Car Rentals in Ireland

bottledog · Member

Car Rentals in Ireland

Michele Erdvig · Host

bottledog,

I agree completely that renting a car in Ireland is one of the most confusing portions of the whole planning process. First I suggest you read a couple of pages of my website, which will clarify some terms and give you good info before you rent. Visit my "Car Rental", "Money" and "Tips & Tricks" pages.

1. Where is it better to rent the car from - city or airport? We will be heading towards Ballymote County Sligo from there (Temple House). * Since you are heading northwest, it makes sense to rent at Dublin Airport. It is north of Dublin city.

2. Our Business Platinum Master Card will cover collision/damage. Is it better to use our credit card or to get the CDW/Super CDW from rental company?* I use my credit card all the time to decline CDW and it is a real money saver. However, not everyone is comfortable with that option. You need to weigh the pros and cons to see what applies to your situation. No one can make the decision but you.

3. If we use the credit card can we still purchase tire/rim damage from insurance4hire? Is that called excess? * I have not personally used that company although a few forum members have. However, they have not had to use the coverage because of dammage so I don't know how reputable the company is. You can certainly purchase it if you want but I don't know how well it works.

4. I've heard positive and negative about Hertz, Irish Car Rentals, Avis and Nova (although aren't they all-inclusive so we couldn't do that if we use the credit card??) Do you have suggestions for reliable companies that will give us good cars? * For the past several years I have been using Kemwel (a broker) from my own website on my Car Rental page. They usually book me with Europcar, although it could be a different car company too. I have been very happy with the cars, service and prices. If you book from my Car Rental page and click on Kemwel I do get a very small commission. I want you to be aware of that. However, you will pay no more because of booking that way. You should read the fine print about extra charges with the car company itself. It is all spelled out by Kemwel. You need to pay an airport fee (around $45), road tax (around $1.20 a day), and for a full tank of gas. There may be an extra fee for going into No. Ireland. Adding an extra driver will always cost more with any rental company. Add everything up for a total price and then shop around. If you find a cheaper rental, call Kemwel and they will match the price. Keep in mind that Kemwel's prices are in US dollars if comparing with other booking engines that may quote in euros.

5. We are thinking a Geo Metro or Opal Astra - 2 people 2/3 suitcase - is that too tiny to be comfortable or is it better to have the smallest car on the road cuz the roads are small? * Actually I got a Ford Fiesta last time and was very pleased with it. I think it will suit you fine and cost a bit less than the others.

6. are there any major costs that i'm missing? * I addressed that issue above.

7. and lastly which is best for purchasing fuel -- "piece of mind" - can return car without a full tank and prepay for discounted fuel?? or "standard" must return car with a full tank to get deposit back. * Depends on the car company. They all have different rules. If I have a choice in the matter I prefer to return the car full since it is impossible to return it empty.

Michele

-- Edited by Michele Erdvig at 19:41, 2007-06-21

Sidz · Guru

Michele has certainly answered your questions, but I wanted to chime in with two things. We had great success last time with Dan Dooley Car Rental -- had the best rate and the service was good, and we also had a Ford Fiesta (as Michele apparrently did) and were really happy with it.

We also, simply for the peace of mind, took the excess insurance offered to lower any deductible from $1,000 euros to $100. Didn't need it thankfully, but if was a comfort knowing that should anything happen we would not be out a huge cost.

Have a great time indeed! smile

Auld Sod · Veteran Member

My two cents on the car rental:

I was instructed by Irish Car Rentals to bring it back as close to empty as I could. They stated that they would refund an amount equivalent to whatever remained in the tank. I actually ran it down to the point where the "LOW FUEL" light was on as I rolled into Shannon airport. I was thinking I'd need to stop just outside and put a liter in just to ensure I made it but I got lucky.

Obviously, this rule won't be the same with other companies but I figured any ifo could be helpful.

Good luck and have a great trip!

