After the rental

Getting support after the rental has ended

Once the car is back, the useful contact is not the counter you collected from. Knowing which party is responsible for which problem is most of what determines whether it gets resolved.

Who to contact for what

The supplier

Anything about the car itself: damage charges, fuel and mileage deductions, the deposit release, fines and the final invoice.

The booking platform

Anything about the reservation: what was promised at booking, a supplier refusing to honour stated terms, or a supplier that does not respond.

Your card issuer

A last resort, for charges that are genuinely unauthorised — after the supplier has been asked in writing and failed to justify them.

Put it in writing early

Phone calls leave no record. Email or the platform's message system creates a dated trail, which is what any later escalation relies on.

State the rental agreement number, the dates, the vehicle registration and exactly what you are disputing, then attach the evidence.

The evidence that works

  • The signed rental agreement and the handover damage record.
  • Pickup and return photographs with visible timestamps.
  • Fuel and parking receipts.
  • The return confirmation showing time and mileage.
  • Any written statement made by staff at handover.

Escalating sensibly

Give the supplier a reasonable window to respond — a working week is usual — then escalate to the platform with the full thread attached rather than starting again.

A chargeback should be the final step, not the first. Raising one prematurely can close the supplier's own dispute process and make resolution harder.

FAQ

Who do I contact first?

The supplier for anything about the car and its charges; the platform for anything about the booking itself.

Should I call or write?

Write. A dated written trail is what any later escalation depends on.

What evidence matters most?

The agreement, the handover damage record and timestamped photographs from pickup and return.

When should I involve my bank?

Only after the supplier has been asked in writing and failed to justify the charge.

How long should I wait for a reply?

About a working week, then escalate to the platform with the full thread attached.

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