How to find and request a relocation: A step-by-step guide
Just joined Transfercar? Welcome aboard! This guide takes you through it all, from spotting your first relocation deal to sending a request and getting it confirmed.
FINDING A DEAL
Search for a relocation
Finding a deal doesn't take long. The search on the homepage and the one on the Browse all relocations page work exactly the same, so use whichever you like.
There are a few ways to go about it:
- See everything. Leave both fields blank and click "Search", or head straight to Browse all relocations.
- Pick-up location only. Ideal when you know your starting point but you're happy to end up anywhere.
- Drop-off location only. Useful when there's somewhere you need to get to.
- Both. Best when you already have a particular trip in mind.
Our advice: start wide. A broad search shows you more deals, and you might discover a route you'd never have considered, like a run from Queenstown all the way up to Auckland.
FILTERS
Narrow it down with filters
After something in particular? Filters take you straight to it. Open Filters on the search page and choose what's important to you:
- Vehicle type, whether you want a car or something you can sleep in. You'll find campervans and motorhomes together under Motorhome.
- Inclusions, to show only deals with extras such as fuel or the Cook Strait ferry crossing.
Click "Apply Filters" when you're done. To start again, click "Clear all filters" and every deal comes back.
DEAL DETAILS
Know what you're looking at
Every relocation has a few conditions from the rental company. Once you know what they mean, it's much easier to pick a deal that suits your plans. Here's a quick rundown.
- Available dates. The rental company sets the earliest date you can collect the vehicle and the latest date you can return it. You pick your own dates anywhere inside that window, as long as you collect on or after the first date and drop off by the last.
- Days included. This is the number of days you get for $1 a day or free. There's always enough time to make the trip, and some deals add a bit extra so you can take it easy. Check the distance and think about how many hours you're happy to drive each day.
- Optional paid days. On some deals you can add more days at the daily price shown. They're perfect if you want to slow down and fit in a few extra stops.
- Vehicle type. You'll find everything from small cars to campervans and motorhomes. Check the seats or berths to make sure there's room for everyone and their luggage.
- Locations. Branches can be at the airport or in town, and the two ends of a trip aren't always the same. Each deal shows the general area, such as the airport, the city centre or a suburb, so you can plan how to get to the branch and where you'll go after drop-off.
- Inclusions. A deal may come with extras like a fuel allowance or a Cook Strait ferry ticket for crossing between the North and South Islands. Not every deal has them, so treat them as a bonus when they're there.
NO LUCK YET?
Can't find the right deal?
Deals depend on where rental companies need their vehicles moved, so your route might not have anything right now. When that happens, there are two things you can do:
- Set up a listing notification and we'll tell you when a new deal turns up.
- Book a rental with one of our partners. Look for a campervan or motorhome rental, or a car rental, through our partner sites.
NOTIFICATIONS
Let the deals come to you
New relocations go live every day, so the right deal could appear tomorrow. Rather than checking the site over and over, set up a listing notification. Let us know what you're after, like your pick-up and drop-off locations, and we'll email you the moment a matching relocation is published.
For full control over your notifications, we suggest creating a free Transfercar account, which takes just a few minutes. After that:
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Log in to Transfercar.
Then go to My Transfercar.
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Go to Notifications.
You'll manage all your listing notifications here.
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Add the routes you want.
We'll send you an email each time a new relocation matches.
REQUESTING
How to request a relocation: a few things to know
It helps to understand how relocations work before your first request. Rental companies list vehicles on Transfercar when they need them at another branch. You take the vehicle there, and your trip costs $1 a day or free. It's a win for both sides.
With prices this low, you can request as many relocations as you want. The relocation deals are published by the rental companies, though, so the final say is theirs. A request only becomes a booking once the rental company confirms it.
So our advice is always the same: lock in your relocation first, then sort out and book your trip back.
TOP TIPS
How to improve your chances
Popular routes can get snapped up fast. These tips can help:
Set up listing notifications.
New deals land in your inbox the moment they're published, so you can request them right away.
Request several deals on the same route and dates.
When one is accepted, the others for that trip cancel automatically, so there's no risk of a double booking.
Request again if one expires.
Most rental companies reply within about 2 hours. Very occasionally there's no answer within 24 hours, and the request expires. If so, simply request again, either the same deal or a few different ones.
YOUR ACCOUNT
Before you request: get your account ready
You'll need a Transfercar account with a verified email address and phone number before you can request. No account yet? Create one now, it only takes a few minutes. Already have one? Make sure your email and phone number are both verified. Please don't skip this: rental companies often contact you before pick-up to check a few details, so they need a way to reach you.
REQUESTING
Request your relocation, step by step
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Pick your deal and check the details.
Spend a few minutes going over what's included: the kilometres allowed, inclusions, age requirements, the bond and anything else listed.
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Set your dates and times.
Choose pick-up and drop-off dates and times that fall within the deal's available dates.
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Click "Request vehicle".
You'll move on to your request.
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Check your trip details.
Make sure everything's correct, and verify your phone number if you still need to.
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Add the driver's credit card.
Enter a credit card in the name of whoever will be driving.
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Agree to the terms and send it off.
Tick to accept the terms and conditions, then submit your request.
AFTER YOU REQUEST
What happens after you request
From here, the rental company takes over. They review your request, and once they confirm it, it turns into a booking. Ahead of your pick-up date, they'll contact you with all the details you need for check-in.
CANCELLING
Need to cancel?
Plans change, and that's fine, because requests are flexible. You can withdraw if the rental company hasn't confirmed your request yet.
After a request has been accepted and confirmed, cancelling comes with a cancellation fee. It keeps $1 a day or free relocations working for everyone. Each deal's cancellation policy is in its Policy tab.
Ready to find your first relocation?
That's everything you need to know. See what's on offer today, and if nothing suits yet, set up a listing notification and we'll let you know when the right deal comes along.