insurance until renters come to pick up the vehicle, which leaves the consumers no choice. The fact that this insurance excludes vulnerable vehicle parts, drivers could still be in a lot of trouble.

Online car hire insurance suppliers offer a more comprehensive coverage for a lower price. This will not only cover the driver in the event of damage or theft, but also covers tires, windows, roof and undercarriage. For an additional £19.99, cover may be extended for all car club rentals.

If consumers opt to pre-buy these policies, they need to authorize the excess of the car hire company on their credit card. This amount will be taken by the company in case of a claim. The driver can then claim the amount back from the insurance agency.

• Be present during the inspection
Don't just leave the car. Your presence during the inspection will be helpful to prevent being unfairly assigned with scratches and bumps. If for some unavoidable reasons you can't be there, take photos of the car and notes to as proofs of the good condition of the car while it was with you. Have a record of the mileage as well.
• Be on time
Stick to the time that you should return the car. Don't be late! You wouldn't want to be charged with an extra day's car hire.
• Keep all repair bills and other paperwork
You will need some proofs when arguing disputes and claiming refunds for any repair you had for the car.
• Ask for the bill on the spot
Get your credit card slip immediately to avoid having them apply fees later.

You need to always ensure what type of fuel the car takes. It is unlikely you will be covered for damages because of filling it with the wrong fuel type.

• Adventure traveling
If you decide on doing some off-road traveling, check the extent of your coverage. You may have to cough up for damages if you get into a car crash while racing across the famous desert of Sahara. Check also if the spare tire is working well. There is nothing more unfortunate than being trapped someplace strange because of a flat tire.
• Know the local legalities
Each country's legal requirements vary. In some, if you don't have stuff they require, your insurance will be invalidated, such as high visibility jackets, travel first aid kits, breakdown and spare bulb sets. The car rental company should know, but it is best to be on the safe side.
• Local traffic rules
Road rules may vary from country to country too. Do not assume that the rules of your own country apply to the place you are visiting. Some right-hand drive countries allow a right-turn on red lights as long as there's no incoming traffic. You may be abused by other drivers if you don't do this. Check with the car company what the local laws are.
• Know the emergency number
Before you go anywhere, make sure you got the car hire company's 24-hour contact number in the event of a mishap or in case the car breaks down.