Hidden Fees to Watch Out for When Renting a Car — And How Five Star Car Rentals Brisbane Does It Differently

Renting a car sounds simple enough — choose a car, pay the daily rate, and hit the road. But many travellers discover too late that their final bill includes unexpected charges that quickly add up. These hidden fees can turn a budget-friendly rental into a costly surprise.

At Five Star Car Rentals Brisbane, we believe in transparent, stress-free rentals with no nasty surprises. Here’s a breakdown of common hidden fees you should watch out for — and how we avoid them completely.

Common Hidden Fees in Car Rentals

1. Administration Fees

Many rental companies tack on “administration fees” for processing your booking or handling paperwork. While these fees are often small, they can quickly inflate your total cost.

With Five Star Car Rentals Brisbane:
✅ $0 administration fees.

2. Airport Levies

Picking up your car at the airport can come with additional airport charges or location surcharges that aren’t clearly advertised upfront.

With Five Star Car Rentals Brisbane:
✅ $0 airport levies.

3. Registration Recovery Fees

Some rental companies pass along registration costs to customers in the form of “registration recovery fees.”

With Five Star Car Rentals Brisbane:
✅ $0 registration recovery tax.

4. Liability Reduction or Insurance Waiver Fees

Basic insurance might seem included, but many companies push expensive “liability reduction” or “damage waiver” fees to limit your out-of-pocket costs in case of an accident.

With Five Star Car Rentals Brisbane:
✅ $0 liability reduction waiver — comprehensive insurance with zero excess (for drivers aged 25 to 85).

5. Young Driver Surcharges

Drivers under 25 often get charged extra — sometimes significantly more — just for being younger.

With Five Star Car Rentals Brisbane:
✅ $0 surcharge for drivers under 25.

6. Additional Driver Fees

Want to share the driving? Many rental companies charge a daily fee for every extra driver added to your booking.

With Five Star Car Rentals Brisbane:
✅ FREE additional drivers.

7. Credit Card Surcharges

It’s common for companies to add credit card processing fees, often hidden until you pay.

With Five Star Car Rentals Brisbane:
✅ $0 Visa and MasterCard surcharge.

Why Choose Five Star Car Rentals Brisbane?

When you rent from Five Star Car Rentals Brisbane, you get a straightforward, all-inclusive price with no hidden surprises. We include all the essentials — from airport shuttle transfers to extra drivers — so you can focus on enjoying your trip, not decoding your bill.

Plus, you’ll benefit from:

• Zero insurance excess (comprehensive cover)

• Convenient one-way rentals between Brisbane and the Gold Coast

• Friendly, local service

• Clean, reliable vehicles

• Campervan hire options

Book Your Next Brisbane Car Rental with Confidence

Hidden fees shouldn’t stand in the way of your next adventure. With Five Star Car Rentals Brisbane, what you see is what you pay — no last-minute add-ons, no fine print.

Ready to hit the road? Contact Five Star Car Rentals Brisbane today on 07 5575 5400 and experience the difference of truly transparent car hire.