atlas car hire

noshot9 · Veteran Member

atlas car hire

Michele Erdvig · Host

noshot9,

I have not used them but I believe Itallian Chauffeur (Bob) has used them a few times with success. I generally recommend going with the best price. Also, Kemwel (from my Car Rental page) will match any other car company. Give them a call to see what they say.

Michele

noshot9 · Veteran Member

I called Atlas Car Hire looking for an email address and discovered that Atlas is now Thrifty. It appears they have merged somehow and the email address goes to Thrifty.ie. Just thought I would pass the information along.

Michele Erdvig · Host

noshot9,

Thanks for the update. Things are continually changing.

Michele

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

LONG answer, to a SHORT (but loaded) question ---

I have, indeed used Atlas in the past. I also have used Thrifty (in April, of 1999), as well as SIXT, Avis, Europcar, Irishcarrentals, AutoEurope and Dan Dooley. I WOULD use Atlas again, if conditions were right. They are no less, nor any more reputable, then any of the other 'Big Names', in car rental companies that operate in Ireland. Can't say the same about Europcar (used last, in '07). Hope to never darken THEIR counter, ever again! Even THEN, the vehicle and the rental were fine -- it was the actual picking up of the car ( in DUBLIN furious

) that soured me on Europcar.

This past spring, I received an e-mail from Atlas, offering a 10% discount and announcing their new 'Partnering' with Thrifty, as I have used them twice, in the past -- April of '03, and June of '05). Had a great experience in '03 and a decent, but slightly 'wonky' problem, in '05 -- they 'forgot' my arrival time and therefor arraigned a substitute vehicle via a different company, but at THEIR quoted terms... At that time, they only offered rentals from SNN and DUB, but the SNN rentals were actually serviced out of DUBLIN. The next year, probably due to problems like mine, they 'dropped SNN. Now, though, by aligning with Thrify, they will have a presence at SNN, DUB, and ORK.

Any way, when I priced them for my up-coming trip (without factoring in the Discount), I received a quote for 11 days on a Ford Focus/ Toyota Corolla (or similar), Group B, mid-sized manual, of 205.07 Euro, waiving the CDW (a savings of 22.79 Euro).

Having ranted about being 'burned' in the past by the EXTRA FEES and CHARGES, I 'clicked through' to the 'Terms and Conditions' -- and was somewhat SURPRISED and INTRIGUED by what I found.

I won't bore you with ALL the details, but they DON'T charge Road TAX, and their SDW (SUPER CDW) COVERS tires and etc.!!!! It IS 11.5 Euro per day, but still...

They will accept USA issued World MasterCard and 'Certain Canadian Visa to waive the CDW, but apparently, NOT Diner's Club. They charge for the initial tank of fuel, but will reimburse if you bring it back full! Airport Surcharge is 25 Euro, with locations in Cork, Shannon and Dublin Airports, but NOT at their city locations in Cork and Dublin. They DO NOT APPEAR to charge to allow entering Northern Ireland..

As it turned out, due to my late (9:30 PM) scheduled arrival into Cork Airport, they were marginally pricier than Dan Dooley, the company I ultimately chose to use. I had a satisfactory, but not perfect experience with Dooley, and would consider using them again.

I generally shop for price, but being a bit of a techno/car geek, I HAVE been swayed by the types of vehicles on offer ... SIXT 'got' me, in 2001 by offering me an Alfa Romeo 146 Sport Hatch biggrin biggrin biggrin . I also ALWAYS waive the CDW, using an acceptable Credit Card (currently, a US-issued, WORLD MasterCard, from Bank of America). If I was in the position of NEEDING to buy the CDW (and therefor, the 'EXCESS'-covering, SUPER CDW), then Atlas would definitely be my #1 or #2 choice, based upon what their product covers.

It is VERY, VERY VERY important, to compare Apples to Apples when it comes to Car Hire. Vehicles vary, insurance cover varies, fee schedules vary and rules about fuel vary. ANY ONE of those items can sour the deal, or tip the balance, in terms of TOTAL cost of the rental. furious furious furious

Hope this helps, hmm hmm

Bob

youngka · Guru

We have always gotten National; however, we got the vehicle throught a travel agency in Washington State, two other times we got National thru 12Travel.com. This year, our local travel agency beat Ireland's quote.......not a problem at all.....in fact, when Dave was so sick with his leg, last March '08, the agency was VERY helpful in getting my name on the driving contract so he wouldn't have to drive, because he COULDN'T! Didn't charge me extra either. Second driver, I believe, is $8.00/day -- OUCH! Youngka

noshot9 · Veteran Member

You know I am not the riches guy in the world or even close to it, but all of this nashing of teeth, sleepless nights and throwing up over renting a car and quibling over a couple of hundred bucks is not worth it. When you have to rent an automatic and buy CDW, Super CDW, etc. there is just not a whole lot of difference in price between companies. Like someone said earlier on this forum, maybe Bob, just rent a car and enjoy Ireland and don't worry about.

GARYVOL · Veteran Member

not the riches guy either, glad I'm not alone.
But I agree with you. Just got back last month.
Rented a car from Kemwel (Europcar) and got lots of insurance as I don't trust anyone of the drivers in Ireland. I sometimes think they missed their calling to be race car drivers. evileye

I didn't get my choice car though, Toyota Avensis. Settled on the Ford Focus.
oh well. Plus michele gets her little kickback from Kemwel to help keep this
great forum going.
-gary

Michele Erdvig · Host

Gary,

You should see some of the car rallys in Ireland. Well, maybe not! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSCUvSCJdG0

Having all the insurance you need is a good thing.

Michele

meredith · Veteran Member

We've booked a Ford Focus manual (or similar) with Europcar through our travel agent. We have unlimited kilometres, collision damage coverage to excess of approx 800 euro + tax, theft protection to excess of 800 euro + tax, third party liability insurance, local tax of 13.5% included, first additional driver free, road tax. Our travel insurance covers rental vehicle excess to 2400 euro. The travel agent assures me we are properly covered, but even after reading info about car rentals I'm still having trouble getting my head around what this means with regards to the CDW/super CDW. Any advice?

Meredith

Michele Erdvig · Host

Meredith,

I am a bit confused by the language. Does it mean that you are responsible for a deductible of 800 euro if in a collision or if the car is stolen? Does it mean you have a 2400 decuctible with your travel insurance? I sure would ask your travel agent those questions.

Find out what you are responsible for and exactly what you are covered for.

Michele