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Archive for the ‘Car Rental’ Category

With the environment such a hot topic around the world and especially in the transport industry, there are companies that are embracing new environmentally friendly technology. Hybrid Cars and ever increasingly fuel efficient diesel cars are becoming more available to mainstream motorists. I used to work for a corporate travel company and many of the major corporations were requesting the inclusion of Hybrid cars in their contracts. This was more to do with increasing business opportunities by being seen to be green as opposed to wanting to be green!

The question arises when people travel and want to maintain their commitment to the green cause. Car Rental companies will be the ones providing these vehicles… or will they?

I have chosen (for the Australia traveller) major car companies that you can book ‘green cars’ with. Working for DriveAway Holidays here in Australia, the most common request is for diesel cars. This is driven out of cost concerns and also the occasional environmental concern. (Shouldn’t it be the other way around??)

First off the rank is Avis Rental Cars.

In Australia, the group L car will give you a Toyota Hybrid. This car is the favorite for the car rental companies due to it being built by Toyota.

In the UK, there doesn’t appear to be any green cars, although there may be diesel cars on fleet, Avis don’t make them easy to find.

In the USA, like Australia, the Toyota Hybrid under group XG is available.

Second off the cab rank is Hertz Rental Cars.

In Australia, like Avis, the Toyota Hybrid is the car of choice. Book a group G and you will get this car.

In the UK, Hertz has a range of fuel efficient diesels on fleet but no hybrids. This seems to be a common factor in the UK. Being an expat, I know that Toyota car prices in the UK are reasonably expensive compared to other european manufactured vehicles

In the USA, Hertz has a range of Hybrids, although on some of the cars, I couldn’t tell if they were Hybrid or not.

Now, all credit to Hertz as they do promote their green cars as part of their Green Fleet. Avis don’t appear to market their green cars in any way, which is a shame.

Third on the cab rank is Europcar Rental Cars.

Again, unlike Hertz, they appear not to promote their green fleet. Looking at their Australia Fleet guide, they have the regular passenger vehicles such as Small, Medium, Large, Prestige, Minivans, Sport, 4WD. Europcar list the green car as part of there regular fleet, however, it does have it’s unique identifier (IHAR) in Australia.

In the UK, Europcar doesn’t appear to have any green offerings. Maybe it’s something you can request at pick up. Personally, if I could book a green car over the internet, I would do so with a company that offered that service.

In the USA, I chose LAX as Europcar have a limited presence. There were no cars I could find that looked green.

To Europcar’s defence, in other parts of Europe where they are particularly strong, one is able to guarantee a diesel for an extra few euros per day.

In this brief look, Hertz appears to be the only car rental company that is actively promoting green cars. Avis & Europcar seem to be a bit hap hazard in their approach to a green fleet. Whilst it may be a case of logistics and a supply issue, there is no reason why they couldn’t promote their green cars.
I am sure that in 12 months time, the situation will be that every car rental company will be actively marketing green cars. The consumer can currently offset their CO2 emissions in the various transport sectors and I am sure that the car rental industry will follow suit in the near future.

The Environment is a marketers dream and I do think that some of the car rental companies have missed the boat so far. Hopefully their marketing departments will wake up and smell the cleaner air..

I came across this guide to car rental today and felt I should set the record straight on some of the issues raised as it was misleading (just like my title, no sex here I’m afraid).

RUMOUR: You probably won’t get the car you booked.

TRUTH: Rental companies do not guarantee specific models – we cannot guarantee you will get a Hyundai Getz 1.5L for example, but if you pay for an economy car, manual transmission with air conditioning – you will get an economy car, manual with air conditioning (unless of course you get an upgrade!). Our reservations are based on car SIPP codes, vehicles are given as examples only.

TIP: Book based on SIPP code, not actual vehicle. Peugeot Leasing is an exception – models ARE guaranteed.

RUMOUR: It’s likely you’ve paid too much.

