I have to admit, after reading post after post on car rentals in Ireland, I am still confused. However, it seems that generally people agree on one thing: if you have a Platinum Master Card, you can skip the additional insurance.

My question is: I do have a Platinum MC, but I will not do the driving, DH will but he does not have the Platinum MC. If we book the car using my credit card, will that cover him? Thanks a lot

The Plat M/C only covers CDW insurance, not the other additional insurances. That is my understanding.

Rent the car with the Plat M/C and put your DH down as an additional driver on the rental agreement. That should cover you.

Thanks Budman!
Ireland is still a dream, we’ll probably go in Sept 2007 – but it’s never too early to start planning, right?

We have reserved a car through Hertz Ireland/O'Scannlain. I had to use my husband's card (same number but in his name) because he will be the driver. We both have the Platinum Mastercard and we are skipping the additional CDW coverage. I thought the rates were good. We prepaid and have an automatic car for two weeks for $388.
I'm almost giddy - we leave in two days!!!

I'm very surprised at your rate of $388 for an autonatic car for 2 weeks. I got quotes from 7 places and never got lower than $700. I booked and prepaid for 12 days for a stick shift with Hertz online. What is your secret?

Best I could do for one week was $738, a Mondeo with automatic transmission, reserved for one week. So am I better off going directly to the Irish folks? What is that web address?

I booked the reservation back in February for our May trip, so that may have been the difference. I found out about O'Scannlain on this site. The email address I have for them is [email protected]. (800-828-0826). Good luck.

Thanks. I'll try to contact them. Have a great trip!!!

Well, I have to admit, I went to this website and did a quote for an automatic and got a quote for 11 days for $326. A far cry from the $700 plus I was quoted from the SAME CAR RENTAL COMPANY 2 weeks ago!!! But I'm going to keep my stick shift rental because that price beat this new company by almost $100. Go figure. They are both Hertz cars.

I too booked with O'Scannlin back in February for our trip in June. I got a category H automatic for 9 days for $441.
We also declined the CDW and used my Sears Gold Mastercard. It is reserved under my name with Hubby as the additional driver.
But he'll do most of the driving.

PT

Yes, its true....they are great!! Since my mom lives in Ireland I am a freq. traveler there (twice a year). I had previously used another company but LOVE Hertz Ireland (through Oscannlain).
You must pay with credit card in advance but it really is the best rate that I've seen. I use the MC too to forgo the CDW.
I just booked today for May 29 arrival for 12 day rental (smallest economy car) Automatic for $366 incl. everthing but CDW.

They are at: www.oscannlain.com/hertz
Call: 1-800-828-0826
And, NO I do not work there!! I am just glad to confirm what was posted above.

I am pretty sure when you arrive in Shannon or Dublin they are Hertz-Ireland...not just the "regular" Hertz...at least that is what I remember....
I have delt with Conn (the Pres.) and Janet and they have both been great to work with.
Hope this helps someone....
Shadow

Never heard of Oscannlain before, so thank you all for the tips and all the details. They really seem to have good rates, so I’ll keep them in mind when the time will come (next year).
Until then, I need to read a lot o trip reports and Ireland threads and I’ll come back with more questions.
Thanks agan

I have used O'Scannlain twice. The rates were low both times, but the second time we were charged about $35 in an additional fee - for what, we don't know. We gave the car back with a full tank of gas, we didn't damage the car, and only my husband drove. I contacted Carol at the company when we came back in April, and I am still waiting to hear what the charge was for. Carol, if you are out there....

We too are about to book a car for Ireland in July. Holding my breath and hoping we didn't wait too long...

Any other suggestions about the best place to rent a car near the Shannon airport (returning the car to Dublin airport)?

Since I posted a problem above, I would like to report that it has been satisfacorily resolved, and I continue to endorse O'Scannlain/Hertz!

(They offer cars at both Shannon and Dublin; great rates if you pre-pay.)

Thanks allisonm. Anybody else want to chime in?

To all,
take it from a local who lives in London and goes home regularly for weekends (and therefore hires a car on a regular basis) Hertz is simply double or triple the price of other car hire companies but because they have a monopoly in the US are used by most US tourists in Europe!

LalaB--Which car rental company would you recommend, then?

We used Irish Car Rentals (through Nova) on May 9-13, picking up in Cork and dropping off in Dublin. We paid 100 euros for 4 days for an automatic sub-compact but were actually given Opel Astra. I would definitely use them again. My only (minor) complaint: they actually charged my credit card for a full tank of gas (roughly 70 euros) but did refund the money 5 or so days after I returned the car full.

Do you have a 1-800 number for them or a website? Thanks!