Ireland - Cheapest Car Rental Company
Feb 15th, 2005, 09:22 AM
#21
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I just rented a compact car for 9 days through O'Scannlain/Hertz for $197.00 in a pre-paid voucher.I have also received a letter from my MasterCard issuer, USAA stating that they will cover CDW for up to 15days.In addtion Hertz will pre-authorize a €2000 charge on my card for any damage that might occur to the car. However Hertz Ireland told me they would wave this charge if I was a Hertz#1 Club Gold member.
Feb 16th, 2005, 12:30 AM
#22
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to: Imhornet
re: europcar rental and CDW...
my mastercard does not cover the CDW, tried a couple of calls to junk mail comanies that wanted me to sign for a card, did not think of AAA, will call them!
Was told that I could bring a letter for approval to waive the CDW if the mastercard company was on their approval list...when asked to explain further this sentence was repeated 2X more and I panicked.
"Also, if you rent from autoeurope, beware of their drop off fees. ", WHAT???!!! I am on a tight budget and will not be happy with this kind of unexpected suprise...please explain if you wouldn't mind.
Seems as if I can do much better for $$$ on a rental, thank you, must go find a mastercard now...
re: europcar rental and CDW...
my mastercard does not cover the CDW, tried a couple of calls to junk mail comanies that wanted me to sign for a card, did not think of AAA, will call them!
Was told that I could bring a letter for approval to waive the CDW if the mastercard company was on their approval list...when asked to explain further this sentence was repeated 2X more and I panicked.
"Also, if you rent from autoeurope, beware of their drop off fees. ", WHAT???!!! I am on a tight budget and will not be happy with this kind of unexpected suprise...please explain if you wouldn't mind.
Seems as if I can do much better for $$$ on a rental, thank you, must go find a mastercard now...
Feb 16th, 2005, 02:52 AM
#23
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""Also, if you rent from autoeurope, beware of their drop off fees. ", WHAT???!!! I am on a tight budget and will not be happy with this kind of unexpected suprise...please explain if you wouldn't mind."
In the fine print on the Autoeurope web site, they mention that their quotes do not include "local fees." When I called them, they checked and found that I would be subject to a $100 drop off fee. This applies to pick up and drop off at different locations, when one of the locations is not a major airportt. For example, if you pick up Dublin and drop in Shannon there would likely be no fee. However, I called Avis and asked the same question - no drop fee onm any rental of 3 days or longer
Also, beware pick up fees. I tried a few more Irish car rental places, and they wanted a pick up fee of 25-30E that was not shown in their initial quotes. Never heard of any such thing before.
In the fine print on the Autoeurope web site, they mention that their quotes do not include "local fees." When I called them, they checked and found that I would be subject to a $100 drop off fee. This applies to pick up and drop off at different locations, when one of the locations is not a major airportt. For example, if you pick up Dublin and drop in Shannon there would likely be no fee. However, I called Avis and asked the same question - no drop fee onm any rental of 3 days or longer
Also, beware pick up fees. I tried a few more Irish car rental places, and they wanted a pick up fee of 25-30E that was not shown in their initial quotes. Never heard of any such thing before.
Feb 16th, 2005, 03:11 AM
#24
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When we rented a car last year it was the rental company who informed us that some MasterCards offer the CDW. I called MasterCard and found which of my card would be best. As I said above we rented through rentacarireland.com The best way to do it is to go to their website and find the 800 telephone number and deal directly by phone - then they send all the needed confirmation numbers, etc. I get the felling it is a small company, but we had a pleasant experience. We would certainly consider using them again.
Feb 17th, 2005, 10:33 AM
#25
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Just booked a Ford Fiesta automatic this morning for 8 days (March 22-30) with Dan Dooley www.dan-dooley.ie for US$252, picking up and dropping off at Shannon. They give you a two-hour grace period before charging another day rental.
Actually, while online, I called the U.S. phone number (800/331-9301) because I had a few questions, and the agent was able to give me this rate, which included a 10% discount, slightly better than the online rate.
