When is it cheaper to hire a car? When booking or an arraival?

Rockally · 05-07-2011 12:47PM #1

Just wondering if anyone can help? Is it cheaper to book car hire when booking flights or to wait until you reach your destination.

n97 mini · 05-07-2011 12:49PM

It's usually cheaper to book online.

It's usually cheaper to book in advance, regardless of how you do it.

Shop around.

Cookie_Monster · 05-07-2011 01:02PM

online, notably with the ryanair / hertz deals.

I have long ago learned it's better to go with the likes of Hertz to avoid all the hassle and insurance sales pitches the lesser companies try to foist on you, they will find something wrong with the car if you don't.

Eleganza · 05-07-2011 02:02PM

Online with broker and you'll avoid the airport fee they try to load too.

Rockally · 05-07-2011 02:14PM

Thanks, will check out Hetz and deal direct on line.

krissovo · 05-07-2011 02:17PM

I find it is often dependent on your destination, Spain for example is cheaper once landed.

I use holidayautos quite a lot and 8 times out of 10 I find it the cheapest place to hire a car.

Terrontress · 05-07-2011 05:40PM

Eleganza wrote: »

Online with broker and you'll avoid the airport fee they try to load too.

I remember getting stung for that in Europcar in Dublin airport. I had phoned in advance and got a rate for 24hrs. Of course the rate doesn't mention the airport fee.

Apparently getting the car at the airport is deemed as an additional service. So I asked if I had gone in to town would I have had to pay. Apparently City Centre is a premium location too. As is a hotel.

There is no way to avoid the fee if you book in person. I book on line all the way.

n97 mini · 05-07-2011 06:10PM

You will get better prices on hertz4ryanair.com than you will on the regular hertz site.

That's not to say they're always the cheapest, but they would be more often than any other provider.

xtradel · 05-07-2011 11:44PM

I got a cheaper deal thru Aer Lingus from Hertz than Ryanair.....about €20 cheaper on a 3 day hire.

n97 mini · 06-07-2011 09:20AM

xtradel wrote: »

I got a cheaper deal thru Aer Lingus from Hertz than Ryanair.....about €20 cheaper on a 3 day hire.

What's the url?

xtradel · 06-07-2011 09:29AM

http://www.hertzflydrive.com/?Link=HP_Right&lang=en&POS=IE&CDP=736667

LLU · 06-07-2011 09:44AM

slightly off topic but strongly money related: whatever you do, make sure to return the car with a full tank of petrol. Otherwise they refill the tank afterwards, charging you about double the going rate per litre. It's a major money spinner for most car rental companies.

Cookie_Monster · 06-07-2011 12:51PM

LLU wrote: »

slightly off topic but strongly money related: whatever you do, make sure to return the car with a full tank of petrol. Otherwise they refill the tank afterwards, charging you about double the going rate per litre. It's a major money spinner for most car rental companies.

or deliver it back empty or half full or same level you got it.

It completely depends on the company and the contract...

my last car had to be delivered back empty for example.

When is it cheaper to hire a car? When booking or an arraival?

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