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Post by agent9d9 on Jul 21, 2008 23:04:53 GMT -5
I have been stunned by the price of rental cars in France! I was hoping to take the train to Reims and rent a car for the day but the only rates I can find are over $150 a DAY (94 eu). Am I missing some crucial information? Thanks!
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Post by annettecinca on Jul 22, 2008 0:07:02 GMT -5
That's a good question. I looked into renting a car in Tours last year for a day, but found the same thing. It seems the decent rates are for rentals of 3 days or longer. There are several regulars on the board who rent cars on their trips, so I'm sure someone will get back with you soon with a better answer.
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Post by Becky (Berkeleytravelers) on Jul 22, 2008 0:58:24 GMT -5
Car rentals are indeed expensive (especially as I am far too chicken not to get the additional insurance - I passed on it once and spent the whole time in a state of anxiety). I know many credit cards say they will cover, but I have heard (fortunately, no personal experience) that it will basically result in your card being frozen if anything happens because they put such a large hold on it (just what you don't need while on vacation) because the rental agency's view is that you owe the money now, and it's up to you to get it back from your card company. But since the cost of insurance basically doubles the price, it makes quite a difference. One thing you might try is Kemwel. www.kemwel.com(we used them in May/June this year and are using them again in December). Their rates for at least some cars include all insurance, and they were I thought pretty competitive with the US major companies. Also, it's paid in dollars because they are in the US, although they contract out with agencies in the country where the rental will take place. We ended up with Europcar (I think I have that name right). I just checked our December res and for Dec. 23-Jan. 4 our total is about $900 including the insurance, for a VW Passat type of car (there will be an additional charge for two drivers, but it won't be a lot). We were completely satisfied with them in this Spring, and I feel confident that Christmas will be fine as well. One thing - I think Kemwel doesn't do really short term rentals, so it may not work for your day trip idea. (Actually, with prices like that you probably could hire a private guide - with car - for not much more!) It's easy to check the US companies (also the major European ones) on line to see whether you can get competitive pricing. I don't know whether Expedia and similar entities do European rentals but you might try them as well, so you can compare several at once. Your trip sounds great - hope you can work this part out!
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Post by GitteK on Jul 22, 2008 1:27:10 GMT -5
I checked the kemwel site which becky refers to. If you choose the littlest car they have (Renault Twingo) then you can have it for 3 days in September for 220 USD = 139 euros, with the extended insurance included (and never go without one !)
That's cheap ! It's not more than you pay for a one-day excursion with ParisVision ! I might even consider it for a ride to Loire ! THANKS, becky. You have an exalt coming your way.
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Post by sunshine817 on Jul 22, 2008 6:52:27 GMT -5
We use autoeurope.com exclusively -- but they have a 3-day minimum.
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Post by Truffaut on Jul 22, 2008 7:37:18 GMT -5
You might actually do better on price by renting in Paris instead of Reims. There's a larger selection of discount renters based in the city, and the drive to Reims isn't really that far.
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Post by holger on Jul 22, 2008 7:40:11 GMT -5
;D
We have used Kemwel and Autoeurope and have been satisfied with each. We also have insurance with our card companies--either Diner's - mastercard or AMEX and find both fine. In 2007 we had a problem with some minor damage and the original bill from Autoeurope was ridiculous. Diner's took over, renegotiated and covered all but a small deductable.
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Post by Darcy on Jul 22, 2008 12:48:17 GMT -5
I've used Kemwel in several European countries, including France, and have always had excellent service and a great price.
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Post by agent9d9 on Jul 23, 2008 19:17:11 GMT -5
The problem I'm having is that a one day rental costs about the same as a three day rental! So for three days, it's reasonable, but for one it seems too high. That's okay, I'll be in France, some how I'll get by!
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Post by Becky (Berkeleytravelers) on Jul 23, 2008 19:51:52 GMT -5
How long are you there - is there a short three-day trip that would make sense for you? (Also, you might want to consider whether just taking taxis around the area you will be would be sufficient - it's bound to be quite a bit less than 100E!)
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Post by Sarastro on Jul 27, 2008 16:58:18 GMT -5
French car rentals of periods of fewer than 3 days are financially impractical. There are high fixed, one time fees (road tax, airport/train station departure fees) making 1 day rentals impractical to anyone on a budget. The brokers such as Autoeurope and Kemwell only handle rentals of 3 days or greater. For shorter periods, you could try: www.interrent.com/www.france-car-hire-rental.com/In reference to Auto insurance: 1. Both Visa and MC offer collision coverage when using their card to pay for the rental. (AMEX also has a plan but I will never again use any of their cards, explanations are outside of the scope of this response.) There are certain restrictions in reference to how long the coverage may last - check with you card issuing bank. I have made one claim which went smoothly. 2. If you have an accident, the value of the damage will probably be charged to your credit card by the rental company until full liability has been determined and the rental company has been paid. This may or may not affect your available credit limit. A few questions posed to your credit card holder may put one's mind at ease. 3. In the event of an accident, basic knowledge of the reporting process is essential. Most rental/lease cars have a copy of the paperwork required, in English, in the glove box. I recommend anyone renting a car take a look at what is required, keep a pen handy, and a camera (something most tourists have).
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Post by agent9d9 on Jul 27, 2008 17:36:31 GMT -5
Fantastic, Sarastro. This is very helpful!
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