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Car Rental Frequently Asked QuestionsCan I rent a car without a credit card?Unfortunately not. The only method of payment is by embossed credit card ( embossed means that the digits on the credit card are raised). Regrettably we do not accept debit cards, cheques, cash or bank transfers. Traffic fines?The renter is liable for payment of all traffic fines. How will my car rental be charged?Upon collection of the rental vehicle, your embossed credit card (credit cards with raised digits), will be charged with the rental amount, an additional days rental, a tank of fuel and any extra expenses eg. additional drivers. Upon return of the vehicle and when your final invoice has been calculated, any monies due back to you will be refunded within four working days. Additionally an authorisation hold will be placed on your card for a portion of the excess amount, this hold will be released four working days after the car has been returned. What is Auto-Billing?Auto-Billing is the process of automatically deducting the rental amount when you hire a car and refunding the any monies owed to you after you return the vehicle. Can I rent a car without a credit card?Unfortunately not. Our online rates are for credit card rentals only. Is there a minimum age to rent a car from Tempest Sixt?The minimum age to hire a vehicle from us is 23. Special arrangements can be made should a young driver wish to rent a vehicle or be nominated as an additional driver, however, they must have been in possession of a drivers licence for a minimum of 2 years. What should I do if I am involved in an accident?Please contact your car hire representative or our bodrum-rentacar office or our 24-hour Emergency number and advise us of the accident. Please also contact the local police department so that you can obtain a case number. What do I do if the vehicle breaks down?Please contact your car hire representative or our bodrum-rentacar office or our 24-hour Emergency number and advise us of the breakdown. If the breakdown is caused due to mechanical failure, we will arrange for a replacement vehicle and for the damaged vehicle to be towed, the costs of which will be covered. Should the breakdown be caused by client error, negligence or accident, the hirer will be responsible for all resultant costs, including towing. What are super collision waivers?In the event of an accident you are liable for a non-waiverable reduced excess. Should you have an accident with a third party, we will cover all costs to the repairs of the third party's vehicle up to an amount of R50,000. Super collision waivers are included in our online rates, with the exception of some of the specials run from time to time. What exactly are super theft waivers?In the event of a theft of a rental vehicle, you are liable to pay the non- waiverable reduced excess. Super theft waivers are included in our online rates, with the exception of some of the specials we run from time to time. Is there anything more I need to know about waivers and car rental?Please refer to our terms and conditions and also peruse the back of our rental agreement for more on waivers, exceptions excesses, and what constitutes breach of contract. What is an accident administration fee for?This covers any administration costs we incur in the event of one of our clients having an accident. A R400 administration fee is charged additionally to the excess. Do I pay for towing, storage and assessors fees in event of accident?These fees are additional to the excess charged. You have the right to appoint your own assessor providing this is done within 72 hours of the accident and Tempest Sixt is notified accordingly, failing which we reserve our right to appoint our own assessor. The rental will remain open until such time as Tempest Sixt receives the keys to the vehicle. Does the excess cover damage to tyres, windscreens and under-carriage damage?No the excess does not cover repairs to tyres, windscreens and under-carriage, and the costs for these repairs will be for the Renter. Should these components be damaged as a result of an accident, they are covered by the excess." Should I return the car with a full tank of petrol?Our vehicles are supplied with a full tank of fuel unless delivered to you, you are charged for refill on termination of their contract. A R20 service fee is levied should we have to refuel the vehicle. Most of our fleet uses unleaded fuel. Please note that fuel cannot be purchased with a credit card in South Africa- cash or garage cards are the only form or payment. What is a "car rental day"?Rentals are charged in 24 hour periods, return of the vehicle later than the time on the booking will result in an extra day being charged. A grace period of 59 minutes is allowed for late returns." What do I need to bring along when I hire a car?Please bring along your drivers licence, your credit card and if you are an international traveller, please bring your passport. What is an airport surcharge and is this included in the online rates?A 9% airport surcharge is applicable for all rentals from airports. This surcharge is included in all of our online rates and imposed on all rental companies by the Airports Company Ltd (A.C.S.A). What is a tourism levy? Do I have to pay this if I am a South African?A 1% tourism levy is charged on all rentals. The