About Car Rentals

Car Guru asked:


Q. What does “car type” or similar mean?

A.  Car rental companies can never guarantee a specific model or car. When renting a car, companies will give you an idea of what you can expect – you may get the car type that was advertised or you may get one similar in size or model.

Q. How old are rental cars?

A. Depends on the car rental company. Larger suppliers like Hertz and Avis carry cars on their fleet that are about 3-4 months old. Smaller companies can carry cars up to 4 years old.

Q. Can baby seats be requested?

A. Yes, the majority of car rental companies do carry baby or booster seats and can be requested before collection.

Q. What happens if my rental car breaks down?

A. Most car rental companies should include 24 hour roadside assistance in the rental rate. If you do break down, help is only a phone call away.

Q. Can I pick up a rental car in one city and drop it off in another?

A. This is known as a one way rental. It depends on the supplier and the country – sometimes a fee will apply. Ask when booking!

Q. Can cars be driven into countries other than the country the vehicle is collected in?

A. In most cases, yes but conditions and restrictions do apply. In Europe, there are restrictions about travelling into Eastern Europe and some vehicles cannot be driven in Italy. In the USA, cars cannot be driven into Mexico. Always check at the time of booking.

Q. Are there age restrictions on drivers?

A. Yes. Maximum and minimum ages vary depending on suppliers and car type. Additional fees may also apply for younger or older drivers.

Q. Can anyone drive the rental car?

A. Additional drivers must be added to the rental contract before collection. There may be a fee for additional drivers.

Q. Can my prepaid rental be extended after the vehicle is collected?

A. Yes. In most cases, the renter pays the supplier directly for any extensions. However, this is at the local rate which is often higher than the pre-paid rate.



Q. What do I do if I return the vehicle early?

A. This is possible, however no refund of unused rental days is allowed by the car rental companies.



Yolanda

SpencyP asked:


I will be staying on the strip @ the Flamingo and want to rent a car for a day. I would prefer not to rent from the airport and was told that some hotels have car rental keyosks.
What would be the closest one to the Flamingo?

Eva

Ben J asked:


My daughter working in the middle east where refrigerators and other home appliances are usually rated at 220 v-50 hertz ac power supply, is planning to send home, to the Philippines such a ref. But power supply in the Phils. is 220 volts, 60 hertz ac.

Leon

Jim Brown asked:


Most people that need to rent a car do not expect to find many types of luxuries that they have grown used to that are in the car they own which is parked in the garage at home. Some people have spent an extraordinary amount of money on speaker systems for the cars they own and are pleasantly surprised when they receive a rental car equipped with surround sound audio speakers in them.

These luxurious items make renting cars seem like a very viable driving opportunity. People might consider driving a rental car equipped with automatic shifting capabilities as the main requirement when renting an automobile. They would be totally lost if they rented from a company who supplied rental automobiles with only manual transmissions in them. Some travelers would search out other rental car locations to find rental cars with this luxurious feature in them.

Some people expect certain luxuries to be in a rental car even if that vehicle style is a truck. Some people need simple fixtures such as trailer tow attachments and due to insurance binders some renters find this near to impossible to obtain in the rental vehicles that they need to rent for business purposes. This is one luxury that is rarely offered because some renters cause more damage to a rental vehicle when they have this accessory attached to it.

Those truck renters might find other luxuries that might take the bite out of what they can not have. There are many trucks that can be rented that are super-sized luxury vehicles that still feature a very rugged exterior. These vehicles offer truck renters the opportunity to present the image of living the good life even if it is for a short time that is covered by a rental car rental agreement.

Some of the luxurious features that people find in the trucks they rent will allow them to travel in rough terrains with unlimited handling ability. Many campers will appreciate being able to rent a vehicle that is equipped with four-wheel drive because many of the places that they want to go to will require them to go up steel inclines that could not be traveled unless the four-wheel drive was engaged.

Any seasoned traveler might appreciate some rental car luxuries more than others. They might find that the drink cooler that is placed in the glove compartment will allow them to drive for longer periods of time without stopping. While these compartments are relatively small they still allow a traveler easy access to a cool refreshing drink on a warm summer’s day and still be assured of arriving at their destination ahead of the crowd in most cases.



Philip

Car Guru asked:


Q. Why take a ‘driving holiday’?

A. A drive holiday gives you the freedom and flexibility to decide on where you travel and what you see and do. You are in charge of how much time you wish to spend at a particular attraction. You have the independence to move around as much or as little as you like. A drive holiday allows you to discover so much more as a car will allow you to drive through the little villages in out of the way places.

Q. How is car rental charged?

A. Car rental is based on 24 hour periods and charged accordingly. If you pick up a car at 9am on Thursday and return at 9am the following day, this is one 24 hour period and therefore a one day booking.

Q. Is it cheaper to pre-book my car rental or should I book when I arrive?

A. Pre-booking will save you money almost every time! With a wholesaler like DriveAway Holidays, you receive the benefit of our purchasing power. Our prices with the major car rental suppliers are considerably lower than walking in off the street in a foreign country to rent a car. In addition you are pre-paying in Australian dollars so the risk of fluctuations in the currency are reduced.