TRUTH: Walking off the street to pick up a car in a foreign country, you probably will pay more. Book before you go to ensure the best possible price and remember to compare like with like when researching prices. Look closely at what the price includes, what is extra and how much the extras will cost. Often, an all inclusive rate may appear more expensive but can save you money as there is no more to pay when you pick up the car.

RUMOUR: Your “fully-inclusive deal” won’t be as comprehensive as it sounds.

TRUTH: An Insurance Excess is applicable in the event of any accident or theft to the rental vehicle, regardless of fault. The Excess amount varies between countries and car group. The additional insurance offered by the car rental company is optional and is charged per day on top of an inclusive rate. Read more about insurance excess here.

TIP: You may be covered through your own insurance so double check before you book.

RUMOUR: You may face hefty add-ons.

TRUTH: There are some extras that will be added on to your bill e.g. children’s seats, additional drivers, young driver surcharges and GPS units may be charged separately and on a daily basis, which can add up, especially if it is a long trip. You should be made aware of these charges before you agree to anything, so be aware of how much exactly you have to pay.

TIP: Always ask what the extra charges will be before you agree to them.

RUMOUR: Breaking down could be a disaster.

TRUTH: Not when you book with DriveAway! Our rates all include 24 hour roadside assistance. We also have 24/7 customer service with a toll free number from across the globe so you can speak to someone (in English) no matter where you are.

TIP: Book with a reputable company who have a number you can call in the case of an emergency.

RUMOUR: You could be stung by cancellation penalties.

TRUTH: Not at DriveAway! We do not charge amendment or cancellation fees on car hire.

TIP: Always check at the time of booking if there are cancellation fees in case of an emergency. Sometimes it can be as much as the price of the rental if it is within a short time frame.

Always read your inclusions very carefully when you book a rental car (DriveAway list the inclusions with each vehicle during the booking process online and our reservations consultants will inform you of these if you book over the phone). Terms, conditions and costs all vary depending on the supplier and location. Remember to read your rental agreement carefully before signing it.

Holidays are precious. Researching and organising your car rental before you go can save you headaches and money.

I get paid to sell self-drive holidays to Australians, to encourage them to take to the open roads and explore new territory behind the wheel of a rental car. I have a confession to make. I can’t actually drive.

Now I haven’t deliberately kept this from my employer, it wasn’t mentioned in my interview nor was it in my job description alongside having excellent communication skills, the ability to work as part of a team or to meet deadlines in a fast paced working environment. It was neither an essential nor desirable attribute.

I have never lied about it, but I do avoid voluntarily giving out this information about myself. I’m almost 25 for goodness sake! Kids I used to babysit have got in the driver’s seat before me. I guess I just haven’t got around to it in 7 years. I’m used to the convenience of city living and not needing to be able to drive.

So while I am cruising comfortably on my P plates in my car rental marketing career, I have yet to get my Learners licence to drive. The irony of the situation was pointed out to me at a recent industry function when I was talking to a marketing guru from an airline. He asked me what kind of car I drove and I said quietly that, actually, I can’t drive. “What!” he exclaimed “You work for a car rental company and you can’t drive?!” True. But, I said to him, you work for an airline, can you fly a plane?

You see, what I try to market or sell is not driving. We don’t sell the idea of jumping into a rental car, the exhilaration of putting the key in the ignition, turning on the engine and…well, whatever it is that comes next.

No, we try to sell the idea of freedom, the thought of having independence and flexibility on holidays, exploring new places, making memories and having a good time. We try to inspire people to visit places off the beaten track and discover new things.

So does it actually matter that I can’t drive? Do you think dog food marketers have actually tasted what they’re selling? Exactly.

I have travelled around the world and I have been in cars lots of times, often simultaneously, so I know the feeling of having the wind in your hair, good music in your ears and a smile on your face. I know the excitement of visiting new and foreign lands and the joy of travelling around, not being in a cramped Greyhound bus or overcrowded non-air conditioned train.

