NZ One way rentals ZQN - CHC

[albatross710]

Anyone got any tips on which car rental company in New Zealand offers the best deal on doing a one way rental with a pick-up in Queenstown in July and dropping it to Christchurch a week later.

My initial investigations are showing about a NZ$235 relocation fee (Avis).

Anyone got share a heads up on where I should be looking?

Alby

 

[drron]

Anyone got any tips on which car rental company in New Zealand offers the best deal on doing a one way rental with a pick-up in Queenstown in July and dropping it to Christchurch a week later.

My initial investigations are showing about a NZ$235 relocation fee (Avis).

Anyone got share a heads up on where I should be looking?

Alby

I always check globalcars and driveaway(both.com.au)and then check the companies.My rental for Jan 2011 though Avis turned out the cheapest as only one not charging a drop off fee.But thats why you should check them all.

 

[albatross710]

great links, much more competitive. I'll book through one of those when we have finalised plans.

 

[RB]

It may work to look & contact standbyrelocs (dot com) sometimes bargains will suit & you can go on waiting list.

 

[Dr Bob]

Try JUCY. Good older cars & a great network in NZ. For what I wanted last month they were about 30% cheaper than the rest. But don't know about relocation fee.

 

[futaris]

As mentioned previously:

Rental Relocations Australia New Zealand United States Canada - Hire Now at StandByCars

and try:

Free Relocation Rental Cars and Campervans in NZ - Transfercar

These two companies list the cheap oneway rentals, i.e. $1-$25/day. You could end up with a car or a camper. I suspect that at this time of year, most people will be going from CHC to ZQN, for snow, etc so it should be doable, if you're flexible.

 

[albatross710]

Thanks for the ideas guys.

I don't think I have the flexibility for the standby relocations. Travelling with two teenagers and Mrs Alby plus a friend's family, the flexibility decreases as the number of travelling parties increases.

 

[futaris]

We got an 8-seater from Hertz in Queenstown to Christchurch Airport, in January for 7 days for 480 NZD. Two days were free, and there was no relocation charge or excess km charge.

Try Hertz and Europcar:

Hertz - rent 4+ days and get one free

NB, you may want to ensure that you have ski chains at that time of year.

And of course, do check out the ski offers, even if you're not skiing around that time of year.

Ski Free with Jucy at Treble Cone from JUCY New Zealand Car Hire and Campervan Rental Specialists based in the North & South Islands

 

[docjames]

We got an 8-seater from Hertz in Queenstown, in January for 7 days for 480 NZD. Two days were free, and there was no relocation charge or excess km charge.

Try Hertz and Europcar:

Hertz - rent 4+ days and get one free

We had a 6 day DUD --> CHC rental with no "one-way" fee a couple of years ago. Rentals are popular in NZ due to the ability to stop wherever the scenery takes your fancy, and there's enough competition that you should be able to find a one-way rental with one of the majors if you want to stay with a "known" company.

 

[samh004]

Thanks for the ideas guys.

I don't think I have the flexibility for the standby relocations. Travelling with two teenagers and Mrs Alby plus a friend's family, the flexibility decreases as the number of travelling parties increases.

Slightly off topic, but if you’re in Queenstown for any time while I’m there, I’ll shout you a beer in one of the bars

 

[drron]

Just on the one way charges-you are in queenstown at peak time for snow season.A one way rental from CHC might not incur the drop off fee.Also if bookings are not great the one way fee may disappear closer to the date.

 

[hazel]

I did a ZQN-CHC 3 day one way rental in September last year.
My TA booked Budget through Kirra Tours - much cheaper than any price I could get on the web. No one way charge & we were able to leave the car at the hotel in CHC - very handy as we had stupid o'clock start to get the train. I think all ZQN cars come with chains in ski season.

 

[straitman]

Thanks for the ideas guys.

I don't think I have the flexibility for the standby relocations. Travelling with two teenagers and Mrs Alby plus a friend's family, the flexibility decreases as the number of travelling parties increases.

albatross710,

Have you looked at these as you actually make a specific booking similar to a normal rental. The main difference is that you do them a favour and they do you a favour and it achieves the aim for both parties.

 

[albatross710]

albatross710,

Have you looked at these as you actually make a specific booking similar to a normal rental. The main difference is that you do them a favour and they do you a favour and it achieves the aim for both parties.

I checked out their NZ page. (Rental Relocations Australia New Zealand United States Canada - Hire Now at StandByCars). So far only opportunities up to mid May. When I say flexibility I get asked a few times per week how all of the arrangements are coming along. I want to lock it away soon as I'll be running up to a busy FY10 ending.

 

[JohnK]

Off topic but in 2007 I got a car for NZD20/day from Avis (of all places) for a CHC-Picton one-way rental. Got the 700 QFF points as well.

 

[albatross710]

With just one month to go I thought I'd give Avis (my preferred) one final chance.

When I do the booking online and tick the box to 'say' I am a NZ resident, the price is NZ$300 cheaper than if I am an Aussie resident. Ouch.

Just reconciling if it will make any difference when I do arrive with an Australian licence. Anyone got any insight on that aspect of the Avis booking system?

 

[samh004]

With just one month to go I thought I'd give Avis (my preferred) one final chance.

When I do the booking online and tick the box to 'say' I am a NZ resident, the price is NZ$300 cheaper than if I am an Aussie resident. Ouch.

Just reconciling if it will make any difference when I do arrive with an Australian licence. Anyone got any insight on that aspect of the Avis booking system?

Well you could be an NZ resident but not have got your license yet I suppose?

 

[albatross710]

Well you could be an NZ resident but not have got your license yet I suppose?

Read some encouraging comments on FT in which they mentioned that most rental agents don't even check most of the details of the rental, let alone checking my residency.

My guess is that you will be just fine, though of course that is not guaranteed. The average Avis rental agent does not even check all the details of a reservation, and almost none would ever check the rental for country of residence (if they could even find the field that would be entered in) against your driver license. On average, rental agents will not check almost anything on the rental contract besides you having a driver license, and your payment/credit card information. Of course, YMMV.

Avis Discount Codes - Page 127 - FlyerTalk Forums