Apart from any IdeaMerge special discount, the prices and policies presented on the IdeaMerge Website match the prices and policies of our vendors. You aren't paying extra by going through IdeaMerge — in fact you may be paying less.

IdeaMerge facilitates the whole rental process, presenting a single total cost you can count on and acting for you as an accessible resource and, if necessary, as an advocate.

With a foot naturally in the vendor's camp, we carefully manage expectations so that the entire rental experience is maximally enjoyable for all involved.

currency

Our motorhome and campervan rental rates match our vendor's rates and are therefore calculated in US Dollars (US$ or USD). And because we are based in the US, we also charge the downpayment and balance in US Dollars.

Moreover, unlike our main competition we do not impose a credit card transaction fee. What's more, being a USA company, IdeaMerge charges the USA total price in USD. Therefore if you are from the USA you suffer no retail foreign exchange transaction; and if you are from outside the USA (i.e. if your funds are not in USD), you avoid involving in the overall transaction a third (i.e. middle) currency (that of a non-USA-based competitor of IdeaMerge) and the concomitant retail foreign exchange thereto from USD, which avoidance saves you about 2% on the total cost. Of course neither IdeaMerge nor the vendor is responsible for exchange rate fluctuations and the consequent variances that are possible in a particular foreign currency's value relative to these USD charges.

reservation

In accord with the automobile rental industry standard, reservations may be made for a vendor's particular vehicle category (what we might call a vendor's "group") only, not for a specific vehicle. Which is to say, although the various images, model numbers and vehicle specifications presented throughout the IdeaMerge motorhome rental pages — especially on the vehicle-specification pages — are carefully selected to accurately and precisely indicate the vehicle that you will get, the vehicle model (and layout) you get might not be identical to what is indicated by said information. In the very unlikely event that a vehicle in the reserved category is not available upon the pick-up date, the rental company reserves the right to substitute a comparable or larger vehicle with the same equipment and the capacity to accommodate the number persons you have delineated (in terms of, say, adults and children) as being in your party. In this case there will be no additional charge for a larger vehicle. However, the higher ancillary costs associated with a larger vehicle — such as campground fees, tolls, and fueling costs — are to be borne by the customer.

The USA rental motorhomes presented on this Website are designed to safely transport the number of occupants which equals the maximum number of sleeping places stated as characterizing the vehicle. To transport in such motorhome more than said maximum number of people is to risk violating traffic safety laws in this respect and, due in part to the cumulative weight of the passengers, causing mechanical failure or accidental damage to the vehicle and injury to the occupants and other persons. The rental client (i.e. the customer) will be held fully responsible for such damages and injuries. Of course all driver's seats and front passenger seats of these vehicles have safety belts, and these devices should be worn whenever the vehicle is in motion. Although many motorhomes accommodate passengers in places where safety belts are perhaps not required by law (e.g. at the dining table), any safety belts present in the rear area are at least significant of a recommended rear seating position. Rear occupants of a moving motorhome should oblige themselves — and any rear occupants dependent on them — to sit in such places only and to use appropriately the seatbelt gracing such seat. Riding in a place which is not equipped with a safety belt increases the danger of injury to one's self and others.

downpayment

balance

cancellation fees

changes

A change to a booking will entail a change fee, the amount of which is usually modest/nominal yet is generally commensurate with the degree to which the change compromises the vendor's ability to rent the vehicle. In most cases a booking change (i.e. made via IdeaMerge to reservation requests that have already been confirmed) entails a US$ 25 change fee.

If after the rental has commenced the client wants to change drop-off location, the client should first obtain authorization from the vendor and ascertain the additional charge that would apply.

If after the rental has commenced the client wants to extend the duration of the rental, the client should obtain authorization from the vendor. Failure to obtain such authorization will result in a US$ 30 per hour or US$ 300 per night penalty.

taxes

The tax is determined according state and city in which the pick-up occurs: 5% at Boston, 8.5% at Chicago, 8.35% at Denver, 6% at Fort Lauderdale, 7% at Orlando, 7.75% at Las Vegas, 8.25% at Los Angeles, 8.375% at New York, 8.75% at San Francisco. The tax does not apply to the optional insurance. Of course the IdeaMerge online reservation software includes the tax in the total cost it computes.

pick-up & return constraints

The minimum official rental duration is 7 nights.

Clients arriving on flights from overseas (i.e. outside North America) are not allowed to pick-up on the day their flight arrives, this constraint being imposed by the vendor's insurance company in recognition of the naturally fatigued state of such clients upon flight arrival.

