Car Rentals in Ireland. Confused on what included and what is not.

balinaraw · Member

Car Rentals in Ireland. Confused on what included and what is not.

Geno · Guru

While I would tell you to research your prices, I can assure you that whatever figure you get from Dooley will be it -- no special things added on when you get the car. I am sure there are other good companies in Ireland to get cars from, but Dooley is the only place I use now because they are really easy to deal with and have no hidden fees.

Not all can claim those two traits.

Geno

Michele Erdvig · Host

I used Avis last time and did two car rentals (I was in Ireland for a long time). No problems and as long as you read the fine print there are no surprises.

For the past several years prior to Avis I used Dooley. They are probably the most transparent about what is and is not included in the rental. In other words they make it easy for their renters to understand terms. I wish all companies did so.

Have not personally rented from Hertz in Ireland.

Have heard good feedback on Easy Tour Ireland.

Some tips:

Clear your computer cache and cookies before getting a new quote.

Compare the same things at each company, add everything up for a grand total that you can compare.

Comparison shop.

READ THE FINE PRINT!

Roy · Guru

Rented from Easy Tour Ireland last year. Everything went smooth transaction wise. The car was in very poor condition. That would concern me if I would use them again.

Michele Erdvig · Host

When ever we see a really old clunker of a rental car in Ireland my husband always says, "It must be Hertz". And sure enough when we get close enough to see the sticker it is. Maybe they keep cars longer than the other companies.

balinaraw · Member

Geno, Roy and Michele,

Thanks for the great advice!

Michele - are you serious about Hertz having 'old clunkers?'

Surely they would be concerned about that reputation as much as Avis and Dooley would be.

Do all Irish car rental companies have older cars or is just Hertz?

Michele Erdvig · Host

I'm sure Hertz has some newer cars too but we do see a lot of old clunkers that are several years old and all beat up. If you are renting from them and they try to fob off a really old one on you just tell them you want a newer model. It is generally just Hertz that we see that with and we notice that they usually try to fob off the older cars on women. Keep in mind that a rental car in Ireland that is a few years old has really taken abuse.

I think if Ireland car rental companies were concerned about their reputations they would not try to trick people with low prices only to have renters shocked at the rental desk when they find that the price has tripled with "extras". That is why I always suggest finding out every cost up front so you are not surprised.

balinaraw · Member

Hi Michele,

I did some comparison shopping after getting the responses from this forum.

I am making a trip in August.

I checked with Dan Dooley as you suggested and found that their All Inclusive Rate still had a deductible (we call it that here in the USA, we dont use the term excess - that seems to be an Irish term) of 1200 euros for the Ford Mondeo with standard transmission.

I checked the Rental Terms link and found a list of car types along with the additional cost required to reduce the deductible.

All rentals that include CDI are subject to liability excess, ranging from 1,200 to 2,200 depending on the vehicle in the Republic of Ireland and ranging from £600 to £800 depending on the vehicle. In the Republic of Ireland you may reduce the excess to 100 if you purchase Super Damage Waiver Insurance (SDW). They quote an additional 15 euros per day.

So 7 days in August for an intermediate car with standard transmission with Dan Dooley was 658 euros plus the 15 euros a day for seven days (105 euros) and still have a 100 euro deductible. That's 763 euros.

I also checked easytourireland.com (hertz) and compared their intermediate, a VW Jetta with standard transmission. They state that they have a fully inclusive rate. I checked their terms and indeed they do. From what they say on their site their Super Cover has no deductible and is included in the rate they quoted. However they do state in their Terms that tire and wheel damage are not covered.

Their quote was 594.29 euros. No extra charges.

So far it looks like hertz through easytourireland. I looked at Avis and Budget but they were more expensive than Dan Dooley.

Michele, since easytourireland.com (hertz) was an excellent price I took you advice and called the Dublin Airport location and asked if I would be receiving an 'old clunker.' They assured me that I would not. I mentioned that one of the travel forums had make that observation and the chap I was speaking to said many years ago they had some problems but those are no longer the situation. He told me that Hertz now owns the Thrifty and Dollar franchises so the Hertz cars are all new. Just thought you would like to know what I found out.

Anyone else out there have anything better than what I found?

Geno · Guru

That seemed real high to me. Just ran the same numbers through Dooley for seven days in August with standard transmission, intermediate car, CDW, and the full excess reduction insurance. Total for everything 548.15 euros. The only other thing I did was enter Dochara in the code box as that gives you 5 percent off. Not sure what you were looking at -- might try it again:

This is what their site gave me:

Car Class : Group D-Intermediate manual

Pick up :
Dublin Airport (Terminal 1 & 2)

Date and time :
5th Aug 2014 10.00 Hrs

Drop Off :
Dublin Airport (Terminal 1 & 2)

Date and time :
12th Aug 2014 10.00 Hrs

Rental Duration : 7 days

Currency :

CDI Insurance : Accepted and Included

LLI Insurance : 56.00

Total Amount : 548.15

Extra Charges

Excess Waiver : Selected

Promotional Code Discount: 5 %

Canceling A Reservation

A full refund is always provided on a cancelled reservation However you must cancel at least 24 hours prior to your arrival time to receive a full refund.

