Vehicle & fleet · Travelers + trade
Mileage cap
Also called mileage allowance, kilometer allowance, limited mileage, km cap
The short answerA limit on the distance included in the price; each mile or kilometer over it is charged at a set rate.
What it means
A mileage cap is the distance included in the rental, set per day or per rental. Drive more and the rental company charges a fixed amount for each extra mile or kilometer, worked out from the odometer at return.
Why it matters
It turns a cheap-looking rate into an expensive one on a long trip. Multiply the daily allowance by your days and compare it with your route before you book.
Example
Example only: 200 km a day for 5 days = 1,000 km included. Drive 1,400 km at 0.30 per extra km and you pay 120 more.
Related terms
Also related Odometer / mileage reading, Length of rental (LOR), Inclusions