Car hire in Europe with the AMEX Paltinum Charge card and MP Diamond

[gvix]

I am trying to figure out the best way (economically) to hire a car in Europe with AMEX Platinum Charge card and the Marco Polo Diamond memberships.

BTW, I have complimentary Hertz. No 1. Gold with AMEX Platinum, bit sure if it helps.

I need to hire two car seats as I will be travelling with kids.

At the moment, Hertz gives me the following rate. I am using Marco Polo rate and have therefore only got the rate for the most basic car as I should be given a two car upgrade.

I am renting in Spain for 9 days in Sept.


[TABLE="class: rdTable, width: 184, align: center"]
[TR]
[TD]1 week at 38.30 EUR[/TD]
[TD="class: rdAmount, align: right"]38.30 EUR[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]2 extra days at 5.47 EUR[/TD]
[TD="class: rdAmount, align: right"]10.94 EUR[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

Rate Details
[TABLE="class: rdTable, width: 184, align: center"]
[TR]
[TD="class: rdQuestion"][/TD]
[TD]VEH LIC COST RECVRY[/TD]
[TD="class: rdAmount, align: right"]Included[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: rdQuestion"][/TD]
[TD]Drop fee (Paid At Counter)[/TD]
[TD="class: rdAmount, align: right"]45.00 EUR[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: rdQuestion"][/TD]
[TD]Estimated mileage[/TD]
[TD="class: rdAmount, align: right"]0.00 EUR[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: rdQuestion"][/TD]
[TD]Collision damage waiver[/TD]
[TD="class: rdAmount, align: right"]81.09 EUR[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: rdQuestion"][/TD]
[TD]Theft protection[/TD]
[TD="class: rdAmount, align: right"]13.50 EUR[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: rdQuestion"][/TD]
[TD]Taxes[/TD]
[TD="class: rdAmount, align: right"]33.99 EUR[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

[TABLE="class: rdSubTotal, width: 196"]
[TR]
[TD]Vehicle Subtotal[/TD]
[TD="class: rdAmount, align: right"]222.82 EUR[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
Extras

[TABLE="class: rdTable, width: 184, align: center"]
[TR]
[TD="class: extrasItemRow"]Booster Seat (x1)

​

[/TD]
[TD="class: rdAmount, align: right"]70.80 EUR[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: extrasItemRow"]Child Seat (x1)

​

[/TD]
[TD="class: rdAmount, align: right"]70.80 EUR[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

[TABLE="class: rdSubTotal, width: 196"]
[TR]
[TD]Extras Subtotal[/TD]
[TD="class: rdAmount, align: right"]141.60 EUR[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]


[TABLE="class: rdTotal, width: 196"]
[TR]
[TD]Total Approximate Charge[/TD]
[TD="class: rdAmount, align: right"]364.42 EUR[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]


My questions are:
1. Can I refuse the CDW and Theft protection and pay with my AMEX Platinum at the counter? AMEX Platinum covers me for these.
2. I am getting bummed with the car seat hire. I will need to rent a car again in 10 days after this, and will need to pay that again. Is there a way to get past this? Is there any program or promotion that helps to give free baby car seat hire?
3. Any way to reduce this even further?

Thanks!