Holiday Autos Review

Overall Rating

Ok, so I'm looking to hire a car through Holiday Autos.
A heads up to everyone.
In booking the hire, I noticed, in the fine print (I always read it!), that there is an additional "location charge", and "road tax", to be paid locally. Fine (a little sneaky, as it increased the 'displayed cost" considerably), I included these costs, and determined Holiday Autos was still the best value.
I booked it.
Easy, no problems, instantly received my Voucher via e-mail, all was correct.
After booking, you then, and only then, find out who the local rental agency is. In my case it is Irish Car, a sub. of Europcar.
I then proceeded to the Irish Car website, and scanned it for "local fees". To say the least there was a host of them, some not mentioned by Holiday Autos, others were higher than priced by Holiday Autos.
I smelt trouble brewing.
So, I contacted Holiday Autos by phone (short wait in queue), to enquire about "local fees". Although the CSR was friendly, they were unable to determine explicitly what fees would by mandatory to be paid locally, but he did provide to me with my Irish Car booking number, and their e-mail address, in order to enquire of them directly what the local fees were from their side.
I then composed an e-mail to BOTH Irish Car, and Holiday Autos, outlining my questions vis-a-vis pending local charges, and in Irish Cars case, a few other questions concerning fuel policy, N. Ireland, and CC waivers etc.
From Holiday Autos I received a prompt reply, with a clear statement that only those fees already outlined in their T&C's would be pending at pick up, and should things differ, do not sign, or pay, but to contact them first.
However, from Irish Car (who also replied promptly), it was a somewhat different story. Irish Car included an otherwise unknown "environmental" fee of 3.00e, and quoted the known charges at an amount greater than those listed in the T&C's of my contract with Holiday Autos, for an @15% increase over my quoted costs from Holiday Autos.
So, this is where the proverbial "rubber meets the road".
I have forwarded these differences to Holiday Autos, and am awaiting their reply on how to resolve these differences in local charges among them and their local agent, Irish Cars.
I'll keep you posted.
To me, this is where you find out what sort of company Holiday Autos is. Things happen, and unfortunately, you have to be vigilant, and proactive when booking foreign travel. Especially if using a "broker". But, Irish Cars site was very "hidden" in their taxes as well, so it remains "buyer beware" in the world of car hires.
It's a PITA to track all of this down (and ridiculous and wholly unnecessary, as the price is what it is, why not just be transparent?), but the alternative is to be "coerced", or blindsided into spending more when arriving at the rental desk., and potentially over-look a better deal elsewhere, in thinking you are comparing apples to apples when it comes to total cost.
There is a reason renting a car is so often a racket, it's a cut-throat business, and in order to appear to be the best cost, most agencies play fast and loose with the charges, not just brokers. Not to mention the strong arming of the local reps who do their best to talk/frighten you into coughing up additional monies when picking up the car. Be vigilant, and informed, the rule of the day is CYA.
Let's see how Holiday Autos is when it comes to resolving problems.

Members' Comments onsorefeettoproveit's Review

• sorefeettoproveit on 3rd Sep 2009

  Update - Holiday Autos has reaffirmed their commitment to my being charged only what was displayed in the agreement, and should further charges be made by Irish car (excluding voluntary service charges I agree to) they will re-imburse me the difference.
  As well, the HA CSR has been steady contact with me, via e-mail, has been very frank and clear, and is attempting to resolve this with Irish Car prior to my picking up the vehicle.
  I will continue to post on this, but so far so good.
  

• sorefeettoproveit on 27th Sep 2009

  I'm back.
  All went well.
  Holiday Autos stuck by there statements, and contacted Irish Car to confirm prices.
  Went to Irish Car, they over charged at the desk, I presented the letter from HA...no worries, instant refund.
  I would definately use HA again. I had a problem, they adressed it, what more can you ask of any company?
  By the way, most of the complaints here refer to the actual rental agency, not HA...would HA back them up I don't honestly know, but they backed me up, answered the phone, replied to emails, and stuck by their policies. BTW, the price was very good.
  SoreFeetToProveIt.