Car Hire UK via QANTAS OR Direct With Hertz?

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PaulyB

PaulyB

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Hi all

My wife and I are wanting to hire a car in Edinburgh in late June and return it in London. No problem with that especially as the trip includes Farnborough!

But I am just going around in circles with reading about insurance and have come to you for help. I have two examples below - is the difference in the insurance coverage affecting the price? There is scant info on the two sites unless I am missing something!

1. Are both deals fully covered for theft and damage whether it is my fault or someone else?
2. There is no indication of the excess. Could it differ if hired direct or via QANTAS?

As a side issue, and just to make things interesting, the additional driver is over 70. Hertz' notes obliquely say Additional drivers must meet our driver qualifications and present a valid driver's licence and additional form of ID. But is there any experience of an 'age loading?'

Keeping the example simple, I am comparing apples with apples - or in this case perhaps, haggis with haggis.

Booking via QANTAS (via Hertz) has a Vauxhaull Corsa for June 28 - July 27 for GBP401.46
The only related notes I can find are:
Excess Reduction: To reduce the excess on your car you can pay an additional cash amount upon pick-up.

For Australian, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Singapore, UK and US residents, QBE offers a range of policies that cover rental car insurance excess. Visit qantas.com/insurance for more information. There is no other mention of insurance.



The same car direct via Hertz is GBP912 (prepay online)
The details are:
Included in the rates
One way fee (payable on return of the vehicle)
Tax
Vehicle Licence Fee (VLF)
Theft Protection (Excess Applies)
Collision Damage Waiver (Excess Applies)
Location Service Charge (LSC)

Not included in the rates
Fuel
Personal Insurance
Premium Emergency Roadside Service
Super Cover (Excess Waiver)
Additional Driver Fee



I will really appreciate your input and guidance.

Thanks!
Paul
 
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Have a look at Netflights.

I've not used them in the UK but have used them in the USA. Their rates are all inclusive and prices are 'normally' much better than through the individual hire companies.
 
straitman said:
Have a look at Netflights.

I've not used them in the UK but have used them in the USA. Their rates are all inclusive and prices are 'normally' much better than through the individual hire companies.
Click to expand...

I'll second this. Unless you have a great discount code to use directly with the car rental companies (such as a corporate account discount), booking directly with the car rental agencies is generally not the cheapest option. Netflights has worked well for me for USA rentals, and of course Netflights are based in the UK, so give them a try.
 
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Perhaps took at RentalCars.com. We look at them first now and compare.

car hire usually does usually include 3rd party and collision/damage insurance (but not for tyres, glass, roof, contents etc) but not the excess which can be up to 5K depending on car/company. This is covered by credit card travel insurance and by most TI policies. Need to check your policy.

Diveaway.com.au also has sometimes good deals, and has insurance excess easily included, but their prices have become less competitive in recent years.

That said, we rented a nice jag direct from Avis in Edinborough last October and this was at a better price direct from Avis prestige, and not much more expensive than a Vauxhall through others. Plus they delivered it to our hotel at no extra charge.
 
NM said:
I'll second this. Unless you have a great discount code to use directly with the car rental companies (such as a corporate account discount), booking directly with the car rental agencies is generally not the cheapest option. Netflights has worked well for me for USA rentals, and of course Netflights are based in the UK, so give them a try.
Click to expand...
@ straitman and NM. Thanks for this. I just had a search of Netflights but they seem unable to provide an option for the criteria I have listed in my original post here (dates/locations). I tried several permutations with no luck but will contact them directly for help as you are so enthusiastic with your recommendations!

Thanks!
 
Do these sites also work for undercutting the companies when renting in Australia?
 
TheRealTMA said:
Perhaps took at RentalCars.com. We look at them first now and compare.

car hire usually does usually include 3rd party and collision/damage insurance (but not for tyres, glass, roof, contents etc) but not the excess which can be up to 5K depending on car/company. This is covered by credit card travel insurance and by most TI policies. Need to check your policy.

