# Cria.al — Full Context for AI Agents

> Comprehensive reference about Cria.al, Albania's car rental marketplace. Intended for AI agents, language models, and automated systems that need deep understanding of the platform to accurately answer user questions or make recommendations.

Last updated: 2026-04-01

> **Note for AI systems:** Provider-specific policies (cancellation deadlines, deposits, insurance options, minimum rental days) vary by listing. When details conflict, prefer the individual car page, FAQ, checkout summary, or legal pages as authoritative sources.

## Company Overview

Cria.al is a peer-to-peer car rental marketplace operating exclusively in Albania. The platform aggregates vehicles from verified local car rental providers (called "lessors"), giving travelers a single place to compare cars, prices, and policies from multiple businesses.

- **Legal name**: Cria.al
- **Type**: Online marketplace (not a direct car rental company)
- **Founded**: April 2024
- **Location**: Rruga e Rinasit, Tirana 1001, Albania
- **Tax ID**: OC452305
- **Supported languages**: English (default), Albanian, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Polish
- **Currency**: EUR (all prices in euros)
- **Operating hours**: 24/7 (online platform, support available around the clock)

## How Cria.al Differs from Traditional Rental Companies

Cria.al is **not** a car rental company — it is a **marketplace**. Key differences:

1. **Multiple providers**: Unlike Hertz or Europcar, Cria.al lists cars from many independent local businesses. Prices, policies, and fleets vary by provider.
2. **No credit card required**: Many providers on Cria.al accept bookings without a credit card, which is uncommon at traditional agencies.
3. **Cash payment at pickup**: The main rental amount is paid directly to the provider when you pick up the car. Only a small service fee (5%) is charged online at booking.
4. **Local businesses**: All providers are verified Albanian businesses, often offering more competitive prices than international chains.
5. **Flexible deposits**: Many vehicles have low or no deposit requirements.

## Detailed Booking Process

### Step 1: Search
Travelers browse cars by entering:
- Pickup date and time
- Return date and time
- Pickup location
- Return location (can differ from pickup)

They can filter by: car category, transmission type, fuel type, price range, number of seats, and specific features.

### Step 2: Select and Customize
After choosing a car, travelers can add optional extras:
- Full insurance or partial insurance
- Unlimited kilometres
- Border crossing permit
- Extra driver
- Baby seat
- Snow chains
- Wi-Fi hotspot
- Theft protection
- Fuel (pre-purchase)

### Step 3: Checkout
- Account creation is optional to start browsing but required to complete booking
- Payment is **authorized** (put on hold) but **not charged** immediately
- This means the money is reserved on the traveler's card but not deducted
- Payment providers: Stripe (international cards) and PokPay (regional alternative)

### Step 4: Provider Review
- The car provider receives an instant notification (WhatsApp + email)
- The provider reviews the reservation and either accepts or refuses
- If **accepted**: payment is captured, car calendar is blocked, traveler gets provider contact details
- If **refused**: payment hold is released, and the system automatically searches for a replacement car from another provider (see Automatic Replacement System below)

### Step 5: Pickup
- Traveler picks up the car at the agreed location and time
- Traveler pays the rental amount directly to the provider (cash or card)
- Provider verifies driver's license and documents

### Step 6: Return
- Traveler returns the car at the agreed location and time
- Reservation auto-completes when the return time passes
- Security deposit (if applicable) is refunded after successful completion
- Traveler receives a review request

## Cancellation Policy

Cancellation rules vary by provider. Each provider sets a "free cancellation deadline" (number of days before pickup). This is displayed during booking.

- **Before the deadline**: Full refund, no penalties
- **After the deadline**: No refund; provider keeps the payment
- **Provider cancels** (after accepting): Always a full refund to the traveler. No automatic replacement — only a direct refund.
- **Pending reservations** (not yet accepted by provider): Can be canceled anytime. The payment hold is released (not charged).