levy goes towards supporting SA tourism. The tourism levy portion is included in our online rates. What is the contract fee?A contract fee of R28 is excluded from our rates and covers administration costs incurred for each rental. What countries am I allowed to take a Tempest Sixt vehicle into?No vehicle may cross any South Africa, Namibian, Botswana, Mozambique, Lesotho or Swaziland border without prior consent from Tempest Car Hire. A letter of authority must be obtained from the renting branch, this gives permission for the vehicle to cross the border. No vehicles are allowed into Angola, Zimbabwe, Malawi or Zambia. No vehicles are permitted to terminate in Mozambique, Botswana, Lesotho or Swaziland, however you may terminate a vehicle in Nambia which is subject to a one way drop-off fee of R1500. What cross border fees apply when taking a car out of South Africa or a neighbouring country?A cross border fee of R1000 is applicable into Botswana, Mozambique and Namibia. Does Tempest Sixt offer special weekend rates?Yes, we offer low weekend rates. Weekend deals apply strictly from Thursday 12h00 to Monday 12h00 and must include Saturday and Sunday, minimum 2 days, maximum four. No grace period will be considered for late return of cars and the rate will revert to the daily rate. Are there any hidden costs when I rent from Tempest Sixt Car Hire?None at all. What you see is what you pay. Do you charge a no-show fee?No, we just hope you pitch! Should your travel plans be cancelled, please be so good as to notify us so that we may cancel your reservation. Alternatively you can cancel your car reservation easily on our website. Which rental vehicles come with aircon?All of our vehicle groups, with the exception of our Group J 1300 Citi Golf and our Group A Toyota Tazz come with air-conditioning. What is Maxirent?Maxirent is Tempest's long-term rental product and is suitable an alternative to leasing or purchasing a vehicle if you intend on using it for 3 to 12 months. When do your Maxirent deals apply?Maxirent deals only apply when you book a long-term car rental. The special maxi-rates are only applicable when your require the car for three months or longer. Book a long-term car rental. Is Personal accident insurance included?Personal accident insurance is optional at R25/day. This insurance covers the passengers in the vehicle and cover is provided as below. The policy is underwritten by Regent Insurance and any queries regarding this should be directed to Regent:- Accidental death: R250,000 per incident Permanent disability: R250,000 per incident Emergency medical expenses: R20,000 per incident Guaranteed hospital admission: R5000 per incident Do you have free-fone service from overseas?Instructions will be provided with your confirmation voucher, so you may contact us on free-fone should you require assistance after departure. ( Emergency road service is provided locally with every rental.) How can I pay for my rental? Auto Europe accepts American Express, Mastercard, Visa and personal checks. How is my rate guaranteed? Our rates are guaranteed in pounds. For most bookings, only a partial pre-payment is required. How quickly can I confirm my reservation? We can confirm most reservations with as little as 20 minutes advance notice. For last minute reservations, please call us at 0800 169 9797. Is there a fee for canceling or changing a reservation? Auto Europe has no cancellation or amendment fees when Auto Europe is advised 24 hours prior to the rental start date. Should you cancel less than 24 hours prior to rental start date, not show up or show up late to collect the vehicle, a no show fee equal to the first 3 days of the rental will be charged. Auto Europe cannot refund any unused days if the vehicle is returned early. What do I need to pick-up my car? Reservation vouchers are required. Auto Europe's vouchers contain specific information about the car you have reserved, the rental rate, and other details. If you reserve by phone, vouchers are faxed to you immediately upon receipt of payment. If you reserve online, vouchers are emailed to you immediately upon receipt of payment. In either case, a copy is mailed the next business day. A rental agreement is completed at the rental counter at the time of pick-up. See our Sample Voucher for more information. What does Refundable Excess mean? Should the supplier charge you for the insurance excess following an accident, we will refund the money charged to you pending receipt of proper documentation (Receipt of payment, police report, damage report, etc.). This is a refund of the excess payment, amounts charged for damage not covered by the excess would not be refunded. Nor would there be any refund if the supplier or police report determined that the damage was due to driver negligence. What if I find a better rate for a rental car? Auto Europe guarantees the best rates and service available. If you happen to find a lower rate with comparable service, location, terms, and surcharges, we' ll beat it! To submit the lower rate to us, please complete our Guaranteed Best Rate form. When is your reservation center open? Our reservations center is open 08:00 - 20:00, M-F and 09:00-16:00 S-S. Call us at 0800 169 9797 or make a reservation online. Frequently asked questionsWill I be charged if I bring the vehicle back after the return time on the rental agreement?
