OK, I'm working on getting a rental car in Barcelona (for travelling outside of Barcelona) through Auto Europe, and a few questions have come up. Should we get the basic, or the all-inclusive rate? The all-inclusive includes a collision damage waiver. Also, in the fine print it says an International Driver's License is recommended. Do people actually get one, and if so, how ?

The inclusive has the CDW but usually with a deductible, whereas the basic does not cover the CDW but your credit card probably does without a deductible. The one possible worry about having the credit card carry the CDW is that if an accident happens, your credit card will be charged for the repairs and you will be reimbursed a few weeks after you file your report. Presumably this could be a large amount, and if it happens at the beginning of a trip, you might want a second credit card for your expenses. BTW, check out the sister company Kemwel. In my experience it has lower prices.

I forgot: AAA issues the IDL for a nominal fee and it usually does not take more than 30 minutes to get it.

You have to find out what kind of coverage you will get with your own credit card in case of damage. They will probably not ask to see the IDP when you rent the car (we've never been asked to show ours) but you might want to have one in case you get stopped; you are supposed to have it. You can get one in the USA from AAA, either online or from one of their offices. It costs $15 and you need 2 photos:

http://www.aaa.com/vacation/idpf.html

I would advise checking prices at both AutoEurope and Kemwell. If you really want to research, you can check prices on the foreign online sites of both of these brokers; for example:

www.autoeurope.es

http://www.kemwel.com/rental-car/UK.cfm

Then you can phone Autoeurope or Kemwell in your home country and ask them to match the price.

This is interesting. Kemwell does have cheaper rates, but the only pickup place in Barcelona seems to be at the airport (unless I just wasn't reading carefully enough), and I've heard about the pick up fee at the airport, which I assume is not included in the rental fee quoted. Does anybody know how I can find out about that pickup fee and how much additional it would be?

>Does anybody know how I can find out about that pickup fee and how much additional it would be?<

Have you considered calling Kemwel at their toll free number?

My impression is that the foreign on-line sites of Autoeurope and Kemwel do not offer the basic rate.

If looking for an inclusive rental, try Economy Rentals. I had good luck with them in Turkey and their rates were competitive and had no excess, i.e. deductible.

https://www.economycarrentals.com/Default.aspx

I have also had good experience with economycarrentals.com
Their no excess works like this... in the event of damage
the dedeductible (sorry, can't remember the amount but I think it's 1,000 Euros) goes on the credit card you used and Economy reimburses you. Didn't have to find out if this works as advertised or not. They do explain it on their site.

Later last year I rented a Passat wagon in France through AutoEurope. There was a deal on and I got the zero deductible insurance in the price. In a dimly lit underground garage I backed into a protruding wall. At today's prices there had to be a couple of thousand worth of damage. I called Europcar and they said as long as the car was drivable to just drop it as planned in Paris, it was fully insured. Whew. Didn't cost me a cent.

I would get the best insurance you can. It could save you a fortune.

Get the IDL... it costs next to nothing and can be a real help if you are involved with the police. But here's another good reason... if you are visiting an attraction that has audio guides they'll often ask for you to leave a passport or driver's license as sort of a deposit... I'll gladly leave my IDP. Not my passport!

Rob

If you are an American or a Canadian, then you can waive the CDW and let your credit card serve as you primary coverage. That in itself will save you quite a bit. If you use Amex, then you can contact Amex to add their extended insurance ($24.95/rental if you belong to their program), otherwise there is a deductible when using Amex, Visa or MasterCard.

I would also stay away from renting a car at the airport. The airport tax is close to the cost of one day of your rental. Avis (Auto Europe) has an office at Corcega, 293/295 that makes it fairly easy to drive out of the city after picking up the car. Just make sure you have your luggage with you and don't have to return to the hotel to pick it up.

Yes, the IDP is required by Spanish law and more rental agent are asking to see it. It's very cheap, so you might as well buy one at your nearest AAA office.