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UNIQUE to car rentals via IdeaMerge and holiday autos

Not an actual car rental company, London-based holiday autos is a "consolidator" of car rental company inventory. The actual car rental company that underwrites a holiday autos offer or booking is commonly termed a "vendor" or "supplier." Such suppliers sell car rental inventory allotments to holidays autos per consumer market, i.e. per point of sale. Consolidators like holiday autos negotiate special rates from these suppliers and largely pass on the savings to the customer — via offers which require upon the booking occasion a considerable pre-payment from the customer. In presenting an offer to a customer, consolidators such as holidays autos do not specify the supplier. After an offer is accepted by the customer and thus becomes a booking, holiday autos specifies the particular supplier, including detailed directions to and contact information of the actual supplier's exact pick-up and drop-off address(es) — this by way of the booking confirmation voucher e-mailed to the customer by holiday autos. Naturally, the holiday autos suppliers are deemed by holiday autos and IdeaMerge to be world class, high quality car rental companies. Among those suppliers are Hertz, Budget, Sixt, Avis, Europcar, Dollar, etc.

Of course in booking via IdeaMerge and holiday autos, you also gain a pair of mediators.

Why not put such leverage — in terms of price and mediation and general customer service — on your side!

The following terms and conditions largely characterize holiday autos offerings in general. Hence they likewise characterize the auto rental that you may book via IdeaMerge.

As noted below, certain of holiday autos terms tend to apply (i.e. are marketed to) certain prime holiday autos consumer markets rather than being determined chiefly by pick-up location and/or vendor — although the applicable terms might be different depending on such other factors. Those consumer markets are addressed by holiday autos using such unique terms and using particular currencies: AUD (AU$), EUR (€), GBP (£), and USD (US$).

Note: holiday autos offers to some consumer markets a wider selection of cars for a particular pick-up location than it offers to others. Therefore if the software presents no cars in response to the currency and other rental parameters you select, please try selecting another currency.

Yet keep in mind: your credit card will always be charged by holiday autos in one of above four currencies, per your selection. If, for example, you book an AUD (AU$) denominated rental but your credit card is denominated in USD (US$), the AUD charge made by holiday autos will be translated into USD by your credit card company (typically at the current "credit card" exchange rate, i.e. 2% over the wholsale, interbank rate) and will appear on your credit card statement as a foreign currency transaction translated into USD.

See Oanda.com for the current and historical "credit card" exchange rates (i.e. the standard retail exchange rates).

However, before entering into a foreign currency transaction using your credit card, ask your credit card company whether they charge a "foreign transaction fee!" Many card companies do indeed charge such a fee, ranging from 1% to 3%! This fee is in addition to the mentioned 2% retail foreign exchange transaction. If your card does generally charge a foreign transaction fee, ask them to free your account of it. If they balk, tell them that you'll shop around for a card which doesn't charge such fee. Increasingly credit cards are marketed as not charging a foreign transaction fee. Imagine how much money you'd consequently save on the charges you make abroad!

While you're at it, please ask your credit card company, i.e. your card issuer, whether in crediting your account for a foreign currency refund, i.e. made to your card by a foreign merchant, they, the card issuer, apply the same type of exchange rate they apply to foreign currency charges or whether they instead apply to such refunds an interbank-type rate which would result in a relatively smaller credit to your account. In the opinion of IdeaMerge it is unethical for a card issuer to apply a different, less consumer/merchant friendly type of rate to refunds. Exchange rates vary of course, but the type of rate a card issuer applies to charges and refunds should be the same lest the card issuer essentially cheat the card holder of the ability to receive appropriate refunds.

In this light please note in connection with any charge made to a consumer's credit card by a merchant (e.g. holiday autos) and authorized by that consumer, the merchant is not responsible for any foreign-transaction surcharges levied upon the consumer's credit card account by the consumer's credit card issuer, nor for any difference between the exchange rate applied to the charge and the exchange rate applied to a full or partial refund of the charge, nor generally for the exchange rate or rates applied by the credit card issuer. Any costs of or associated with these factors of doing international business devolve naturally upon the consumer by way of the consumer's choice of credit card and the consumer's choice to authorize a charge to that credit card.