We make the reservation and rental process fast, easy any convenient. Learn what steps to take from reserving your car to dropping it off. Will I be charged if I bring the vehicle back after the return time on the rental agreement? A - Yes, you will be charged for each hour or part of an hour in excess of the time you were required to return the vehicle. In addition to the daily and hourly rate, some locations will charge you a one-time "early return" fee of $ 15.00 if you return the vehicle more than 24 hours prior to the return date and time on the rental agreement; and, you will be charged a $10.99 per/day "late return" fee if you return the vehicle more than 24 hours after the return date and time on the rental agreement. Q - How are rates calculated? A - The rates are based on a 24 hour rental day starting with the hour you pick up the vehicle. Q - What does base rate mean? A - Base rate is the total cost of rental not including the taxes, fees, surcharges, mandatory coverages, mileage (if applicable) and optional items ( child seats, navigational systems, additional driver, coverages, etc.). Q - How old do I have to be to rent a car from Thrifty? A - The renter must be at least 21 years of age, though there are a few areas in which those under 21 have the opportunity to rent. Renters under the age of 25 will be subject to a daily surcharge. Thrifty Car Rental will rent to government renters under the age of 21 who are on official business. Outside the U.S., Thrifty Car Rental operators impose a maximum rental age that varies by country. Thrifty Car Rental recommends that renters check with their travel agent or car rental company prior to traveling. Q - How can I ensure I receive the best rate available? A - Thrifty guarantees that you will get our best rate online. You can book directly from our home page, or browse through our deals to see special offers. See our Best Rate Guarantee to learn more . While it may cost less to rent a smaller car, be sure to rent a car adequate for your space and luggage requirements.See our listing of Thrifty vehicles to find the best vehicle for your needs. Your passengers will thank you for it! Keep in mind, just like airlines, availability at promotional rates may be limited, so the sooner you call, the better your chances of receiving one of these rates. Q - How do I determine whether or not to accept the various options available at the time of rental? A - The best policy is to know the answer before you leave home. Check with your insurance representatives or credit card company to see if your auto policy or credit card agreement covers any damage done to the rental vehicle, damage or injury to other people caused by you, injuries to passengers in your rental vehicle, and theft of personal belongings left in your rental car. Once you know these answers, you can make an informed decision about the options at the time of rental. The options you may choose from are: Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) - If you accept LDW at the beginning of the rental ( for an additional daily fee), your responsibility for loss of or damage to the vehicle is waived in full or in part (depending on the LDW plan accepted), provided the rental agreement is not violated. If declined, you will be fully responsible for all loss or damage to the vehicle, regardless of fault. Your personal automobile policy and some credit cards may provide coverage for these losses. LDW is not insurance or an insurance product.Some locations outside the U.S. require renters to purchase Theft coverage. Supplemental Liability Insurance (SLI) - This optional coverage is available at many Thrifty locations. If available and accepted at the beginning of the rental, for an additional daily charge, the renter and any additional renter will be protected against third party auto liability at-fault claims for up to $ 1,000,000 if you are involved in an accident with other people. Unlike LDW, there are no credit card waivers for liability for a third party's injury or property damage. You should make sure you are adequately covered for claims by third parties either by your own personal or business automobile policy or by the car rental company. Personal Passenger Protection (PPP) and Personal Effects Insurance (PEI) - PPP is optional coverage available at most Thrifty offices and covers accidental death and accidental medical expenses for the renter who signs electing to be covered under the policy. PEI is an optional coverage that will protect the personal effects of the renter while in the rental car. Both coverages have specific limits. Full details can be found at the rental counter. Check with your insurance agent regarding your own insurance policies