mudbug

DH and I will be visiting England next month and everytime I think I'm just about ready to check on renting a car I read another thread about problems people have. I have looked at quotes from kemwel, auto europe, europcar, 1st ukcarrentals and novacarhire all of which I read about on Fodor's. Prices range from $360 to $600. I know I won't need CDW with credit card but do I need CDW plus?? Nova does advertise no hidden charges but their quote is highest.

One more round of opinions please from those of you that do this so often.

Thanks.

Susan

curmudgeon

Read the details on any coverage provided by your credit card; for example, you need to have *all* the car charges on that one card (including any deposit). I've rented several times in UK from Hertz with minimal problems (the worst was having to argue a few minutes to get the discount rate previously guaranteed), BUT, I've never had to make a claim against the CC either.

azzure

Remember to make sure that the person whose name is on the credit card you use to make the reservation is also listed as the "primary driver" when you rent the car. We didn't realize this, and it caused us some anxious moments until we went back to the Europcar agency and straightened it out. Just FYI.

mudbug

Thanks so much curmudgeon and azzure for your replies. I am planning to call Auto Europe today to make arrangements and will get them to email all quote with all costs to me. Also, will remember to keep everything in one name. Thanks again.

highflyer

We've used eurocar a few times and usually find their online rates the best.

ira

HI M,

>I know I won't need CDW with credit card but do I need CDW plus?

If your CC will cover you for auto insurance, you MUST DECLINE all CDW.

Also, your CC has no deductible. CDW+ does.

crckwc1

About CC coverage on auto rental, heed the advice already given: check with your CC first to make sure they cover; make all charges on the same card with primary driver's name on card; decline all CDW. We had no problem at all getting our CC to pay damages (minimal, thank goodness) due to a close brush with a rock wall in England. If an accident does happen, know exactly what your CC requires in the way of estimates, actual costs, police report, photos, etc. Best to take that info along with you. Plan ahead, then enjoy your trip!

mudbug

Once again thanks for all your support. I'll keep yall posted as trip unfolds. Susan

swissgirl

To add my complaint about BUDGET REntal Car.,
We recently used them in Ireland (over Christmas) and when I received my credit card, there was an additional charge of 175USD. When I queried this charge, they stated that the car was extremely dirty and they had to pay a valet to clean it.
The car was in normal condition when returned. Not spotless, but certainly not excessively dirty. We emptied all trash prior to returning, etc.
They sent me a receipt for the valet which was dated several days after I returned the car. I continue to protest this charge, but it is quite a hassle.
Pity that some companies will take advantage of people whom they know are leaving the country and do not have time and resource to fight back.
From here on out, I will check the fine print carefully (Budget points to fine print which “If the Vehicle needs more than our standard valet you will pay the extra cost.”
Mudbug, I have used many car rental agencies in the past and have truthfully never had a problem until Budget. I usually use Auto Europe and have never had a problem so surprised to read about those who have.
Good luck and have a great trip.

SB_Travlr

I posted this in my Scotland TR some time back -- advice still holds! Here's what happened:

<b>Hertz car rental</b>: We found the best rate for car rental from BA (tied to our BA flight to London). We prepaid, declining the insurance because we were covered by our Visa Signature card (I checked this out thoroughly, on Fodors, and also on the Visa website. Um, was that thoroughly or obsessively?!) From the train station, nearest Inverness pickup spot is the Hertz office at the Thistle Hotel, so we took a taxi over and arrived as the desk was opening.

I had my confirmation email from BA, which showed the pre-paid price in USD, with insurance clearly EXcluded. Woman on the desk was confused, tried to charge us that amount in GBP (almost double) with insurance INcluded. She kept trying to assure us that she was right -- I knew she wasn't. It took a call to the main office to get it all squared away, but eventually the price was confirmed, with no CDW insurance except the Visa card.

Thanks to the obsessive research, I knew what we needed and stood firm on that when she tried to steer otherwise. We knew ahead of time that additional charges for extra driver, local fees etc. would be billed when we returned the car (bit of a ripoff, those totaled around 100 GBP!) Not much we could do about that, and overall we were pleased with our car. There's really no other way to get around the north-west corner of Scotland unless you use the &quot;post&quot; (mail) buses, which we weren't up for.

Have a great trip!

yy4me

Please ask your credit card company if the coverage for insurance covers liability. Also ask AutoEurope. I found out several trips ago that liability was not covered with my MasterCard. Sometimes it is better to ask what is not covered with whatever card you use.

seafox

Good advice her - I always use Hertz in Europe! My biggest problem - exiting the airport and coming upon my first roundabout. My brain was OK driving on the left side of the road until that moment. i got over it by driving around it a few times just to get my &quot;sea legs&quot;.