Terms & Conditions

NEW**                       AUSTRALIA-WIDE ONE WAY RENTALS ! (EXCEPT WESTERN AUSTRALIA AT THIS STAGE)
PRICES AVAILABLE BY CALLING OUR OFFICE ! MINIMUM HIRE PERIODS AND RELOCATION CHARGES APPLY !

*RATES INCLUDE: Basic Liability Cover (Excess Applies. Liability Reduction (LRP) and Extra Liability Reduction (ELRP) Covers are available as hereunder) and Free Kilometres as specified for that class of vehicle. Excess kilometres are charged at 39 cents per kilometre over the specified free allowance each day. We ask that you refill the tank to the amount it was at the commencement of hire, otherwise charges for fuel will be made. Rates quoted are as per your choices. Prices change frequently and are subject to change without notice. ALL OUR RATES ARE IN AUSTRALIAN DOLLARS ONLY! You can check your currency exchange rate at our Home Page. An Exchange Link is available for your convenience. Rates are based on Season, Availability and Periodic Demands and Requirements. Online Reservations/Bookings are always discounted.

RATES EXCLUDE: Fuel, Oil, Government (State & Federal) Taxes, Under 25 and Over 70 Drivers and Right Hand Drivers where specific charges apply.For Drivers aged between 21+ and 24 years, an additional charge of $ 8.00 Per Day will be incurred. Charges for Drivers 21 and Under OR 75 years and Over (POA) available on request. Rates shown on the Web Site are for Drivers between 25 and 75 Years of Age. Learners Licences and L-plate Drivers are not acceptable AND ARE NOT ALLOWED TO DRIVE OUR VEHICLES EVEN IF THE PARENTS ARE PRESENT. 

SPECIALS: Relates to any non-standard and/or non-brochure and/or non-advertised Rate and/or includes any Additional Services given gratis and free of charge with the Booking and which additional benefit to the Hirer is not normally offered or provided at a Discounted Rate.  Non-Advertised Discounts and/or Specials whether by Telephone, Walk-in or Internet are offered at the Sole Discretion of this Company based on a case by case basis. Telephone Bookings are under the same obligations and the same Terms and Conditions as appear on this site.

LIABILITY COVER: Basic Liability cover is included in all our rates and is subject to the Terms & Conditions of the Rental Agreement and the Hirer meeting such conditions, and where the other vehicle can be fully identified and all details provided to the Owner immediately. There always is an amount of Liability applicable in the event of a Motor Vehicle Accident. In the unfortunate event of a Motor Vehicle Accident, sufficient funds MUST BE available in the Credit Card Holder's Credit Card as supplied to us at the commencement of the Hire in order to cover such an event. Please Note: Standard Liability is included in the normal cost of the Vehicle and provides Third Party Property Damage Cover ONLY. Liability Reduction Premium (at a nominal extra charge) provides a reduced Basic Liability Cover with exclusions for the "Acts of God", Hail, Storms, Single Vehicle (an accident not involving a collision between the rental vehicle and another vehicle, other than a parked vehicle) and/or Animal Damage.

LIABILITY REDUCTION PREMIUM (LRP) COVER: By payment of a Liability Reduction Premium (LRP) at commencement of the hire, liability may be reduced. A Liability of between $ 3,750.00 and $ 3,000.00 on ALL our Cars applies to all hires for drivers between 21 years and 69 years of age and covers Motor Vehicle Collisions ONLY.

Please Note: Regardless of whether you have your own Travel Insurance, a Deposit equal to your chosen Liability amount will be held on your Credit. Please make sure that this Office MUST hold funds sufficient to Cover the Hirers' Liability at any given time. Although Debit and/or Pre-Paid Cards (Electron, EFTPOS, Visa & MasterCard) may be used for payment, they will not replace ACTUAL Credit Cards which are required to be imprinted on your Rental Contract. Failure to have the required minimum available Credit Balance on your Credit Card will render all Liability Cover Null and Void and constitute Fraudulent Hire and Unlawful Use of a Motor Vehicle belonging to this Company. Liability Reduction must be nominated at start of rental as follows (Costs vary for shorter Periods of Hire) and reduces your Liability in the event of a Motor Vehicle Accident with another Identified Vehicle where all details are provided ONLY as follows:
 
Drivers' Age ((Please Note Liability Reduction Premium (LRP) & Extra Liability Reduction Premium (ELRP) Costs for Under 7 Days (Weekly Hire) vary. Costs available by telephoning the Office directly. Charges stipulated herein ONLY apply to Pre-Paid Bookings for a minimum hire of 7 Days. Optional Extras, including Liability Reduction, added either at the Time of Hire or after the original Booking has been processed WILL BE CHARGED at the higher non-discounted Standard Liability Rates.))