Unless otherwise stated by holiday autos in relation to a particular reservation request, all holiday autos rental rates include:

  • The applicable sales tax(es), or the VAT (value-added tax) — except for pick-ups in Spain and Austria.
  • Unlimited miles (kilometers).
  • The legal minimum public automobile liability insurance (alias, third-party insurance, called "green card" insurance in Europe) covering injuries or damages to persons or property outside the vehicle.
  • Bail bonds (if applicable).

    • Depending on the particular rental offer you choose and especially on the currency in which it is denominated, certain waivers (see below), surcharges and/or fees and the like might also be included in the vehicle rental rates and therefore payable upfront to holiday autos, or these might be payable requisitely or optionally to the car rental company itself (i.e. vendor, supplier) upon the pick-up occasion. Regardless, inasmuch as possible during the online reservation process these costs will be itemized and added to the total rental price presented. Both IdeaMerge and holiday autos strive to present true total prices as straightforwardly, clearly and transparently as possible.

    collision damage waiver (CDW):

    Provides coverage against damage caused to the vehicle during the rental. You are subject to the deductible (alias, excess) of the claim. This deductible (excess) may cover single or multiple parts of the vehicle which are damaged at the same time. Where damage is caused to the vehicle on separate occasions, each incident will be considered as a separate claim. Upon the pick-up occasion you will still be required to at least temporarily leave such deductible (excess) in the possession of the holiday autos car rental vendor (i.e. supplier) as the security deposit. (The security deposit per se is usually just authorized or blocked on the customer's credit card, rather than actually charged to it.) Moreover, the following exclusions apply:

  • When damage is caused to windows/windscreen, interior, wheels, tyres, underside or roof of the car.
  • Where any rental vehicle has been driven off-road, on un-tarmacked roads, without due care and attention or negligently.
  • Where the driver is under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
  • Where the driver(s) is not been named on the rental agreement.
  • When damage is caused by the rental vehicle being towed away by any unauthorised third party.

    • theft waiver (TW), also known as theft protection (TP):

    Provides coverage against theft or damage resulting from attempted theft of the vehicle, its parts and accessories up to their full value and for any loss that the holiday autos car rental vendor may incur. You are still subject to the deductible (alias, excess) of the claim. This deductible (excess) may cover single or multiple parts of the vehicle which are damaged at the same time. Where damage is caused to the vehicle on separate occasions, each incident will be considered as a separate claim. Upon the pick-up occasion you will still be required to at least temporarily leave such deductible (excess) in the possession of the holiday autos car rental vendor as the security deposit. (The security deposit per se is usally just authorized or blocked on the customer's credit card, rather than actually charged to it.) Moreover, the following exclusions apply:

  • Where the keys are lost, damaged or stolen, you will be liable for the reasonable costs of obtaining replacement keys which will be in addition to any deductible (excess) deposit paid.
  • Further costs exceeding the deductible (excess) will apply if the loss, damage or theft of the keys is directly related to the theft of the vehicle. These costs will be defined by the car rental vendor.

    • us inclusive option, often applicable to USD (US$) denominated rentals:

    This option is available in connection with holiday autos rentals denominated in USD (US$). It means you get the CDW and the TP, but it does not include the SDEW (see below) nor the TDEW (see below) nor the ERC (see below) nor the cancellation waiver protection (CWP, see below). Indeed, holiday autos does not currently offer SDEW or TDEW or ERC in connection with rentals denominated in USD.

    standard damage excess waiver (SDEW) protection, or simply damage excess waiver protection, often applicable to EUR (€) and GBP (£) denominated rentals:

    If you purchase the holiday autos standard damage excess waiver protection, you will still be subject to the applicable collision damage / theft deductible (i.e. excess) but you can reclaim this amount (per incident) by filling in an accident report form (issued by the car rental provider, i.e. the vendor, the supplier) and sending a copy to holiday autos within a certain number of days (e.g. 28 days) of returning your rental vehicle. Thus you can effectively reduce these deductibles (excesses) to zero. However, the following exclusions typically apply:

