Frequently Asked Questions
Check Alpha Car Hire Terms & Conditions
Payments & Fees
When will my security deposit be released?
Your security deposit is simply a temporary hold on your card rather than a direct charge from us at Alpha Car Hire. Once you return your vehicle in good condition, we will release that hold straight away so you can get back to normal. While most banks clear the funds within five to ten business days, it can sometimes take up to 28 days to fully reflect in your account.
How can I pay for my reservation?
You have the handy option to either prepay for your reservation online or settle the bill at the counter when you come in to collect your vehicle.
For “Pay Now” bookings we gladly accept Visa, Mastercard, Google Pay, Apple Pay and Amex, whereas “Pay Later” bookings can be paid using a physical Visa, Mastercard or Amex card.
Just remember that even if you have prepaid online, you will still need to present a physical credit card at pick-up to process the security security deposit as we cannot accept cash, gift cards or contactless tap payments. All charges are processed in Australian Dollars, and please be aware that standard credit card surcharges may apply to your transaction.
Will I be charged a security deposit?
Every vehicle rental with us does require a security security deposit to be temporarily placed on your card before you can hit the road. The exact amount of this hold will vary a little depending on the specific excess coverage option you decide to lock in for your trip.
If you are grabbing the keys to one of our passenger vehicles, you can expect the security deposit to typically range anywhere from $250 to $1100. For those needing a bit more heavy-lifting capability with our commercial vehicles, the required security deposit will generally sit between $450 and $1250.
Will I be charged a cancellation fee?
We completely understand that unexpected hiccups can cause your travel plans to change at the absolute last minute. While we always try to be as accommodating as possible, cancellation fees may apply depending on how close we are to your scheduled pick-up date.
You can find all the specific details and a full breakdown of these charges over in our comprehensive Terms & Conditions. If you need to make changes to an upcoming booking, just give our Reservations Team a quick ring and we will happily chat through your options.
What are the credit card requirements?
To get you out on the road, a valid Visa, Mastercard or Amex card is required at pick-up for all of our rentals.
If you have already sorted a “Pay Now” booking online, we gladly accept Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Google Pay and Apple Pay for the initial rental fee.
For “Pay Later” reservations, you will just need to present a physical Visa, Mastercard or Amex to settle up at the counter.
Just a quick heads-up that we cannot accept cash, gift cards or contactless tap payments, and standard credit card surcharges may apply to your transaction.
What is your charge if you exceed the kilometre limit?
When you hire one of our passenger vehicles, you can hit the road with complete peace of mind knowing they come with unlimited kilometres.
If you are grabbing the keys to one of our commercial options, daily kilometre limits do apply to help keep our hardworking fleet in top shape. You will get an allowance of 250 kilometres a day for a Minibus, while our Moving Trucks, Moving Vans and Handy Utes come with a 100-kilometre daily limit.
Should your job take you a bit further than expected, any extra distance covered above your allowance will just incur a simple excess charge of $0.33 per kilometre.
Will I be charged if I drop off at another location?
You do need to return your vehicle to the specific branch listed on your rental agreement to keep everything running smoothly. If you end up dropping the keys off at a completely different location without getting written approval from us first, a one-way fee or relocation cost will apply to cover the transport back.
We definitely want to help you avoid any surprise charges at the end of your trip. Just make sure you stick to the planned drop-off spot or give our team a quick ring ahead of time if your travel plans suddenly change.
Do you charge one-way fees?
If you end up returning your vehicle to a different branch, you may be charged a one-way fee. This extra charge simply helps cover the logistical cost of safely transporting the car back to its original location. To avoid any surprise expenses at the end of your trip, make sure you have pre-arranged a one-way trip with our team or stick to the drop-off spot clearly listed on your rental agreement.