Tag: rental car basics

What Is An Estate Car- Rental Car Basics

Written by Rentalmoose on . Posted in Pro tips for renting a car. Leave a Comment

the bmw 330e is a perfect example of an estate car, often also called a station wagon.
BMW Press

Keeping up with all the different car types can be difficult at times. After all, rental companies offer roughly 20 different types of cars to choose from! Find out what to expect when booking an estate rental car, also known as a station wagon.

Click one of the links below to quickly jump between different sections of this blog post.

What Is An Estate Car

An estate car is essentially a sedan with an extended roof line and a hatchback trunk. Access to the rear space is possible through the rear doors, as opposed to the trunk lid. In addition, most station wagons feature rear seats that fold down. That way, you can decide whether you need more cargo space or room for additional passengers.

Believe it or not, it’s surprisingly easy to distinguish an estate car from other types of cars, all thanks to their unique design. An estate car features A, B, C and D pillars in its design.

Every single estate rental car will have the following:

  • space for four or five passengers
  • a spacious hatchback trunk
  • similar to a BMW 3 Series Touring

Estate Rental Cars-Sub Categories

Many rental companies break down their estate fleets further. Check out the following sub-categories of estate rental cars you can often come across.

Compact

As the name suggests, compact estate cars are slightly smaller in size. This can be a Toyota Auris STW, for example.

Full-Size

Full-size estate cars are going to be the biggest ones, providing more space for cargo and passengers. This can include cars such as the station wagon variant of an Audi A4.

Luxury

Luxury comes at a higher price, and luxury estate rental cars are no different. Expect to pay more for a station wagon Mercedes-Benz or an upscale Audi A6, as opposed to a more budget-friendly alternative.

Crossovers and MPVs

Some rental companies will also consider large crossover SUVs and MPVs in the estate category. If that’s the case, you can expect to receive a Toyota RAV4 or a Ford Galaxy.

Is An Estate Car The Same As A Station Wagon

Yes. An estate car is exactly the same as a station wagon. Most rental companies in the United States will refer to this type of vehicle as a (station) wagon. In the United Kingdom, they’re called a station wagon.

Examples Of Estate Cars

As mentioned above, estate cars can easily be identified by their unique body style. When booking an estate rental car, you can expect to pick up one of the following vehicles:

  • BMW 3 Series Touring
  • BMW 5 Series Touring
  • Volkswagen Passat Estate
  • Audi A6
  • Audi A4 Estate
  • Toyota RAV4
  • Skoda Octavia Estate
  • Ford Focus Estate
  • Citroen C4 Picasso
  • Toyota Auris STW
  • Seat Leon ST
  • Opel Insignia Touring
  • Kia Ceed Estate
  • Ford Galaxy
  • Volvo V70 EState
  • Vauxhall Zafira

When It’s Best To Book An Estate Car

A quick glance at one of these cars is enough to understand that they’re all about space. That’s why they’re ideal whenever you need to fit up to 5 occupants along with their luggage.

Travel comfortably with the entire family for hours on end in a luxury estate, or book a compact estate to take your friends around town.

You can also fold down the rear seats. Then, you’ll end up with a two-seater and plenty of cargo space. Perfect for transporting a large piece of furniture, for example.

Learn More About Your Rental Car Type

You may not be aware that you only book a vehicle type, and not a particular make and model. That’s why you’ll see the words “or similar” next to every vehicle offered by rental companies. What does that mean exactly?

As rental companies’ fleets are constantly changing, it’s difficult for suppliers to predict which exact vehicles will be available at each location.

That’s why rental companies use a four-character code- called ACRISS- to classify their entire fleets.

You can check out our guide to ACRISS codes to learn more about rental car types. That way, you’ll always be prepared beforehand.

Don’t forget to book your next rental car through Rentalmoose. Our platform offers thousands of rental cars from trusted suppliers all across the world. Browse from over 15 000 different locations and find your ideal car today.


We plant a tree for every rental car booked with us, as a way of contributing towards a better tomorrow. Find out more about us here.

What Is a Standard Car- Rental Car Basics

Written by Rentalmoose on . Posted in Pro tips for renting a car. Leave a Comment

Knowing the different types of car categories offered by rental companies is a must. Here is what you can expect when booking a standard rental car.

A Ford Mondeo is considered to be a standard car in the world of rental cars.
a Ford Mondeo is classified as a standard car.

We have divided this quick guide into the following sections to make it as easy to follow as possible. Click one of the links below to quickly jump to each part of the blog post.