    When damage is caused to windows/windscreen, interior, wheels, tyres, underside or roof of the car
  • Where any rental vehicle has been driven off-road, on un-tarmacked roads, without due care and attention or negligently.
  • Where the driver is under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
  • Where the driver(s) has not been named on the rental agreement.
  • When damage is caused by the rental vehicle being towed away by any unauthorised third party.
  • Not available on luxury (prestige) car rentals or on utility van rentals.
  • Where the keys are lost, damaged or stolen, you will be liable for the reasonable costs of obtaining replacement keys which will be in addition to any deductible (excess) deposit paid.
  • Further costs exceeding the deductible (excess) will apply if the loss, damage or theft of the keys is directly related to the theft of the vehicle. These costs will be defined by the supplier.

    • total damage excess waiver (TDEW) protection, often applicable to EUR (€) and GBP (£) denominated rentals:

    Same as the standard damage excess waiver (SDEW) protection except it typically does cover the windows/windscreen, interior, wheels, and replacement keys.

    excess reduction cover (ERC), often applicable to AUD (AU$) denominated rentals:

    If you purchase the holiday autos excess reduction cover, you will still be subject to the collision damage / theft excess (deductible) which is included in the vehicle rental rates but you can reclaim all of this amount (per incident) except a certain amount (e.g. AUD 150) by filling in an accident report form (issued by the car rental provider, i.e. the vendor, the supplier) and sending a copy to holiday autos within a certain number of days (e.g. 28 days) of returning your rental vehicle. Thus you can effectively reduce the excess (deductible) to that certain, relatively small amount (e.g. AUD 150). However, the following exclusions typically apply:

    When damage is caused to windows/windscreen, interior, wheels, tyres, underside or roof of the car
  • Where any rental vehicle has been driven off-road, on un-tarmacked roads, without due care and attention or negligently.
  • Where the driver is under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
  • Where the driver(s) has not been named on the rental agreement.
  • When damage is caused by the rental vehicle being towed away by any unauthorised third party.
  • Not available on luxury (prestige) car rentals or on utility van rentals.
  • Where the keys are lost, damaged or stolen, you will be liable for the reasonable costs of obtaining replacement keys which will be in addition to any excess (deductible) deposit paid.
  • Further costs exceeding the excess (deuctible) will apply if the loss, damage or theft of the keys is directly related to the theft of the vehicle. These costs will be defined by the supplier.

    • payment:

    IdeaMerge and holiday autos strive to present straightforwardly, clearly and precisely the true total cost of a rental. Insofar as pre-payment of the true total cost's component costs is possible, the corresponding portion of the true total cost will indeed be pre-paid by the customer to holiday autos. Hence upfront IdeaMerge and holiday autos minimize the transactions that must occur — and the surprises that might occur — upon the pick-up occasion. The costs pre-paid to holiday autos stand in constrast to the costs — i.e. prices and/or fees and/or taxes (and/or the like) — that might necessarily or by the customer's choice be paid directly to the car rental company upon the pick-up occasion.

    typical cancellation policy for USD (US$) denominated rentals:

  • No refunds will be given for rentals ended early, late pick-ups, no-shows or cancellations made after the rental start date, even if cancellation protection is purchased.
  • All cancellations must be made in writing via e-mail to reservations@holidayautos.com. If you do not have access to e-mail, please send a fax to the holiday autos UK contact center at +44 1483 263 380. Please note that vouchers must also be returned, and that cancellations will take effect from the date received by holiday autos.
  • Vouchers must be returned as soon as possible, and be received by holiday autos before the rental pick-up date. Otherwise, no refund of any pre-payment will be made.
  • The following cancellation charges apply to any holiday autos booking you are unable to honor prior to your pick-up date:

  • 7 or more days before start date: USD 25.
  • 3–6 days before start date: 25%.
  • 1–2 days before start date: 50%.
  • no-show or cancellation on pick-up day or no notification of cancellation: 100%.

