Following my recent post about car hire here I have kept my eyes open for anything else that I can suggest to the unwitting car hirers out there. I’m not saying it’s a regular occurrence, but it is possible to get stung by car rental companies if you don’t make practical decisions. It’s worth considering that the veil between you and the company is something that will affect them just as much. If you were to have an accident with the car that left no visible marks they can be left second guessing. An early remedy for this is to cut out the middle man and go straight to a company that you can trust.
It’s very easy to accept a full package from a travel broker, but it’s very rare that you’ll end up being handled with any sort of care when you end up on your holiday. The friendly, well dressed assistant in the shop is literally thousands of miles away when you land in a strange new world, and the cohesion between companies (airlines, taxis, car rental, hotels, activity agents) is rarely as smooth as your itinerary would have you believe.
So we’ve covered the basics – plan ahead, check your numbers, read the small print and try to make sensible decisions. If you know where you’re going try to stay specific with the area you’re dealing with. If you’re going to Portugal then go to a page that deals specifically with car hire Portugal. One thing you MUST avoid is generic numbers. Any quote you get for an “area” can change without a seconds notice. Make clear your location, get a reference number, and stick to your guns.
Comparecarhire.co.uk released a small article this morning outlining one particular danger of renting a car: damages. If there are any bumps or scrapes on the bodywork of the car this is something that should be made note of in the paperwork. The article suggests that in one case a customer was charged 450euros for damages that he had not caused himself. In this particular case he was able to recover the money that was charged to his credit card, but the advice is to get photographic documentation of the vehicle before taking it back to the broker. This way you’re all on the same page.
Don’t be afraid of car rental. It’s one of the most effective ways of travelling in a place you’re unfamiliar with especially if you’re only there for a short period of time (the two factors that tend to make us think of a place as a holiday destination). You can avoid the hustle and bustle of public travel: which is difficult enough to get on with when you DO understand the procedures involved, and you can travel to your own timetable. Just be careful with your money, and be sensible with your decisions.
Source.
London is the epicentre of “the new” in England. Slang comes quicker and faster than the rain, trends go out of fashion before they know they’re trending, and the news reports on itself. It’s a very strange place, by all accounts, but it has it’s upsides.
If you spend a night out in London you’re likely to hear some of the music that will be coming your way over the coming months. I remember “No Speak Americano” suddenly appearing in the bars of the South country – when I visited London the same week I was taken apart for singing such an over-played song. Apparently we were about a year behind! The prices are absolutely out of this world as well, so unless you’re on a London wage it’s all about wealth management and convincing yourself that you’re paying for a top notch lifestyle (albeit temporarily).
The fashion scene is an absolutely massive market in London: it’s a similar state of affairs in that it usually marks the world of tomorrow for everywhere else in the country. If you’re interested in following it in England I’m afraid it looks as though you’ve arrived a little too late. In true London style the arrangement for the next year has already happened – we’re barely into October and the 2011 spring/summer collection has already been shared.
The wagon has rolled across to Paris for this month – it all ends tomorrow, but you can follow all the latest at the official Fashion Week page. There are preview pictures here but try not to get it wrong. As I’ve already mentioned – London moves faster than most. If I can get ribbed for getting a song that’s out-dated you really need to watch your step when it comes to fashion!
Amazingly, in the race to prove just how much the race to France is hotting up, Siemens have just won out on a contract to produce 800million euros worth of speed train.
The statement said the Siemens trains, which run on electricity, consumed the equivalent of 0.33 litres (0.7 US liquid pints) of petrol per passenger per 100 kilometers (62.5 miles), or “just enough to fill a can of coke.”
It’s a big money game in our fair Capital. High rise, fast paced and full of juice. From music to travel there’s not a second to stand still!
Whether you’re a part-time driver, or on your way to a golden holiday destination there are times when car hire is a lifesaver. As a foreigner in a new country I find that having a home-base as simple as a motor makes the whole experience a lot more comfortable, on the other side of the rainbow though, as a foreigner in a new country I find that having a car and a set of rules that will incur charges can be a nightmare. The basics are definitely worth learning.
Try to get as much information as possible before you hit the road. Car rental can sometimes be an arduous task with more paperwork than you’d be comfortable with when you’re desperate to get going on your holiday/journey, but you’ll regret signing along the dotted line if you’ve missed some “extras”. Advertising is usually pre-tax, so make sure you’ve got your figures in line.
An easy way to get around this problem is pre-book on the internet. If you know where you’ll be heading it’s not difficult to find a location-specific webpage that will guide you through the process. Try to stick with a reputable company. I’m not saying avoid all extras altogether – just don’t sign up for anything you don’t need.
Don’t overdo it on the size. Some companies wont allow you to see what you’re paying until you’ve gone through the rigmarole of choosing your options. Once you’ve gotten to this stage you’ll be badgered to the high hills. Get a sensible (small) car if it will suit your needs. You can live the dream on holiday, but each extra litre of space with car hire is at least one souvenir’s worth of cost. Car hire USA particularly – we know how our American cousins enjoy their large motors, and maybe you’d like to give one a go – but bare the cost in mind.
A lot of companies can get funny about filling the car up when you come back, so make sure that’s the last stop you make before you get back to home base. If you haven’t managed to get hold of any petrol the company will do it for you at a much steeper rate. If you’ve been exploring then give the car a wash aswell.
Renting a car can be difficult. Likewise renting a car can be very simple. Try to keep a sensible head on and read as much of the information as you can muster. Judgement calls before/after can differ greatly!
Happy driving!