Perth Airport Car Rental: How To Avoid Hidden Fees And Delays

For Dream Car Rental customers arriving at Perth Airport, renting is a convenient way to quickly start their journey across Western Australia. However, it is not uncommon for renters to encounter hidden payments, insurance, and delays in returning the car.

To save time, money, and nerves, it is important to know in advance how airport car rental works and what to look for when signing a contract.

Why Airport Rentals Are More Expensive

Renting a car directly in the terminal is a comfort, but you have to pay extra.
Airport fees (premium location fees) can increase the total cost by up to 26% compared to city rentals.

In addition, each company adds its own airport taxes, which are automatically included in the receipt, even if you book through aggregators.

To avoid overpayment, Dream Car Rental recommends booking a rental in advance online, choosing an off-airport rental with a free transfer.
Terminals T1/T2 and T3/T4 are only a 10-minute drive away, and shuttles run every 20 minutes during the day and 30 minutes at night.

For customers booking car rental Perth Australia, this is the most convenient way to save money and get fast service.

The Main Sources of Hidden Fees

Many customers face additional costs for the first time at the pick-up desk.
Below are typical examples of hidden fees that should be checked in the rental agreement before signing.

1. Fuel Policy and Refueling

The most frequent controversial issue is the fuel policy.
Most companies use the Full-to-Full principle, which means you receive and return a car with a full tank.

If you choose prepaid fuel, the company can set a fixed price for a full tank, often higher than the market price.

It is also worth clarifying whether fuel recharge is provided when returning with an under-filled tank — sometimes it reaches $4 per liter.

2. Late Refund and Cleaning Fees

Late return fees are accrued as early as 30 minutes after the lease expires, and sometimes they can amount to a third of the total rental cost.

At the same time, the cleaning fee is applied if the vehicle is not returned in proper condition.
Dream Car Rental advises you to take photos of the car before delivery and clarify the cleaning policy in advance.

3. Additional Drivers and Insurance

Tenants often do not take into account additional driver fees. Adding a second driver can cost $10–15 per day.

Also, many underestimate the real cost of insurance.
Basic protection (CDW/LDW) does not cover damage to windows, tires, or the roof.

Advanced options such as zero excess protection or refund excess protection cost from $26.99 to $34.16 per day, but eliminate the risk of paying a large sum in the event of an accident.

How to Get Insurance Correctly

Dream Car Rental always recommends that customers carefully study the terms of insurance waiver and liability coverage.

Even if you have travel insurance, it doesn't always cover the rental.
In some cases, it is more profitable to apply for excess coverage through independent platforms, where insurance costs about $15.50 per day, while covering a similar amount of risks.

Deposit and Payment Methods

The size of the vehicle bond (deposit) depends on the vehicle category — from $100 to $1000.

It is important to understand that when paying with a debit card, the deposit is often withheld rather than blocked, and the refund can take up to 10 business days.

If you use credit card benefits, check if there is built-in insurance — some cards cover collision damage waiver automatically.

Dream Car Rental accepts both credit and debit cards, but always informs customers about the deposit amount and refund conditions.
For those looking for airport car rental Australia, this provides additional confidence and transparency.

How to Avoid Delays in Receiving and Returning

To avoid wasting time at the airport, follow these simple recommendations:

• Book in advance. This way you will avoid dynamic pricing, in which prices rise depending on demand.
• Check the contract. Specify the terms of the return policy, deposit, insurance, mileage limits, and return time.
• Inspect the car. Record all damage in photos before departure.
• Save fuel receipts. This will help prove that the tank was full.
• Plan return time. Even with online payments, there may be delays due to inspection.

How to Save Money Without Losing Quality

There are several ways to reduce costs:

• Choose off-peak rental booking.
• Use membership or loyalty programs to accumulate discounts.
• Choose economy class cars if the trip is short — for example, Suzuki rental cars or Kia car rental.
• Book directly through the official Dream Car Rental website, avoiding aggregator surcharges.

Van hire Perth, sedan car hire, and SUV hire Perth solutions are also available for business customers looking for rental company Perth — all categories are presented with full insurance and transparent conditions.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Perth airport car rental remains the most convenient way to start a trip around Australia, but it requires attention to detail.

Understanding nuances such as hidden fees, fuel policy, insurance waiver, and vehicle bond will help you avoid unpleasant surprises and save tens of dollars.

Dream Car Rental adheres to the principles of transparency and offers customers fair conditions without hidden fees, flexible tariffs, and round-the-clock support.

Plan your trip in advance, and car rental Perth will not be an expense, but the beginning of a comfortable journey across Western Australia.