joschwin

Will be headed to Paris on Thurs. Due to the impending rail strike we are renting a car at the airport. When I called my creditcard to make sure we were covered for intern. rental I was told all transactions will have a 3% charge added. Is this the norm. Also was told we needed internations drivers permit. Is this so? I think I can get one very easily from AAA but was wondering if it was infact needed.

MikePinTucson

I don't know about the drivers license. Of course it will be too late for this trip, but Capitalone does not charge a currency transaction fee on foreign purchases.

Robespierre

Do you have a debit card associated with your checking account? There's <i>some</i> chance that their currency markup is less. I can't think of anything else to do at this late date.

But what are we talking about, twenty bucks?

Enjoy your trip.

Gretchen

I don't think you need the license for France. The charge is for credit cards and it has always been there--they are just being more upfront about it. Use ATM cards for cash--there is a surcharge for that also but it is really just the cost of using credit. Be sure to tell the CC company's SECURITY department that you will be in France using the card. They may block it for unusual activity.

Lavande

I've rented cars in France many, many times and have never been required to produce an International Drivers License - my U.S. license was more than adequate. If you're planning on driving from Paris be prepared for what can be a gruesome initial foray into the countryside - once you finally leave the Paris environs, it's not bad. However, Parisian driving can be anxiety-ridden!

joschwin

we are mainly getting the car to use from the airport to our place and then for a few days to normandy and mont st michel. thanks for the info

TuckH

You should rent that car before leaving for Paris. Go to AutoEurope.com and pay with your credit card in dollars - no % added.

To rent the car, you don't necessarily need the IDP. But in case of a road incident, involving the police, you may find it very helpful...

nonnafelice

The rental car company generally does not require the international driver's license. My understanding is that you could be in trouble if you are stopped by the police for any reason and do not have one.

There have been a lot of discussions on the board about the transaction fees and cards that do and don't impose them. Here is a good article about it:
http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/cc/20050624a1.asp

Gretchen

Do I understand you are using it to drive into Paris to your hotel/apt. and then go to Normandy? Would suggest you head for Normandy first and then go to Paris. Parking?

xyz123

My my...a car in France...do you have to take out fire insurance?

Lavande

I'd second the recommendation to make your car reservations via AutoEurope before leaving for France - you get a better deal on the rate because AutoEurope actually does the rate shopping for you. They'll book you with whatever car rental agency has the best deal - EuropCar, Hertz, Avis, etc. We've always used AutoEurope and will continue to do so in the future!

janisj

Please don't tell us you are renting a car at CDG to transfer into Paris!

Your post sounds like you are renting a car at the airport to drive into Paris and then some (un-numbered) days later driving to Normandy. If this is your plan - unless there is something else in your itinerary you haven't mentioned - it doesn't make sense.

How long will you be in Paris? What part of the city? Where do you plan on parking the car?

If you just need the car for your excursion to Normandy, it is usually better to pick up a car as you are leaving Paris - OR - after taking the train to Normandy, pick up a car there.

joschwin

We are planning on going for 3 days to Normandy and the day we are leaving the 21st is an impending rail strike, said to last a few days. Looked into renting just for 3 days and the weekly rental was cheaper. And it will also save on taxi from airport.staying with a family that has parking available will not use the car to explore around Paris.

janisj

Oh - that makes a huge difference.

As for you original questions - 3% is about normal now - some charge a bit less. As mentioned before, the charges were always there (used to average approx 2%) but now they are itemized on your statement.

As for the IDP - the rental agency will not request to see it. But if you are stopped by a non-english speaking officer it will be worth many times more than the small fee you pay for it at AAA.

StCirq

You absolutely do NOT need an IDP to drive a rental car in France.

And for what I hope is the last time I have to utter these words, just because the car rental agency doesn't ask to see iand IDP does NOT mean it's NOT required in those countries where it's mandatory. You could rent ten thousand cars in Italy and never once be asked for the IDP at the rental agency, but it IS required in Italy.

In France, it's NOT.