Q. How does a prepaid rental work?

A. The booking is made in advance, paid for and a voucher is issued. The voucher is then used as payment when you go to pick up the car from the supplier.

Q. What additional extras will I have to pay?

A.  It depends on what the rental covers. DriveAway Holidays in most cases include all mandatory charges, like road taxes or airport surcharges. Many optional charges are applicable such as young or additional drivers, Insurance Excess Reduction or extra equipment like child seats. Be sure to check out rate inclusions – first when you are choosing your vehicle online and when you have made your booking (the inclusions will be on your voucher)

Q. What happens when I pick up the car?

A. Present the rental voucher, a valid drivers license and a credit card for a security deposit. Any additional charges will be explained as well as the conditions of the rental. A signature will be required to accept or decline additional charges and to acknowledge that the rental conditions are understood.

Q. What does the supplier do with the renters credit card?

A. It varies depending on the supplier – they may freeze a specific amount as a deposit, an imprint may be taken as a deposit or an amount may be charged to cover the security deposit and then refunded on the return of the vehicle. In some instances the bond can be paid in cash – check with the supplier/broker when you book.

Q. Will there be fuel in the vehicle?

A. Yes, there should be enough to get you on your way. Different companies have different policies regarding fuel – most will supply a full tank and require the car to be returned with a full tank of fuel, otherwise the renter is charged the difference. Some companies provide minimum fuel and is to returned as the renter wishes.

Q. What is a Pre-Paid Fuel Option?

A. Most car rental companies provide a full tank of fuel and will charge you for re-fuelling the vehicle if it is not returned with a full tank. By accepting a Pre-paid fuel option you are agreeing to pay a pre-determined price for fuel regardless of whether you return the vehicle with a full, partially full or empty tank. This means you won’t need to search for a petrol station before you return the car, but there is no refund for any fuel remaining in the tank.

Q. Should I check out the condition of the rental car before driving away?

A. Yes, it is a good idea to check the vehicle before you leave the depot. Any damage or unusual dents/scratches should be noted on the contract before leaving.

Look out for our 2nd part of car rental FAQs!



Marian

Trevor asked:


Hertz has a new commercial about its 10 minute guarantee. There is a blond guy standing next to his surfboard who the Hertz renter in the Mustang convertible drives by. I know I have seen this dude in a movie or something and cannot remember where.

Juan

Car Guru asked:


I get paid to sell self-drive holidays to Australians, to encourage them to take to the open roads and explore new territory behind the wheel of a rental car. I have a confession to make. I can’t actually drive.

 

Now I haven’t deliberately kept this from my employer, it wasn’t mentioned in my interview nor was it in my job description alongside having excellent communication skills, the ability to work as part of a team or to meet deadlines in a fast paced working environment. It was neither an essential nor desirable attribute.

 

I have never lied about it, but I do avoid voluntarily giving out this information about myself. I’m almost 25 for goodness sake! Kids I used to babysit have got in the driver’s seat before me. I guess I just haven’t got around to it in 7 years. I’m used to the convenience of city living and not needing to be able to drive.

 

So while I am cruising comfortably on my P plates in my car rental marketing career, I have yet to get my Learners licence to drive. The irony of the situation was pointed out to me at a recent industry function when I was talking to a marketing guru from an airline. He asked me what kind of car I drove and I said quietly that, actually, I can’t drive. “What!” he exclaimed “You work for a car rental company and you can’t drive?!” True. But, I said to him, you work for an airline, can you fly a plane?

 

You see, what I try to market or sell is not driving. We don’t sell the idea of jumping into a rental car, the exhilaration of putting the key in the ignition, turning on the engine and…well, whatever it is that comes next.

 

No, we try to sell the idea of freedom, the thought of having independence and flexibility on holidays, exploring new places, making memories and having a good time. We try to inspire people to visit places off the beaten track and discover new things.

 

So does it actually matter that I can’t drive? Do you think dog food marketers have actually tasted what they’re selling? Exactly.

 

I have travelled around the world and I have been in cars lots of times, often simultaneously, so I know the feeling of having the wind in your hair, good music in your ears and a smile on your face. I know the excitement of visiting new and foreign lands and the joy of travelling around, not being in a cramped Greyhound bus or overcrowded non-air conditioned train.

 

I have just been in the passenger’s seat, not the driver’s, that’s all.

 

Having said all that, I know that I need to learn to drive. Will I finally take the plunge and learn? Yes, most definitely, in part to aid my copywriting, to gain independence and well, to see what all the fuss about.

 

Yes, there’s all that and also that promise that my partner made about getting a shiny new Yaris when I do finally get my license. Now that is an incentive to learn.



Annette

flip asked:


I’m looking to record a note that is 100 hertz specifically, probably with a synth or an old organ.

Lucille

Jeff Revs asked:


I do not have any car insurance right now. I am planning to get a car rental for a month. Do I need to get some insurance for this? What happens if cop pulls me up will rental agreement be sufficient?

Kelly

hedonist asked:


I have credit cards which say they cover me for rental car insurance when I use the card to make the full payment for the rental. How does that work? Are there any catches? Does it make sense for me to get the additional insurance from the rental agency (like Avis)? If I am in an accident, will the Credit Card insurance cover everything or will it also be charged to my regular car insurance company?

April