All inclusive car rental in NZ?
Mar 25, 2015, 12:45 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: STL
Posts: 1,546
All inclusive car rental in NZ?
I recently rented a car in Ireland and rented through a company called EasyTour Ireland. Basically, they just work with Hertz to give you a rate that includes everything - including super cover, reducing the excess to €0 in the event of damage. It was nice knowing exactly how much the rental would cost and not having any surprises at the rental counter.
I now need to rent a car in NZ at AKL and it seems like they're similar to Ireland - high excess rates for damage, and credit cards don't cover NZ rentals. I'm wondering if there is a company out there similar to EasyTour that offers one flat rate that includes super cover, so I know exactly what I'll be paying when I book it, because it doesn't seem like any of the major companies tell you how much super cover is on their website.
And do any of the companies based in AKL offer any more fun cars. Something like a Mini Cooper, Golf GTI, Focus ST, WRX, you get the idea. Just not the boring garbage you usually see in American rental fleets. I've had my fill of base model Fiestas and Priuses. Thanks.
I now need to rent a car in NZ at AKL and it seems like they're similar to Ireland - high excess rates for damage, and credit cards don't cover NZ rentals. I'm wondering if there is a company out there similar to EasyTour that offers one flat rate that includes super cover, so I know exactly what I'll be paying when I book it, because it doesn't seem like any of the major companies tell you how much super cover is on their website.
And do any of the companies based in AKL offer any more fun cars. Something like a Mini Cooper, Golf GTI, Focus ST, WRX, you get the idea. Just not the boring garbage you usually see in American rental fleets. I've had my fill of base model Fiestas and Priuses. Thanks.
Mar 25, 2015, 2:41 pm
#2
Join Date: May 2010
Location: FSD
Programs: BAEC, Delta SkyPesos, VS FC, SQ KF, AA, HHonors
Posts: 1,884
Most NZ car rental fleets are BORING!!! A Toyota Camry is considered "premier" or "premium" down here.
Have a look at http://smartcarrental.co.nz/ for cars ranging from the fun/affordable (like a mini cooper or golf) to the fun and luxurious like their jag.
If money isn't much of an object, have a look at http://www.devinerentals.com/. An Aston Martin might be worth it.
Have a look at http://smartcarrental.co.nz/ for cars ranging from the fun/affordable (like a mini cooper or golf) to the fun and luxurious like their jag.
If money isn't much of an object, have a look at http://www.devinerentals.com/. An Aston Martin might be worth it.
Mar 26, 2015, 11:27 pm
#4
Join Date: Feb 2007
Programs: NZ Koru
Posts: 6,414
e.g. you fill up the car with diesel, instead of petrol. and you're not covered for this.
Typically your looking at $40NZD per day onto top of your rental price for full coverage, then you have an whole works of added fee's with the larger International Companies. such an $30-70 airport fee!
You could look at an compaine like Apex http://www.apexrentals.co.nz/ they some newer cars (aswell as the cheap range) but have much better pricing plans ect
Mar 27, 2015, 1:42 am
#5
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Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: The electrified part of North Carolina
Programs: UA GM, AA GM, DL GM
Posts: 4,157
Try www.holidayautos.com
It looks like you can get a one-week rental, insurance coverage included, from AKL for as low as NZD 240 (including the extra insurance to take the CDW excess down to zero).
It looks like you can get a one-week rental, insurance coverage included, from AKL for as low as NZD 240 (including the extra insurance to take the CDW excess down to zero).
Mar 27, 2015, 5:07 pm
#6
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Denver CO
Posts: 3,682
All rental companies in New Zealand offer an zero liability option, but they have typical exclusions from coverage.
e.g. you fill up the car with diesel, instead of petrol. and you're not covered for this.
Typically your looking at $40NZD per day onto top of your rental price for full coverage, then you have an whole works of added fee's with the larger International Companies. such an $30-70 airport fee!
You could look at an compaine like Apex http://www.apexrentals.co.nz/ they some newer cars (swell as the cheap range) but have much better pricing plans ect
e.g. you fill up the car with diesel, instead of petrol. and you're not covered for this.
Typically your looking at $40NZD per day onto top of your rental price for full coverage, then you have an whole works of added fee's with the larger International Companies. such an $30-70 airport fee!
You could look at an compaine like Apex http://www.apexrentals.co.nz/ they some newer cars (swell as the cheap range) but have much better pricing plans ect
Seems Budget only goes down to $300:
http://www.budget.co.nz/driving_nz/y...n/default.aspx
So it looks like there are more than Hertz but less than all.