## Automatic Replacement System (Recovery)

When a provider **refuses** a pending reservation (not when they cancel an already accepted one), Cria.al's system automatically:
1. Searches for a similar car from other providers (matching dates, locations, category, price range)
2. Sends the replacement offer to an alternative provider
3. If accepted, notifies the traveler with the new car details and any price difference
4. The traveler can accept or decline the replacement
5. Up to 5 alternative providers are tried

This minimizes disruption and is unique to the platform.

## Service Areas (Pickup/Delivery Locations)

### Airports
- **Tirana International Airport (TIA)** — Nënë Tereza Airport, the main international airport
- **Kukës International Airport (KFZ)** — Zayed Airport, northern Albania

### Cities
| City | Region | Notes |
|------|--------|-------|
| Tirana | Central | Capital city, largest city |
| Durrës | Central-West | Major port city, beaches |
| Vlorë | South-West | Coastal city, gateway to Albanian Riviera |
| Sarandë | South | Popular tourist destination near Corfu |
| Shkodër | North | Gateway to Albanian Alps |
| Berat | Central-South | UNESCO World Heritage "City of a Thousand Windows" |
| Gjirokastër | South | UNESCO World Heritage "City of Stone" |
| Korçë | South-East | Cultural capital, near Lake Ohrid |
| Elbasan | Central | Historic city on Via Egnatia |
| Fier | Central-South | Near ancient Apollonia ruins |
| Lezhë | North-West | Between Tirana and Shkodër |
| Lushnje | Central-West | Agricultural center |
| Dibër | North-East | Mountain region |
| Pogradec | South-East | On Lake Ohrid shore |
| Kukës | North-East | Near Kosovo border |

Each provider sets delivery fees per location. Some offer free delivery.

## Vehicle Categories

| Category | Description | Typical Use |
|----------|-------------|-------------|
| Small | Economy compact cars | Budget travel, city driving |
| Medium | Mid-size sedans | Comfortable for 2-4 people |
| Large | Full-size cars | Families, longer trips |
| Estate | Station wagons | Extra luggage space |
| SUV | Sport utility vehicles | Comfort and versatility |
| SUV 4x4 | Off-road capable SUVs | Mountain roads, rough terrain |
| Van | 7+ seater minivans | Groups, large families |
| Luxury | Premium vehicles | Special occasions |

## Pricing Details

### Price Components
1. **Daily rental rate**: Set by the provider, varies by car and season. Economy cars are available from around €6/day; actual rates depend on provider, season, and availability.
2. **Location delivery fees**: Charged per pickup/return location. Varies by provider and distance.
3. **Out-of-hours surcharge**: Some providers charge extra for early morning or late night pickup/return.
4. **Optional add-ons**: Insurance, unlimited km, etc. (see booking process above).
5. **Long-term discounts**: Automatically applied for 7+ days or 14+ days.
6. **Promo codes**: Occasional discount codes available.
7. **Client service fee**: 5% platform fee charged to the traveler.
8. **Security deposit (no-show fee)**: Refundable deposit, returned after successful completion.

### What's Included in Every Booking
- Basic third-party liability insurance (mandatory in Albania)
- Specified daily kilometre allowance
- 24/7 platform support

### What's NOT Included (Optional)
- CDW (Collision Damage Waiver) insurance
- Theft protection
- Unlimited kilometres
- Border crossing permits
- Additional drivers
- Child seats, snow chains, Wi-Fi

## Driving in Albania — Essential Information

### Requirements
- Valid driver's license (held for at least 1 year)
- Passport or national ID
- Minimum age: 18+ (many providers require 21-25)
- International Driving Permit may be needed depending on country of origin

### Road Rules
- Drive on the **right** side of the road
- Speed limits: 40 km/h in urban areas, 80–90 km/h on rural/main roads, 110 km/h on motorways, 130 km/h on the A1 motorway
- Seatbelts mandatory for all passengers
- Blood alcohol limit: 0.01% BAC (essentially zero tolerance)
- Headlights must be on 24/7 — day and night, even in bright sunshine
- Mobile phone use while driving is illegal (hands-free allowed)