Took the suggestions from others on this board and paid for the rental with Master Card, waiving all Dan Dooley insurance offers because that's what Master Card requires in order to apply their insurance. Do ask Master Card to supply you with a letter stating they do in fact insure car rental in Ireland, and make sure the letter specifies Ireland, according to the Dan Dooley agent. Call Master Card in the U.S. at 800/MC assist. According to the Dan Dooley agent, you will need to show this letter at pick up point. The online fine print in the rental terms say that you must deposit 2000 euro if you waive insurance, but according to the agent, this will not be the case when you present your Master Card letter to show you are covered.
VAT is included in the price. You will pay for a full tank of gas on pick-up, but this cost will be refunded when you return the car with a full tank. Only other charge is a one-time 25 euro (about US$33) for the Shannon "depot fee."
Also heard some good advice on this board about noting any damage, dents, scratches on your car when you pick it up, and asking the agent to indicate them on your contract. Hope this helps.
Actually, while online, I called the U.S. phone number (800/331-9301) because I had a few questions, and the agent was able to give me this rate, which included a 10% discount, slightly better than the online rate.
Took the suggestions from others on this board and paid for the rental with Master Card, waiving all Dan Dooley insurance offers because that's what Master Card requires in order to apply their insurance. Do ask Master Card to supply you with a letter stating they do in fact insure car rental in Ireland, and make sure the letter specifies Ireland, according to the Dan Dooley agent. Call Master Card in the U.S. at 800/MC assist. According to the Dan Dooley agent, you will need to show this letter at pick up point. The online fine print in the rental terms say that you must deposit 2000 euro if you waive insurance, but according to the agent, this will not be the case when you present your Master Card letter to show you are covered.
VAT is included in the price. You will pay for a full tank of gas on pick-up, but this cost will be refunded when you return the car with a full tank. Only other charge is a one-time 25 euro (about US$33) for the Shannon "depot fee."
Also heard some good advice on this board about noting any damage, dents, scratches on your car when you pick it up, and asking the agent to indicate them on your contract. Hope this helps.
Feb 17th, 2005, 12:01 PM
#26
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With over 25 years of travel experience to Ireland (approx 4 times a year) I find Dan Dooley car rental (800-331-9301) the best in every respect, good rates, representatives who know their business and are helpful. I have never had a problem with this car rental agency. Reminder: do return your car with a FULL tank of gas, otherwise you will be charged a higher rate than at a gas station for the used gas.
Feb 24th, 2005, 11:16 PM
#27
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Nubbin, there is also US $1.50 per day road rental fee and anywhere from $6-$8 per day for add'l driver if you have one.
Interestingly enough, I have heard wonderful things about Dan Dooley, but every time I check them out their prices are high, maybe I will give them a call instead.
I just went on Dan Dooley site for Oct 19th - 30th Dublin city, Dublin airport, no insurance and got quote US $592.00
then Nubbin's dates in March but Dublin and got $489.00 (no CDW)
then Nubbin's dates in March, one driver, no CDW, Shannon to Shannon and got $381.27
Am I missing something because it seems as if everyone is getting a better deal and I am being taken for a ride...forgive the pun!
At this time, I am sticking with Autoeurope--Dublin/Dublin--Compact Automatic--2 drivers--VAT for $440.84 plus $37.33 CDW (until I find a mastercard that works), for a total of $478.17
***Imhornet, I will call them about drop off fees!**
Is it just the time I am going??? Maybe my computer has a flashing "sucker" sign when I inquire!!!
Interestingly enough, I have heard wonderful things about Dan Dooley, but every time I check them out their prices are high, maybe I will give them a call instead.
I just went on Dan Dooley site for Oct 19th - 30th Dublin city, Dublin airport, no insurance and got quote US $592.00
then Nubbin's dates in March but Dublin and got $489.00 (no CDW)
then Nubbin's dates in March, one driver, no CDW, Shannon to Shannon and got $381.27
Am I missing something because it seems as if everyone is getting a better deal and I am being taken for a ride...forgive the pun!
