Dublin Car hire without a proper credit card?

Mrs McSweeney

I might need to rent a car for a week or so. I've never done this in Ireland before, and have only hired once ever (in the UK) so have forgotten what's involved.

First BIG question is though...
If I can't use my Visa Debit card (which I believe I can't), can someone else pay for me using their credit card?

Beyond that big question, there's a few more...

Can anyone ...
(a) suggest a good place to use? I'm in Dublin 24.
(b) Tell me what all the costs/things to look out for?
(d) Are there any tricks to getting a good deal, eg hiring on a particular day of the week, or hiring for a particular amount of time (I would need the car for 10 days or thereabouts).
(e) I currently am insured on my own car, but am selling it, so would I use my own insurance on the hire car?

TIA

coylemj

If you're prepared to use your own insurance then you might be in business. What you need is known as a 'replacement' car, most large dealers keep a few spare cars and are prepared to rent out (don't use the word 'hire') one of them if you can transfer your insurance to it. It's a lot cheaper than hiring a ar but don't expect a car that just been valeted and serviced, it may be a 6 year old car in a tatty condition.

You will need to bring your driving licence and insurance cert., an employee of the dealer will phone your insurance company to see if your policy can be transferred to it and in that regard you will probably need fully comp., otherwise the dealer won't be covered if you run the car off the road into a lamp post.

If you have fully comp. and the cash to pay 10 days rental in advance then you might be able to do it. Obviously you will not be able to use your car while you have the replacement car, that will be one of the conditions under which your insurance company will agree to transfer the policy. So you'll be best to get your own car off the road and into a private drive for the duration.

markpb

I think Enterprise will rent to you with a Visa Debit card as long as it's in your name, you're the primary driver and you have two proofs of address. They used to require a credit card but I think that's been dropped lately.

The trick to getting cheap car hire is to take the included basic insurance from them. Its built into the price of the rental. Then get extra insurance from someone else (google car hire excess) and you'll pay a fraction of the price. Depending on the admin charges your insurer levies, this might work out cheaper than transferring your own insurance.

Also rent the smallest car you'll need and you might get a free upgrade depending on availability. And weekends are always much cheaper than weekdays. Look for 3 day special offers too

Feets

I once collected a rental and was nearly not given it because it was booked under my husbands card once i told them we worked off the same card i was given the car. I was not getting it if i had used a different visa. One of the main rental companies. Hope this helps somewhat.

Mrs McSweeney

Great advice there, thank you all.

I'll look into all those ideas & hopefully come up with something workable.

Mrs McSweeney

An update - Hertz will do it with a Visa debit card.
There's two main ways, either they can deduct a fairly hefty deposit (I was quoted €1600-2000 for a smallish car) from your card & then refund it after, so your card needs to be in credit to that amount at least.
Or you can pay a higher insurance premium with them.

I'll report back after I've actually done it all!

Cookie_Monster

Mrs McSweeney wrote: »

An update - Hertz will do it with a Visa debit card.
There's two main ways, either they can deduct a fairly hefty deposit (I was quoted €1600-2000 for a smallish car) from your card & then refund it after, so your card needs to be in credit to that amount at least.
Or you can pay a higher insurance premium with them.

I'll report back after I've actually done it all!

They wanted me to pay 3.5k on an insignia!

hop2it

€3.5k well feck that Buy a €300 banger and flog it a week later for €200

Cookie_Monster

hop2it wrote: »

€3.5k well feck that Buy a €300 banger and flog it a week later for €200

and have to try and get insurance for 2 weeks, not to mention ensure it has tax and nct, not worth the time and hassle.

It was the deposit they wanted, or a higher level of insurance. Paid the insurance just to get out of there.
Will never use Hertz again though, that's three times in a row they've totally ****ed me over in ireland.