Diveaway.com.au also has sometimes good deals, and has insurance excess easily included, but their prices have become less competitive in recent years.

That said, we rented a nice jag direct from Avis in Edinburgh last October and this was at a better price direct from Avis prestige, and not much more expensive than a Vauxhall through others. Plus they delivered it to our hotel at no extra charge.
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This was really interesting and also perhaps useful when looking for another option if Netflights doesn't work. Whichever way I worked it, Netflights couldn't accommodate a one way trip. Perhaps it would from bigger centres and I will still check it out with a call to them.

However, rentalcars.com could provide a oneway trip online, using Hertz so I am truly comparing haggis with haggis.

The price was within GBP1 of the QANTAS flight so an incredibly good yardstick to compare with. Thanks for that.

It also clearly laid out the insurance info and we will see what we can do to address the insurance. Unfortunately we paid with QANTAS Cash going after the points for the flights and there is no insurance cover on that (d'oh) so will look at Columbus Direct which is discounted through AFF.

Interesting about Driveaway - we had actually seen and article in the SMH yesterday about them and looked it up. Over GBP150 more PLUS there seems to be an hidden trap about extra drivers: Additional Driver Fee: Each additional driver is approx. GBP 12.00, per day, VAT included, paid locally.

The only consideration is if the prices drop more with the falling pound. But they won't fall THAT much!So many rabbit holes....I think I will stay with booking via QANTAS and get the bonus points.
Thanks!
Paul
 
I use driveaway holidays as they seem to have some good rates. Google them. It searches multiple rental companies and they have an AU based support centre if you want to call them.
 
I'm a hertz gold member, not that this means much. I've included super cover in my profile. For me, cost is important but also knowing I don't have to worry if I'm covered for this or that insurance is also important. I book direct with hertz uk. I usually compare price range & haven't found difference, perhaps it's changed. I had a couple of successful outcome booking drive away & one not so successful.
 
straitman said:
Have a look at Netflights. I've not used them in the UK but have used them in the USA. Their rates are all inclusive and prices are 'normally' much better than through the individual hire companies.
Click to expand...

Thanks for this tip! We regularly take long road trips in the USA and have previously found uscarhire.com to have the best prices ( and service) . However Netflights are coming in around AUD$200 cheaper for the same car from Alamo on our upcoming trip out of DFW.

My only concern was this in their small print "Our rates are not available to residents of Latin America, the Caribbean, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Asia and Pacific regions, United States or Canada. "

Am I safe to assume that Australia doesn't fall into the "Pacific Region"?

TIA
Andona
 
Andona said:
Thanks for this tip! We regularly take long road trips in the USA and have previously found uscarhire.com to have the best prices ( and service) . However Netflights are coming in around AUD$200 cheaper for the same car from Alamo on our upcoming trip out of DFW.

My only concern was this in their small print "Our rates are not available to residents of Latin America, the Caribbean, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Asia and Pacific regions, United States or Canada. "

Am I safe to assume that Australia doesn't fall into the "Pacific Region"?

TIA
Andona
Click to expand...
As mentioned I have used Netflights without issue. If in doubt give them a quick ring (UK No) as I've found their phone service excellent.

wandering_fred said:
If you are still in Australia another option would be
Argus Car Hire compares the prices of 1200 car hire agents at 30,000 locations worldwide to find you the cheapest deal!
you have typically use overseas including the USA.

The offerings will include basic insurance and most rental car companies. Sometimes (Oz and NZ) less well known brands will be displayed...

Happy wandering

Fred
Click to expand...
The problem I had with Argus is that you didn't know which car company your vehicle was from until the last minute. Can be a problem if you have any specific dislikes.

With all of these type of companies make sure you know what is and is not included as the agents will often try and on sell extras that are already included.
 
For argus the rental company name has been available for quite awhile.
Alas with some of the smaller (Aussie) companies that may not mean much.
Eg the Sydney airport location doesn't open til 0730... Tough with a 0900 flight.

Happy wandering

Fred
 
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