The depots are open for pick-up Monday–Saturday, 9:00 am to 10:30 am — although early pick-up is provided starting at 8:00 am for clients using the hotel shuttle transfer (except for clients staying at one of the designated San Francisco downtown transfer hotels, where the shuttle picks up at 12:00 noon, even on Saturday) and for clients who otherwise arrive at the depot between 8:00 am and 8:30 am and who have informed Moturis of their early arrival at least three workings days before. Afternoon pick-up is available Monday–Friday 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm.

The complimentary permitted amount of luggage the shuttle will take is in accordance with the airline regulations: two suitcases weighing no more than 50 pounds (23 kilograms) plus two pieces of hand luggage per person. Excessive luggage is the client's responsibility.

From April through September a US$ 64 surcharge applies for pick-up on Saturday or Monday. This surcharge is referred to as the "weekend" surcharge.

The depots are open for standard return Monday–Saturday, 9:00 am to 10:30 am, i.e. mornings. Airport transfer is provided at 11:00 am to designated airports (not including New York's JFK and LGA). Please do not book return flights with departures before 2:00 pm, if you want to take advantage of this free transfer.

A non-standard return time (i.e. an afternoon return) entails an extra night's worth of cost, and a Saturday afternoon return entails charge for Sunday night as well. The vendor imposes these standards such that most vehicles can be prepared during regular business hours and delivered to a client on the same day that the vehicle is returned by the previous client. Thus the vendor doesn't lose out on renting that vehicle for that night. A Saturday afternoon return means the vendor doesn't have time to prepare and rent the vehicle to someone else for Saturday night; and because the vendor is closed Sundays, the vendor cannot rent the vehicle Sunday night too. The IdeaMerge software accounts for non-standard return times.

Sorry but Sunday pick-up or return is not possible with Moturis.

A fee of US$ 30 per hour or US$ 300 per night applies to late return of the vehicle. The depots are closed during certain holidays, which are accounted for by our online reservation software.

security deposit

Exceptions:

Without exception a valid credit is required for each rental pick-up; debit cards or Euro checks are not accepted.

Naturally the security deposit is refundable depending on whether the vehicle is returned on time, to the correct location, undamaged, with a clean interior and with a full engine fuel tank. The vendor reserves the right to retain a minimum US$ 50 fee if the vehicle is not returned with the interior in a clean condition. The toilet and waste water tank should be emptied prior to the return of the vehicle, or the vendor will retain a separate US$ 75 fee.

what's included

The vehicle will be delivered with a full tank of engine fuel; and it should be returned with a full tank. The water tank, propane tank, and any toilet chemical repository will be full; but you will not be charged if they are returned less than full. No refunds are given for unused water, propane and toilet chemicals

By the way, the client is responsible for checking all vehicle fluid levels at each refueling during the rental. Refills of all these fluids — except of course the engine fuel and the propane (LPG) — will be reimbursed by Moturis upon the return occasion if the client presents receipts for such.

All the Moturis motorhome rentals include US$ 1,000,000.00 of liability (i.e. third party) insurance; i.e. covering any bodily-injury and/or property-damage liability claim brought on by a third party (other than a passenger in the rental vehicle) against the customer (or any other driver listed on the rental contract between customer and vendor) as a result of the operation or use of the rental vehicle. All the Moturis motorhome rentals also include collision and comprehensive insurance inhering a deductible (a.k.a. excess; applicable per claim/occurrence not per rental) of US$ 2500. The term comprehensive here signifies accidental damage due to vandalism, fire, theft, break-in, and weather, as well as animal impact, and towing and recovery costs. Of course said deductible/excess are void if the client/customer fails to file a relevant and timely accident/damage report with the police and/or Moturis or fails to inform the Moturis pick-up depot within 24 hours with a full written report or if the client uses the vehicle in violation of the rental contract he/she signs with Moturis; the said coverage is also void in connection with the following "exceptions": (a) operation without Moturis's expressed permission or consent, (b) damage caused by striking overhead objects (c) damage caused by freezing or overheating vehicle systems (d) all damage caused during any use of off public roads (including at campgrounds, parking lots, service stations, etc) (e) undercarriage damage, including tires and wheels (f) damage caused from backing up vehicle (h) all glass damage.

Also included by default is 24/7 assistance.

The vendor provides free storage of luggage at their depot (at the client's own risk).

All the vehicles have a gasoline engine, automatic transmission, dash and roof (110 V) air conditioning, stove burners, microwave oven, sink, refrigerator, freezer, furnace, toilet, and 110 V hook-up.