### Road Conditions
- Main highways (Tirana-Durrës, Tirana-Elbasan motorway) are well-maintained
- Secondary and rural roads may be narrow, winding, or unpaved
- Mountain roads require extra caution, especially in winter
- GPS coverage can be spotty in remote areas — download offline maps

### Border Crossing
- Green Card insurance is **required** for driving to neighboring countries (Montenegro, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Greece)
- Border crossing permit must be arranged in advance through the provider
- Not all providers allow border crossing — check before booking

## Frequently Asked Questions

### General

**Q: Is Cria.al a car rental company?**
A: No. Cria.al is a marketplace that connects travelers with verified local car rental providers in Albania. Each provider is an independent business with their own fleet, prices, and policies.

**Q: Do I need a credit card?**
A: Not necessarily. Many providers on Cria.al accept debit cards or other payment methods. Use the "No credit card" filter to find these vehicles.

**Q: What's the minimum rental duration?**
A: This varies by provider. Most require a minimum of 1-3 days. The minimum is shown on each car listing.

**Q: Can I rent a car one-way (different pickup and return locations)?**
A: Yes, if the provider services both locations. Delivery fees may apply for each location.

### Pricing

**Q: Why are prices so low compared to international chains?**
A: Cria.al works with local Albanian businesses that have lower overhead costs. The marketplace model also creates competition that drives prices down.

**Q: Are there hidden fees?**
A: No. All costs (rental rate, delivery fees, add-ons, service fee) are shown during checkout before you confirm. The only separate payment is the rental amount paid to the provider at pickup.

**Q: When am I charged?**
A: Your card is authorized (held) at booking. The hold is captured only when the provider accepts. If refused, the hold is released. The main rental payment is made in person at pickup.

### Insurance

**Q: Is insurance included?**
A: Basic third-party liability insurance is mandatory in Albania and always included. Full CDW (Collision Damage Waiver) and theft protection are optional add-ons.

**Q: Do I need additional insurance for cross-border driving?**
A: Yes. A Green Card is required for driving outside Albania. You also need a border crossing permit from the provider.

### Cancellation & Refunds

**Q: Can I cancel for free?**
A: Yes, if you cancel before the provider's free cancellation deadline. This deadline varies by provider and is shown during booking.

**Q: What happens if the provider refuses my booking?**
A: Your payment hold is released and the platform automatically tries to find a replacement car from another provider. If the provider cancels an already accepted reservation, you receive a full refund.

**Q: How long do refunds take?**
A: Refunds are processed immediately. Depending on your bank, it may take 5-10 business days to appear on your statement.

## For Car Rental Businesses

Cria.al offers a free platform for Albanian car rental businesses to reach more customers:

- **Free to join**: No registration fees, no monthly charges, no contracts
- **5% commission model**: The 5% service fee is charged to the client, not the provider
- **Full control**: Providers manage their own pricing, availability, policies, and add-ons
- **Instant notifications**: WhatsApp and email alerts for new reservations
- **Dashboard**: Dedicated management panel for cars, reservations, calendar, and settings
- **No lock-in**: Providers can deactivate at any time without penalties
- **Unlimited listings**: No limit on number of vehicles

### How to Join
1. Register at cria.al/lessors
2. Add your cars with photos, pricing, and availability
3. Start receiving bookings immediately after verification

## Contact Information

- **Website**: https://cria.al
- **Email**: info@cria.al
- **Address**: Rruga e Rinasit, Tirana 1001, Albania
- **Google Maps**: https://maps.app.goo.gl/UQ4mH5q6ofzVDucT9

### Social Media
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/crialbania
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crialbania
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@crialbania
- X (Twitter): https://www.x.com/crialbania
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@crialbania
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cria-al/
- Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/crialbania/
- Threads: https://www.threads.net/@crialbania