Drivers' Age                                   Liability              Discounted Reducer Premium                                   Reduced Liability

25 through 69 years                             $ 3,000.00                               $ 13.00 Per Day                                $      550.00 (Based on 7 Day Hire)
25 through 69 years                             $ 3,000.00                               $ 11.00 Per Day                                $   1,250.00 (Based on 7 Day Hire)

22+ through 25- years                          $ 3,500.00                               $ 19.35 Per Day                                $      990.00 (Based on 7 Day Hire)
22+ through 25- years                          $ 3,500.00                               $ 14.85 Per Day                                $   1,320.00 (Based on 7 Day Hire)

70+ through 89 years                              POA                                           POA                                              Please Call the Office

18+ through 21 years                              POA                                           POA                                              Please Call the Office 

Rates Effective:  1 October 2010 (Subject to change without notice)

For all other ages and Periods of Hire, Liability Reduction Premium varies and can be obtained on the phone! Pre-2004 Model Cars only carry Third Party Property Damage Insurance ONLY! Effective Sunday 1 May 2011, the Minimum Liability for SUV's for Drivers over 25 years of age is $ 3,500.00 which can be reduced to $ 990.00 and the Liability Reduction Premium remains the same. For Drivers between 22 years and under 25 years of age, the Minimum Liability is $ 5,000.00 which can be reduced to $ 1,500.00 and the Liability Reduction Premium remains the same. 

EXTRA LIABILITY REDUCTION PREMIUM (ELRP) COVER: Extra Liability Reduction Premium (ELRP) which is a Comprehensive Liability Cover is also available at the commencement of the hire at an Additional Cost of $ 8.00 Per Day (for Ages 25 to 69) and $ 11.00 Per Day (for ages 22 to 24 and 70 to 85) to cover Hail, Storms, Single Vehicle (an accident not involving a collision between the rental vehicle and another vehicle, other than a parked vehicle) and Animal Damage ON VEHICLES WHICH ARE MODELS 2004 OR NEWER. Should you wish to avail yourself and purchase this Extra Cover, please make such request in writing in Step Two of your Booking Form (in the Special Requirements Box), or alternately you can call any one of our Locations where the Booking is made or email us this request. (Extra Liability Reduction Premium - ELRP - above is based on a minimum 7 Day or Weekly Hire).

Gold Coast Region: This Area of Use includes all areas bounded and confined to Tweed Heads (in New South Wales) in the South, to Pimpama in The North, and Tambourine Mountains in the West. Included are all Theme Parks in Between these areas.

Brisbane, Byron Bay, Noosa (Sunshine Coast Region): This Area of Use includes all areas bounded and confined to Byron Bay (in New South Wales) in the South, to Noosa/Sunshine Coast in the North, and Tambourine Mountains in the West. Included are all Theme Parks in Between these areas. Please Note: Northern Areas are subject to Toll Roads.

It is possible to extend the above Areas of Use subject to applicable charges and prior agreement for usage in the Areas of Proposed Travel which are subject to:

* Liability Reduction Premium selected for the Duration of Hire;
* Minimum Rental Periods of 7 Days (One Week) apply for Travel beyond the above Two stated Areas of Use;
* Excess Kilometers will be charged at a rate of 39 cents per Kilometer.

Please Note: Vehicles hired from this Company are NOT ALLOWED, nor are they suitable for or to be taken Off-Road or on Unsealed Roads. Penalties WILL apply!

TOLLS: Effective July/August 2009, all tollways in Queensland can only be paid via electronic means. Consequently, if you plan to travel on Motorways you are required to either have your own Electronic Toll Tag (Any Australian tag can be used), purchase a GoVia Toll Pass (www.govia.com.au for details) or have our friendly Staff set up an account for you at a nominal charge. 

RELOCATION: As per the Contract and Clause 2.3 therein. All relocations are subject to Minimum Hire Periods and Relocation charges apply.

