Booking directly with a car hire company doesn't necessarily guarantee the best deal, so shop around online first.Photograph: Peter Titmuss/AlamyIt is not too late to get a good deal on your holiday car rental, even if you have booked already and are travelling soon. "Booking car hire should be straightforward, but hidden fees, unclear terms and costly add-ons still make it difficult for travellers to compare prices and know who is really offering the best deal," says Guy Hobbs, a travel expert at the consumer group. BookingBooking directly with a hire company will not necessarily give you the best deal, so check out as many aggregator and broker websites as possible. Those such as Carrentals.co.uk, Skyscanner, Kayak and Zest Car Rental cover holiday destinations around the world. As rental prices fluctuate all the time, watch out for the best deals and switch if you come across something that is better value.