I have just been in the passenger’s seat, not the driver’s, that’s all.

Having said all that, I know that I need to learn to drive. Will I finally take the plunge and learn? Yes, most definitely, in part to aid my copywriting, to gain independence and well, to see what all the fuss about.

Yes, there’s all that and also that promise that my partner made about getting a shiny new Yaris when I do finally get my license. Now that is an incentive to learn.

There are so many wonderful places on this earth that you need to visit at least once in the lifetime. However, it’s the Spanish regions that have managed to draw so much acceptance ratio across the globe and now offering people more and more good news about their traveling. There are so many traveling agencies across the globe that are now dealing in travel to Spain and offering really cheap deals for their customers in order to draw more for their account. Well, this is also producing a great chance for the visitors to find the most suitable journey packages for their traveling to the country like Spain.

In this part of the world you can see lots of things that are simply perfect from a tourist point of view and at the same time you can take part in different cultural, social and traditional activities that will make things even better for your tour. This part of the world is drawing more popularity across the globe for its untamed wildness at the south and the sun-drenched majestic beaches that are exactly creating some of the most impressive sights that visitor would definitely like to have during the tour. Spain has been loaded with tons of glittering beaches and the colorful climate of this country has managed to attract so many visitors across the globe each year.

Holidaymakers are now offering more importance for the countries like Spain where they can accommodate their guests by offering them tons of fun filled activities and several elegant places to visit. If you are also trying for the same kind of response with your tour to Spain, then it’s the right time of the year when you can start your booking. It has been considered as the fourth largest country in the European region and has managed to acquire a perfect climate that suits every visitor.

Whether you are moving for Spain with your family or you are moving there with your soul mate, this country can bring in so many good things for you that you have never anticipated. If you really want to take a tour along the Spain with ease, then it’s the right time to contact the car rental agencies that are operating their unique service in this part of the world. These days, most of the car rental agencies in Spain are offering really elegant, comfortable and cheap services for their customers in order to acquire more revenue. The competition among these service providers can surely offer you a great chance to enjoy more things.

Marseille is the heart of the France. This city is full of art and culture and many wonders to share with you. This city has been made of real culture festival that was happened during the 26th century of history and it combines tradition and modernity. Marseille is deeply marked by past history, and this city is proud of an event in the past. This city is constantly excavated with other countries or cities, but it is posted in history in the simple way for visitors so that they can visit the city in a traditional way.

The visitors can start the visit to this country from the Greek and Roman origins, and it leads them for the past of the medieval religious foundation in 16th century fortification. You can find out many types of traditional or cultural people may live in the city like. Now, you may find out for living and sailing in the city. There are some beautiful and prestigious buildings, which are made during the 19th century and modern societies are the fabulous architecture achievements of 21st centuries. Marseille has a number of wealth monuments, landscaping, and beautiful places, museums to visit and draw the beautiful moments.

Since, from the history word this city has to look toward the Mediterranean Sea. Often, this city owes the mythology for the foundation of history, and the visitors can visit the place or draw the historic moments. This city has great love stories about the Ligurian princess and a Phocean sailor. This city has a vital economic role in the France, it may handle the transporting and trading, etc. it is a cheap business port of the world, due to which the visitors can visit the city and enjoy the marvelous and fabulous historic matters with ease.

Marseille has been famous for the water sports with distance between the 57km coastline and another important sport can be played her like: wind surfing, sailing or flocking. The attraction point of the city is drenched beaches and ordinary holiday markets, which don’t seem more energetic than a paddle. You can find out the nature – lover’s paradise with distance of 20km. There are countless wild beauty creeks, and you can draw hikers from the world. You can get a car rental from the Marseille airport in the cheapest possible quote. The traveling companies can offer you luxurious and comfortable deal with your traveling. Also, you can drive the rental car from the city before you can check you needed documents. You can collect the information about the travel agencies from the online market. It is the beautiful city in this world.