that “full insurance” checkbox can be misleading. If it’s cover from the booking website, it may mean you pay the rental company for damage first and claim it back afterwards. The rental desk still wants its deposit.
Their own cover might reduce the deposit, but don’t assume it wipes it out. Ask for the actual deposit amount alongside the total rental price. “Fully covered” isn’t a number 😅
I’d compare the website’s complete price with booking directly, including cover, child seat and pickup charges. If the direct price is close, I’d lean that way—one less company in the middle if something needs sorting.
Bring a physical credit card in the main driver’s name with enough available limit. The card working online doesn’t mean it meets the desk’s deposit rules. A debit card or your partner’s credit card can leave you stuck.
If someone says “your card won’t work unless you buy our insurance,” don’t immediately reach for your wallet. If your card meets the booking requirements, ask them to actually try the agreed deposit. If they won’t, call the manager over. An insurance sales pitch isn’t proof your card has failed.
If they try it and the bank declines it, then call your bank. But buying extra cover shouldn’t be your first response to a vague “card problem.” Get the package price and the new deposit amount before agreeing to anything.
For the child seat, a tick on the booking form isn’t enough. Have the Antalya pickup branch confirm the right seat for your child’s size, and check it before taking the car. If you can bring your own suitable seat, that removes the availability gamble. Don’t drive away with the wrong one because they promise to swap it tomorrow.
Take a quick video around the car when collecting it, especially the wheels and existing scratches. Return it while the desk is staffed and get them to check it with you. Much easier than arguing about a mystery scratch after you’ve flown home.
And keep extra room on your credit card. The deposit might take a while to clear—you don’t want that hold eating up your spending limit for the rest of the holiday.
