Irene
Unregistered User
(2/22/04 9:20 pm)
 
Found this great Aussie agency to book rental car

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Michele,

What are thoughts, if any on this:

I came across this company on the internet, from a legitimate link (which I can't recall now). They are based in Australia and act as a travel agency for you. Basically, they were able to quote me the same vehicle in Ireland that I was looking at from Country Ireland Car rental--but in Australian dollars. Which for me as an American means that exchange rate is now about .77 AUS to the US Dollar. They also have Hertz, Alamo, all of them.

So my previously $800+ all imclusive car is now only $600. I do mean all inclusive, too. CDW, 2 drivers, taxes, fees, everything--I made sure to read the small print AND ask. I think that they do accomodations to, so I'm looking into that as well.

Here's the link:

www.drivetravel.com

I thought that I would share this with you.

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 2173
(2/23/04 1:56 am)

Re: Found this great Aussie agency to book rental car

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Hi Irene,

Thanks for the link. That is certainly a unique way to get a discount on a car rental! You will have to let us know how it works out for you. You do know that if you are from the US and charge on a gold or platinum MasterCard you can waive the CDW and save money on renting? www.mastercard.com/cardho...rance.html Also, be aware that many car rental companies have a large deductible even when you think you are fully insured. You can pay extra for zero deductible. Check on that.

Michele

Irene
Unregistered User
(2/23/04 6:01 pm)

Found this great Aussie agency to book rental car

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I did know about the MC. The catch is that it only covers for 15 consecutive days. I needed the rental for 17. Plus, I also needed to add my hubby and that brings that cost up another 130+.

The lowest rate that I could find in Ireland was Atlas Car Hire for $690 with no CDW. This Aussie agency is charging me $601 and it includes CDW, theft, fire, roadside assist, 2 drivers, something else I can't recall now. Oh yeah--I got an Early bird special which means that I get a free upgrade to the next class. From sardine size to Campbell soup size

Irene

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 2177
(2/24/04 4:07 pm)

Re: Found this great Aussie agency to book rental car

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Hi Irene,

You're right about the 15 day coverage with MC. It is always a challenge for me to plan my trips as I have to turn the car in halfway through my trip and get another. I hope this works out nicely for you. Does it also include VAT and the airport charge? Love the comment about upgrading to a Campbell soup size car!

Michele

Irene
Unregistered User
(2/25/04 2:51 pm)

Found this great Aussie agency to book rental car

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It does include the VAT and the airport tax.

I live in Alaska. People generally don't drive cars that are smaller than their four-wheelers or snow mobiles

mikey
Unregistered User
(2/26/04 7:39 pm)

MC coverage

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michele

you might want to look at the new mastercard rules. they now explicily say you can not turn in a car and rerent a new one and still have coverage. I guess you might be able to use two different MC

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 2192
(2/26/04 8:00 pm)

MasterCard Car Coverage

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Hi Mikey,

Yes, I know. The rules have changed. Last time I had to rent in Dublin and return my car to Shannon. Then get another car (not the same one) from Shannon Airport. MasterCard is not making it easy. You have to rent from another airport at least 50 miles from the first and get another car. Those who want to view the rules can do so here: www.mastercard.com/cardho...rance.html

Michele

Linda
Unregistered User
(2/28/04 10:00 am)

Car Rentals In Ireland

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I was reading the information on car rentals and the use of a mastercard to eliminate the need for CSD insurance. In reading the information from mastercard, it states this coverage may not be available in Ireland. Is this a new change or have you found it to be generally acceptable?

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 2200
(2/28/04 4:33 pm)

Re: Car Rentals In Ireland

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Hi Linda,

The wording in the MasterCard rules have been like that for some time. The reason they say "may not be available in Ireland" is that your car rental company must agree to accept the coverage. Get their consent in advance in writing and bring it with you to Ireland. Most car rental companies will let you decline CDW and use MasterCard. However, some people have been challenged on it at the rental desk. That's when you show them in writing that the company has agreed and that's when they back down. Most companies that I use have never challenged me. But there are a few that will. They are in business to get the most money that they can from customers. The more extras they add on the more they make.

Michele

Linda
Unregistered User
(2/29/04 7:48 am)

Car rentals

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Are there certain rental companies that you have good luck with and that you would recommend. I imagine booking via the internet would be advisable-what booking sites would you recommend? This will be our first trip to Ireland and we will have 6 people going. A friend recommended that we get 2 small rental cars vs. a minivan as the roads are so narrow. Would you agree? Is it difficult to rent cars with automatic transmissions? Is doesn't appear to be offered on many of the rental sites such as travelocity, expedia etc. Any advice you can provide would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Michelle!

Irene
Unregistered User
(2/29/04 5:08 pm)

Car rentals

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Here's my unsolicitated advice on 1 of your comments.

Don't use expedia or travelocity. The most expensive rates that I have seen for both air and car have been on those sites. Go straight to the car rental company websites.

I have some that are Ireland companies (which are also cheaper than places like Hertz) that I can forward to you if you want. At least cheaper for rentals in July/Aug.

Linda
Unregistered User
(2/29/04 5:22 pm)

Car Rentals

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I would love any advice you can provide. Our trip is in April and I am anxious to get this reservation taken care of. Thank you for your help!

Mbarnes
Unregistered User
(2/29/04 5:34 pm)

car rentals

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I am renting a car in April also. Dan Dooley was reccommended by several people here and they were the best rate I found. They have an office in New Jersey. Also they honor the Master Card Platnium that can save you money on the extra insurance.

Linda
Unregistered User
(2/29/04 8:01 pm)
 
car rentals

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Thank you very much. I will give them a try.

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 2206
(3/1/04 1:01 am)

Car Rental Companies

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Hi Everyone,

I have a car rental page. Take a look. For the past several years I have been using Hertz and Budget because I have found my best rates with them. However, I always rent the smallest manual and if you are looking for an automatic some of the other car rental companies can come in with lower rates.

Compare, compare, compare! And compare the same type car, all extras, etc. from one company to another. If you compare a small manual to a BMW automatic that is comparing apples and oranges. So compare the exact same car and extras at each company and then take your best rate. But read all the fine print first. I also like Budget and Hertz because of their cancelation policy.

As for Expedia, this is what I got from them: "Car Description: Mini Car, Without Air Conditioning, Manual Transmission, In the Airport Terminal, Unlimited mileage: $5,449.50 /Week." Well I just wanted to rent it not buy it!

Michele

Irene
Unregistered User
(3/1/04 5:18 am)

Car Rental Companies

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I found these 2 companies in Ireland to be the cheapest for me in July. Check them out too.

/www.atlascarhire.com/rentalrates.php

www.carhire.ie/centrepoin...quote.html


Carhire as a money back policy if you cancel with 48 hours notice. I'm not sure about Atlas.

Definately compare as Michele stressed. I have been given ranges between 535 Euros all included on a Nissan Micro--all the way up to 900 Euros on the same exact car!

Very important: I discovered one of those "Hidden Surcharges". I'm picking up and dropping off in Shannon airport. County Car rental charges over 100Euros to deliver the car there. But they never mention that. Atlas is emailing me back after they check availability at that location.