At this time, I am sticking with Autoeurope--Dublin/Dublin--Compact Automatic--2 drivers--VAT for $440.84 plus $37.33 CDW (until I find a mastercard that works), for a total of $478.17
***Imhornet, I will call them about drop off fees!**
Is it just the time I am going??? Maybe my computer has a flashing "sucker" sign when I inquire!!!
Feb 25th, 2005, 05:23 AM
#28
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Hello, 12perfectdays. Well, I just received my confirmation in the mail, which included a receipt for my prepayment on MasterCard of $252 to Dan Dooley. This is exactly the amount quoted me on the phone. Never heard anything about a $1.50 per day "road rental" fee. Might already be folded into my total?? As mentioned, I do expect to pay the additional Shannon "depot fee" when I pick up, but that's all. Have you talked directly to a Dan Dooley agent at the U.S. phone number? Are we talking about the same class of car? I'm renting a "Group F" car.
Feb 27th, 2005, 01:17 AM
#29
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Message: Hi Nubbin. I did not doubt you on the quote and I did make a quick call on my way to work (by headset!) and spoke with Doreen at Dan Dooley. I did receive a better quote of $353.57 if I get a mastercard...for the Ford Fiesta, 11 days, automatic, vat.
There is a $33 pick up fee, plus the gas tank fill and $7usd per day for an add'l driver.
They (Dan Dooley)have a 14 day cancellation policy of $50.00 BUT Doreen is cool and said that if it truly is due to a sickness or problem and not just a "changed mind" they will do their best to get that back to you.
I was also told that even with mastercard they will "hold" $1,000usd as there is a deductable. (true for all companies I have searched..amt varies). This deductable is there whether you use your mastercard or even if you purchase the CDW from them. (This is where the dings, bumps and scrapes can cause problems)
OR you can purchase SUPER CDW for an additional $11usd per day that lowers the deductable to $140usd. (please do not hold me to these exact amounts as I did not write them down. I am calling back on Monday from HOME to take notes)
As for the $1.50 road fee per day, I cannot remember what Dan Dooley said about that...whether in the price quoted or not but I wanted to get an update to you.
If you come across anything else, please drop a post and I shall do the same
There is a $33 pick up fee, plus the gas tank fill and $7usd per day for an add'l driver.
They (Dan Dooley)have a 14 day cancellation policy of $50.00 BUT Doreen is cool and said that if it truly is due to a sickness or problem and not just a "changed mind" they will do their best to get that back to you.
I was also told that even with mastercard they will "hold" $1,000usd as there is a deductable. (true for all companies I have searched..amt varies). This deductable is there whether you use your mastercard or even if you purchase the CDW from them. (This is where the dings, bumps and scrapes can cause problems)
OR you can purchase SUPER CDW for an additional $11usd per day that lowers the deductable to $140usd. (please do not hold me to these exact amounts as I did not write them down. I am calling back on Monday from HOME to take notes)
As for the $1.50 road fee per day, I cannot remember what Dan Dooley said about that...whether in the price quoted or not but I wanted to get an update to you.
If you come across anything else, please drop a post and I shall do the same
Mar 1st, 2005, 01:16 PM
#31
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I've used Hertz O'Scannlain and have never been beaten up with extra charges. The person who tried to get CDW with their Visa was just uninformed when they went over there. Visa has never offered CDW in Ireland.
The best price absolutely varies on the type of car you select. My best deal this year was with O'Scannlain again. You need to make sure that the price quoted includes, airport drop off (usually about E30) & 13.5% VAT. Any additional drop off charge over E30 is invented to inflate the price. Extra drivers will always be a charge.
There have always been mixed reviews on Dan Dooley. Some people rave and others don't which is probably true of most car companies. I too, have never found them to be close to the best deal, but I've never called them.