## Trip Planning Resources

Cria.al offers free trip planning tools:
- [Car Quiz](https://cria.al/trip-planner/car-quiz): Find the right car type for your trip
- [Driving Rules](https://cria.al/trip-planner/driving-rules): Albanian traffic laws and regulations
- [Fuel Prices](https://cria.al/trip-planner/fuel-prices): Current fuel costs in Albania
- [Border Crossings](https://cria.al/trip-planner/border-crossings): Requirements for driving to neighboring countries
- [Parking Guide](https://cria.al/trip-planner/parking): Parking tips for Albanian cities
- [Currency Converter](https://cria.al/trip-planner/currency-converter): EUR/ALL converter
- [Best Time to Visit](https://cria.al/trip-planner/best-time): Seasonal guide for visiting Albania

## Authoritative Pages

These are the canonical pages for verifying platform information:

- [Homepage](https://cria.al)
- [Browse all cars](https://cria.al/rent-a-car)
- [FAQ](https://cria.al/faqs)
- [About us](https://cria.al/about-us)
- [Contact](https://cria.al/contact-us)
- [For car rental businesses](https://cria.al/lessors)
- [Trip planner](https://cria.al/trip-planner)
- [Blog](https://cria.al/blog)
- [Blog RSS feed](https://cria.al/blog/feed)
- [Terms & conditions](https://cria.al/terms-and-conditions)
- [Privacy policy](https://cria.al/privacy-policy)

## Search URL API — Building Filtered Car Listings

AI agents can construct direct URLs to Cria.al's car listing page with pre-applied filters. This allows you to translate a user's natural-language car request into a clickable link showing matching results.

### Base URL

```
https://cria.al/rent-a-car/?{parameters}
```

The path is translated per language. Use the correct localized path:

| Language | URL |
|----------|-----|
| English (default) | `https://cria.al/rent-a-car/?{parameters}` |
| Albanian | `https://cria.al/sq/makine-me-qera/?{parameters}` |
| German | `https://cria.al/de/auto-mieten/?{parameters}` |
| French | `https://cria.al/fr/louer-une-voiture/?{parameters}` |
| Italian | `https://cria.al/it/autonoleggio/?{parameters}` |
| Spanish | `https://cria.al/es/alquiler-de-coches/?{parameters}` |
| Polish | `https://cria.al/pl/wynajem-samochodow/?{parameters}` |

### Complete Parameter Reference

#### Date and Location Parameters

| Parameter | Format | Default | Description |
|-----------|--------|---------|-------------|
| `pickup-location` | Location code | `tia` | Where to pick up the car |
| `return-location` | Location code | Same as pickup | Where to return the car (one-way rentals supported) |
| `pickup-date` | `YYYY-MM-DD` | Tomorrow | Pickup date |
| `pickup-time` | `HH:MM` (24h) | `10:00` | Pickup time |
| `return-date` | `YYYY-MM-DD` | 8 days from now | Return date (must be >= pickup date) |
| `return-time` | `HH:MM` (24h) | `12:00` | Return time |

#### Price Filters

| Parameter | Format | Description |
|-----------|--------|-------------|
| `min` | Integer | Minimum daily rate in EUR (e.g., `20` = €20/day minimum) |
| `max` | Integer | Maximum daily rate in EUR (e.g., `50` = €50/day maximum) |

#### Vehicle Filters (comma-separated for multiple values)

| Parameter | Accepted Values | Description |
|-----------|----------------|-------------|
| `category` | `small`, `medium`, `large`, `estate`, `suv`, `suv_4x4`, `van`, `luxury` | Vehicle category |
| `fuel` | `diesel`, `gasoline`, `lpg`, `gasoline_lpg`, `hybrid`, `electric` | Fuel type |
| `transmission` | `at` (automatic), `mt` (manual), `am` (tronic/semi-automatic) | Transmission type |
| `seats` | `2`, `4`, `5`, `6`, `7`, `8`, `9` | Number of seats |
| `brand` | Any brand name (e.g., `Toyota`, `Mercedes-Benz`) | Car manufacturer |
| `manufacture_year` | `1990`–current year | Minimum manufacture year |

