Returning a self-drive rental car at Bangalore's Kempegowda International Airport can be as seamless as it is convenient. Yet it can quickly turn into a stressful experience if you're not aware of the guidelines and the penalties for non-compliance. To help you make sense of it all, we’ve put together this comprehensive guide with information on the various car rental service operators at Bangalore airport and what the six-step process of returning a self-drive rental car typically involves.
Check Your Rental Agreement First
Just in case you're rerouted due to traffic, construction, or an emerging parade I’m not sure anyone really knows about, it’s a good idea to have the company's number stored in your phone’s favorites or on a piece of paper in the glove box. That way, if the roads have you in a tizzy, you can give them a call and let them know you’re doing everything in your power to get there as quickly and safely as possible. Some rental offices close up shop fairly early, but they could be willing to wait around if they know you’re en route.
Your contract will further outline the condition requirements upon termination. References to tidiness, broken parts, and distances are warning signs. If you know you have gone over your mileage or have possibly damaged your car door, it’s easier to dispute any of this from getting paid. This allows you the time to write it down, and at completion, discuss it with the lessor. Most renters skip this part and argue the bill later on, which is a lot more grueling than spending five minutes sorting things out upfront.
Clean the Car and Remove Personal Items
An uninterrupted driving experience is rare, and small hiccups can hardly be avoided , especially when you rent a car in Bangalore! You’re not convinced of your orientation? Afraid blocking the wheel while trying to parallel park? We understand. Bangalore traffic is not for the faint-hearted, and it’s impossible to find an empty parking space anywhere in the city (if you do, we’re pretty sure you just walked a few miles from the park). Failing to navigate narrow streets and an even narrower parking lot in the city is just part of the rental game. In our case, a rental company clerk is more likely to give us a friendly helping hand than a scornful look if we are sincere with them and admit that “yes, we have struggled to find a parking space in the city”… or absolutely anything road and car-related.
More importantly, did you do a thorough sweep for personal belongings? The glove compartment, door pockets, under the seats, the trunk... left-behind phone chargers, sunglasses, or worse, important documents, are all too common, overlooked occurrences in the I’m-already-late-for-my-flight frenzy. And once you've dropped off the car and the agent has given it a once over, returning to the lot to grab that leftover phone is not an easy-feat, or a very safe one. If you’re particularly paranoid about your own memory (those kids do a good job of making a mess in the back seat) then snap a quick pic of the empty interior.
Refuel as per Policy
Fuel policies can significantly impact your returning journey. The majority of self-drive agencies in Bangalore follow a full-to-full policy. You'd therefore be required to refill the tank before dropping it back at the airport. Therefore, ensure that you check your fuel indicator well in advance. If you're running low, make a mental note of the nearest petrol pump on the way. The nearest petrol stations are about five to ten kilometers away from Kempegowda International Airport.
What happens if you return that gas-guzzling rental car without filling the tank? Most companies are happy to fill it up for you but it's going to cost you it. If you declined their “convenient” prepaid gasoline plan, get ready for some sticker shock! Refueling charges are typically based on the “local retail pump charge” - the price at a station in the neighborhood. This is a price point considerably higher than you’d pay if you hunted for a discount station. Add to that fee that “service charge” for the rental company’s inconvenience in addition to the actual gas. Most refueling charges are if not inflated, at least arbitrary. A few companies will at least provide a verification that you were refueled within a short distance of the return. Reputable companies will share the latest retail pump charges, noting exact local station pricing. Corporate renters are sometimes exempt for this fee, so be sure to ask when booking.
Reach the Designated Drop-Off Point
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Give yourself enough leeway to get through baggage checks and other formalities when you arrive at Kempegowda International after a flight. Two hours should suffice if you're arriving within India, but the process might take longer since you have to show papers and collect your bags. Instead, make it three hours for incoming flights that land in Bangalore from other countries. It's a large airport and going from the gates to your transport can eat up time.
Complete Vehicle Inspection with Staff
Give the representative the list of pre-existing damages that you located during pick-up, and make sure that they're accounted for in the report. After the inspection is finished, the agent will give you a signed copy of the report. Retain this document for your records until you return the car. The final step of the return process is to hand over the keys and bids the vehicle farewell.
They’ll typically do a walk-around first. Then you do one yourself. Be thorough. And if there’s another person in the car, ask them to do another, so that there are no doubts.:UIButtonType The rental car employee will expect this and should be happy to wait. Most people skip this step and leave themselves wide open to spurious claims. Two minutes re walking around muttering “Now, where did I park it. . . ?” is a good investment.
Collect Return Confirmation
Once the inspection is completed, you get a return confirmation. Whether it’s a paper printout, an email in your inbox, or an SMS on your phone varies from company to company. In any case, this is the written evidence that you’ve handed possession back of the car in an acceptable state and by the due date. Save this until your deposit is returned, and the final bill has been completed. Deposits are often repaid within a day, but rental firms are allowed seven working days to process it.
Conclusion
Returning a self-drive car at Bangalore airport is not stressful unless there’s damage or you return it late. (Then all bets are off!) Just follow our seven simple steps to ensure you aren’t penalized unfairly. Know that errors on your contract, or returning without a refuel, wash, and vacuum can lead to unnecessary costs. Not returning on time or participating in the inspection can waste your precious time arguing about unwarranted claims. And worst of all is leaving a returned car unsecured with the company still holding you responsible. Want to make sure that doesn’t happen? Read on.