A new twist that I have learned this year is that many business mastercards offer 31 days of coverage. I have an advanta card and it does and I also hear that the American Airlines business card does also, but I believe they charge a yearly fee. With O'Scannlain, my price was charged in $s and I compared it to other rental agencies and the deal was better based on the current exchange. Also, I didn't loose the 1% that MC charges to make the conversion. I'm not sure if the card I used this time charges extra for the conversion as I haven't used it overseas before.
I hope this helps.
Bill
The best price absolutely varies on the type of car you select. My best deal this year was with O'Scannlain again. You need to make sure that the price quoted includes, airport drop off (usually about E30) & 13.5% VAT. Any additional drop off charge over E30 is invented to inflate the price. Extra drivers will always be a charge.
There have always been mixed reviews on Dan Dooley. Some people rave and others don't which is probably true of most car companies. I too, have never found them to be close to the best deal, but I've never called them.
A new twist that I have learned this year is that many business mastercards offer 31 days of coverage. I have an advanta card and it does and I also hear that the American Airlines business card does also, but I believe they charge a yearly fee. With O'Scannlain, my price was charged in $s and I compared it to other rental agencies and the deal was better based on the current exchange. Also, I didn't loose the 1% that MC charges to make the conversion. I'm not sure if the card I used this time charges extra for the conversion as I haven't used it overseas before.
I hope this helps.
Bill
Mar 2nd, 2005, 12:48 AM
#32
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Okay, tried Avis, Hertz, Budget, Auto Europe...Dan Dooley still good for me, auto, 2 driver and my october dates.
In the meantime...MASTERCARD and the collisioon damage waiver. My GM MC does not cover. Mastercard.com found but small print says that not ever benifit listed is for all cards and it is up to each bank issuer.
called 1-800-MC-Assist, sent toChase Ultimate rewards, sent to another # there, then Citibank, told to sign up then find out...to AT&T Universal...they said no. AT&T sent me to Driver's edge MC...wrong thing...to American Airlines...cost big yearly fee...FINALLY back to Citibank begging for help. Great girl, on hold 10 minutes but she came back with, yes, there is a collision damage waiver insurance offered (could not find yes on Ireland for sure), but am gonna go for it.
So, for those of you needing a credit card for CDW...try CITIBANK PLATINUM SELECT, call 1-800-248-4226 (or web)
Good Luck...I'll let you know!
In the meantime...MASTERCARD and the collisioon damage waiver. My GM MC does not cover. Mastercard.com found but small print says that not ever benifit listed is for all cards and it is up to each bank issuer.
called 1-800-MC-Assist, sent toChase Ultimate rewards, sent to another # there, then Citibank, told to sign up then find out...to AT&T Universal...they said no. AT&T sent me to Driver's edge MC...wrong thing...to American Airlines...cost big yearly fee...FINALLY back to Citibank begging for help. Great girl, on hold 10 minutes but she came back with, yes, there is a collision damage waiver insurance offered (could not find yes on Ireland for sure), but am gonna go for it.
So, for those of you needing a credit card for CDW...try CITIBANK PLATINUM SELECT, call 1-800-248-4226 (or web)
Good Luck...I'll let you know!
Mar 2nd, 2005, 03:15 AM
#33
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Interesting. I have an AT&T MC and the customer service person I talked to in December (as well as my written notice of benefits) said CDW is covered. I am counting on it for my trip in May so I guess I will double check.
Mar 2nd, 2005, 06:42 AM
#34
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Again, I have two Mastercards, one a Sears, the other Advanta. I called MCASSIST and both are covered IN IRELAND, but as I said the Advanta business card covered me for 31 days and I will be renting for 17.
My sister was able to use her mastercard (not sure which one she had but she's a bank VP so she must know) and had no problem with it. They actually had some damage and it was covered.
Car rental in Ireland is quite confusing and it seems to change constantly. According to O'Scannlain, you can no longer rent a vehicle, drop it off at a different location and then re-rent WITH THE SAME CARD. That does not seem to match what is stated on the MC website which says:
"In no event shall coverage be provided when a cardholder rents a vehicle beyond 15consecutive days/31 consecutive days from the same Rental Company, whether the original agreement is extended, a new written agreement is entered into, or a new vehicle is rented. A new vehicle rented in a different city from the same agency is permitted."