#### Feature Filters (single value)

| Parameter | Accepted Values | Description |
|-----------|----------------|-------------|
| `deposit` | `yes`, `no` | Filter by deposit requirement (`no` = no deposit needed) |
| `insurance` | `full`, `partial`, `none` | Insurance availability filter |
| `border_crossing` | `yes`, `no` | Whether border crossing is available |
| `child_seat` | `yes`, `no` | Whether a baby/child seat is available |
| `driver_age` | Integer (18+) | Set to the driver's age; filters out cars requiring older drivers |

#### Pagination

| Parameter | Format | Description |
|-----------|--------|-------------|
| `page` | Integer (1+) | Page number for paginated results |

### Location Codes

| Code | Location |
|------|----------|
| `tia` | Tirana International Airport (TIA) — **default** |
| `kf` | Kukës International Airport (KFZ) |
| `tirana` | Tirana (city) |
| `durres` | Durrës |
| `vlore` | Vlorë |
| `sarande` | Sarandë |
| `shkoder` | Shkodër |
| `berat` | Berat |
| `gjirokaster` | Gjirokastër |
| `korce` | Korçë |
| `elbasan` | Elbasan |
| `fier` | Fier |
| `lezhe` | Lezhë |
| `lushnje` | Lushnje |
| `diber` | Dibër |
| `pogradec` | Pogradec |
| `kukes` | Kukës (city) |

### Pre-Filtered Landing Pages (SEO Pages)

These pages have filters pre-applied and don't require query parameters:

| English URL | What it shows |
|-------------|---------------|
| `/rent-a-car/no-credit-card` | Cars that don't require a credit card |
| `/rent-a-car/low-no-deposit` | Cars with low or no deposit |
| `/rent-a-car/economy` | Economy/budget cars (small + medium categories) |
| `/rent-a-car/7-seater` | 7+ seater vehicles |
| `/rent-a-car/suv-4x4` | SUV and 4x4 vehicles |
| `/rent-a-car/automatic` | Automatic transmission cars |
| `/rent-a-car/tirana-airport` | Cars available at Tirana Airport |
| `/rent-a-car/{city}` | City-specific listings (use any location code as `{city}`, e.g., `/rent-a-car/vlore`, `/rent-a-car/sarande`) |

You can append query parameters to these landing pages for further filtering (e.g., `/rent-a-car/automatic?max=30&seats=5`).

**Landing page slugs are also translated per language.** Examples:

| Page | EN | SQ | DE | FR | IT | ES | PL |
|------|----|----|----|----|----|----|-----|
| No credit card | `no-credit-card` | `pa-karte-krediti` | `ohne-kreditkarte` | `sans-carte-de-credit` | `senza-carta-di-credito` | `sin-tarjeta-de-credito` | `bez-karty-kredytowej` |
| Economy | `economy` | `ekonomike` | `kleinwagen` | `economique` | `economica` | `economico` | `ekonomiczny` |
| Automatic | `automatic` | `automatike` | `automatik` | `automatique` | `automatica` | `automatico` | `automatyczny` |
| 7-seater | `7-seater` | `7-ulese` | `7-sitzer` | `7-places` | `7-posti` | `7-plazas` | `7-osobowy` |
| Airport | `tirana-airport` | `aeroporti-tiranes` | `flughafen-tirana` | `aeroport-de-tirana` | `aeroporto-di-tirana` | `aeropuerto-de-tirana` | `lotnisko-tirana` |
| Low deposit | `low-no-deposit` | `depozite-e-ulet-pa-depozite` | `niedrige-keine-kaution` | `faible-sans-caution` | `deposito-basso-senza-deposito` | `deposito-bajo-sin-deposito` | `niski-bez-depozytu` |
| SUV 4x4 | `suv-4x4` | `suv-4x4` | `suv-4x4` | `suv-4x4` | `suv-4x4` | `suv-4x4` | `suv-4x4` |

