Warning: Car Rental Rip-offs!! Some Require €2,000 - €15,000 Deposit to Decline CDW

Michele Erdvig · Host

RE: Warning: Car Rental Rip-offs!! Some Require €2,000 - €15,000 Deposit to Decline CDW

Jodi · Member

I have a Aer Lingus World Mastercard that covers the insurance. I have called MC and they have confirmed that they do cover the insurance in Ireland. I am not endorsing the card just that it covers the Insurance.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Jodi,

Thanks for sharing that info. Getting a card that covers insurance in Ireland is like winning the lottery!

Michele

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

My Bank of America Elite Rewards World MasterCard covers Ireland and has no Annual Fee, but they DO charge a total fee of 5% for ALL Foreign Transactions.

I THINK that Chase issues the Continental World card. I know that it used to cover Ireland and did NOT have any Annual Fee, but all of THAT info is a bit dated, so may or may NOT still be true.

The Aer Lingus World MasterCard, I believe, is issued by Barcleys Bank. Last I knew, it DID cover Ireland. Dunno about Annual Fees, though ...

Bob

Jodi · Member

@ Italliam Chauffeur - There are no Annual Fees with the Aer Lingus World MasterCard but it does have a 3% foreign transacion fee.

I applied for another credit card that has no foreign transactions fees and received that last week ( there are several out there just google "credit cards with no foreign transaction fees" to find one). We will be using that card for expenses in ireland.

I prepaid for the rental car, so I did not have to pay the 3% charge. I booked thru Hertz with my Hertz Gold Club membership ( free for 1 year ) they will not put a hold on my credit card for any amount. I included my AAA membership and supposely spouses that also have AAA are added to drive for free.

Instead of renting a GPS, my homebased business bought me one and I will purchase the Europe maps just before we leave for $90. I receive a tax deduction, get to keep the GPS, give my husband the old gps and we save money by not renting.

Hope this helps,

Jodi

Michele Erdvig · Host

Jodi,

Thanks for sharing that info with us.

Michele

Lucky Traveler · Veteran Member

I just received a Continental World MasterCard (Chase) and checked the MasterRental insurance coverage for CDW in Ireland. It states, "You may be unable to receive benefits in Australia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, and New Zealand. Please contact your vehicle rental agency before you travel." Through reading this column, we have decided we will rent through Dooley. Does anyone happen to have the same wording in their benefit coverage and know if Dooley accepts this card to waive their CDW?

Thanks,

Nancy

Michele Erdvig · Host

Nancy,

I have the same wording on my World MC. Dooley always accepts it. If in doubt email them for assurance.

Michele

Lucky Traveler · Veteran Member

Hi Michele,

Oh, no. Today I received the new Continental World MC with another Guide to Benefits, which clearly states NO coverage in Ireland. I called, and they said there is no coverage as it is not allowed by law in Ireland and renters must take the car rental agency insurance. I explained that some World MC's do provide coverage, but to no avail. The CDW and super CDW add almost $200 to the 2 week car rental at Dan Dooley. Guess I'll just have to pay the insurance costs with Dan Dooley, unless there is another Super CDW available (you said the one many had used was not longer in operation, right?).

Suggestions?

Thanks,

Lucky (who is not feeling too lucky at the moment)

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Is the Continental card issued by Chase? It doesn't matter, but I am curious.

But, to answer your question -- whomever you spoke to is (being MOST generous) both Ignorant AND Ill-Informed. I can only ASSUME that you spoke to someone at the issuing BANK -- and NOT to MasterCard.

MasterRental Insurance is a 'Perk' provided by MasterCarn and NOT the issuing bank --- who probably have NO clue, whatsoever.

For a DEFINITIVE answer, call 1-800 MCASSIST (1 800 622 7747 ). You can even request an email from them that PROVES your coverage.

Hope this helps...

Bob

Lucky Traveler · Veteran Member

Bob,

Yes, the Continental card is issued by Chase. I called the "benefits administrative office" and was told that the MC benefits are specific to a card, and that the Continental World card does not cover car rental insurance in Ireland. The Continental Airlines OnePass Plus Card Guide to Benefits brochure has the exclusion of Ireland written in bold and italicized. The heading of the Guide I received yesterday is World MC Airline Guide to Benefits and it allows coverage in Ireland, dependent upon the car rental agency. I will try calling the MCAssist # tomorrow.

Thanks,

Nancy

Michele Erdvig · Host

Nancy,

Not every World MC covers Ireland. Only a few select cards cover. That phone number provided by Bob is for the USA.

Michele

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

For All --

Found THIS on the MasterCard website:

"Q: What rental car insurance does MasterCard provide on my MasterCard card?

