Long-distance journeys with no extra charges for additional kilometres
Standard rates often limit the mileage to a certain number of kilometres per day, and exceeding this limit results in an unexpected additional charge when the car is returned. To avoid this, many customers opt straight away for a no-mileage car hire – a scheme in which the number of kilometres travelled has no effect whatsoever on the final cost of the trip.
Who stands to benefit most from this?
For those planning a route taking in several cities in Georgia in a single trip, the standard mileage limit almost always proves too restrictive, and having to pay extra on the final day puts a nasty dent in the budget. This is precisely why car hire with unlimited mileage is most often chosen by travellers on long journeys, rather than those who are simply driving around a single city. This option is also suitable for drivers who use their own cars for delivery work, where the daily mileage is unpredictable in advance.
How is this different from ordinary car-sharing?
Traditional car-sharing services usually charge by the minute or by the kilometre, even within a single journey, which is inconvenient for long trips out of town. For this reason, car-sharing with no mileage limit is, in this respect, closer to traditional car hire – the fixed daily rate remains the same regardless of whether the customer has driven ten kilometres or five hundred. The difference is particularly noticeable on holiday, when the route changes as the trip progresses without a pre-planned itinerary, and it is simply impossible to plan the exact mileage in advance.
How does this work in practice?
The condition regarding the absence of a mileage limit is explicitly stated in the contract at the time of booking, and does not need to be separately confirmed or extended during the hire period. This type of car hire with no mileage limit involves a single daily rate, regardless of the region within the country where the journey takes place. The car is returned under the same rules as for the standard rate – with a full tank of fuel and a joint inspection of the bodywork with a company representative.
What to bear in mind before a long journey
- the condition of the tyres and the tyre pressure before setting off on a long journey;
- a route through mountainous or unpaved sections, if these are planned;
- contact details for customer support in the event of a technical fault whilst travelling;
- a time buffer to allow for unforeseen delays on the road.
It’s worth booking a car hire with unlimited mileage in advance if your trip falls during the peak season – popular car categories get snapped up faster than the rest.
Documents and formalities
To collect the car, you’ll need your passport and a driving licence with at least two years’ driving experience; the whole process, including a bodywork inspection, takes around fifteen minutes. A deposit is blocked on your card and is refunded after the car has been inspected upon return, provided it is undamaged. This type of car hire with unlimited mileage is arranged in the same way as the standard rate – the only difference is the mileage clause in the contract itself.
Cost
The daily rate for a car with no mileage limit is usually slightly higher than the basic rate with a mileage limit, but on a long journey through Georgia, this difference pays for itself within the first few days of the trip. A car hire with no mileage limit remains the most predictable option for those who know in advance that their journey will be a long one. It is worth checking the exact price difference between the rates with the manager when booking a specific class of car.