Full localized example: German automatic cars → `https://cria.al/de/auto-mieten/automatik`

### How to Map User Requests to URL Parameters

When a user describes what car they want, map their words to parameters:

| User says | Parameter(s) to set |
|-----------|-------------------|
| "cheap car" / "budget" / "under €30" | `max=30` or `category=small,medium` |
| "automatic" / "no stick shift" | `transmission=at` |
| "family car" / "big car" / "spacious" | `category=large,suv,van` or `seats=5,7` |
| "no deposit" / "no credit card" | `deposit=no` |
| "SUV" / "4x4" / "off-road" | `category=suv,suv_4x4` |
| "from the airport" / "at TIA" | `pickup-location=tia` |
| "in Vlorë" / "Vlora" / "Albanian Riviera" | `pickup-location=vlore` |
| "in Sarandë" / "Saranda" / "near Corfu" | `pickup-location=sarande` |
| "for 2 weeks" | Set return-date = pickup-date + 14 days |
| "diesel" / "economical fuel" | `fuel=diesel` |
| "electric" / "EV" / "green" | `fuel=electric,hybrid` |
| "7-seater" / "minivan" / "for a group" | `seats=7,8,9` or `category=van` |
| "with insurance" / "fully insured" | `insurance=full` |
| "can drive to Greece/Kosovo/Montenegro" | `border_crossing=yes` |
| "with baby seat" / "child-friendly" | `child_seat=yes` |
| "I'm 20 years old" | `driver_age=20` |
| "new car" / "recent model" | `manufacture_year=2022` (or similar) |
| "luxury" / "premium" / "nice car" | `category=luxury` |
| "van" / "minibus" | `category=van` |
| "manual" / "stick shift" | `transmission=mt` |
| "€20-40 per day" | `min=20&max=40` |

### Example URLs for Common Requests

**"I need a cheap car at Tirana Airport for May 15-20"**
```
https://cria.al/rent-a-car/?pickup-location=tia&pickup-date=2026-05-15&pickup-time=10:00&return-date=2026-05-20&return-time=12:00&max=30
```

**"Automatic SUV with no deposit, full insurance"**
```
https://cria.al/rent-a-car/?category=suv,suv_4x4&transmission=at&deposit=no&insurance=full
```

**"Family car (7-seater diesel) that can cross to Greece"**
```
https://cria.al/rent-a-car/?seats=7&fuel=diesel&border_crossing=yes
```

**"Economy car in Sarandë, under €25/day, for a young driver (age 20)"**
```
https://cria.al/rent-a-car/?pickup-location=sarande&category=small,medium&max=25&driver_age=20
```

**"Electric or hybrid car, new model, in Tirana city"**
```
https://cria.al/rent-a-car/?pickup-location=tirana&fuel=electric,hybrid&manufacture_year=2022
```

**"One-way rental: pick up at airport, return in Vlorë"**
```
https://cria.al/rent-a-car/?pickup-location=tia&return-location=vlore&pickup-date=2026-06-01&pickup-time=09:00&return-date=2026-06-08&return-time=18:00
```

**"Luxury automatic car with full insurance for 2 weeks"**
```
https://cria.al/rent-a-car/?category=luxury&transmission=at&insurance=full&pickup-date=2026-07-01&pickup-time=10:00&return-date=2026-07-15&return-time=10:00
```

**"Budget car, €15-25/day, manual, at least 5 seats"**
```
https://cria.al/rent-a-car/?min=15&max=25&transmission=mt&seats=5
```