This liability can be waived and reduced to 100 by taking out optional excess reduction insurance. (That is what the LLI Insurance : 56.00 represents)

Geno

-- Edited by Geno on Thursday 3rd of July 2014 01:08:40 PM

balinaraw · Member

Thanks Geno,

I didn't put anything in the code box.

Looking at what you just posted it seems that easytourireland.com (hertz) is still the better deal and they have no deductible (you showed Dooley with 100 euros deductible).

I want to have no surprises!

Geno · Guru

That's for sure. And that is one reason I like Dooley -- they are completely transparent with their charges. Others are not.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Be sure to clear the cookies and cache from your computer after getting each quote. That can greatly affect the prices quoted.

Thanks for the "clunker" info.

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

I rented from Hertz in June / July of 2013, two separate times. The first rental was for a 7 Passenger, People Mover (mini-van) and the second was for a full-sized passenger car.

The People Mover provided was a 2010 Ford Galaxy and the second was a 2013 Ford Focus Hatchback that only had 1400 kilometers on the clock and still SMELLED new.

The Galaxy, however, was Well-Used -- bordering on the 'clunker' category. Given that it is a largish, specialty (Automatic Transmission) vehicle, that MAY explain why it was still in service. In Hertz's defense, BOTH vehicles were mechanically sound and caused NO trouble or difficulty during my time with them.

Given the nature and seasonality of the Irish Car Hire business it is NOT surprising to see SOME rather 'wilted' vehicles within ANY company's fleet. Absence of dings, dents and scratches, though, are generally NOT relevant -- What Really Matters is that the vehicle is Safe and Reliable.

tampacb · Veteran Member

I just received close to the best and most comprehensive quote (in writing) from Dan Dooley. 8 days in an automatic group W mini van with CDW, super CDW,3rd party liability, excess liability, fire and theft, glass and tire coverage, and a â¬100 deductible. Unlimited mileage ,Taxes and fees The only thing not covered is lost keys or using the incorrect fuel. TOTAL Cost is $1622. We as picking up at the Shannon airport and returning to the Dublin airport. There will be 5 of us and they have personally assured me that we will fit and 5 medium duffel bags and 5 small back packs.

balinaraw · Member

tampacb

Just tried Dan Dooley and their site is down. Couldn't get a quote. Are you still traveling in August as you posted in March? Hope all that luggage fits!

tampacb · Veteran Member

Yes, we arrive in Shannon on 8/22. I spoke to Dan Dooley about the luggage and requested a larger van but they guaranteed me it would fit. They said 4 men, 4 suitcases, 4 golf bags with clubs, and 3 backpackers would fit so we surely would. I hope they are correct!

balinaraw · Member

tampacb

Is that an automatic minivan? Is it like a Honda Odyssey my neighbor has? I'm not renting a minivan for my August trip but just curious. I have heard about problems with having minivans at Shannon Airport during the busy times. My research showed me that most car rental companies don't keep as large an inventory of vehicles at Shannon as they do at Dublin Airport. Hope you're not disappointed when you arrive. I'm starting at Dublin Airport. Better air fare too.

tampacb · Veteran Member

It is actually a 7 passenger Ford Windstar, with a seat removed for extra luggage space. Since is am working with Dan Dooley, all of their mini vans are less than two years old and they move them back and forth from Dublin to Shannon daily. I have been assured it would be the same mini van at either airport and I can exchange it if not completely satisfied.
When booking my airfares, I received the same rates whether flying into Shannon or Dublin and chose Shannon since it is a little easier to initially navigate the left hand side of the road driving and also to see a bit more during our two week stay.

tampacb · Veteran Member

I just double checked airfares and I am saving $50 per ticket by flying into Shannon instead of Dublin. That is based on today's rates, I remembered them being the same price when I purchased them earlier, but I'm glad you got a better price on your tickets by flying into Dublin. I guess it all depends on dates, cities of departure etc. Have a great time.

balinaraw · Member

tampacb

Appreciate the reply.

Do you work for Dan Dooley or work with Dan Dooley? You seem to know a lot about the way they run their vehicle inventory. I'll stick with what my research found and have now made my reservation with easytourireland.com (hertz). I guess we both have the "best and most comprehensive" deals out there!

tampacb · Veteran Member

No, I don't work with or for Dan Dooley. I have been researching this and other forums, reviews, blogs etc for a year. I know Dan Dooley isn't the only good rental car company out there, but they do have good reviews and the general consensus was no hidden surprises and good dependable in person service at the airport counters. I was able to speak with them directly 4 times with questions( some raised by you in fact). I appreciate the questions because I really don't want any surprises.
easytourireland had really good reviews as well, but they said they couldn't provide an automatic minivan. I hope you have a good trip and I wouldn't even consider questioning your decision... I received comparable quotes from hertz but had to speak with an international desk and the rate was only good while on the phone with them? the emailed quote was $700 higher. I'm quite certain this didn't happen to you. If the rental car industry weren't so variable Michele wouldn't have so many entries and posts on this forum.
Most people who have posts on this forum have been very helpful and positive in nature, Thank you for your input- I found it very helpful. I'm sure we will both be very happy with our vehicles and our trips.

-- Edited by tampacb on Wednesday 9th of July 2014 04:48:14 PM

-- Edited by tampacb on Thursday 10th of July 2014 11:09:23 AM