Included in the preparation fee are the first tank of propane, the first supply of toilet chemicals, a water hose, sewer hose, flashlight (i.e. torch) and batteries, first aid kit, and the final cleaning of the outside of the vehicle.

Also included are the operator's manual, a road atlas, KOA Campground Guide, KOA Atlas, and KOA discount card (giving customers a 10% discount).

All Moturis's rentals include 60 miles per day, with extra miles being available as described on the "Extras" page.

There is no charge for additional drivers.

age and license(s)

The minimum age limit for Moturis motorhome rentals is only 21 years, and typically there is no maximum age limit. Upon pick-up the vendor (Moturis) requires of the client merely a non-provisional resident-country drivers license. But if said license is not primarily or secondarily (i.e. in parallel) written in English, the vendor suggests that the client carry an international drivers permit (IDP). (Regarding such permits, see the country listings posted on the New Zealand Automobile Association's Website.) Basically an IDP is a means by which police in a foreign country can know — in terms of translations in nearly a dozen different languages — that your domestic driver's license is indeed recognized as being valid by the proper authorities in your country. (See the excellent article at Drivers.com.) The local office of your auto club (AA, AA, RAC, ADAC, etc.) sells IDPs for about US$ 20. If you need an IDP, take your license, two passport-sized photos and the requisite cash to the club office. (Though for about US$ 6 the club may snap Polaroid photos for you.) Ten minutes later you'll be able to legally drive on any European road—assuming you're at least 18 years of age. If you plan to operate a motorcycle in Europe, be sure to have the auto club certify your qualification to do so. Web searches will bring up a host of Websites selling documents that conform to the model delineated in annex 10 of the United Nations Convention on Road Traffic (1949); but according to Article 24 of that convention, a truly valid IDP is one which is "issued .. by the competent authority of another Contracting State or subdivision thereof, or by an association duly empowered by such authority ...."

Good news: In the USA the standard domestic drivers licenses of foreign states are, in connection with foreign tourists, considered equal to a standard USA drivers license. Therefore the foreign drivers license allows the holder to drive the same range of vehicle types as does a USA license. This means, for instance, that the 3500 kg permissible-weight constraint that applies to European Union licenses in Europe is effectively raised in the USA to match the USA standards, which are invariably so high that all the vehicles represented on IdeaMerge's USA "Rates & Reservations" page may be driven by a standard-European-drivers-licensed client. (See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Driver's_license and, say, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UK_Driving_Licence_codes.)

breakdown

If a mechanical breakdown of the vehicle renders it inoperable for the 12 consecutive working hours after the client makes a timely report to the vendor about the breakdown, and if this breakdown is through no fault of the client, Moturis is responsible to refund the client but that responsibility is limited to refund of the daily rate or (i.e. with VIP coverage, as described above) a portion thereof . Clients assume full responsibility for any additional expenses incurred by reasons of a breakdown of vehicle. The term breakdown as used above does not refer to the vehicle's air conditioning, plumbing, refrigerator, microwave, other appliances, slide-out functionality, automatic step, awning, radio, CD player, TV/DVD, generator, and cruise control, among other functionalities not essential to travel.

For repairs exceeding US$ 50, the customer must call the vendor to get authorization. Non-authorized repairs over US$ 50 will not be reimbursed. Receipts must be presented for reimbursement to occur.

See our Moturis "Insurance" page for details concerning the included insurance and assistance.

geographical restrictions

Travel into New York City is not permitted.

Travel into Death Valley is not allowed from 15 June to 15 September.

Authorization is required to travel into Alaska, Yukon, and the NW Territories. This authorization costs US$ 450. No such authorization is required for travel elsewhere in Canada, although travel to the greater metropolitan areas of Montreal and Quebec City is prohibited.

The Moturis vehicles are allowed to travel into Mexico if such travel is confirmed in advance and the additional liability insurance and CDW, which together cost US$ 19 per night, is purchased. Area restrictions might apply. This addendum is sold at the San Francisco, Los Angeles and Las Vegas depots only. Clients have to provide the depot with the exact dates the vehicle will be in Mexico. Relative to a vehicle traveling in Mexico, Moturis's traveler assistance is not available and any repair costs, lost use, towing or fines incurred in Mexico are the client's (i.e. customer's, traveler's, renter's) responsibility and are not reimbursed by Moturis.

further restrictions

accident

parking tickets, etc.

warning

Although motor travel in North America is not generally considered prohibitively dangerous, there are, of course, associated risks — including death. For quantitative measures of these risks, please see the Association for Safe International Road Travel (ASIRT) http://www.asirt.org.

a slight disclaimer