Home . Car Options . Car Types . Locations . Driving Tips . Terms . FAQ . Cheap Flights . Contact Us . Site Map

Collecting your Hire Car - Florida and US Car Hire FAQ

return to main FAQ page

1. Do all drivers have to be present when collecting the car?
2. What do I need to take with me when collecting the car?
3. Do I need to have a credit card for deposit when collecting the car, and why?
4. Do I need Optional Personal Insurance?
5. What happens if we want to upgrade or change the type of car when we collect?
6. Car Delivery - Is it possble to have cars delivered to our hotel or villa?

Do all drivers have to be present when collecting the car?

• All drivers must show their license and sign the contract before being legally allowed and insured to drive.

  If you have additional drivers arriving after you have collected the car, these can be added part way in to the rental at any local depot. Make sure you take along your paperwork (received when collecting the car).

What do I need to take with me when collecting the car?

• You need to present your pre-paid voucher (that we send you once payment has been received in full), a valid driving license for each driver (presented in person by each driver) and a credit card that will be 'swiped' by way of deposit.

Do I need to have a credit card for deposit when collecting the car, and why?

• Other than in the case below ** the lead driver must have a major credit card in their name when collecting the car.

  Most major cards are accepted including Master Card, Amex and Visa. Dollar accept Visa Debit also. Switch / Maestro / Solo cards are not accepted.

  If you do not have a valid card as lead driver, then if another driver in your group does have a valid card, then we recommend using their name as the lead driver on your booking.

  The rental company will 'swipe' the card, usually for around $500. The rental company will authorise and lock off this amount, but don't actually take the payment from your account. Once the car is returned, the deposit amount is then released.

  The card used for the deposit will be the card used at the end of your rental to take payment for the tank of fuel (on Silver Option with Dollar, Thrifty and Alamo) and will also be used to charge for any optional extras you agreed to on collection of the car, such as child seats. Your card will also be debited in the case of returning your car late, and if you had any unpaid fines or citations during your rental (such as speeding fines, parking violations and passing tolls without payment).

  ** If collecting from Orlando (MCO) with Dollar and have booked our Gold option then no card swipe is required

Do I need Optional Personal Insurance?

• This is only required if you have no travel insurance (which is very unwise!). This is the only insurance not included in our rates since most customers have travel insurance that includes personal cover.

  If you do not have travel insurance then you can opt to purchase Personal Protection cover when you collect the car. This option will be clearly stated on the paperwork you complete with the rental company, and the associated costs will be listed. Typically, personal insurance is around $5 - $10 per day.

  If you DO have travel insurance, then when you collect your car, double check you are not signing to accept this optional insurance from the rental company. The item will be clearly stated along with the cost.

What happens if we want to upgrade or change the type of car when we collect?

• You can upgrade or change to a different car type on collection (subject to availability), but we strongly advise against this. Doing this will almost certainly result in a fairly costly local charge by the car rental company even if the car you change to is cheaper had you booked through ourselves initially.

  It is much better to choose the correct size and type of car before you arrive.

  In the unlikely event the rental company do not have the car type you booked, they are obliged to give you an equivalent or better / bigger car free of charge.

Car Delivery - Is it possble to have cars delivered to our hotel or villa?

• None of the car rental companies will deliver to your accommodation. However if you book Dollar through us, and you are staying within 5 miles of the following depots then Dollar will collect you free of charge and take you to the depot to collect your car. Kissimmee 192 (opposite but near the Celebration Turning) Lake Buena Vista (near Down Town Disney) International Drive (at the Holiday Inn) To do the above, simply book the car from the required depot, then call the number (that will be on your voucher from us) shortly before you need the car to arrange collection.