We fly into Shannon on 5/15 for two weeks and just need a compact car for the two of us this time...no kids! What company do you recommend Our world Mastercard pays the CDW..thanks!
-- Edited by tampacb on Sunday 12th of November 2017 01:54:23 PM
Lots of folks have been raving about Hertz through http://www.connsirelandcarrental.com/ -- BUT, I believe he only offers 'Full Insurance' packages.
Somebody correct me if I'm wrong -- Please!
I usually book direct, and I've used Avis, Budget, Dooley, Enterprise, Europecar, Hertz, National, Sixt and Thrifty over the years without major issues. Just be sure to read and understand all the necessary Terms & Conditions. Dooley always gets high marks for the Transparency of their Terms (Particularly, the staff of their New Jersey Office, in the USA -- 1-800-331-9301). In ANY event, you'll need a Letter of Coverage from either Visa or Master Card (rather than the Issuing bank) dated within 28-30 days of your rental date.
Michele and I (Both of whom use Credit Card coverage in lieu of the offered insurance) used Dan Dooley on our last trips -- but, via Fox Car Hire (an Agent) and I, for one, had NO problems or issues. Fox offered a slightly lower price than Dooley for my Sept / Oct 2017 rental -- but I suggest checking with both.
https://www.dandooley.com/
http://www.connsirelandcarrental.com/
Your choice should come down to best vehicle type and price for the dates you need.
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Bob
Help Us to Help You. The more you tell us about your plans (dates, interests, budget), the better we can tailor our advice to suit!
Conn only offers the full walk away insurance package. Spent a little over an hour talking to Conn at a local hotel earlier this year and fully understand where he is coming from.
For rental using your credit car you have to be aware of what that entails:
1) There will be a large Hold placed on your card and moneys will be taken from this "Hold" should there be any damage (be aware they will look for anything, claiming from your insurance rather than theirs is business sense) and you must NOT accept any of the rental companies insurances.
2) You will have to pay an administration fee. The rental company have to cancel anything more than the 3rd party legal requirement from their insurance and sign the car on to your insurance. (There can not be more than one policy in place otherwise both would be null and void)
3) Contact the people giving you the keys as to what requirements they have for you to use your CC insurance. They may require written authority which may need to be dated within 30 days of the last day of your rental (Temporary Insurance tends to have a 30 day lifespan)
4) Absolutely anything and everything else.
Personally I don't care who you rent from Car rental companies are much of a muchness once you know the basics. All I say is that you go direct to the people who are going to give you the car keys (also use the Ireland .ie rather than US .com. web page) They have the information you need.. Booking through an agent/Consolidator generally means you get a car from who is paying the best commission on your business. (Fox book direct with and only with Dooley in the same way as Conn books with and only with Hertz) Hertz are on my personal 3 strike list.
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Two rules for Ireland, Take your time & bring a sense of humour
Thank you! We arrive approx 6 am into Shannon and will stay at a b&b close by that first night. The last time we arrived in Shannon we slept on a seat in the airport for 2 hours and then headed to the Bunratty castle area and shopping center where the Aaran woolens store was...it was fantastic and they shipped our purchases home to the U.S. We then had an amazing breakfast upstairs in the shopping center ( one of our favorite breakfasts in fact- maybe because it was our first) and checked into our b&b which was recommended by Michele. Headley Court. The next 4 days will be spent in Galway with other family members who are flying into Dublin and driving to Galway. I'm wondering if perhaps I can skip a car completely for this beginning of our trip until we venture out on our own after Galway. How would we get from the Airport to the Bunratty Castle area? And from this area to Galway? Is there a train?
-- Edited by tampacb on Tuesday 21st of November 2017 04:22:19 AM
Although we loved our B&B Headley Court, in Bunratty , we'd like to stay somewhere different . We also loved Ennis which was our second day on our last trip. I'm looking to plan a day in or near Bunratty for day one. First breakfast and shopping at the woolens store and cafeteria above. This time I'm packing lighter and wearing what I purchase all during my trip. Then we can venture somewhere for the afternoon and evening. We did the medieval banquet last trip so we won't again on this trip. Any suggestions? The next day we will travel to Galway....our three days in Galway are already planned out by family.
-- Edited by tampacb on Tuesday 21st of November 2017 04:22:41 AM
Headley Court is one of my personal favorites -- In MY, 'Top 5 Irish B&Bs', in fact, but without a car, it could be problematical. You can't get much closer than this:
https://www.bunrattycastlehotel.com/ I've never stayed there, but the restaurant has separated me from a FEW Euro, over the years!
There are train stations located in Sixmilebridge and Ennis with connections to Galway: http://www.irishrail.ie/timetables
To Bunratty from Shannon Airport: https://www.rome2rio.com/s/Shannon-Airport-SNN/Bunratty
From Bunratty to Galway: https://www.rome2rio.com/s/Bunratty/Galway
As another option to the Medieval Banquet, Bunratty also offers their, "Traditional Irish Night' at the Corn Barn: https://www.shannonheritage.com/EveningEntertainments/TraditionalIrishNight/
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Bob
Help Us to Help You. The more you tell us about your plans (dates, interests, budget), the better we can tailor our advice to suit!
