EconomyBookings vs Rentalcars: where is car rental cheaper? Both are rental portals and do not own cars themselves, so the price of the same car depends on place, date and rental company. What matters more than the number in the results list is what comes on top: deposit, insurance, cancellation terms and extras at the desk. We would start with EconomyBookings because its help pages are explicit on these points and its cancellation rule is easy to remember. Rentalcars sits beside it as a neutral option. Status October 2026.
What the price includes
EconomyBookings says in its help centre that the total price covers the car plus local taxes and fees. The per-day rate in the list does not include them, so always compare the total. Child seat, extra driver, ski rack or GPS are not part of the prepaid rate. EconomyBookings passes such requests to the supplier and you pay at pick-up, with no promise that the extras will be available. Local tax can apply to them as well.
On Rentalcars the offer itself tells you what is in the price. Read the inclusions of the chosen supplier there before you book and set them next to the EconomyBookings list.
Deposit and credit card
At EconomyBookings the rental company blocks the deposit on the main driver's credit card at pick-up. The amount is shown in the terms below the photo of the car you pick. According to the terms of use, the hold is usually released within 30 days after the rental ends if nothing is outstanding. You may reserve online with a debit card, but at the desk the supplier needs a physical credit card in the driver's name. Prepaid, debit and virtual cards are not accepted for the deposit. If you have no credit card, EconomyBookings offers no way around this rule.
How high the deposit is on Rentalcars and which card counts there is shown by Rentalcars next to each offer.
Cancellation
EconomyBookings refunds a cancellation in full up to 48 hours before pick-up. The money goes into your E-Wallet first. You can withdraw it to the original payment method at no cost or use it for a new booking. Later than 48 hours before pick-up there is no refund. According to the policy, bookings for two days or less and bookings made less than 48 hours before pick-up are excluded as well. You cancel online in the bookings area of your account, not at the rental desk.
On Rentalcars the deadline is the one shown with the offer and in the confirmation. Read it before you click book.
Insurance and payment
The usual packages at EconomyBookings are collision damage waiver and theft protection, mostly included in the rental price. Windows, tyres, underbody, interior, towing and keys are normally outside the standard packages. For that there is the optional Full Protection, where you settle damage directly with EconomyBookings instead of the rental company. You can pay when you book or at pick-up.
The word to watch is excess. It is the most you have to pay yourself for damage or theft, and it depends on the supplier and car type. If you return the car in the condition you collected it, the supplier charges nothing. So take photos or a short video at pick-up and have existing damage noted down.
Both sides at a glance
| Point | EconomyBookings | Rentalcars |
|---|---|---|
| Role | intermediary, does not rent out cars itself | rental portal, details per offer |
| Total price | car plus local taxes and fees | shown by Rentalcars in the booking step |
| Extras | added at pick-up | shown by Rentalcars with the offer |
| Deposit | main driver credit card, amount in the terms | shown by Rentalcars with the offer |
| Cancellation | full refund until 48 hours before pick-up | deadline shown in the offer |
| Extra cover | Full Protection optional | shown by Rentalcars in the booking step |
| Minimum age | mostly 21 to 70, fee under 25 and over 70 | read the supplier conditions |
Who suits what
EconomyBookings suits you if you want a clear cancellation rule and like to rebook at no cost while plans are open. If you want glass and tyres covered, Full Protection gives you an answer within the portal itself. That is our pick for holidays with a credit card and fixed travel dates.
Rentalcars is worth a look if a certain supplier or offer there appeals to you. The same checks apply: put total, deposit, excess and deadline side by side.
For both: same days, same pick-up station, same car class. And check the fuel rule before you collect the car.
Cashback at EconomyBookings
You can start at daily cashback before booking EconomyBookings, too. The EconomyBookings shop page names the rate in force, and you book afterwards in that session. The provider page gives an overview of the portal. Rentalcars is not a shop with us. If you want another look at Rentalcars, try TUI Cars vs Rentalcars.