The lively city called Dubai, where one’s skyline towers touch the sky and people live lavishly, is known for being a place where most people often dream of that one day when they will drive through the famous road of this mega-lightening city in a supercar or Lamborghini or a Ferrari.
Before piling into the Ferrari, here is something you know is the time to read the fine print. Here, the discussion is for you to turn your dream into reality. Otherwise, the hidden costs of the car rental may turn your dream into a nightmare overnight.
So, let’s start with some of the most common and sneaky fees to be cautious when renting a supercar in Dubai.
Security Deposit & Insurance Fees
Whenever you are at the counter to rent out a car, you must have asked to put down a hefty security deposit. This is mostly refundable after returning the car without any damage. Otherwise, you have to make that replacement.
Rental companies would expect you to pay around AED 5,000 to 20,000 depending on the brand and model, and many companies charge for their services as well.
You can better target yourself as an I’ll-be-responsible payment methodology to avoid any mishap surprise.
Hey! Didn’t you come up with the insurance fee? It is included in the package, but if you are driving a unique vehicle like a McLaren, you will probably have to pay a higher amount.
Only a few hundred dirhams more, but the experience is worth it. However, you must watch all these little extras.
Mileage Restrictions & Extra Charges
As much as you want to show off your sweet ride in Dubai, supercar rental often tells you how much mileage you are allowed to cover.
You are allowed 100 and 200 km a day, and if that exceeds, you must pay the amount of 5 to 10 AED per extra km. So, in case you don’t have a desert road trip or drive to Abu Dhabi, those extra Km can really fill your bucket.
Salik (Toll) Charges
This is the electronic tool collection system. When you are driving a rental supercar, the cost of paying those toll charges is still on your shoulders.
The amount usually is 5 AED, but they can build up if you are cruising around town or heading out to Emirate Road.
Some companies add this to your bills and other charges when you are returning the car. Either way, this is something you must figure into your budget if you plan frequent visits to troll roads.
Fuel Policy & Refueling Charges
You’ll probably pick up your supercar with a full tank, and you’ll be expected to bring it back to the state. However, if you forget or just don’t feel like refuelling, you can incur a heavy refuelling surcharge.
This amount will have some premium on the refilling amount; in other words, you will end up paying a lot more than the price you should have paid at any gas station. So, it’s better to fill the tank than to pay extra.
Late Return & Extension Fees
It happens when you are stuck in traffic, or perhaps you forget to move the clock forward—anything is possible in this busy world.
Whatever the reason, returning your supercar late comes with an extra cost. Most charge an additional fee, and some charge an hourly or daily fee for every hour you keep the car beyond the time it takes to return the vehicle.
If you want to extend the rental period, a price hike is likely. You might want to spend a little longer with that convertible, but those costs add up so quickly that you wonder how time flies, especially in peak tourist seasons.
Cross-Border Restrictions & Fees
Once you have rented a lovely red Lamborghini, and you need it to drive outside the city? Don’t think of it.
Many companies don’t allow their cars to be taken out of the borders into Oman or Saudia. They have a policy for this, but it is all about money, you have to pay a pretty penny indeed.
Such fee is around AED 1,000 to 3,000 depending on the car and the print paper policy.
Additional Driver & Age Surcharge
The applicable conditions are whether you or your bestie drive or hire a chauffeur. Most companies offer chauffeur service, but with extra pay. It is pretty quietly added to your bucket with a fee of basically around AED 100 to 200 a day.
And if you are below 25 or above 65 then also you must pay more. So, while you are busy plotting your route, don’t forget to tick out the square for hiring a driver.
Cleaning & Damage Charges
As much as you treat your supercar like royalty, you can’t avoid those extra occasional bus splatter and unfortunate sandstorms. How can you forget that Dubai is a desert oasis? These mishaps will remind you every time you forget!
But if you return the car in the worst condition, like with scuffs, stains, or covered in grime, you have to pay the cleaning and damage charges that are tacked on your final bill.
These may vary from AED 100 to 1,000, depending on how the condition is. Treat it like it’s your own, or you better treat it in a way that you have borrowed it as a loan from a sheikh.
Hidden VAT & Service Fees
Let’s look at those mysterious hidden charges. They will shortly quote you the initial price, and then the VAT will pop up at the last minute, along with some additional service fees, as your rental period draws near.
This must be 5-6% of the total amount, so you must keep a close eye on the invoice closely or at least check it thoroughly before proceeding with the amount.
Credit Card Holds & Foreign Transaction Fees
Supercars or exotic cars have a one-must rental fee that’s super sneaky. The company will ask for a credit card hold on your rental, often for minor damage charges. The fee can be as much as AED 3,000 to 5,000, depending on the car you rent.
If you use a foreign credit card, you must remember that you can be hit with a foreign transaction fee, which can make you wonder if the ride is really worth it.
Conclusion
Renting a super in Dubai is one of the most exciting things you could ever do, but it’s not all sunshine and Lambos. There are some hidden charges that pile up fast, especially if you are vigilant enough.
In other words, you must be ready for the mysterious charges apart from just the rental fees itself. That way, you can enjoy your trip rather than wait for a surprise bill to knock on your doorstep. So, budget wisely and just hope it’s not a financial pit stop!