on accidental death or medical expenses, or refer to your homeowner's policy regarding theft of your property. Protection Plus (PP) - In Canada, where available, if you purchase PP, it will provide limited benefits to the authorized driver and passengers of the vehicle during the rental for accidental medical expenses, ambulance expenses and accidental death, repatriation, legal defense, emergency road service and mechanical breakdown towing benefits, and loss to personal belongings if certain conditions are met. Q - What happens if the car is damaged, stolen, or in an accident? A - If the car is stolen or has been involved in an accident, first call the local police or appropriate law enforcement agency. Next, call the nearest office of the rental car company, give them your rental agreement or confirmation number and explain what has happened. If it's after hours, Thrifty customers always can call toll free to 1-800-THRIFTY (1-800-847-4389). You'll be led through the procedure to get you going again. Finally, call your own auto insurance company with information on the incident. Be sure to check with the rental company on their breakdown policy before you drive away. Accidents and vehicle theft aren't something we like to think about, especially on a trip, but they can happen even to the most careful driver. Optional waivers (as outlined above) can be purchased to reduce or eliminate your financial exposure which could include the full value of the vehicle and lost rental revenue during its replacement period. Be careful not to violate your car rental agreement by driving while intoxicated or under the influence of a controlled substance, allowing an unauthorized personal to drive the vehicle, leaving the windows, doors or trunk unlocked, or leaving the keys in the ignition when parked. If the agreement if violated, it makes the waiver void. Be sure to familiarize yourself with all of the terms and conditions of the rental agreement. Remember that, as the renter, you are liable for all parking and moving traffic violations, both domestic and international, so please drive safely and observe all ordinances. Q - Does Thrifty conduct driver record checks? A - In the U.S., before we will rent a vehicle to you and when you arrive at our location, you and any additional authorized drivers may be subject to a driving record and license check with the DMV. In the rare instance the driving record and license check fails to meet our criteria, we reserve the right to deny the rental based on the DMV report. A list of our criteria can be found in our General Policies . Q - Aside from the base rate, what other additional charges should I check on? A - Additional charges to your daily rental rate may include company imposed surcharges or city and state imposed taxes that are in addition to sales tax. Increasingly, city and state governments are taxing car rental customers so they can pay for sports stadiums in their cities without having to tax local residents for the money. The number of people you anticipate driving the car can also impact your cost. Only authorized drivers are allowed to drive the car. At most Thrifty locations, there is an additional daily charge for additional authorized drivers including spouses. If you are under the age of 25 you may also be charged an underage driver fee in addition to the rate that will increase your cost as well. Q - Is there a cost associated with earning frequent flyer miles with Thrifty's domestic airline partners? A - Yes. A Frequent Flyer Surcharge of $0.50/day up to $2.00 max per rental OR a Frequent Flyer Tax Recovery Surcharge of $0.06 per rental day may apply when frequent flyer miles are requested at time of rental. Q - Should I bring a child seat with me or will the rental location furnish one? A - The decision is yours. All states and several countries require children under a certain age to be secured in child seats. You can save time at check-in by placing a request for your child seat when you make an advance reservation. A few new vehicles, like the Chrysler minivan available through Thrifty, have child seats built in. You should know that we cannot guarantee the availability of child seats, so please make your decision accordingly. Q - Will there be a deposit taken on my credit card, and if so, how much? A - Most car rental companies will take a deposit on your credit card at the time of pick up. The deposit may vary from location to location, but generally it is the estimated rental charges plus 15%. Some companies are changing their procedures to match the procedures at other retail establishments. Instead of taking a deposit, they will go ahead and charge the estimated cost of the rental onto your card. Should the