Car rental, decoded
Basic rate
Also known as: bare rate
A stripped-down rate that includes little beyond the car itself, with coverages and extras added separately. It usually shows the lowest headline price but the highest number of add-ons at the counter.
What you may think
This is the total I'll pay.
What is actually happening
A basic rate is often just the car; coverage, fees, and extras can be added on top, so the final total can be higher than the headline.