What Is A Standard Car?

A standard car is larger than an intermediate and smaller than a full-size. Frankly speaking, the name is rather self-explanatory. Standard rental cars are just that- standard. A prime example would be a Volkswagen Jetta, which can is a popular pick among rental companies worldwide.

All standard rental cars will share the following features:

  • space for up to 5 occupants (including the driver)
  • four doors
  • more cargo space than an intermediate car
  • good fuel economy
  • roughly the same size as a Volkswagen Jetta

Note that some rental companies offer slightly larger cars, such as MPVs and some crossovers, that are classified as standard. Continue reading to find out more about different examples of standard rental cars.

Standard Car Models

Keep in mind that you are not guaranteed a particular make and model when booking a rental car. You’re actually booking a rental car type instead. That’s why you’ll see the words Or Similar next to your rental car.

With that in mind, these are some cars you may receive when booking a standard car:

  • Volkswagen Jetta
  • Kia Sportage
  • Vauxhall Insignia
  • Buick Verano
  • Citroen C4 Grand Picasso
  • Ford Mondeo
  • Volkswagen Passat
  • Ford C-Max
  • Renault Laguna
  • Vauxhall Corsa

When You Should Rent a Standard Car

Standard cars are ideal when an intermediate rental car just doesn’t cut it in terms of space, for example on longer trips. After all, a standard car has enough room in the trunk for at least one more piece of luggage compared with an intermediate car. Rear-seat passengers can expect more legroom, too.

On the flip side, standard cars are harder to park in tight spots. Fuel economy may be worse than your average intermediate or compact car, as well.

If you’re planning to drive a few hundred kilometers with two to three passengers and their luggage, a standard car may just be perfect. If you crave more space, consider renting a full-size instead.

Know More About Your Rental Car Type

As mentioned above, you always book a rental car type as opposed to a specific make and model. Although you are not guaranteed a particular vehicle, you can work out many of its features and specifications.

Rental companies around the world use the four-character ACRISS code to classify their fleets. The code includes information on the car type, category, drivetrain type, transmission, and even whether or not it has air conditioning.

Don’t forget to book your next rental car through Rentalmoose. Our platform offers thousands of rental cars from trusted suppliers all across the world. Browse from over 15 000 different locations and find your ideal car today.


We plant a tree for every rental car booked with us, as a way of contributing towards a better tomorrow. Find out more about us here.

What is a Compact Car- Rental Car Basics

Written by Rentalmoose on . Posted in Pro tips for renting a car. Leave a Comment

2021 Volkswagen Golf is considered a compact car by rental car companies.
Courtesy of Volkswagen

The car rental world is made up of nearly 20 different categories. Keeping up with them all can be difficult, especially if you haven’t rented a car in a while. Here’s a quick guide to help you figure out what exactly a compact car is according to rental companies.

Rental companies are constantly shifting their fleets, hence guaranteeing renters a particular make and model would be virtually impossible. That’s why rental companies actually rent car types, as opposed to particular models.

To keep things simple and clear, rental companies throughout the globe use the same unified car classification system. The ACRISS code consists of four characters that describe the type of car offered by the company.

The first letter in the ACRISS code describes one of the 18 different car categories. Compact is one of them.

We’ve divided this blog post into the following sections to keep it as short as possible:

Without further ado, let’s dive in!

What is A Compact Rental Car

Compact cars are medium-sized. They are smaller than intermediate cars and bigger than mini cars.

Remember that a rental company cannot guarantee you a particular make and model. For this very reason, the exact dimensions and specifications of compact cars can slightly vary. Some rental companies also classify small SUVs, such as the Nissan Juke, as compacts.

You can expect every single compact rental car to have the following:

  • space for up to 5 occupants
  • 4 doors
  • excellent fuel economy
  • similar in size to a Nissan Versa

In addition, some rental companies may also offer economy cars as well as compacts. Note that both of these types are very similar to each other, though a compact will typically be a little larger.

Examples of Compact Rental Cars

Compact rental cars are, despite the name, pretty spacious. As mentioned above, a Nissan Versa is considered a compact car. Some more examples of compact rental cars include:

  • Nissan Versa
  • Volkswagen Golf
  • Vauxhall Astra
  • Ford Fusion
  • Volkswagen Beetle
  • Nissan Juke
  • Ford Focus
  • Hyundai i30
  • Kia Soul
  • Peugeot 306
  • Opel Meriva

When Is It Best To Rent a Compact Car

As compact rental cars are smaller than intermediate and full-size sedans, they are ideal for driving around the city with friends or family. Compact cars can easily fit into tight parking spaces, and their small engines are renowned for exceptional fuel efficiency.