I'm not sure that O'Scannlain has that right.
Bill
My sister was able to use her mastercard (not sure which one she had but she's a bank VP so she must know) and had no problem with it. They actually had some damage and it was covered.
Car rental in Ireland is quite confusing and it seems to change constantly. According to O'Scannlain, you can no longer rent a vehicle, drop it off at a different location and then re-rent WITH THE SAME CARD. That does not seem to match what is stated on the MC website which says:
"In no event shall coverage be provided when a cardholder rents a vehicle beyond 15consecutive days/31 consecutive days from the same Rental Company, whether the original agreement is extended, a new written agreement is entered into, or a new vehicle is rented. A new vehicle rented in a different city from the same agency is permitted."
I'm not sure that O'Scannlain has that right.
Bill
Mar 3rd, 2005, 07:43 AM
#36
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Just paid $435. for 10 days in May from Dan Dooley. This includes the car (a small one I grant you), excess liability (my MC pays for CDW), a second driver, VAT, and airport tax. It does not pay for a tank of gas which I will do when I get to Shannon. I contacted Dan Dooley here in the States for that rate (and also got 10% off for mentioning Pat Preston's site).
Mar 4th, 2005, 10:39 PM
#37
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To carolsc...in regard to AT&T Mastercard...
I should have been more specific. It is very easy to find out whether or not a mastercard you ALREADY have includes the CDW, but if none of them work and you want to find one that does, well then, without a specific account number (meaning already have the card) then pretty much NO ONE knows. They either told me NO outright (possible laziness???), gave me more #'s to call or said to sign up, then find out, then cancel, then sign up, then find out, then cancell, then...
Glad to find out that your AT&T MC works, the person there specifically said it was not part of their program...(I think probably easiest answer)!
Also...is your car automatic? I have resigned myself that automatic (plus all else you mentioned as well) for October 19-30 (11 days) with Dan Dooley I will be paying $595.57, It must be the season/month!
I should have been more specific. It is very easy to find out whether or not a mastercard you ALREADY have includes the CDW, but if none of them work and you want to find one that does, well then, without a specific account number (meaning already have the card) then pretty much NO ONE knows. They either told me NO outright (possible laziness???), gave me more #'s to call or said to sign up, then find out, then cancel, then sign up, then find out, then cancell, then...
Glad to find out that your AT&T MC works, the person there specifically said it was not part of their program...(I think probably easiest answer)!
Also...is your car automatic? I have resigned myself that automatic (plus all else you mentioned as well) for October 19-30 (11 days) with Dan Dooley I will be paying $595.57, It must be the season/month!
Mar 5th, 2005, 12:31 PM
#39
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I have a Toyota Starlet manual, 4 door with free upgrade for 10 days in May for $230.16 US dollars. They had an automatic available for $376.83 but a manual is okay for me. Adding the airport surcharge of $36 and a road tax of $1.50 per day brings my total to $281.16. Am using my MC for declining CDW.
Mar 8th, 2005, 09:39 PM
#40
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Thanks for suggesting O'Scannlain/Hertz, Bill. I was all set to use AutoEurope for a 14 night trip @ $518, but then called O'Scannlain and got the same car class (compact, automatic) for $388.90! Yippee! I have to use Hertz or Avis, since I'm dropping the car in Sligo, so that limited the options on this particular rental.
I'm with you, I'd rather pre-pay in today's dollars, and make sure I skip the 1-3% fee for using a credit card overseas. And since the dollar continues to weaken, I felt fine in locking in.
My contact said there was no drop fee. Since I am a Hertz Gold member, they won't hold $2000 on my card, either.
I'm with you, I'd rather pre-pay in today's dollars, and make sure I skip the 1-3% fee for using a credit card overseas. And since the dollar continues to weaken, I felt fine in locking in.
My contact said there was no drop fee. Since I am a Hertz Gold member, they won't hold $2000 on my card, either.
