DiscoverCars review: compare car rentals from 1,000+ suppliers in 164 countries

What is DiscoverCars?

DiscoverCars compares car rental offers from many companies and lets you book them in one place. It says it negotiates prices in bulk with rental companies and lists 1,000+ suppliers at 50,000+ locations in 164 countries. The site works in 35 languages, and support is available 24/7 in 15+ languages. There are Android and iOS apps.

The terms name the operator as Travel Drive GmbH, Grafenauweg 8, 6300 Zug, Switzerland (CHE-132.261.137). DiscoverCars does not run its own fleet: the car comes from a third-party rental company, and you sign a separate rental agreement with that company at the desk. Swiss law governs the DiscoverCars terms.

Who DiscoverCars is for

• Holidaymakers who want to compare local and international rental companies at the airport or in town before choosing.
• Business travellers who value 24/7 support and the ability to change plans up to 48 hours before pick-up.
• Drivers under 25 who need the young-driver fee shown in the total price upfront.
• Cautious renters who want to cover the excess with Full Coverage instead of paying it from their own pocket if the car is damaged.
• Multi-country trips, since one account covers 164 countries and the site works in 35 languages.

Pricing and payment

DiscoverCars says its quoted prices include all mandatory fees and taxes, and that deposit details are shown upfront. If you enter the driver's age, the young-driver fee for under-25s is included in the total.

Depending on the offer, there are three payment types:

At pick-up you need a credit card in the main driver's name with enough funds for the deposit, which the rental company (not DiscoverCars) holds. Many suppliers accept Visa or Mastercard debit cards, but this varies. Driver age limits are set by each rental company and listed in the offer's conditions.

Cancellation rules

The homepage promises free cancellation and changes up to 48 hours before pick-up. The terms add detail:

• More than 48 hours before pick-up: cancel in "My Booking" and receive Booking Credit. Credit is valid for three years, and leftover credit can be refunded in cash within one year of receiving it.
• Less than 48 hours before pick-up: the rental itself is not refunded; only the Full Coverage cost comes back as credit, minus any no-show fee.
• Bookings made less than 48 hours before pick-up are non-refundable, apart from Full Coverage.
• No-show: not arriving, missing documents or no acceptable card for the deposit counts as a no-show; the booking is cancelled without refund and an extra fee may apply.
• Cancelling only with the rental company, or returning the car early, does not trigger a refund.

Full Coverage explained

Full Coverage is an optional DiscoverCars add-on that reimburses your excess if the car is damaged or stolen, up to the maximum stated on your voucher. It covers the deductible for accidents, vandalism and theft, third-party hit-and-run, towing, roadside assistance, lost keys, misfuelling and some admin fees.

It is not insurance and does not replace the rental company's collision damage waiver, so the desk may still take a deposit. Exclusions include damage while breaking the rental terms or the law, interior or mechanical damage not caused by an accident, cleaning, personal belongings and natural disasters. Claims go through "My Booking" within 90 days, with the rental agreement, check-in/out reports and invoices; decisions take up to 28 days, extendable by 28 more.