I used to be in Eire and UK on a month lengthy journey throughout Sep/Oct 2023 and was doing a few day journeys typically. One high-quality day me and my good friend determined to take a rental automotive (self-drive) in Eire to discover Galway & Cliffs of Moher for a weekend from Dublin.
And right here I’m sharing my expertise with automotive leases in Eire which could be helpful for you once you’re exploring Eire or wherever in Europe for that matter as it really works largely related.
Btw, each UK & Eire observe left lane driving (driver on proper) similar to in India, I assume it’s as a result of Eire and India have been underneath British rule. And one can drive in Eire with Indian driving license.
Amex Concierge
So to start with, I requested American Specific Platinum Journey Concierge to search for obtainable choices.
Whereas I’m proud of Plat Concierge previously couple of years, I’m fairly dissatisfied lately with the drop of electronic mail assist, which I’ll cowl another day.
So I used to be given an honest possibility by way of Hertz as Amex Platinum has Hertz Gold membership low cost. Right here’s a Fast Look:
I assume that’s a good worth for a premium Electrical Automobile. However I considered reserving it later and left it there as I favor to e book when journey date is nearer.
Hertz Expertise
As the times acquired nearer, I began exploring choices on the hertz web site solely to understand that it’s such a painful expertise to look on their web site, particularly once you need to verify the supply on a number of areas close by.
I ponder how on earth Hertz is working an enormous enterprise with such a poor consumer expertise.
Anyway, the issue was that no vehicles have been obtainable 2 days prior. On checking why, I heard my good friend say that a variety of Europeans journey throughout weekend and so it’s apparent!
So I began different choices like kayak, and so on and eventually discovered an honest deal on reserving.com for Ford Focus and most different choices have been unavailable.
Reserving.com Expertise
It was fairly a shock that we have been capable of e book a pleasant automotive for 50€ a day+ 20€ insurance coverage (120EUR in complete) for two days, as different portals have been exhibiting increased charges.
That apart right here’s one thing I acquired to know:
Whereas on the lookout for choices, one factor that set out reserving.com from others is that nearly each website redirects you elsewhere with completely totally different choices than what was chosen, however reserving.com had all the small print with them with none redirection and with excellent consumer expertise.
At Dublin airport
So we went to the Dublin airport’s automotive rental counter and will see massive queues, like 20 in every counter simply.
Europcar queue was as excessive as Hertz however thankfully they moved us on to the pickup middle as we had the reserving already.
That apart, one factor I observed is that there’s a separate line for “hertz gold” which is out there as complimentary with Amex Plat Cost as talked about earlier than. That’s straightforward 1hr financial savings at airport for those who’re into Hertz automotive leases.
EuropCar expertise
We lastly went to EuropCar’s pickup space at Dublin airport an hr or so previous our precise reporting time.
The counter man at Europcar pickup centre was very pleasant and got here up with one thing new, which was a special insurance coverage plan with “no extra”.
In different phrases, irrespective of how huge or small the injury is, we don’t must pay something. This prices 80€. So the choices have been like:
- 20€ prepay, 1600€ maintain on card (reserving.com plan)
- 80€ prepay, no maintain, no legal responsibility (Europcar plan)
We went with 80€ plan to have a peace of thoughts. So now the man went to verify the supply of the automotive, solely to come back again saying that the automotive isn’t obtainable now.
After going forwards and backwards to verify the supply for an alternate possibility which is Toyota CHR, he lastly got here again with a key and stated, “I’ve one thing particular for you guys immediately”.
After a little bit of paperwork he lastly stated “I’ve upgraded your reserving to Audi A6 etron hybrid and right here’s your key”.
Wow!!
We have been extraordinarily happy to listen to that and on the identical time nervous a bit, as a part of the journey needs to be completed by way of slender roads alongside the Wild Atlantic Means.
Finally the whole lot went properly with gods grace and the general journey was manner past expectation.
Audi A6 etron was extraordinarily clean, steady and comfy even at 120 Km/hr velocity simply as anybody would anticipate it to be. Dashboard reveals how a lot power getting used from battery/ICE in real-time and in actuality one couldn’t discover any distinction from a typical ICE.
That apart, reserving.com refunded the 20€ insurance coverage a part of the preliminary reserving as we took another one. I needed to increase a request for a similar with all of the paperwork and refund got here to card in every week.
Ultimate Ideas
So total it was superb to expertise the Europcar’s automotive rental service and we’d maybe return once more when in want, possible by way of reserving.com every time potential.
Having stated that every one, it’s worthwhile to say that Europcar even operates in India with chauffeur pushed vehicles and our hottest airport switch providers on axis (they preserve altering although) and Financial institution of Baroda makes use of Europcar’s eco-rent-a automotive service.
So right here’s the takeaway,
- It’s higher to e book the service every week previous to journey date
- Going bit late throughout weekends would possibly get you an improve, however dangerous as it would get offered out.
- Insurance coverage plan can all the time be determined and brought whereas taking the automotive, so higher to not prepay
- Reserving.com for automotive rental is lot higher than direct service supplier web sites or different aggregators
Whereas my expertise could be simply out of luck, I’m uncertain what number of such upgrades occur in a typical day. In the event you’ve taken Rental Automobiles in Europe or US earlier than, be at liberty to share your experiences within the feedback under.