Car hire in UK
May 19, 2017, 7:54 am
#16
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YMMV vary but rentalcars.com has always said that I need one, but I never bothered and it was not an issue when I showed my D/L and passport. All they wanted to do was upsell me a car, insurance, breakdown, tried to sell me a bridge, and so on. I think you will be absolutely fine but you are doing the right thing and obeying instructions. 
May 19, 2017, 2:16 pm
#18
Join Date: Sep 2015
Programs: LH SEN; BA Gold
Posts: 8,404
An IDP is highly recommended (if not required) if you drive in a country where English is not an official language.
May 21, 2017, 11:19 pm
#19
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: NW London and NW Sydney
Programs: BA Diamond, Hilton Bronze, A3 Diamond, IHG *G
Posts: 6,343
The address proof/bank statements may be required when UK residents rent cars in the UK, but I have never heard of a tourist being asked for anything other than their driving licence and occasionally a credit card (if not prepaid and the hire firm didn't manage to authorise a CC provided at the time of booking)
May 23, 2017, 2:26 am
#20
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: A.C.T
Programs: IHG Platinum Elite.
Posts: 58
Correct.I hired a vehicle from Hertz(Uxbridge)(2016)I think from memory I showed my Current licence(Aus) & I think passport(UK) no probs whatsoever.Will be coming back in October have a vehicle reserved @ Hertz Heathrow.Cheers
May 23, 2017, 2:43 am
#21
Moderator: UK and Ireland & Europe
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Location: Biggleswade
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OTOH, I have been asked for additional proof of address by smaller hire companies (including Thrifty, Sixt, Practical and other local ones) as a UK resident. I've also been asked for proof of address for hiring goods vehicles at the majors. I've never been asked when hiring a car from one of the majors.
May 23, 2017, 9:01 am
#23
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May 24, 2017, 6:39 pm
#25
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: HBA
Programs: Qantas FF Platinum, VA Velocity
Posts: 163
At least we should be protected from this "fake damage" scam ... we booked thru RentalCars.com and included their full protection option. This means that if EasiRent charge us for any alleged damage, RentalCars will refund us that amount.
But thanks for the warning for the future ...
May 25, 2017, 2:17 am
#26
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Location: Canada, USA, Europe
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May 25, 2017, 2:44 am
#27
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May 25, 2017, 3:56 am
#28
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: HBA
Programs: Qantas FF Platinum, VA Velocity
Posts: 163
From the contract:
We'll also very obviously and demonstrably take multiple photos of the car from every possible angle when we pick it up ...
Full Protection is included with this booking.
This means that:
If purchased prior to pick-up of the car, Rentalcars.com's Full Protection product will refund the customer:
charges for damage to the rental car's exterior or mechanical components, including: bodywork, roof, undercarriage, windscreen, windows, mirrors, locks, wheels, tyres, hubcaps, engine, clutch, battery.
'immobilisation' charges (for loss of earnings while the car is being repaired and cannot be rented out)
essential taxi or towing charges resulting from a breakdown or accident
charges directly related to locking themselves out of the rental car or losing its key(s)
any amount the car hire company charges as a result of claiming on the car's Theft Protection policy
car hire company administration fees related to any of these points.
This means that:
If purchased prior to pick-up of the car, Rentalcars.com's Full Protection product will refund the customer:
charges for damage to the rental car's exterior or mechanical components, including: bodywork, roof, undercarriage, windscreen, windows, mirrors, locks, wheels, tyres, hubcaps, engine, clutch, battery.
'immobilisation' charges (for loss of earnings while the car is being repaired and cannot be rented out)
essential taxi or towing charges resulting from a breakdown or accident
charges directly related to locking themselves out of the rental car or losing its key(s)
any amount the car hire company charges as a result of claiming on the car's Theft Protection policy
car hire company administration fees related to any of these points.
May 27, 2017, 5:13 am
#29
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The other point is that now you have this cover be careful when you turn up and the car hire vendor tries to upsell you their cover too. I had this happen to me and they put a ton of pressure on people to sign by using scare tactics. You need to hold your ground.
May 27, 2017, 6:55 am
#30
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: HBA
Programs: Qantas FF Platinum, VA Velocity
Posts: 163
I am renting through rentalcars for Spain and was looking at their full protection - which I was just about to pull the trigger on and it would have been £45 for me - but was chatting to a mate about it and he mentioned that he had a worldwide annual worldwide excess policy (including CDW for the Americas), which on investigation was cheaper for us than the one offered by rentalcars (albeit by £2!). If you are going to be travelling a lot then it might be something to consider. But, of course the proof of whether they work is only when you have to use one which I pray I never have to.
The other point is that now you have this cover be careful when you turn up and the car hire vendor tries to upsell you their cover too. I had this happen to me and they put a ton of pressure on people to sign by using scare tactics. You need to hold your ground.
The other point is that now you have this cover be careful when you turn up and the car hire vendor tries to upsell you their cover too. I had this happen to me and they put a ton of pressure on people to sign by using scare tactics. You need to hold your ground.
But I'll certainly be wary of the upsell scam.