Car rentals
 

I have a car reservation in Ireland with Hertz, I use them extensively in the US and wanted recent opinions on Hertz in Ireland and recommendations for local agencies.

Since you won't find ZipCar in Europe....

http://www.travelandleisure.com/worl...car-rental/245

I have used Hertz more than 2 dozen times in Europe and will probably use them 2 dozen more.

Irish car rental is a big surprise to non Europeans. Quotes range from Just the rental, too All inclusive.

Beware of quotes far cheaper than most as they will probably be missing something necessary.

Irish car hire is Cheap..Insurance for Irish car hire is expensive and US drivers in particular are loaded with excess as are Auto transmission vehicles.

Hertz are on my personal 3 strike list I do not recommend them but I do not advise against them. I just warn people to be careful make sure you know what you will be paying at the desk, Check the car before you drive off (including Spare and jack) and make sure the car is inspected when you drop it off do not use a key drop unless absolutely necessary.

If Hertz give you a genuinely good quote then fine but get ALL inclusive at the desk comparisons from Dooley's and Budget. Also compare quotes through US and Irish offices.

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en...ing_a_car.html

OK its from the UK but all points are perfectly relevant.

guardian.co.uk/money/…

Edit Button Please!!!!

http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2012...ff?INTCMP=SRCH

Thanks everyone for your input.

If you charge your rental to a WORLD Master Card, you can decline the expensive auto rental company insurance and have zero-deductible collision insurance. You must charge everything from the first contract onward to that card. If you have damage, your card will be charged the amount to repair. After you submit to the cc company the required paperwork, your card is reimbursed -- usually takes 4-6 weeks from filing. The World Master Card is the only cc that offers free insurance in Ireland. I understand American Express has insurance for $25 or so, but I don't know if they insure in Ireland. You might want to check both World MC and AMEX.

You have to check with the rental agency "Which" of the World Mastercard's they accept if any. If you have an "Acceptable" (not all are too all agencies)card then you will have to pay a small administration fee for its use. This fee applies to ALL 3rd party issued policies.

more background on World MC

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...dmust-read.cfm

tony2phones, Is the "small administration fee" something new? We have rented in Ireland several times with different agencies using the World Master Card (ours happens to be Citi) and have never been charged a fee for use. We have booked through AutoEurope and also booked Enterprise, declined their insurance and relied on MC -- which paid off with no hassle after our one small incident. If this is something new, then I thank you for the information.