A: Rental insurance differs by location and varies based upon the actual MasterCard card that you have. Please contact the MasterCard Assistance Center at 1-800-307-7309 or 'Collect' by dialing 1-636-722-7111."

Note that the numbers listed are NOT 1 800 MCASSIST ..... confuse confuse confuse confuse

Bob

Michele Erdvig · Host

Bob,

I followed up on that and the 1 800 MC-ASSIST is still valid. It does list the numbers you posted also. Plus it gave an email and snail mail address:

If you believe that your question can only be answered by MasterCard, you can send an email to Consumer_Inquiries@mastercard.com or send a letter to:

Consumer Inquiries
MasterCard Worldwide
2000 Purchase Street
Purchase, NY 10577

Michele

shirley-ann · Newbie

I am planning a trip again this summer,but i thing I will cab it!! Take a taxi from place to place.They have family to feed and they are very nice too.In november we rented from Dooley and they did not tell us that they would take a big amount and that totaly mess up are vacation,and only got back half the money!! So for $1,000,00 Canadien dollars,I will help the cabs or taxi and there family's. Not the care hire that for sure!! thank you for the information!!! annie!!

Michele Erdvig · Host

Annie,

Welcome to my forum. What happened with Dooley? We would surely like to know. Did it have something to do with excess insurance?

Michele

Bertrand · Veteran Member

Would like details as well -- have never had a problem with Dooley's in the 12 years I have been travelling to Ireland.

Thanks,

Bert

Michele Erdvig · Host

Bert,

It is difficult to take one-off posts like this seriously without having more info. I sincerely hope they come back to add more details. Otherwise we must discount it. There are always two sides to every story.

Michele

Bertrand · Veteran Member

Michele, that is a great point. I've had such nice encounters with this company over the last decade that it sort of surprised me that someone had this kind of issue.

Thanks,

Bert

-- Edited by Bertrand on Thursday 19th of January 2012 12:29:20 PM

tony2phones · Guru

There are several negative posts on Trip Advisor but these are for some reason consistently when taken as part of a Fly Drive package and usually on Aer Lingus? tours (nothing to do with the airline). Complaints are related to Satnav (GPS) not being available and cars being a little older than expected. My argument is that if 50 people on a plane all converge on the 2 people behind the rental desk then there will be a wait, there are only so many brand new cars and satnav available and is it the desk clerks fault if your tour company didn't tell you about the extra insurance or the hold on your credit card. Yelling at the desk clerk might get it of your chest but the poor bloke behind you has to face the knock on effect.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Thanks Tony. We always try to be fair here. If there is a problem we want to know about it. However, I do notice that people tend to vent their feelings. I guess it is good to get it off their chests. But knowing the real details is what is of benefit to all. Then everyone can make their own decisions.

Very good point about people getting ruffled when having to wait in line for a long time. Also, when renting through a middle-man it is possible that all the details have not been passed on to the customer. The middle-man might have rules in conflict with the car rental company.

Roy · Guru

From the Aer Lingus benefits information:
When and where do I have this benefit?
This benefit is available in the United States and most foreign countries. No benefit
is provided for motor vehicles rented in Israel, Jamaica, the Republic
of Ireland, or Northern Ireland

Can anyone shed some light?

Thanks,

Roy

Roy · Guru

That is from the Aer Lingus World MasterCard statement of benefits. The benefit is Auto Rental CDW. I usually use an Citi AA Advantage World MasterCard, which does cover CDW, but also carries an $85 annual fee.

https://www.barclaycardus.com/app/ccsite/benefits/guide/F03-K046-3_MC_W.pdf#page=4

-- Edited by Roy on Saturday 21st of January 2012 06:39:07 AM

Michele Erdvig · Host

Roy,

Is that for a car rental through Aer Lingus? What is the "benefit"?

Michele

Michele Erdvig · Host

Roy,

Looks like the Aer Lingus MC does not cover Ireland.

Michele

Roy · Guru

They are pretty clear that they don't. No ambiguity in that statement is there? Guess I'll keep my AA Advantage card and keep paying the annual fee.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Roy,

I have a free World MC with no fee. If you get any offers for MC in the mail with no fee, perhaps you should check them out. That's how I got mine.

You could also search some out.

Michele

Roy · Guru

Thanks Michelle. Thought I had with the Aer Lingus card!

Michele Erdvig · Host

Keep trying!

Roy · Guru

Called MC Assist and realized that my other World MasterCard does cover CDW in Ireland. So, I did an online chat with the credit card bank and they sent me a link with written verification of coverage! Now to close the card with the annual fee...