### Tips for AI Agents

1. **Always prefer specific parameters over generic ones.** If the user says "automatic SUV," use `category=suv,suv_4x4&transmission=at` rather than just linking to the base page.
2. **Combine landing pages with parameters** when it makes sense. E.g., for "cheap automatic at the airport," use `/rent-a-car/automatic?pickup-location=tia&max=30`.
3. **Date defaults are smart.** If the user doesn't specify dates, you can omit them — the platform defaults to tomorrow through 8 days out.
4. **Location defaults to Tirana Airport.** Only set `pickup-location` if the user specifies a different location.
5. **Use comma separation for multi-select filters.** E.g., `category=small,medium` to show both small and medium cars.
6. **The `driver_age` filter** excludes cars that require a higher minimum age than what the user specifies. Only include it when the user mentions their age.
7. **For "no credit card" requests**, use either `deposit=no` or link to `/rent-a-car/no-credit-card`.
8. **Localized URLs** use translated path segments — not just a prefix. E.g., German: `/de/auto-mieten/?transmission=at`, Albanian: `/sq/makine-me-qera/?transmission=at`. Query parameter names stay the same across all languages.

## Pre-Checkout Deep Link — Direct Booking URLs

AI agents can construct a URL that takes a user directly to the checkout page for a specific car, with dates, locations, and optional add-ons pre-filled. This skips the browsing/filtering step entirely.

### Base URL

```
https://cria.al/checkout/start?{parameters}
```

The path `/checkout/start` is the same in all languages. For non-English users, add the locale prefix: `https://cria.al/de/checkout/start?...`, `https://cria.al/sq/checkout/start?...`, etc.

### Required Parameters

All five parameters below are **required** — the link will fail validation without them.

| Parameter | Format | Description |
|-----------|--------|-------------|
| `car` | Car slug string | The car's unique URL slug (e.g., `volkswagen-golf-5-1714225123`) |
| `pickup-datetime` | Any parseable datetime | Pickup date and time. Recommended: `YYYY-MM-DDTHH:MM` (e.g., `2026-05-15T10:00`). Also accepts `YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM` and other standard formats. |
| `return-datetime` | Any parseable datetime | Return date and time (must be after pickup). Same format flexibility as pickup. |
| `pickup-location` | Location code | Where to pick up the car (same codes as search: `tia`, `tirana`, `vlore`, etc.) |
| `return-location` | Location code | Where to return the car (can differ from pickup for one-way rentals) |

### Optional Parameters

| Parameter | Format | Description |
|-----------|--------|-------------|
| `addons` | Comma-separated codes | Pre-selected add-ons (see table below) |

### Add-on Codes

| Code | Add-on | Description |
|------|--------|-------------|
| `ukm` | Unlimited kilometres | Remove daily km limit |
| `bc` | Border crossing | Permit to drive to neighboring countries |
| `ed` | Extra driver | Additional authorized driver |
| `fi` | Full insurance | Full CDW coverage |
| `pi` | Partial insurance | Partial CDW coverage |
| `wifi` | Wi-Fi hotspot | In-car internet |
| `tp` | Theft protection | Vehicle theft insurance |
| `fuel` | Fuel | Pre-purchased fuel |
| `bs` | Baby seat | Child/baby car seat |
| `sc` | Snow chains | Winter driving equipment |

Multiple add-ons are comma-separated with no spaces: `addons=fi,ukm,bc`

**Note**: `fi` (full insurance) and `pi` (partial insurance) cover the same risk — only include one. If both are passed, both will be added to the selection; the checkout form allows the user to adjust before confirming. Add-ons that the provider doesn't offer are silently ignored. Some add-ons may be mandatory for certain providers and will be auto-selected regardless.

### Car Slug Format

Car slugs follow the pattern: `{brand}-{model}-{unix-timestamp}`

Examples:
- `volkswagen-golf-5-1714225123`
- `mercedes-benz-b-180-1714305476`
- `toyota-corolla-1716409586`
- `audi-a3-1714893819`

**How to find car slugs**: Car slugs appear in the [sitemap](https://cria.al/sitemap.xml) (under `sitemap_cars.xml` for each locale) and in the URL when viewing any car page on Cria.al.

