Couple of Car Rental Questions

Photosytes · Member

Couple of Car Rental Questions

Fotobug · Veteran Member

I don't have a mastercard that offers the CDWaiver but one of the people who will be sharing the vehicle does. If she pays for the rental with her MC can I be the driver? Would the coverage still apply or does she have to be the driver?

I know it works if she rents the car and BOTH of you are authorized drivers. I don't know if she could be the one renting it but NOT be a listed driver... I would ask MC and the car rental agency about it ahead of time to be sure. Then, if needed, you can balance the cost of the extra driver versus the cost of the insurance!

The size... groan. We also went round and round about that. confuse

I can tell you that we had 4 people: 1 "regular" (25") suitcase, 3 carry-on sized (21-22") suitcases and 4 daypacks and there was no way we could fit into a Ford Focus (compact). Maybe just for the drive from the airport if it's short enough and if nobody has a full sized suitcase - sharing the backseat with a suitcase and holding the backpacks on laps?

I found the Dan Dooley fleet guide to be pretty accurate if you assume that their "suitcase" means a 21-22" one. http://www.dan-dooley.ie/vehicles.php (You could use that page for size guidelines regardless of what company you are renting from.) A compact "estate" (wagon) might be a compromise? Or could you get the intermediate car for the first week (when you will also want more comfort in the back seat) then trade it for a compact when there are only 2 of you?

That said, I drove an intermediate wagon for 11 days and the worst part in my opinion was driving through towns - with cars parked on both sides of narrow streets - but I'm not sure it would be much different with a compact: I looked up the specs of many models while we were deciding and the width (including the mirrors) was nearly the same. So we went with the intermediate and we needed every inch of space.

Good luck!

Barb

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

FOTOBUG is correct. The World MasterCard cardholder must initiate, sign and be listed as a driver to activate the coverage and ALL rental charges MUST be on the MasterCard.

All ADDITIONAL drivers ARE covered. smile

To determine if using the MasterCard is cost-effective, you have to consider the cost of adding the "extra" drivers. If you were going to do that, anyway, then it PROBABLY is.

Other than the trip from the airport, the Focus size would probably do fine, although the difference in size (width-wise, at least) between it and the next size up is probably inconsequential. confuse confuse confuse

To be honest, for a first-timer, you will probably feel that a Smart car is too big, the first time a truck approaches from the opposite direction, on most of the 'R' roads!!
biggrin biggrin ashamed disbelief biggrin biggrin

Bob

-- Edited by Itallian Chauffeur on Thursday 28th of May 2009 03:31:17 PM

Michele Erdvig · Host

Photosytes,

I would get the intermediate size car. The info from Bob and Barb is right. Your friend can rent the car, use her mastercard, add you as a driver and you will be covered. She will be the primary driver so she can drive also if she wants.

Michele