Still, good news as there are more options than I thought.
Mar 27, 2015, 7:57 pm
#7
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Join Date: Dec 2012
Programs: A3, AA. Plasticy things! That give me, y'know, Stuff!
Posts: 6,293
Apex, Jucy, Omega, and most of the 2nd tier companies all offer plans to take the liability down to zero. There's a lot of variation in their respective fleet content depending on location.
Mar 27, 2015, 10:15 pm
#8
Join Date: Feb 2007
Programs: NZ Koru
Posts: 6,414
What roads are you planning to take your rental car off road on? bare in mind that there are some road's in the South Island we're rental cars are banned, and you zero liability wont cover you.
Mar 27, 2015, 11:12 pm
#9
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Denver CO
Posts: 3,682
Pretty much technically every Rental Car company won't cover you for driving off-road insurance coverage is limited to driving on standard roads.
What roads are you planning to take your rental car off road on? bare in mind that there are some road's in the South Island we're rental cars are banned, and you zero liability wont cover you.
What roads are you planning to take your rental car off road on? bare in mind that there are some road's in the South Island we're rental cars are banned, and you zero liability wont cover you.
Apr 13, 2015, 7:22 am
#10
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Programs: QFF NB, Velocity Silver, Hertz 5*, Avis Preferred, Thrifty Blue Chip (Oz), Europcar Privilege Exec.
Posts: 378
All rental companies in New Zealand offer an zero liability option, but they have typical exclusions from coverage.
e.g. you fill up the car with diesel, instead of petrol. and you're not covered for this.
Typically your looking at $40NZD per day onto top of your rental price for full coverage, then you have an whole works of added fee's with the larger International Companies. such an $30-70 airport fee!
You could look at an compaine like Apex http://www.apexrentals.co.nz/ they some newer cars (aswell as the cheap range) but have much better pricing plans ect
e.g. you fill up the car with diesel, instead of petrol. and you're not covered for this.
Typically your looking at $40NZD per day onto top of your rental price for full coverage, then you have an whole works of added fee's with the larger International Companies. such an $30-70 airport fee!
You could look at an compaine like Apex http://www.apexrentals.co.nz/ they some newer cars (aswell as the cheap range) but have much better pricing plans ect
Note that undercarriage, roof, windscreen and water damage are generally excluded from insurance cover in NZ (and Australia). Driving on unsealed roads and many specific roads is also prohibited.
Pretty much technically every Rental Car company won't cover you for driving off-road insurance coverage is limited to driving on standard roads.
What roads are you planning to take your rental car off road on? bare in mind that there are some road's in the South Island we're rental cars are banned, and you zero liability wont cover you.
What roads are you planning to take your rental car off road on? bare in mind that there are some road's in the South Island we're rental cars are banned, and you zero liability wont cover you.
Apr 13, 2015, 2:02 pm
#11
Join Date: Dec 2012
Programs: NZ*S
Posts: 773
Originally Posted by Hertz
(i).....the Vehicle is driven off-road and/or on roads other than tar seal or metal, or is driven on Skippers Road (Queenstown), the road to Macetown in the Queenstown area, Tasman Valley Road (Mt Cook) or 90 Mile Beach (Northland); or
Originally Posted by Avis
q) at any time when the vehicle was being driven on any of the following roads: Skipper's Canyon (Queenstown), Ninety Mile Beach (Northland), or any unformed roads and/or roads other than tarseal or metal; including but not limited to beaches, driveways, or any surface likely to damage the vehicle; or
Last edited by SpannerSpinner; Apr 13, 2015 at 2:20 pm
Apr 14, 2015, 5:08 am
#12
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Programs: QFF NB, Velocity Silver, Hertz 5*, Avis Preferred, Thrifty Blue Chip (Oz), Europcar Privilege Exec.
Posts: 378
The airport fee for all the major airports from the major car rental companies is $45 + 15% GST (total of $51.75). Given the uniformity of the fee and my understanding that all airports are still government owned, I suspect the fee is set by the airports/government.
Apr 14, 2015, 5:09 am
#13
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Programs: QFF NB, Velocity Silver, Hertz 5*, Avis Preferred, Thrifty Blue Chip (Oz), Europcar Privilege Exec.
Posts: 378
Glad I rented an Avis car when I drove to Milford Sound! And Arthur's Pass!
Apr 14, 2015, 6:26 am
#15
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Programs: QFF NB, Velocity Silver, Hertz 5*, Avis Preferred, Thrifty Blue Chip (Oz), Europcar Privilege Exec.
Posts: 378