Car hire advice

Halcyon · 27-09-2009, 11:25

Hello,

I have never hired a car myself before and will be doing so when I go on a short break to France next month.

I'm reading a lot of reviews about people being charged incredible prices, insurance problems, etc.

Does anyone who has hired cars before reccomend any of these big companies like hertz, europcar, etc?

Is there anything I should be careful about ?

Thankyou for any tips you may have,

halcyon.

Wayfair · 27-09-2009, 11:29

Never ever had any trouble with Hertz and I do all my bookings and cancellations, if needed, online.

Always make sure you have a good walk round the car before you drive off to check for bumps, scrapes, front screen stone marks., check the fuel as some fill it before you hire it but they may not fill it full full.

And make sure you get the right sized car, squeezing luggage onto people is no fun..

Make sure you keep within the mileage allowance or better still get unlimited mileage..

And for god sake don't crash it.. lol..

**Kymmy** · 27-09-2009, 11:30

If ever we go on a cheap holiday we always hire a car (usually from Eurocar)

Just use one of the big companies, pay/book in advance, inspect the car inside and out before acceptance, check the petrol is full (they insist it's full on return) and most importantly and nothing to do with the hiring make sure that you're happy to drive on the right... Seen to many horror stories of brits going to EU and killing themselves due to a lapse of memory and drivingon the left

Halcyon · 27-09-2009, 12:24

I've driven on the right before in France but this was with my girlfriends car at the time.
I know how awkward it can be. Especially if you stop and then get back in to your car and pull out on to the wrong side. Round abouts can also be dangerous.

Thanks for the info about unlimited mileage. I'll make sure that is on my check list.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wayfair

And for god sake don't crash it.. lol..

Thanks. Around the narrow coastal roads of the Cote d'Azur I think I have a good chance.
I hope not though.

**Kymmy** · 27-09-2009, 12:29

The book in advance option is sound advice as like airline tickets the prices rise the fewer cars available.. Also the cheaper cars in each range can go fast.

If you book in advance then even if they havnt got your cheap option they will upgrade you for free

Halcyon · 27-09-2009, 12:39

Sounds good.
I'm just looking on hertz at the moment.
The cheapest cars seem to be Peugeot 107's or Opel Corsa's.

punky · 27-09-2009, 13:00

I deal with Dollar through my work. They've always been decent over many clients bookings and numerous years (admittedly only in the US). I've only had 1 complaint, quickly rectified, whilst i've had a lot of compliments come back. They do have restricted pick up locations in France though (Montpellier, Nice, Paris, Toulon, Toulouse)

Other than what's been mentioned:

1. Always prepay for everything (insurance and taxes). You get the best rate and save a lot of agro.

2. Always get the maximum available amount of insurance.

3. If they have run out of the size of car you ordered demand a free upgrade and don't leave until you get it. So many people just accept an upgrade at a lower rate just to get out of the place.

altis · 27-09-2009, 13:38

Try using this link:
http://www.holidayautos.co.uk/cgi-bi...ff=xOneAccount

Holiday Autos have deals with all the major hire companies and have negotiated some very good prices - cheaper than direct from the hirer's websites.

I have hired quite a few cars from both Chambery and Geneva with no problems. This thread is specific to Geneva airport but is a good read:
http://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?t=49646

I presume you will be hiring from an airport. Which one?

Peter_ · 27-09-2009, 18:37

try www.autoeurope.com they give you prices for every local car hire company in the country you are going to, as they deal with all major hire companies they usually get the best deals.

Halcyon · 27-09-2009, 19:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by altis

I presume you will be hiring from an airport. Which one?

I'm actually flying into Nice and then getting a train to St Raphael.
It is there in St Raphael that I will need the car for driving around.
To get back to the airport I will aslo go by train. The train is quite easy there.

It's just this time I need to get around a little bit more inland than staying on the coast.

Aragorn · 27-09-2009, 22:12

Personally I use Hertz, mainly because I have a company linked discount and Gold card.

A good tip is to arrange your own excess insurance - have a look at Insurance4carhire - much cheaper than paying Hertz/Avis etc.

Mr_love_monkey · 27-09-2009, 22:56

I've hired lots of cars with lots of companies - never had any problem - done some direct, and some through agencies.

You might want to try here for insurance : http://www.insurance4carhire.com/

I used them and their policy for a year cost less than the car hire company wanted for 2 weeks.

---------- Post added at 22:56 ---------- Previous post was at 22:55 ----------

oh, and tomtom reminds you everytime you turn it on, which side of the road to drive on