FUEL: All Hirers are requested to return their vehicles with the same fuel and levels as at the start of the Hire. We do not possess Petrol Pumps on the site. Consequently, charges will apply if the vehicle is returned with lesser fuel than it went out with. In the case of any Hirer running out of fuel, the Cost for RACQ Roadside Assistance charges will be at the expense of the Hirer/s.

KEYS: The Hirer/s are responsible for the cost of replacing keys which may be lost or broken, or even for the retrieval of keys locked in the vehicle, especially electronic keys which attract a charge of $ 585.00 in all cases. Cost of a Locksmith travelling to the vehicle will be at the Hirers' expense as will be any RACQ Roadside Assistance charges for keys locked in the vehicle.

ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE: All OUR vehicles are covered by RACQ 24 Hour Fleet Roadside Assistance which is included in the cost of rental FREE OF CHARGE. However, please note that ALL Human Errors are charged for at the rate of $ 55.00 Per Instance (i.e. Keys locked in car, Ran out of Fuel, Lights left on and battery discharged, etc..)

CALCULATION ERRORS ON THE RENTAL CONTRACT: All Rental Contracts are "Subject to Audit" following completion of the Hire. All charges set out within the Contract are not final. Should any written and/or calculation error occur in the Rental Contract, the Hirer/s irrevocably authorise the Company to charge their Credit Card for any shortfall and, in the case of overpayment by the Hirer, credit the Hirer directly to their Credit Card which was used for the purpose of the Hire of a vehicle.

PEAK PERIODS: During peak season and public statutory holidays, Seasonal Surcharges/Minimum rental periods apply. No Trade Exchange or Barter Dollars accepted AT ALL.

LATE FEE/CHARGES: Late Fees and Charges will apply once a Rental Vehicle is over 59 Minutes Late after the designated Time and Date of Return. Such Fees and Charges will be calculated at One Third the Daily Rental Rate for each and every Hour that the vehicle has been returned later than the stipulated time. In such instance, once the vehicle is Three Hours Late (i.e. 3 Hours and 59 Minutes later than the designated Time and Date of Return), the Hirer will not be entitled to keep the vehicle which will be checked in and the Contract terminated upon succesful Check in of the said vehicle and all Damages ascertained (should there be any). This is non-negotiable. Should the Company lose any pre-arranged Booking for the said vehicle, then the Hirer will be charged the full amount of the said Booking should this Company lose such Booking due to the Hirers' tardiness and neglect.

REFUNDABLE BOND: On collection of your vehicle, a Refundable Credit Card Bond is required. Cash and/or EFTPOS deposits are BOTH unacceptable. The Bond applicable should cover the nominated Liability Excess and MUST be available within the Credit Card's available balance. Upon return of the hired vehicle in the same condition as when it was rented, such deposit will be refunded. Failure to have your Nominated Bond at collection of your vehicle does not entitle you to a refund of any monies paid for the service of a Rental Vehicle being held for your use. Furthermore, unless a Guarantor Form is completed and returned to this office prior to the Hire of the vehicle, the Credit card Holder must be present on collection of the hire vehicle. Failure of completed Credit Card Holder details will result in non-delivery of the Booked vehicle and the Hirer will not be entitled to a refund. This explains why we request you check and confirm that you have read the Terms & Conditions and Rental Guidelines prior to completion of your Booking with this Company. In all instances where the Rental Period is 7 Days or more, especially when the Hirer uses the facility of a Debit Card, due to Bank Regulations and Pre-Authorisation constraints, all Bond/Deposit/Liability Amounts chosen by the Hirer will be debited to the Card Holders' account and then refunded on return of the vehicle in undamaged condition. Please Note: We have been advised by the Banks that such Rental Bond/Deposit/Liability refunds can take a minimum period of between 2 and 10 Working Days from the date of return of the rental vehicle and any delays in your receiving the Bond/Deposit/Liability Funds will not be the responsibility of this Company. Should Conversion Rates/Exchange Rates vary between Time of Bond/Deposit/Liability charged and Time of Bond/Deposit/Liability returned, the onus of such costs will be at the Hirers expense and the Company will not be responsible for such charges, nor enter into any conversation or correspondence, as during the Period of Hire you have always had the option to reduce your Liability, which you opted not to reduce, and consequently placed this Company in a position that we had to hold such large amounts of your funds for your Bond/Deposit/Liability. (Eff. 19.04.2011).