For example, a 2021 Volkswagen Golf can drive up to 39 miles on a single gallon of fuel. That equates to only around 6 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers. Rent a compact car and you’ll never have to worry about gas prices again!

If you’re planning a longer trip with more than two passengers and their luggage, you may be comfortable in an intermediate car, though. A couple going on a romantic weekend to Lake Tahoe from LA will be perfectly happy with a fuel-efficient compact.

Know More About Your Rental Car Type

We already mentioned that rental companies use a unified four-character ACRISS code to describe their rental cars. Did you know that you can figure out the car type, category, drivetrain, fuel type, transmission, and even if it has A/C, all by looking at its ACRISS code?

Remember that you are never guaranteed a particular make and model when booking a rental car. Instead, you’re actually booking a car type defined by its ACRISS code. That’s exactly why you’ll see the words or similar next to the make and model when browsing through rental cars.

Don’t forget to book your next rental car through Rentalmoose. Our platform offers thousands of rental cars from trusted suppliers all across the world. Browse from over 15 000 different locations and find your ideal car today.


We plant a tree for every rental car booked with us, as a way of contributing towards a better tomorrow. Find out more about us here.

What Is An Intermediate Car- Rental Car Basics

Written by Rentalmoose on . Posted in Pro tips for renting a car. Leave a Comment

2020 Hyundai Elantra, an intermediate rental car, driving off into the sunset.
A Hyundai Elantra is an intermediate car. Photo courtesy of Hyundai USA

There are nearly 20 different vehicle categories in the world of car rentals. Keeping up with all of them can be harder than it seems. Find out what you can expect when booking an intermediate (or midsize) rental car.

Rental companies are constantly changing the vehicles offered at different rental locations. That’s why it’s simply easier to offer types of cars, as opposed to particular makes and models.

Suppliers throughout the globe use the same unified four-character code to classify their rental cars. There are 18 different car types within the ACRISS system, and intermediate or mid-size is one of them.

To keep this guide clear and simple, it has been divided into the following sections:

Without further ado, let’s jump right in!

What Exactly is an Intermediate Car

Simply put, an intermediate (also referred to as mid-size) car is larger than a compact and slightly smaller than a standard.

Although the particular make and model will vary depending on the rental companies’ availability at your desired location, all intermediate rental cars are similar. No matter which car you receive, any intermediate rental car will have the following:

  • four doors
  • space for up to 5 occupants
  • similar to a Toyota Corolla

You can also expect a similar amount of room for cargo and passengers across all intermediate rental cars. The fuel economy and engine specifications shouldn’t vary too much between the different makes and models, either.

Note that some rental companies will also classify some crossover SUVs as intermediate cars. In that case, the size may be a little bigger than the average sedan.

Examples of Intermediate Cars

As mentioned above, all intermediate cars are roughly the size of a Toyota Corolla. Here are a few more examples of popular rental cars that fall within the intermediate category.

  • Toyota Corolla
  • Fiat 500X
  • Hyundai Elantra
  • Skoda Octavia
  • Nissan Qashqai
  • Chevrolet Cruze
  • VW Jetta
  • Seat Toledo
  • Jeep Renegade
  • BMW 1-Series
  • Ford Mondeo
  • Peugeot 3008

When Is It Best To Rent an Intermediate Car

Intermediate, or mid-size rental cars, are larger than compacts. As a result, you can comfortably travel with up to 5 occupants and their luggage. Intermediate cars are perfect when you need more space than a compact car, and still want to maintain similar fuel economy.

An intermediate rental car can prove to be ideal for day trips from busy cities with your family or friends. If you’re planning to spend a weekend at Cape Cod and drive from Boston, for example, an intermediate car would be perfect.

Know More About Your Rental Car Type

As mentioned above, rental companies use the ACRISS 4-character code to classify their rental car types. By looking at the ACRISS code, you can find out what kind of car you’ll get, as well as its type, transmission and drivetrain, fuel type, and whether it has A/C.

Keep in mind that you never book a particular make and model when renting a car. That’s why you’ll see the words “or similar” when booking the vehicle.

You can check out our guide to ACRISS codes to learn more about rental car types. That way, you’ll always be prepared beforehand.

Don’t forget to book your next rental car through Rentalmoose. Our platform offers thousands of rental cars from trusted suppliers all across the world. Browse from over 15 000 different locations and find your ideal car today.


