Last Updated on May 24, 2022 by Snezana Grcak
Carla Car Rental
With the “rent now, pay later” option, great deals, personalized results, and a snazzy Tinder-esque vehicle selection style, the Carla car rental app is becoming one of the most attractive car rental aggregators in the market. Our team of experts reviewed this car rental service to give you the lowdown on its features, with a step-by-step guide on usage, a list of pros and cons, and a rundown of reviews. Our goal is to help you make an informed decision if this car rental comparing app is worth using.
What is Carla Car Rental?
Launched in 2017, Carla is a car rental aggregator that shares similarities with Skyscanner or Kayak – it allows users to compare vehicles from over 900+ companies (including Budget, Hertz, Dollar, Avis, Fox, Thrifty, and Sixt) in 20,000 locations around the world. While the scope is impressive, it’s the instant confirmation and “rent now, pay later” payment method that sets this car rental platform apart.
In addition, the app’s unique car selection style is also one of its most distinctive features. When using the mobile app, Carla showcases vehicles one at a time instead of listing vehicles one after another in a tabular format. Users swipe either right or left in a Tinder-like fashion to select a rental car that suits their preferences.
The Carla car rental app services over 180 countries and is available for download on iOS and Android.
How Does the Carla Rental Car App Work?
Booking a rental vehicle with the Carla Car Rental app is straightforward. The app’s location-based search features make it easy to look for rental cars near you.
After signing up, you can instantly input a location (e.g., city, address, airport, hotel) and see a list of all rental cars within the proximity of your address. Alternatively, you can select the “Car rental near me” option to see all rental cars nearby and check if car rental branches are open. The company also allows one-way car rentals for when you want to drop off the car at a different location.
Carla Car Rental prides itself on hassle-free car reservations in seconds. With instant confirmation, you’ll get a voucher email immediately after booking. Note that Carla waives the “under 25 fee” at participating companies. With free upgrades and last-minute car rental deals that start at $9/day, the service is definitely cost-effective.
How to Rent a Car Using Carla
Sign up or log in to the Carla website or the Carla Car Rental app, available on Google Play or App Store.
- Enter your pick-up and drop-off locations.
- Enter the pick-up and drop-off time.
- Select your age bracket from the drop-down menu.
- Click on any car from the list for additional details and features. If using the app, vehicles are shown one at a time as cards. Swipe right on your preferred vehicle and left if you’re not interested.
- Make sure to read the Terms and Conditions very carefully to know your rights and responsibilities.
- Add extras, like Full Protection ($12+/day), Roadside Assistance ($6+/day), or Peace of Mind ($18+), according to your preference.
- Rent now and pay later by selecting “Affirm” on the checkout page. This allows you to reserve a rental car, pick it up, and return it without paying in advance.
- Review the reservation details and price breakdown.
Look for the confirmation email after booking to make sure your reservation is complete.
Carla Rental Car Cancellation Policy
The Carla Car Rental app offers a Trip Cancellation Coverage that allows users to cancel their reservations and get a full refund. Cancellations must be made 6 hours before pickup. As of May 2022, this feature is only available for iOS users, but the company is preparing for an Android release.
To apply for cancellation coverage, simply select the Trip Cancellation Coverage button before completing your reservation. To cancel your booking, tap the top left drawer icon on the Carla home screen, then select “Cancel Reservation” under the info tab.
The Carla app features different vehicles from various car rental companies, and cancellation policies may differ based on the company or car. Read the cancellation policy under Terms & Conditions before completing your reservation. All cancellations must be made through the Carla app.
How To Contact Carla Customer Support
While Carla’s customer support is available 24 hours a day, some users may find it disappointing that the company has waived phone and online chat support in favor of ticket support. Users may open a support ticket directly through the Carla mobile app.
For any questions regarding Carla’s Terms and Conditions, users may email the company at [email protected].
Carla App Reviews: What Do People Say About Carla?
With a 4.3/5 rating on Google Play and 4.6/5 on the App Store as of May 2022, most users are generally satisfied with the Carla Car Rental app. Thanks to the user-friendly interface and easy navigation, users loved how easy it was to rent a car. The instant confirmation feature was also a hit.
On the other hand, our team discovered that the company’s customer service was a common issue among app users. Tickets weren’t dealt with in a timely manner, and some had to wait for days to finally get a reply.
Several users also complained about refunds that were late or withheld.
Bottom Line: Pros and Cons
After thorough research, our team came to an agreement: Carla Car Rental is legit. With several features that set it apart from other car rental aggregators in the market, the Carla app is an excellent choice if you’re looking for an easy way to rent vehicles near you.
The app’s impressive roster of car rental companies worldwide makes it a convenient option for travelers. However, users may need to deal with subpar customer service and a problematic refund process.
| Pros | Cons |
| User-friendly interfaceInstant confirmation Unique car selection style Deals and discounts Buy-now pay-later option Variety of vehicles and car rental companies Effortless booking process | Poor refund process Inefficient customer service |
Our parting advice is to read the terms and conditions carefully to make sure you’re informed about cancellation policies, refund policies, and restrictions. If you don’t think the Carla car rental app is the best choice, look into other car rental or car-sharing platforms, such as the following.
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