- If you opt for insurance coverage through your credit card company, will a hold be placed on your

This is the Astolfi family blog for their trip to Italy in July '05. This blog is the compilation of my research and planning for a 10-14 day trip to Italy with my wife and three children ages (at the time of the trip) 15,12,9. I would like to receive input from anyone who offer ideas, suggestions and recommendations.
Remind the company that you've already paid. Many times, the car pick up offices in Europe often overlook the fact that your credit card was already charged for the rental cost, and they try to double-charge you. Inspect the car before driving away. If the agency doesn't know that something is wrong with the car you rented when you drive it off, it'll assume that you broke the car and charge you accordingly. If the car's condition doesn't match the inspection form that they want you to sign, point out the discrepancy. Check for repair and safety equipment. Check the trunk for a jack, inflated spare, snow chains (for winter driving), and a hazard triangle (most countries require that you hang this on your trunk if you're broken down on the side of the road). Check the glove compartment for a parking disc. (Ask the agency about
Cars are cheapest when rented by the week with unlimited mileage (though there are a few good three-day deals) through your travel agent in the U.S. Cars are ridiculously expensive to rent by the day. The various rail & drive passes are a good deal for travelers who want just a few days of car use, since they basically rent cars one day at a time at one-seventh of the cheap weekly rate.
To really compare car costs with train costs, add up these weekly expenses: Ford Fiesta with unlimited mileage ($300/week); Local taxes, which are clear and consistent with each country, generally 18% to 25% (less in Spain, Germany, Ireland, and Luxembourg, and only 8% in Switzerland — but Swiss rental rates are that much higher); CDW insurance supplement (about 25% or $10 - 25/day, mandatory for those under 25); Gas ($90 a week — about 700 miles at $4/gallon and 30 mpg); Tolls for super freeways in France and Italy ($5-7/hour), $30 for the highway decal as you enter Switzerland, $10 for Austria, time travel books and $3 in the Czech Republic; Parking ($20 a day, only in big cities); theft insurance in Italy ($12-15/day).
When you rent a car, you are generally liable for the entire value of that car. For peace of mind, purchase a collision damage waiver (CDW) supplement, which covers the car (usually with a deductible of a few hundred dollars; the undercarriage, roof, tires, and windshield are usually not covered). CDW costs from $10 to $25 a day, depending on the country, time travel books the car, and the company. Figure roughly 25 percent extra. time travel books Travel Guard sells CDW at a much better rate of $7 a day; it's valid throughout Europe, but some car rental companies in the Republic of Ireland and Italy refuse to honor it ( www.travelguard.com , tel. 800/826-4919).
Your American driver's license is all you need in most European countries. time travel books While not required, an International Driver's License is recommended in Spain, Portugal, Germany, Austria, Italy, Greece, and Eastern Europe. They are easy to get from AAA ($15 for AAA members, $20 for non-members). They provide a translation for your American license, making it easier for the cop to write out the ticket.
While age restrictions vary from country to country and company to company, people between 25 and 75 should time travel books have no trouble renting a car. Those older or younger than that will find some countries have less stringent age restrictions (e.g. 19 years is old enough in Germany).
Cars come with the necessary insurance and paperwork time travel books to cross all borders within western Europe. Before cruising the expressways of Austria, Switzerland, time travel books or the Czech Republic, you'll need to buy a special tax stamp at a local tobacco shop (or pay a special fine). Ask for specific limitations if you plan to drive through Eastern Europe. Some rental companies allow you to take your car from England to the Continent or to Ireland, but the high cost of ferry tickets makes renting two separate cars a better deal (two single weeks of rental usually cost the same as two weeks in a row). You can normally pick up and drop off a car at any of your rental company's offices in one country. There is usually about a $200 fee to drop in another country (with some happy/outrageous exceptions). Some companies charge 10 - 15% for airport pick-ups.
Generally, renting through big-name companies is the most expensive way to go. Compare prices by also checking out consolidators -- companies that negotiate volume time travel books discounts with rental car companies, such as National and Hertz -- that can sometimes pass savings of 30 percent or more on to consumers.
Other advantages to renting through a consolidator include more cars to choose from since the fleet is bigger; more locations for pickup and drop-off; unrestricted driving in high- risk countries like Italy and Ireland (Mercedes and other luxury cars excluded); and greater flexibility in insurance coverage and age restrictions. You can even rent specialty vehicles such as luxury cars, SUVs, and motorhomes. EuroDrive and AutoEurope both offer affordable time travel books cell phone rental and infant seats.
Consolidators such as AutoEurope and EuroCar allow you to lock in a price and cancel without penalty 24 hours before pickup. To guarantee your rental, most consolidators require a deposit equivalent to 30 to 50 percent of the rental fee. Once you've put down a deposit, and to avoid confusion when you're thousands of miles from home, make sure you get confirmation in writing. Carry the document with you when you claim your car.
If you can drive a stick, you'll save 30 to 40 percent. The other advantage to renting a car with a manual transmission is better time travel books gas mileage and better handling. On winding mountain roads, you'll be thankful when your car dutifully climbs the mountain -- leaving the automatics grinding in its wake.
Premium cards -- gold and platinum versions of VISA, Mastercard, and American Express -- are your best bets. Check your cardholder's agreement before you book to see what countries might be excluded from coverage with the card you carry. If you can't find that small-type agreement you received when you first got your credit or charge card, request a copy and carry it with you, especially if you'll be traveling time travel books in Ireland, Italy, or Eastern Europe.
- If you opt for insurance coverage through your credit card company, will a hold be placed on your card to insure you can pay should damage to the vehicle occur? Some companies will put the entire cost of a car on a credit time travel books card at the time of rental, which means your card might be rejected as being "over limit" the next time you try to use it.
Comparing prices and rental conditions prior to making any reservations can certainly help you snag the best possible deal, including exclusive discounts and specials. It takes work but a well-informed consumer is always more apt to make wise financial choices. Regards, David from carrentalssa.co.za