Holidaymakers can still find better car-hire prices by comparing providers, choosing flexible bookings and rebooking if rates fall, but unclear terms and costly extras can make an apparently cheap rental expensive. The advice matters because Which? found that one in eight recent car-hire customers paid more than their original quote.

Travellers should compare direct bookings with broker and aggregator sites, favour free cancellation, unlimited mileage and a full-to-full fuel policy, and consider a reputable provider over the lowest price. European rentals for the same holiday week were reportedly 16% cheaper in July than in January, potentially saving about £100 on a week in destinations including Nice and Crete; renters should also avoid expensive excess insurance sold at collection by arranging separate cover beforehand.