Originally Posted by
Happy
Comments on bolded parts:
No, I am not referring to smallish local companies. I refer to Avis in particular.
We visited NZ 4 times in last 10 years. The most recent one was in 2009.
We rented from Avis twice, at Auckland and at Christchurch. We rented from Maui twice, both at Auckland, because we only wanted the recent models. I am sure you know Maui is one of the largest NZ rental companies, not the smallish ones.
Both Avis and Maui told us if not buying the extra insurance our card would be immediately charged. It is SPELLED OUT on the reservation paper. Maui's language is extremely specific also. I dont want to test it to see if both companies would enforce such or not. The counter agents did show us the clauses on the reservations when we asked for explanation.
We rented with Hertz once, in Australia. Hertz did not have such conditions in its reservation.
Dont know about your CC - may be it is a Diner's.
For the US-issued cards, AFAIK, both AMEX and MC EXCLUDE New Zealand and Australia from their coverage. Visa does not but when I called them, the agents insist that one MUST decline all insurances in order to be covered. I asked them HOW when by law the basic insurance is included in the rate in NZ? No one can give me an accurate answer. Dont want to take the chance so we always buy insurance when renting in NZ.
Originally Posted by
stimpy
Not true for me in the case of Avis. Maybe it depends on your corporate deal with Avis. If you are not renting under a corporate rate, then perhaps things are different.
I have checked the full terms and conditions on the Avis NZ website (avis.co.nz) - they do not mention charging the full excess upfront if the excess reduction is not taken.
I also just did test reservations for Auckland Airport via both the Avis NZ website (avis.co.nz) and the Avis Australia website (avis.com.au), both of which state:
Renter will be liable for an amount ranging from NZD 3000.00 to NZD 3750.00, depending on the car group rented, if Excess Reduction (ER) is not purchased. Purchase of ER reduces the renter's liability to NZD 300.00 for all car groups.
This clearly says you will be liable for the excess, but it does not say that you will be charged for, or even that they will hold that amount on your credit card, at the commencement of the rental.
Given this and the fact that it is not Avis' policy to charge the entire excess at the start of the rental in any country that I am aware of, I would not expect them to charge it in NZ. This concurs with
stimpy's experience.
Maybe you did not reserve the car direct from Avis, or maybe you misread the reservation? Or maybe their policy has changed?
Interestingly, Avis NZ policy allows you to decline their included insurance! This appears to allow for US issued cards and others (e.g. Australian Amex Platinum) which provide LDW. I suspect that declining their insurance will not result in a lower daily rate though, meaning there is no point.
My credit card is an Australian issued Platinum Mastercard, which covers car rental excess up to AUD5,500 in any country. It is useless in the US, just as most US issued cards are useless in Australia and NZ.
I cannot comment on Maui, having never used them.