Chris

PS-It'll fly by, so take time to stop and smell not only the roses but the sweet Irish air.

Sidz · Guru

We did the same thing. There were four of us in the car, and I thought we might have to push the vehicle into the Shannon Airport it was so empty. With the price of gas, when they tell you to return it as empty as possible, you might as well give it a good try! We took great satisfaction in our effort. biggrin

bottledog · Member

thanks so much, michele and everyone who has responded as of yet -- we're still making our decision - but i think we'll probably go with our platinum MC business card and then get extra tire insurance separately. The prices for a toyota corolla type car with all the fees for 6 days is coming out to be around 425.00 US. does that sound right since we're waiving the cdw - it still seems high to me?

also, air conditioning?? do we need it in early july in the dublin/galway area?

thanks so much!

Sidz · Guru

Sounds

high to me. What company are you using? I'd keep comparing prices if you have the time to do that.

Dude · Guru

On Kemwel we are looking at a VW Passat for 11 days and the inclusive price is $413.46 plus the $45 pickup fee and $27.50 license fee, and if they actually charge it, $36 for travel to Northern Ireland. I'll get the Super CDW separately.

Your quote sounds a little high based on what I'm seeing on Kemwel. Of course, I'm getting manual transmission which makes a big difference.

bottledog · Member

autoeurope just quoted me for a

ford focus (w/air) $289.65 + $45 airport + $60 extra driver + $12.50 road tax = $407.15 is that reasonable or still too high for not even buying the cdw?

ps the guy said we don't even need the air - no?

Michele Erdvig · Host

bottledog,

That seems high to me also. Are you pricing an automatic or manual?

You may or may not need a/c. It just depends on what the weather is like. I generally don't get a/c because it adds to the cost. If you need a/c it will bump up the price.

This is what I found on Kemwel:

Ford Fiesta 4 door Manual (stickshift) for $107.26. (add on the extras you mentioned before).

Opel Vectra with a/c Manual (stickshift) for $211.45

Nissan Micra Diesel Automatic $204.30

Michele

Roy · Guru

We are renting the Nissan Micra Deisel Automatic through Kemwel for $392.06 for 13 days.

Last year we rented an Opel Astra, and it was a nice car. I believe it will be imported soon as the entry level Saturn to replace the Ion.

Roy

bottledog · Member

We're gonna go with an automatic and a/c at the ford focus level so i guess with those combined with us traveling at the height of the season we're paying on the high side - i understand if we went with the rental company's cdw and super we'd be paying a lot higher - so i still feel kinda good.

I think we're going to go with autoeurope or kemwel. my only hesitation is that they both require a sec deposit of 1000 euro because we're using our MC (business platinum) for insurance. that makes me really uncomfortable to have them hold that money - any thoughts on getting around that?

and lastly, i just found out from my MC service rep that if i buy separate tire insurance (say from insurance 4hire) than the MC cdw will be null and void because tires cross over into a grey area of the cdw and even though MC DOESN'T cover tires/rims they consider any other insurance a conflict. EEK! Any insights on this one?

Thanks so much everyone!

Michele Erdvig · Host

bottledog,

I have not had Kemwel hold a security deposit. Perhaps this is something new. Some companies will put a "hold" of a certain amount on your credit card. Even hotels will do that anticipating what charges might be made on the card. If you have a low maximum for the card and that is the only card you will use on the trip, it could be a problem. If you have other cards or a maximum high enough to cover such "holds" you are fine.

Is it insurance4hire.com? Because that website goes nowhere. Sounds like a catch 22 between MasterCard and that company. I suppose you should decide which one is more important to you.

Michele

bottledog · Member

of course, now another MC rep is telling me it's just fine to get tire insurance and that no my MC insurance will not be null and void because the tire insurance would be coming from a third party instead of the car rental company. so, yea!! do you have suggestions on where i can get tire insurance?

insurance4hire is very confusing and i can't fihure out what to do - you're right that website goes nowhere.

thank you!
melissa

Dude · Guru

Try insurance4carhire.com. I think you're leaving out the "car!"

