Car rental Germany/Austria April 2014

[scheps]

Hey guys,

Was wondering if anyone can pitch in with some answers for..

1. Would i need winter tyres in Germany? My understanding is that i wont need it unless i am driving on icy roads. i know before April 15th, it is mandatory in Austria
2. Which company would you use? none seem to come with winter tyres despite the apparent need for them. Perhaps it is because i am renting from Germany so it is not mandatory depending on where you are going?
3. Anyone ever used their US Card as insurance? which covers i believe up to 50k. Have you rented a car worth over 50K before and still be accepted by the rental company? I was concerned that they will say their car is worth > 50k when i get there (not at the time of booking online). Value of the car can be argued if it has miles on it.
4. Have you been exposed to those tricks (being charged for existing damage on the car in difficult to spot areas) when returning the car in Austria? (like in Germany)

Only driven in Germany in october before and was many years ago but pretty sure i needed winter tyres.

Thanks - Scheps

 

[jsoprano]

There is no calendar-based winter tyre obligation in Germany. The law says you have to use winter tyres when driving on icy or snowy roads, otherwise you're in for a fine and some major troubles if you get into an accident. Also be aware that the car rental company is under no obligation to rent you a car with winter tyres, even if it's snowy outside on the day you rent it (only the dodgy ones would try this though). German law leaves responsibility 100% with the driver so you need to be sure what call you make when renting. As April is already spring you would be pretty safe without winter tyres in most parts of Germany, but of course if there is a sudden late snow storm it means you would have to park the car for a day or two.

The larger car rental companies in Germany have most of their fleet (more than 90%) fitted with winter tyres during what would be considered the core winter months of December to March. In April the quota would be lower but you should still be able to get a car with winter tyres, especially in the southern parts. I'd say if you stick with the big operators (Hertz, Europcar, Sixt) this should be no problem.

If you intend to rent the car in Germany and return it in Austria be aware of the additional cross boarder one-way fees. If renting from Munich Airport though you might be lucky as they usually have a handful of Austrian cars that they are happy to rent back to Austria without fee (your choice of car would be limited though, but it would sure have winter tyres being registered in Austria).

Can't help with the insurance.

 

[AdMEL]

With regard to the Amex Plat Card LDW, my recollection (policy seems to have been removed from the internet) is that it says something along the lines of replacement market value, or similar, worded in such a way that it means new, so it would be hard to argue. Even if they don't refuse to rent the car to you at the time, if you have an accident in a car worth more than the limit, you may be left with no insurance - not a position I'd want to be in!

 

[scheps]

Thanks guys for your advice.

I guess i need to make sure i get a car with RRP for < 50k USD. I don't see value as "new" on my policy but probably better be on safe side. So maximum seems to be a base level A4 AVANT for example.

I guess i will have to pay for winter tyres as an option given i am going into austria.

I priced it from Frankfurt to Freilassing to avoid going over the border with it but then starting another rental in salzburg is very very expensive as well. didn't actually work out better despite the oneway fee.

Oh well...

 

[G.Zod]

starting another rental in salzburg is very very expensive as well. didn't actually work out better despite the oneway fee.

If it helps, I found the Hertz Austria service to be ok - they were laidback to the point of laziness but had no issues with the car (standard = Skoda Octavia 1.4 manual). I wound up taking the train from Munich to Salzburg as it was pretty quick and what with Salzburg being quite small, ended up being very convenient. No damage issues.

 

[marki]

1. The car company like say Avis will already have this done for you. They winter tyres from certain dates. So u may not have them in a summer snow storm.

 

[DaveB]

A few years back, picked up a Hertz hire car from Berlin on 29 March and took it right thru Czech republic, Croatia, north Italy and Bavaria dropping off the car Munich on 25 April. Weather no problem, and whilst it was biting cold earlier in Copenhagen, snow would not have been a problem there either though got around by train and boat.
Once dropped off a hire car in Denver late August in light snow with planes having to be de-iced so you can never be certain.

 

[scheps]

Thanks guys, do you think booking earlier or later will have a better price? Mid april is the date of travel.

 

[DaveB]

Depends on how specific you need to be with your car choice, your stress levels and how much time you want to spend on it.
Have always had four in the car so always book early to ensure able to get a Passat or equiv. large wagon. In this regard, European vehicles typically are terrible for carrying luggage with people movers expensive to hire. Have been upgraded free at least three times due to the large wagon ordered not being available and the alternative initially offered on arrival being too small.

 

[scheps]

yea thats a very good point, I will need a C class 3 series equivalent + wagon if possible but dont have to for 3 people and a child seat. So yea prices look pretty expensive as it is right now. perhaps i should make my move soon. Upgrade would be nice but not going to bank on that i suppose. Going to use my american cc for the insurance but need to get somethign < 50k usd .... which can be a bit difficult...

 

[AdMEL]

If you are doing a pay in arrival cancellable booking direct through the large companies, book now and check every few days/once a week and amend booking (or rebook and the cancel) if price drops.