car be returned earlier than originally agreed, a credit for the unused portion is issued upon return. Q - Can I use a "key ring" credit card when I rent a car from Thrifty? A - No, Thrifty does not accept the small credit cards issued by credit card companies that fit on a key ring. If you should present a key ring credit card at the time of rental, the rental location may ask you to present the standard size credit card or another form of payment. Q - Does Thrifty accept debit cards for payment? A - As a general rule, a major credit card is required at the time of rental. However, when renting from many US locations, you may be allowed to use a debit or check card to rent. Debit cards may not be accepted in Canada except for payment at the end of rent. Some locations will perform a debit card check and credit inquiry screening on debit card holders. Please check our General Policies and the local policy of the location where you intend to rent for more specific information. A debit/check card is considered to be any non-credit card bearing the Visa or MasterCard logo. Any other non-credit card without the Visa or MasterCard logo is not accepted. Prepaid credit cards, gift cards and debit/check cards are accepted for payment at the end of the rental. Q - Since I will be traveling internationally, are there any special foreign travel considerations? A - When making reservations, check on policies regarding crossing foreign borders in a rental car. Find out if your insurance company either limits the coverage amount or refuses coverage on international rentals. If you're planning on using the damage waiver coverage provided by your credit card company, confirm with them it will be available to you on an international rental. Many won't. Another tip for foreign travelers is to confirm which country's currency your rate is being guaranteed in and what credit cards will generally be accepted locally for gasoline and other purchases. Q - Am I better off with an unlimited mileage or capped rate? A - Sometimes the daily rate on a rental car with a mileage cap will be cheaper. If you are going to be driving fewer miles than the mileage cap allows (a typical cap is 150 miles per day), you may save from $3 to $7 per day on a rental car if you opt for a rental rate with a mileage cap. On the other hand, unlimited mileage rates offer freedom from watching the odometer. Whatever your choice, it's best to calculate your costs ahead of time so you can take the least expensive approach that meets your needs.Q - What kinds of safety issues should I consider? A - Safety on the road, particularly in a city other than where you call home, is important. Thrifty has some traveling recommendations for you as well as some tips from other veteran travelers. If you are new to the city, the Thrifty staff will be happy to assist you and provide directions or maps of the area. Traveling in a new city or area can sometimes create anxiety because of the
unfamiliarity with the locale. The following tips, obtained from the American
Automobile Association and the American Car Rental Association, are meant as
guidelines and Thrifty Car Rental urges you to use your best judgment in any
particular situation.
Q - Does Thrifty offer one-way rentals? A - Yes, some locations do offer one way rentals. Rates and vehicle availability for one-way rentals can be obtained via our website, through our Reservations Center by calling 1-800-THRIFTY (847-4389) within the U.S. and Canada, or 1-918-669-2168 outside the U.S. and Canada, or by contacting your local Travel Agent. Q - Does Thrifty offer any call-back vehicles? A - Convertibles, SUVs, trucks, and passenger vans are considered "call-back" vehicles. Rates and vehicle availability for call-back vehicles can be obtained via our website, through our Reservations Center by calling 1-800-THRIFTY (847- 4389) within the U.S. and Canada, or 1-918-669-2168 outside the U.S. and Canada, or by contacting your local Travel Agent. Confirmation of call-back vehicles requires special handling by Thrifty. Q - International Customers A - If you are not in the U.S. or Canada, please contact us and we will try to answer your questions regarding your rentals. Or call +1 (918) 669-2168. (Use Worldwide Locations link to find local numbers for International locations.) Q - Does Thrifty accept International Driving Permits? A - Thrifty accepts foreign-issued driver's licenses at most locations. An International Driving Permit is not acceptable without the driver's license of the issuing country. SMILE Car Hire BodrumEski Cesme Mah. Sadi Irmak Cad. No: 18, Gumbet - Bodrum / Mugla TURKEY©Copyright SMILE Property Management 2006 - 2008. All right reserved. design & codes KIRPI | |||||