Michele Erdvig · Host

Dude,

Thanks! That is it.

Bottledog,

I suggest you call MasterCard again and speak with a manager in the insurance department: 1-800-MC-ASSIST. The people answering the phones do not know it all. I sometimes get ten different answers to the same question, depending on who I talk with. I sometimes think they just make up the answers on the spur of the moment just to get rid of me.

Michele

Chuck · Member

I feel your pain concerning car rental in Ireland. cry

For me, that has been the worst thing to deal with but "this too shall pass".

We leave for Ireland this Saturday and made a reservation through Dan Dooley. You can get a 10% discount if you use dochara promotional code. I bought the CDW but not the Super CDW. Instead I purchased an excess coverage policy from insurance4carhire.com for around $100 which covers the deductible and also includes tires, etc... Acquiring the policy was easy. As I understand the policy (which you print out from your computer) you have to pay any repair cost up front (up to the deductible), get a receipt from the rental agency, mail it in and they reimburse you for the cost.

As for MC I would suggest that you get it in writing. A promise from some phone clerk means nothing when something happens and you discover you need proof of coverage.

Lastly, I think it is ridiculous for MC not to cover you because you buy coverage
for something that they don't cover.

If indeed you find out you have coverage through MC, how would they ever know if you bought a third party insurance policy to cover your tires, unless you tell them? confused

Sidz · Guru

I don't have MasterCard, but from almost everything I've ever read on this Forum it is almost impossible to know for sure if the CDW will be covered or not. Seems like that frustrates people when renting cars in Ireland as much as anything else. For the price difference, I'm not real sure the stress related to holding your breath regarding this MasterCard benefit is worth it. Sounds like a mess to me. ashamed

-- Edited by Sidz at 15:42, 2007-06-26

bottledog · Member

thanks for all of your help everyone and especially michelle! we're off on friday and have secured a car rental through ann mccartan at irish car rentals. she's been very helpful. using MC insurance and may get insurance4carhire as well for tires -- now seems MC doesn't have a problem with 3rd party. happily also, irish car rentals does not take a 1000 euro security deposit like europauto does when using a mastercard -- that was one of the deciding factors and they matched a lower price. so here we go! all the best in all of your travels!

melissa

Michele Erdvig · Host

bottledog,

I'm happy to hear that you are all set for your trip to Ireland. We hope everything goes well and you have a fine trip. Do let us know how everything goes when you return.

Michele

cavan97 · Member

I am making three trips to Ireland in a twelve month period and have checked insurance4carhire and it looks like a great deal to cover the excess which is now 11euro per day.
If you've used them in the past or do so in the near future can you let us know how you made out. It seems to be too good to be true.
Jean

Michele Erdvig · Host

Jean,

I am anxious to find out more about that company too. I guess the only way anyone can actually tell us if it worked is if they had to make a claim. It sounds very good. But whether they actually reimburse people for a claim is something we have yet to learn of.

Does anyone know of a company like that in the US? insurance4carhire is in the UK. I am actually interested in it myself because the cost of the premium could more than pay for one tire.

Michele

cavan97 · Member

My first trip is in October. I checked on Frommer and it seems many people are trying this. While it may, in fact, be a gamble the cost of $100 to insure $$2000 beats 11 euro per day. I think the closer I get I'm going to take the gamble. I'll certainly report back. Anything that makes car hire in Ireland cheaper and easier has to be worth a try.
Jean

Michele Erdvig · Host

Jean,

I totally agree with you about making car rental in Ireland easier. It is the one step in trip planning that gets many people down. I really wish the Irish government would regulate the car rental companies more so that tourists would be protected more and not have to go through such a grueling process.

Michele

P.S. I hope you don't have a claim though!!