    • typical cancellation policy for EUR (€) denominated rentals:

  • No refunds will be given for rentals ended early, late pick-ups, no-shows or cancellations made after the rental start date, even if cancellation protection is purchased.
  • All cancellations must be made in writing to the following relevant e-mail address or fax number: If the pick-up depot is in Spain (including the Balearics but excluding the Canary Islands) or Portugal, send to cancellations@lastminute.com or fax +44 207 153 2735; if the pick-up is elsewhere, send to cancellations@holidayautos.ie or fax +44 207 153 2735. Please note that vouchers must also be returned, and that cancellations will take effect from the date received by holiday autos.
  • Vouchers must be returned as soon as possible, and be received by holiday autos before the rental pick-up date. Otherwise, no refund of any pre-payment will be made.
  • The following cancellation charges apply to any holiday autos booking you are unable to honor prior to your pick-up date:

  • 7 or more days before start date: EUR (€) 15.
  • 3–6 days before start date: 50%.
  • 0–2 days before start date: 75%.
  • no-show or no notification of cancellation: 100%.

    • typical cancellation policy for GBP (£) denominated rentals:

  • No refunds will be given for rentals ended early, late pick-ups, no-shows or cancellations made after the rental start date, even if cancellation protection is purchased.
  • All cancellations must be made in writing to the following relevant e-mail address or fax number: If the pick-up depot is in Spain (including the Balearics but excluding the Canary Islands) or Portugal, send to cancellations@ch.holidayautos.com or fax +41 43 233 5710; if the pick-up is elsewhere, send to cancellations@holidayautos.co.uk or fax +44 1483 263 380. Please note that vouchers must also be returned, and that cancellations will take effect from the date received by holiday autos.
  • Vouchers must be returned as soon as possible, and be received by holiday autos before the rental pick-up date. Otherwise, no refund of any pre-payment will be made.
  • The following cancellation charges apply to any holiday autos booking you are unable to honor prior to your pick-up date:

  • 7 or more days before start date: GBP (£) 15.
  • 3–6 days before start date: 50%.
  • 0–2 days before start date: 75%.
  • no-show or no notification of cancellation: 100%.

    • typical cancellation policy for AUD (AU$) denominated rentals:

  • No refunds will be given for rentals ended early, late pick-ups, no-shows or cancellations made after the rental start date, even if cancellation protection is purchased.
  • All cancellations must be made in writing via e-mail to reservations@holidayautos.com. If you do not have access to e-mail, please send a fax to the holiday autos UK contact center at +44 1483 263 380. Please note that vouchers must also be returned, and that cancellations will take effect from the date received by holiday autos.
  • Vouchers must be returned as soon as possible, and be received by holiday autos before the rental pick-up date. Otherwise, no refund of any pre-payment will be made.
  • The following cancellation charge applies to any holiday autos booking you are unable to honor prior to your pick-up date:

  • AUD 100 (plus GST, i.e. plus the general Australia tax).

    • typical cancellation waiver protection (CWP):

    For just USD 10 per rental week (i.e. USD 1.43 per day) — or roughly the equivalent in another currency if the rental is denominated in that other currency — holiday autos will waive your liability to pay any cancellation charges if you are unable to honor your booking prior to the pick-up date. If you wish to purchase this contractual waiver charge, you must do so at the time of placing your reservation request.

    security deposit:

    All customers will be required upon the pick-up occasion to leave a deposit to cover the applicable deductible (excess) and fuel. To do so a valid credit card in the name of the lead driver must be produced upon that occasion. The rental company will make an imprint of that card. The security deposit per se is usually just authorized or blocked on the customer's credit card, rather than actually charged to it.

    typical amendment fee:

    The amendment fee with holiday autos is USD 10 (or roughly the equivalent in another currency if the rental is denominated in that other currency).

    mechanical difficulties, breakdown assistance, accidents:

  • In the event of any mechanical difficulties or accidents involving your car, it is important that details are reported to our local car rental partner within 24 hours.
  • The car rental vendor will arrange breakdown assistance as necessary and per their standard policy in this regard. Typically such assistance is available 24/7.
  • In the event of an accident you must also complete an accident report form by the end of the rental duration.
  • Local police should also be notified in the case of accidents and a signed police report obtained.
  • Full details of third parties should also be obtained.
  • The local car rental vendor must give authority to repair or replace a vehicle. Their name and contact details are shown on your voucher and rental agreement.
  • You should retain copies of all rental documentation in the event an insurance company is involved.
  • Your insurance cover may be invalidated if this procedure is not followed correctly and this may prejudice any claim for compensation.
  • A check-in form must be signed on return of the vehicle. Failure to do so may delay the investigation of disputes regarding damage excess charges.

    • how a contract / booking is formed with holiday autos:

  • Both IdeaMerge and holiday autos are independent, not agents for any particular car rental company (i.e. vendor, supplier).
  • The way in which a contract is formed, for the purchase of car rental via IdeaMerge and holiday autos, is basically the same whether you place a reservation request over the phone or via website. However you choose to place your reservation request, it is important to understand how and when a contract is formed.
  • The technical steps required for a contract to be formed are as follows:

  • When IdeaMerge or holiday autos quotes a car rental price or prices over the telephone or via e-mail or places car rental products on a website, we are inviting you to make a reservation request (essentially an offer) for the purchase of that or one of those car rentals. You do not make this reservation request (i.e. offer) until you do so verbally or else in writing (via e-mail or another standard means) to IdeaMerge or holiday autos or by pressing the "Book Now" button during the holiday autos online reservatin request process.
  • You have made holiday autos such a request to purchase a car rental once you have either pressed that "Book Now" button or done the verbal equivalent via phone or e-mail (or another standard means). In turn holiday autos accepts the reservation request (offer) when holiday autos has both received full payment and has sent to you (typically via e-mail) the associated confirmation voucher. When holiday autos has thus accepted an offer, there finally exists a binding contract between you and holiday autos for the car rental, your reservation request (offer) having thus and only thus become a booking.

    • actual car rental company (i.e. vendor, supplier) and the
    exact pick-up/drop-off address(es) and contact info:

  • Not an actual car rental company, holiday autos is a "consolidator" of car rental company inventory. Which is to say, holiday autos is independent, not an agent for any particular car rental company. In relation to holiday autos and IdeaMerge, the actual car rental company that underwrites an offer or booking is a "vendor" or "supplier."
  • Such suppliers sell car rental inventory allotments to holidays autos per consumer market, i.e. per point of sale.
  • Consolidators like holiday autos negotiate special rates from these suppliers and largely pass on the savings to the customer.
  • In presenting an offer to a customer, consolidators such as holidays autos do not specify the supplier.
  • After an offer is accepted by the customer and thus becomes a booking, holiday autos specifies the particular supplier, this by way of the booking confirmation voucher sent to the customer by holiday autos.
  • That confirmation voucher will present detailed directions to and contact information of the actual supplier's exact pick-up and drop-off address(es), this information lending ultimate precision to the general yet accurate delineation of such locations (e.g. merely "Frankfurt airport terminal 1") which is presented during the online order process.
  • Naturally, the holiday autos suppliers are deemed by holiday autos and IdeaMerge to be world class, high quality car rental companies. Among those suppliers are Hertz, Budget, Sixt, Avis, Europcar, Dollar, etc.
  • Of course in booking via IdeaMerge and holiday autos, you also gain a pair of mediators.
  • Why not put such leverage — in terms of price and mediation and general customer service — on your side!

    • how a rental agreement is formed with the car rental company:

    The confirmation voucher sent to you by holiday autos is not a rental agreement. When you pick-up the rental vehicle, you must sign a rental agreement provided by the particular car rental company (i.e. vendor, supplier) and subject to local laws.