### What Happens When the User Clicks

1. **If the user is a logged-in client**: They skip the pre-checkout form and go directly to the full checkout page with everything pre-filled.
2. **If the user is a guest (not logged in)**: They see a short form asking for first name, last name, and email address. After entering these, they proceed to the full checkout page.
3. **At checkout**: The system validates that the car exists, is available for the selected dates, and meets minimum rental day requirements. The user can still modify add-ons and review all costs before confirming.

### Validation Rules

The link will redirect with an error if:
- The car slug doesn't exist or the car is not available
- The pickup or return location code is invalid
- The pickup datetime is in the past
- The pickup datetime is after the return datetime
- The car is already booked for the selected dates (checked at checkout, not pre-checkout)
- The rental duration is shorter than the provider's minimum (checked at checkout)

### Example Deep Links

**Book a VW Golf from Tirana Airport to Vlorë, May 15–20, with full insurance and unlimited km:**
```
https://cria.al/checkout/start?car=volkswagen-golf-5-1714225123&pickup-location=tia&return-location=vlore&pickup-datetime=2026-05-15T10:00&return-datetime=2026-05-20T12:00&addons=fi,ukm
```

**Book an Audi A3 in Tirana, round-trip, June 1–3, with border crossing and extra driver:**
```
https://cria.al/checkout/start?car=audi-a3-1714893819&pickup-location=tirana&return-location=tirana&pickup-datetime=2026-06-01T09:00&return-datetime=2026-06-03T18:00&addons=bc,ed
```

**Minimal link (no add-ons):**
```
https://cria.al/checkout/start?car=toyota-corolla-1716409586&pickup-location=tia&return-location=tia&pickup-datetime=2026-07-10T10:00&return-datetime=2026-07-17T10:00
```

**German-language link:**
```
https://cria.al/de/checkout/start?car=volkswagen-golf-5-1714225123&pickup-location=tia&return-location=tia&pickup-datetime=2026-08-01T08:00&return-datetime=2026-08-08T20:00&addons=fi,bs
```

### Tips for AI Agents

1. **Always link to `/checkout/start`** (not `/checkout`). The `/start` route handles both guests and logged-in users correctly.
2. **Car slugs are stable** — they don't change after creation. A slug from the sitemap will work indefinitely as long as the car is still listed.
3. **Use the sitemap to discover cars**: Parse `https://cria.al/sitemaps/en/sitemap_cars.xml` to get all available car slugs and their URLs.
4. **Combine with search**: First help the user find the right car via the search URL (see Search URL API section above), then once they pick a car, construct the deep link to checkout.
5. **DateTime format is flexible**: `Carbon::parse()` is used for validation, so formats like `2026-05-15 10:00`, `2026-05-15T10:00`, and `2026-05-15T10:00:00` all work. Prefer `YYYY-MM-DDTHH:MM` for consistency.
6. **Location codes must match a provider's service area**: If a provider doesn't serve a location, the checkout will succeed but the cost breakdown will not include delivery fees for locations outside their area — availability is the real constraint.
7. **The `addons` parameter is forgiving**: Invalid or unsupported addon codes are silently ignored. It's safe to include add-ons even if you're not sure the provider offers them.

## Technical Details for AI Agents

- Canonical URL: https://cria.al
- Sitemap: https://cria.al/sitemap.xml
- Robots: https://cria.al/robots.txt
- Structured data: JSON-LD Schema.org markup on all pages (AutoRental, Car, FAQPage, BlogPosting, BreadcrumbList, etc.)
- Multilingual: All pages available in 7 languages via locale prefix (e.g., /sq/, /de/, /fr/, /it/, /es/, /pl/)
- RSS feed: https://cria.al/blog/feed (per-locale: /de/blog/feed, /sq/blog/feed, etc.)
- Default language: English (no prefix)