CAPH52

Very wise advice, as always, Bob!

I'll just add one more factor. If you don't purchase the CDW/Super CDW, Dooley says they'll put a hold on your card (€2000? I can't remember the exact amount). That was enough to persuade me to purchase the insurance in '06 because we were using that card for everything. But this past June we decided to go with the World MC instead of purchasing insurance as we were using our Capital One (no foreign transaction fee) for everything else.

Perhaps Dooley did put the hold on our card. But, if so, it was off by the time we got back (we went on elsewhere after Ireland) and didn't show on our statement.

spaarne

I had generally good weather on Guinness Island this April, late in the month. In a week it rained once. Everything was in bloom.

GreenDragon

A note: I don't know if Dooley is doing this now or not, but many of the rental companies that do business in Ireland are now not just putting a hold on your card - but actually charging a deposit, to be refunded when you return it. This is different in that you will be charged the foreign currency transaction fee on this money. If it's a E1000 charge, that's about a $45 for someone with 3% FCTF on their card - and that doesn't get refunded. In fact, I wonder if you get charged that on your card for the refund as well? It is a transaction in foreign currency... something to watch out for, and do research on. Michele at www.irelandyes.com has contacted several rental companies regarding this, and has the results for each company on her forums.

Itallian_Chauffer

While Doodley INITIALLY vowed to do a Charge, they ammended the wording back to a HOLD.

Bob

GreenDragon

Yay

Mycuppajava

Good morning,
I usually use Capital One as they do NOT charge an exchange fee. I just got a Continental World Mastercard to double my points and also one bag free. I just thought, I hope that includes international. Man! too many axes to watch.

GreenDragon

MC/Visa still charges a small 1-2% fee, and then the credit card (other than Capital One or most Credit Unions) add their 3% onto that. So you still get hit, just not as much.

Mycuppajava

Really? When I talk with them, they say they don't charge and I haven't noticed it...I may just not know since it is a euro/USD exchange. Thanks for the info.

GreenDragon

You're welcome! The MC/Visa portion, I believe, is in the charge itself - it's the bank portion that's usually charged separately.

CAPH52

Forgive me if I'm not fully understanding this conversation. And I could certainly be wrong in what I'm about to say. But I don't believe I was charged any kind of a foreign transaction fee on any of my Capital One purchases either prior to (tickets, etc. purchased ahead) or during our trip in June. My understanding is that Capital One eats the MC/Visa 1% and, from what I can tell (figuring costs and exchange rates) that was still true as of June.

GreenDragon

That could be true, I'm not sure.

Mycuppajava

I have never noticed any charge at all. ONLY card I know of that exists. FYI my bank reimbursed me for the cost of ATM abroad. I paid at the time of use and they reimbursed after I returned. Not sure if they still do that...it was a independent bank.

jk1348

My independent bank also reimburses the fees charged at other ATM's around the world. Will be using it in Ireland this March but will use a different one for car rental. Have heard definitely better to rent in the States. One questions are automatic transmissions still difficult to reserve and how much in advance would you suggest doing so?

Mycuppajava

I think I am going with Dan Dooley. Have several emails to use as a hard copy. 48 hours to cancel w/o penalty.

Mycuppajava

A question about Slea Head Drive...do they have one or two lane traffic? T'would be nice to have everyone going one way!

Padraig

Slea Head is two-way. Most visitors do the circuit clockwise, but locals travel in whichever direction suits their needs. There is enough room, but people unused to driving on the left don't always feel there is.

GreenDragon

Two lanes on Slea Head. One note - make sure that whenever you do any of the 'rings' that there isn't something else going on. We made the error of doing the Ring of Kerry the same day as a charity event involving about a thousand bicyclists, all strung out on the Ring, going the same direction as us. And they didn't stay to one side of the road - they rode in the middle of the road, two or three abreast, making it pretty much impossible to pass them, as the roads are windy and twisty, and you are unable to see around the next bend to see if it's safe to pass. It was very frustrating and nerve-wracking. We finally pulled off at Valentia Island and spent an hour or two around that area. When we returned to the main Ring, most of the cyclists were gone. We did catch up with some stragglers at the end of the Ring, but they were no longer 'massed' at that point It would have been fine if we had gone in the other direction, but we had no idea it was going on.

Mycuppajava

Thanks. We will definitely take your advice. Surely the guest houses would know if there was something. Do you guys know a panoramic view b&b in Doolin, Killarney area, and maybe another choice for Ennis. We have Elmdale as one but t'would be nice to have plan B. I have found that a lot of the B&B take credit cards. I was under the impressions that this would not be the case. Also, some have cancellation fees of which is different than here in the USA. Thanks travellers!!!

GreenDragon

I've only once come across a B&B who wouldn't take a credit card, and they let us know ahead of time, so all was well.

Mycuppajava

Do you remember the name? I am thinking of using Elmdale in Ennis, Dubhlinn House or Sea View House in Doolin, and there are three that I would love to stay in Dingle...Cill Bhreac,Lighthouse, or Emlagh in Dingle. And we think Park Inn at SNN our last night. Any suggestions?