Be Aware! It is usually cheaper to arrange your car hire in UK or your home country rather than when you land in USA. Often rates quoted on car hire rental companies websites do not include local taxes, airport fees and surcharges and may only include minimal levels of insurance. These are all required to be paid before you can pick up your car and may amount to several hundred dollars more than you expected to pay.
Arranging your car hire! – Pre-booked through travel agent or tour operator.
Even when you have pre-booked your car before you left home it can be confusing. Your travel agent will normally advise what level of cover you need and this should be included in your package. This will include the car type of your choice, all taxes, airport fees and relevant surcharges, so there will be no additional payments to make upon collection of the car. Make sure that you read and understand the documentation. See Notes below. Different companies have slightly different terms Your package will be for drivers over the age of 25 and will include unlimited mileage, LDW, SLI, UMP,- “See Notes below” any additional drivers, tank of fuel, (check to see if you have to return it full or if you can return it empty).
The Car Hire office! - You are a bit jet lagged, you have queued to get off the plane, gone through immigration – been photographed and finger scanned, queued to collect your luggage, run the gauntlet of customs, queued for the car hire courtesy bus and now you are queuing again in the car hire office.
Documents that you need:-
Your prepaid voucher.
Both parts of your clean full driving license. (If you have a conviction you must tell your travel agent when booking the car).
Return flight tickets.
Valid Credit card for the deposit on the car. An impression is taken of your card and will normally only be charged if there are extra costs or damages.
Passport.
You will be offered additional PPP (Personal Protection Package) but you should already be covered by your travel insurance and you will be offered mobile phone hire (cell phone) and GPS hire. You will probably be offered an upgrade for an extra charge per day.
Car seats for infants are required by law up to the age of 4 and can be hired for an extra charge, from the car hire office. (May need to be pre-booked)
Roof racks for Skis need to be pre-booked.
Arranging your car hire! – Pre-booked on the Car Hire company website
All of the above but you will be paying all taxes, airport fees and relevant surcharges, at the car hire office and should include LDW, SLI, UMP.
Collecting your car! Having emerged with your rental agreement – signed and sealed, local map + directions on how to find your way out of the airport and to the road you want to travel on. You have a game of hide and seek whilst dragging your luggage around the parking lot to find your car residing in row M27. It is important to check over all of the car bodywork for scratches, dings, and any other damage. Check the spare tyre, jack and wheel nut wrench and tyres. If there is damage or you need guidance about the different controls go back to the office and get someone. On your way out the security guards will check your paperwork.
Returning your car! Allow plenty of time to get back to the airport and drop off the car. I usually try to allow an extra hour; courtesy buses are not always waiting for you. You must return the car before the time agreed on your contract, there may be up to 1 hour’s grace but you may be charged for an extra day’s hire if you are late. Make sure you have checked under seats, in the glove box, inside doors etc for anything personal you may have left behind. Such a shame to have lost that valuable camera disk with all the holiday photos! At most depots a representative of the car hire company will come and walk around the car, to check for any damage, check the mileage and petrol gauge status. He will then give you a receipt from his machine saying if there is anything to be charged onto your card, this is usually if you should have returned the car full of fuel, and you have not done so. These charges, if any will appear on your next credit card.
Very Brief Notes: Check your documentation!!!! For Guidance only
Loss Damage Waiver (LDW): Daily insurance that covers theft and vandalism of a rented car in addition to damage caused by accident. Also known as Collision Damage Waiver (CDW)
Extended Protection (SLI) Third-party automobile liability coverage with benefits up to a maximum protection of $1,000,000 combined single limit (CSL) per occurrence.
Uninsured Motorist Protection (UMP): Provides coverage for injuries and damages caused by an owner or driver of an uninsured or underinsured third party vehicle.
Personal Protection Package (PPP) Personal Protection Plan includes Personal Accident Insurance (PAI) and Personal Effects Insurance (PEI). Where offered, they must be purchased together.
Taxes/Fees: Taxes & any other fees are subject to change without notice.
Driver Requirement: The minimum age for all drivers is 21 years, 25 for specialist vehicles – Minivans, luxury / convertibles. Drivers aged between 21-24 years inclusive will be charged on a daily rate. All drivers must be in possession of a valid driving licence from the country of origin and a return airline ticket.
One Way Rentals: All one way rentals must be booked in advance and are subject to availability. Drop-off charges may apply and are to be paid locally and dependent on location.
Driving Areas: Cars can be driven in any state of the USA & Canada but must be returned to the location from which they were rented or drop-off charges may apply. Additional insurance may be required if you are driving in Canada.
Partially Used Rentals: Please note that NO refund will be made on partially used rentals.
Upgrades on arrival: Will depend on availability at local rates.
Cars on request include: Cars for non smokers and cars that can carry skis