WE NEITHER ACCEPT, NOR WILL WE EVER ACCEPT, AMERICAN EXPRESS AND DINERS CLUB CARDS AT ALL!!! - AT EITHER OUR LOCATION OR ANY OF OUR AFFILIATE LOCATIONS WITHIN AUSTRALIA. Acceptable Credit Cards are : Bankcard, Visa AND Mastercard ONLY!!!

Hirers can request to "Pay on the Day or Telephone / Walk-In Rate" by stipulating such fact in Step 2 of the Booking Form and in the Box marked "Special Requirements". In this case, payment will not be processed until the Requested Date of Hire and the Web-Discounted Rate will not apply.

For any Cancellations to be  made, such cancellation must be made in writing as per the "Cancellation Policy" below. No Refunds will be made for any cancellations after the "Cancellation Policy" Period! However, the credit available is of equal value and will be available for use up to and including 90 Days from the Original Date of Hire and based on Rates applicable at the time of Collection which is available from this site.  No Days are credited for No-Shows or Hires  that are allegedly cancelled without prior written notification via email or facsimile to this Office and received by this Office followed by written notification to you confirming your cancellation in writing too!

Bookings received without valid Credit Card details and/or insufficient funds to charge at the Time of Booking, will be deemed to fall into the category of "Pay on the Day or Telephone / Walk-In Rate" and will be charged accordingly!

At the discretion of the Company, and conditional to availability, should you wish to change the Class or Type of Vehicle you have booked, there is a $ 50.00 Charge which applies. If this Booking is a "Pre-pay Online Special Rate"  or "Early Bird" Rate, then the original charges as Booked will remain in force. There will be no refunds or discounts in these instances.

PLEASE NOTE: Bookings made on any Special Type Rates during one period of the year will not be valid at another period of the year until, and unless, the difference of the charges for the Peak Period are paid in full. This is because Off-Peak Rates differ from Peak Rates and if you book during Off-Peak Times, and wish to change your Booking for a Peak Period time, the Rate charged on collection of the vehicle will be the Peak rates and not the Off-Peak Rates as booked earlier. At the Company's discretion, we MAY permit credit for the Off-Peak Rates and charge the difference depending on vehicle availablity.

Furthermore, unless a Guarantor Form is completed and returned to this office prior to the Hire of the vehicle, the Credit card Holder must be present on collection of the hire vehicle. Failure of completed Credit Card Holder details will result in non-delivery of the Booked vehicle and the Hirer will not be entitled to a refund. This explains why we request you check and confirm that you have read the Terms & Conditions and Rental Guidelines prior to completion of your Booking with this Company.

CHANGES/ALTERATIONS/AMENDMENTS TO BOOKED VEHICLE HIRE TIMES: In order to Alter, Change or Amend any Booked Time for a reserved vehicle, please supply the relevant Office with a minimum of 48 Hours notice of such Alteration, Change or Amendment to your Booked Time in order that we may be able to assist you. There are no gurantees that we could assist but every effort will be made to accommodate your request for the Alteration, Change or Amendment to your Booked Time. Please Note: If the Change, Alteration or Amendment is for a new time which is prior to 9:00 am or after 4:00 pm on any day, extra charges will apply. 

PAYMENT POLICY: Full payment is required to confirm the Reservation. For Bookings of more than 60 Days prior to your arrival, you may choose to pay a Deposit of TWO DAYS RENTAL (Minimum) with the balance to be charged automatically 30 Days prior to the arrival date. Please read the Conditions herein.

Prepaid and Reloadable Debit cards and gift cards, as well as Travel cards and EFTPOS cards are not accepted.

Please note, a physical card must be presented.Gold Coast Car Hire does not accept cards presented on phones or watches and doesn’t allow contactless payment methods such as pay-wave. 

"BEAT COMPETITOR'S RATE" POLICY: Please note that we will beat any Genuine "Written Full Price & Total Drive Away Quote" on a Rental Vehicle of similar Type, Age and Accessories as offered by our Competitors AND this will, naturally, nullify our Rates originally offered and you will receive a new price based on the Competitor's rate as supplied and, naturally, cheaper than our Competitor's Full Price Rate as supplied or published and shown by you in writing from the Competitor.