We plant a tree for every rental car booked with us, as a way of contributing towards a better tomorrow. Find out more about us here.

Hertz rental car key on return desk, Rentalmoose moose reaching out to key behind the desk.

Car Rental With A Debit Card- All You Need To Know

Written by Rentalmoose on . Posted in Pro tips for renting a car. Leave a Comment

Renting a car is a pretty straightforward process, as long as you have a credit card. While it is preferred, most rental companies will allow you to use a debit card when renting a car. This quick guide will answer one of the most confusing questions in the world of rental cars.

To keep things simple, we’ve divided this blog post into the 3 following parts. Click the links to quickly jump to each section.

Without further ado, let’s dive right in!

Car Rental With A Debit Card- Can You Do It?

The short answer is yes. However, it depends on a few factors:

  • the rental location
  • age of the renter
  • proof of a return travel itinerary
  • the name on the card

Continue reading to find out more.

Although it can seem a little bit complicated at first, it is possible to rent a car without a credit card. Rentalmoose has made renting a car as straightforward as possible. Virtually all of our suppliers allow renters to rent cars using a debit card. This can, however, change depending on the location.

Rentalmoose insider tip: Some of our suppliers offer a quick way to check location-specific policies. Check out Budget’s Find A Location as an example.

Note that the policies can vary depending on the rental station. Always double-check with the supplier before finalizing the transaction. Otherwise, you may run into issues during the pick-up process.

Another thing to keep in mind is the age of the renter. While most rental companies allow a driver under 25 to rent a vehicle (a young driver fee may be applied), the lack of a credit card is an issue. You need to be at least 25 years old to rent a car with a debit card.

If you’re picking up your rental car at an airport, you will need to provide proof of a return travel itinerary. This is required by virtually all rental companies at airport locations, especially if you plan to use a debit card.

Last but not least, ensure that the debit card is registered to you- the renter. No matter whether you choose to book with a debit or a credit card, it has got to be under the name of the renter.

Don’t forget that while some rental companies won’t accept a credit card during the pick-up process, payment for the rental car at drop-off may be covered via a debit card. It’s best to get in touch directly with the supplier if you’re unsure.

Which Rental Car Companies Allow You To Use A Debit Card?

Rentalmoose only offers rental cars from trusted and verified rental companies. As a result, most of our suppliers offer a car rental with a debit card.

You can always double-check directly with the rental company if you’re unsure whether your rental car can be booked with just a debit card.

Avis (Ace, Budget)

Most Avis locations accept debit cards, though the renter has got to be at least 25 years old.

Cards accepted by this supplier include Avis Charge Cards, American Express, AT&T Capital, China Union Pay, Diner’s Club, Discover, GE Capital, JCB, Mastercard, Sears, and Visa.

Aside from local policies, Avis also requires credit cards when renting premium vehicles, including the ones in the Avis Select Series.

Enterprise (Alamo, National Car Rental)

Enterprise typically accepts Visa, Mastercard, and Discover debit cards at most of their airport locations in the US and Canada.

Note that the renter needs to present a return flight ticket to be able to rent a car using a debit card at airport locations. Otherwise, only a credit card will be accepted.

Europcar

Europcar accepts debit cards issued by major operators at select locations. It’s best to refer to their terms and conditions before finalizing the booking.

Check out more reasons why you should always read the terms and conditions before booking your rental car.

Hertz (Dollar, Thrifty)

For the most part, it should not be an issue to use a debit card when booking a rental car with Hertz. As always, local limitations may apply depending on the rental location. Hertz requires a credit card when booking a premium vehicle, too.

Charge and debit cards accepted by this supplier include American Express, MasterCard, Carte Blanche, Diners Club, Discover, JCB, Visa, China Union Pay, Hertz Charge Card.

Similar to Enterprise, Hertz requires to present a return flight ticket at airport locations to be able to rent a car with a debit card.

Rental car deposits and holds on account funds

No matter what supplier you choose to book your rental car with, you can expect a hold on account funds.

By doing this, the rental company can make sure that the renter is actually able to pay for the rental car. In most cases, the holds on your account funds will be similar to the final rental car bill.

This fee will be returned to you within a few business days after the drop-off. Ensure you have enough funds on your debit card to cover this hold, as well as to pay for the rental car itself.

Most rental companies will take a security deposit. You can learn more about that in this informative blog post.

Now that you’re all set, it’s time to book your next rental car! Click the banner below to start browsing rental cars.

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