UK Car Hire - London Area

Pogle


Joined: 28/08/2008
Posts: 1536

Message Posted:
23/06/2009 16:31

We need to hire a car in the London area.

My travelling companion has a driving license but no credit card. I have a credit card but no driving license. It seems the car hire has to be paid for a deposit taken from the drivers credit card.



Anyone know of a co who can help.

Earlybird


Joined: 28/04/2009
Posts: 816

Message Posted:
23/06/2009 16:51

Have you tried Easycar, I am sure as long as it is by a credit card, they don't mind.

Pogle


Joined: 28/08/2008
Posts: 1536

Message Posted:
23/06/2009 17:35

Thanks I will try.

flightholiday


Joined: 19/07/2007
Posts: 3217

Message Posted:
23/06/2009 17:47

Two car hire companies on our http://www.flightholiday.co.uk web site try them both and see if one wil accept you.



Easy car is fine but when I have known people try them (a long while ago) they seemed to have additions and inconveniences such as restricted pickup. Just check and let us all know.

Pogle


Joined: 28/08/2008
Posts: 1536

Message Posted:
23/06/2009 19:58

Hi Tom will do. Easycar need a credit card in the name of the driver. I think we will be on the No9 bus.

flightholiday


Joined: 19/07/2007
Posts: 3217

Message Posted:
23/06/2009 22:13

Pogle - what about a debit card? Would anyone accept that?



It is possible that they want the card to cover insurance excess's and fuel charges



Tom

IAH Ltd

TimothyCadman


Joined: 13/12/2007
Posts: 1040

Message Posted:
23/06/2009 22:34

You really shouldn't have a problem with the big name companies about a different card paying to the actual driver being present, but is important for you to present when the Credit Card is presented and not give your PIN number to the driver.

One reason they refer Credit to Debit cards is that a "deposit", asking for funds but not actually taking any money but reducing your balance available, can be charged against the card much easier than a debit card that generally freezes all monies in a Bank Account making it useless if you try to use it.

Once the final invoice is issued the "deposit" is dropped from the card without being charged, unless of course you've damaged the vehicle when they invoke the charge to pay. It can take 48 hours for the "deposit" to be credited back to your card from the time of the final invoice.

By the way the final invoice does not have to paid by the credit card presented for the deposit. You can pay by cash or Debit Card.

R.C.T.Man.



Joined: 27/03/2009
Posts: 746

Message Posted:
24/06/2009 06:14

Hi Pogle

Give http://www.1car1.com

Tel no 01279501909

email stansted@1car1.com

catalkoykid


Joined: 15/02/2009
Posts: 1190

Message Posted:
24/06/2009 06:20

they have gone skint

NatAless



Joined: 31/03/2009
Posts: 789

Message Posted:
24/06/2009 07:23

Hi I worked for Avis rent a car reservations for two years in Barcelona (which is where the call centre is & you get directed to when you call, but you pay for a local call) the credit card does not have to be in your name, but the person with the credit card has to be with you when you pick up the car & sign the contract, the staff in the office will want to see the credit card and then the credit card holder is your 'guarantor' so to speak, hope this helps!

Natx

PS Don't forget to get the excess package as that way you don't have to pay if the car is damaged upon return.

PPS From what I can remember Avis have offices at all the major airports LGW, LHR etc Mayfair, Earls Court & near London Bridge-St katherine's Docks.

fire starter


Joined: 19/06/2008
Posts: 3401

Message Posted:
24/06/2009 11:10

budget rent a car from stansted will hire you a car with a licence and a debit card. hope this helps.

NatAless



Joined: 31/03/2009
Posts: 789

Message Posted:
24/06/2009 12:56

Budget are Avis sister company (call centre also based in The World Trade Centre of Barcelona) & it has to be a debit card with a visa logo on it.

Natx

twoexpats


Joined: 09/04/2009
Posts: 189

Message Posted:
24/06/2009 13:47

Natales- as you are an ex AVIS employee perhaps you can confirm that AVIS will provide insurance cover for the whole of Cyprus (North and South) if you book from UK. This was posted on a thread last week but I don't recall anyone confirming this is true.

R.C.T.Man.



Joined: 27/03/2009
Posts: 746

Message Posted:
24/06/2009 13:53

Hi Catalkoykid.

Ref message 9 Where did you here that ?

NatAless



Joined: 31/03/2009
Posts: 789

Message Posted:
24/06/2009 14:03

Ref msg 13

Hi twoexats, I am afraid I have no idea as most of the hires abroad I did were people on holiday picking up from airports at holiday destinations and returning to the same airports at the end of their stay.



However I can email some friends & my ex manager who still work there and try to find out! Will update as soon as I can!



Natx

NatAless



Joined: 31/03/2009
Posts: 789

Message Posted:
24/06/2009 14:07

Have emailed and awaiting response!...

twoexpats


Joined: 09/04/2009
Posts: 189

Message Posted:
24/06/2009 14:09

Re mess 15- Thanks Nat. The whole issue of car hire and insurance when crossing the Green line seems to be the subject of regular threads. Any information which helps clarify the situation will be gratefully received.

catalkoykid


Joined: 15/02/2009
Posts: 1190

Message Posted:
24/06/2009 14:15

mess 14 try and go onto there website went belly up last week

NatAless



Joined: 31/03/2009
Posts: 789

Message Posted:
24/06/2009 14:16

no problem! I have asked for as clear and concise answer as possible, they have an information section page on the computer which will give this information, will update as soon as I get their answer!

Unfortunately today is a bank holiday in Barcelona, as last night was 'San Juan' -an all night fireworks and beach parties so the staff may be short and the ones that are in slightly hangover if I remember correctly from past experience! But have emailed 5/6 ex colleagues!

Natx

catalkoykid


Joined: 15/02/2009
Posts: 1190

Message Posted:
24/06/2009 14:17

http://www.fleetnews.co.uk/SME/story/UPDATE-1car1-administration-latest/49645

NatAless



Joined: 31/03/2009
Posts: 789

Message Posted:
24/06/2009 14:21

their website is often having problems!

NatAless



Joined: 31/03/2009
Posts: 789

Message Posted:
24/06/2009 14:29

Reply from Avis colleague who has been with the company for about a year and a half:



'NO you cant take the car AT ALL to the north of cyprus and we dont have any car hire locations in the north either'

twoexpats


Joined: 09/04/2009
Posts: 189

Message Posted:
24/06/2009 14:49

Nats-Thanks- they could not be more clear or concise than that!

NatAless



Joined: 31/03/2009
Posts: 789

Message Posted:
24/06/2009 14:54

more info from another colleague (perhaps less hungover than Sarah!) :



NO BORDER. CARS NOT ALLOWED TO LEAVE CYPRUS.



OUR CARS ARE FULLY INSURED.HOWEVER IF ONE DECIDES TO CROSS INTO TURKISH

OCCUPIED AREA AVIS CYPRUS WILL HAVE TO INFORM SO AS TO MAKE ARRANGEMENT

FOR COMPULSORY PURCHASE OF ADDITIONAL INSURANCE AMOUNT MINIMUM EUR30.00

(VALID FOR 3 DAYS),OR ALTERNATIVELY THIS CAN BE ARRANGE BY YOURSELVES

AT THE CHECK POINT.

R.C.T.Man.



Joined: 27/03/2009
Posts: 746

Message Posted:
25/06/2009 08:31

That is true but they have others taken on the site now.