"EARLY BIRD" AND/OR "MULTIPLE VEHICLE OFFER" SPECIALS:  This is a Special Rate offered to Hirers who want to avail themselves of "Fixed" and "Cheaper" Rates ahead of their travel and book vehicles anytime and well in advance of their Hire Requirements. All such Offers guarantee the Hirer the exact vehicle they choose and is non-refundable, non-transferable and, in the event of cancellation, does not entitle the Hirer to a refund nor does it entitle the hirer to any days credit for usage of a vehicle at a later time. Please ensure your Travel Arrangements prior to making such Booking as there is no cancellation Policy for this type of Service nor any Refund.

SPECIALS: All "SPECIALS"  or "Early Bird" or "Package/Multiple Vehicle Hire" advertised must be paid in advance as stipulated or at the Time of Booking. "SPECIALS"  or "Early Bird" or "Package/Multiple Vehicle Hire" Offers are non-refundable, non-upgradeable and non-transferable. Minimum and maximum hire conditions apply. All "SPECIALS" have minimum pay in advance requirements. SOME SPECIALS ADVERTISED AT THIS SITE MUST INCLUDE A SATURDAY NIGHT!

SPECIAL NOTE: Specials  or "Early Bird" or "Package/Multiple Vehicle Hire" are available to ALL drivers and include rental for entire period of Hire, Government taxes and Standard Liability Cover. Furthermore, There is NO FREE PICK UP OR DROP OFF SERVICE on "SPECIALS" or "Early Bird" or "Package/Multiple Vehicle Hire" and all vehicle must be collected and returned from and to our Office from where the vehicle was collected. A Surcharge applies for Service during Long Week Ends and Public Holidays. For any and all Airport Services requested on a Special, a non-refundable Additional Surcharge will apply.

VEHICLE INFRINGEMENTS: Are the responsibility of the hirer. Infringements processed incur a $ 110.00 ADMINISTRATION FEE. All fines can and will be traced back to the hirer by virtue of the Rental Contract duly signed.

EXTENSIONS: You will notify the Company and obtain the Company's authorisation for any and all Extensions beyond the Due Date and Due Time as specified on the Face of the Contract and as requested by you at the commencement of the hire. Such notification MUST be obtained prior to the specified Due Date and Time. Should you fail to obtain the Company's authorisation for Extension prior to the specified Due Date and Due Time, and your Rental is overdue, all Liability Cover ceases with immediate effect from the Due Date and Due Time specified and a LATE PENALTY of $ 9.90 PER DAY OR PART THEREOF WILL APPLY over and above the agreed Daily rental Rate as specified on your Contract for each day and/or part thereof.

Furthermore, should your Rental become overdue, the Company reserves its rights to commence re-possession of the rental vehicle without notice and you WILL be liable for a minimum re-possession cost of $ 250.00. This Company further reserves the right to report such vehicle as stolen.

CANCELLATION & REFUND POLICY : Please choose carefully. We do not normally give refunds if you simply change your mind or make a wrong selection. You can choose between a refund, exchange or credit where goods are faulty, wrongly described or don’t do what they are supposed to do.

During Peak Periods, School Holidays, Statutory Holidays, Easter Month and Christmas Month, Minimum Cancellation Periods differ as follows:

More than 21 Days                                      -        A Cancellation Fee equivalent to a Three (3) Day Rental Fee;   rsonble priod of time
14 to 21 Days                                              -        A Cancellation Fee equivalent to a Four (4) Day Rental Fee; 
7 to 14 Days                                                -        A Cancellation Fee equivalent to the Full Cost of the Rental;
Less than 7 Days or No Show At All           -        A Cancellation Fee equivalent to the Full Cost of the Rental.

Minimum Cancellation Periods apply for which Credit will be held by this Office and must be redeemed by 30 June 2022, and will be based on same rates as at the time of booking. Cancellation periods are as follows so please ensure you are aware of Terms before booking your hire car and which you claim to do before submitting your booking to us as follows:

More than 7 Days                                              - A Redeemable Cancellation Fee equivalent to a Three (3) Day Rental Fee;
5 to 7 Days                                                          - A Redeemable Cancellation Fee equivalent to a Four (4) Day Rental Fee;
3 to 5 Days                                                          - A Redeemable Cancellation Fee equivalent to a Five (5) Day Rental Fee;
Less than 3 Days or No Show At All            - A Redeemable Cancellation Fee equivalent to the Full Cost of the Rental.

IN ALL INSTANCES, ALL CANCELLATIONS MUST BE IN WRITING SENT TO: bookings@surfersparadiserentalcars.com as no verbal requests will be entertained or accepted.