bornintheusa

I am needing to find a great car rental company that has good prices and doesn't hassle you about extra coverage (I plan to use my American Express card that has good coverage) I need 3 days in Cairns, 2 days in Melbourne and 2 weeks in South Island/NZ. I am looking for unlimited mileage in a small gas conserving car. I was considering Ace rental until I read that if you don't take their extra coverage they put $3000 on your credit card and it doesn't come off for a few weeks. Any ideas out there??

Bokhara2

No idea about New Zealand's independent rental firms, but all the majors are in both countries.

www.vroomvroom.co.nz & .au
might be useful to compare.

I always book direct with the rental company.

And yes - read the T & Cs BEFORE you sign on the dotted line.

In Australia, there are a couple of independents that I use in Sydney & the Gold Coast; just use whichever of the majors will give me the best deal otherwise.

My travel insurance policy covers car rental CDW excess. Yours may too, but you may still need to leave your CC deposit.

Melnq8

We rent from APEX when we visit NZ and have been very pleased with them.

We never buy insurance, as we're covered by our US Visa* Platinum card, which covers even the excess (deductible) when we rent in NZ and Australia.

All rental cars in NZ come with basic CDW.

Buying additional CDW insurance just lowers your deductible, but in our case our Visa covers this, so we don't need it.

If involved in a car accident in NZ resulting in injury you and the other party will be treated just like a Kiwi in accordance with their ACC program where the NZ government will cover all medical costs (while in NZ) incurred due to the accident.

You cannot be sued.

*Not all credit cards work this way. For instance, Mastercard requires that ALL insurance be waived for their coverage to apply, and you cannot waive the insurance already built into a NZ car rental, due to local laws.

Contact your credit card company and ask, and then request a written copy of their rental car benefits.

KayF

We have used Hertz all over the world and always been happy. Check in and returning the car is hassle free which has not always been the case with other companies. They may not be the cheapest but we are happy to pay for their good service.

Also I assume when you say gas, you mean petrol. I'm no car expert but I think the vast majority of cars in Australia would run on petrol so best to use the terminology appropriate to the country you are visiting, in case of misunderstanding at the rental company and the petrol station.

Kay

Bokhara2

Yes - because a limited number of cars (and taxis) do run on LPG ( Liquid Petroleum Gas).

Fuel / Petrol is the cheapest it's been in many years at the moment. The base level unleaded, with 10% ethanol was 99c/litre today. That's what the small cars use.

I think I paid $1.27 /L for top of the range.

Don't know about NZ fuel prices, but imagine they're similarly low with the oil prices being <$50/barrel

Of course, no knowing what the prices will be like when you're here.

stormbird

I always use driveaway.com.au - they rent cars worldwide but their rates are very competitive. I was hiring a car in Cairns and checked their website then I went directly to the car rental company that came up the cheapest, which happened to be Thrifty and Thrifty would have been more expensive if I'd dealt directly with them.

I have used driveaway.com.au for car hire in the USA, France, Australia and they have always been great on price and I've never had any difficulties or problems using them.

bornintheusa

Wow, so much to know about renting a car... was not aware that fuel is called petrol and that is good news Melnq8 about being covered medically if in an accident. Thanks to all for your great suggestions.