Blue Wheel's Blog

Question:
How do I find out about booking GPS or Sat Nav with my car rental?

Answer:
If you require GPS with your car hire. You can find out the cost and if this can be added to your rental by clicking on the rate details words. They can be found just below your quote price before you have booked your car.

A pop out box will appear on screen. Scroll down until your find Special Equipment. Have a look to see if GPS is mentioned. If so there will be a price and this means you can add the equipment to your rental.

An example :
Special Equipment – Optional Extras (Can be purchased on arrival)
GPS – Satellite Navigational System: 10 GBP per Day (Excludes Tax); On Request
Special Equipment – Optional extras may be requested at the time of booking, but they are not included in the rental price. They are paid in the local currency at the rental desk.

Please note the GPS systems are on request.

You are always best to book the GPS at the same time as your car rental. You can do so by adding the equipment to your rental underneath the booking page .

Question:
Am I able to rent child seats or booster seats with my car hire?

Answer:
Yes

You can find out the price of the baby seats and booster seats by clicking on the rate details words which can be found directly underneath the quote price.
Scroll down until you find special equipment.
You will then be able to view the child seats costs.

Please note the child seats are on request because they are special equipment.

An example of the costs are :
Special Equipment – Optional Extras (Can be purchased on arrival)
Child toddler seat: 5 GBP per Day (Excludes Tax); On Request
Infant child seat: 5 GBP per Day (Excludes Tax); On Request
Special Equipment – Optional extras may be requested at the time of booking, but they are not included in the rental price. They are paid in the local currency at the rental desk.

To book the seats with your car rental.You will find an option once you have selected the option to book your car.
Underneath the booking price for the car , there is an option to select the child seats.

Most car hire firms have 3 options:
Infant child seat
Child toddler seat
Booster seat

The UK Law for child seats can be viewed on http://www.childcarseats.org.uk/law/

Question:
Do car hire firms hire out snow tyres or snow chains?

Answer:
Yes

You can find out if your car rental is allowed the hire of snow tyres and snow chains by looking under the special equipment section of your rental.
You can find out about special equipment by clicking on the rate details which is just below the quote price.
Scroll down until you find the special equipment section.

An example is as follows:
Special Equipment – Optional Extras (Can be purchased on arrival)
Snow chains: 275 DKK Includes 25% Tax; On Request
Snow tyres: 120 DKK per Day Maximum 1,470 DKK Includes 25% Tax; On Request
Special Equipment- Optional extras may be requested at the time of booking, but they are not included in the rental price. They are paid in the local currency at the rental desk.

Please note it is always best to select the option when making your booking and then the branch will know that you are wishing to rent the snow tyres or snow chains.

You can select the snow tyres option once you have clicked to book the car. Under the rental amount there is an option for Special Equipment. Add the amount of snow tyres to your booking then continue to follow the instructions on the page to complete your rental booking.

An email confirmation will be sent to you which will include your snow tyres.

Question:
What is the fuel policy?

Answer:
Each car hire firm sets up their own policy. You can find your own car rental fuel policy by clicking on the rate details of the car you wish to book.

Most firms ask for a fuel deposit when you collect your car from the branch.

The normal policy is for firms to use a pick up full return full policy.

Others apply a pick up full and return empty policy by asking their customers to purchase a full tank of fuel when the arrive at the branch.

Star Tip:
Always ask staff if the car is diesel or petrol in the event you fill up the car with the wrong fuel.

Question:
Is it possible to add an additional driver to my rental?

Answer:
Yes

You can add an additional driver to your rental agreement either when you book the car or on collection of your vehicle. The extra driver will need to be present in person with their ID and comply with the car hire conditions in order to be placed on the rental agreement.

The branch will require to check their ID and ask the additional driver to complete the paperwork.
ID required is a passport and current driving license.

A local fee applies for extra drivers and is applied on collection of your vehicle.

Question:
How do I amend a car hire booking?

Answer:
Yes you can amend your booking.

Once you have booked a car online you will receive a confirmation by email.

There is a link at the foot of the page.

Click this link and top of page there is an amend booking button.
Input your rental changes. Please note you will be asked for your reservation number or booking ID number and email address in which you have booked your vehicle.

It is worth noting that depending on the changes you make to your booking. The price may have changed from your original quote due to the car hire firms constantly updating their prices.

Question:
What is a car hire excess

Answer:
The car hire excess is the amount of money which the car rental firms request when you collect your vehicle from the branch.

This amount may not be covered in the CDW.

The excess is the amount that a customer will be liable for in the event of damage to the rental car. The amount varies from company to company.

You can find information on your excess by clicking on the rate details words which can be found under the quote amount.Scroll down until you find the Insurance Coverage.

example as follows:

Collision damage waiver (CDW): Includes 20% Tax; Excess 750 GBP
Complete cover package: 12 GBP per Day Maximum 200 GBP Includes 20% Tax; Excess 0 GBP
Theft waiver (TW): Includes 20% Tax; Excess 750 GBP
Third party liability protection (TP): Includes 20% Tax
You may be held responsible for damage to or loss of tyres, windscreens, glass and undercarriage. Please check with the car rental agent on arrival.

For extra peace of mind and reduction in your liability.
You may wish to purchase an insurance policy which covers either all or part of the excess. You can do so either online before you travel or buy a policy at the desk.

USA and Canada customers please note that your credit card may not cover you for liability when renting outside of your country. Please double check with your card holder before you collect your vehicle.

Question:

Can I use a debit card when I book my car rental in the UK?

Answer:
If you are using a car hire broker such as ourselves at www.bluewheels.com. You may use your debit card to pay and book the prepayment part of the car hire booking online. This payment will secure your car hire booking.
Debit Cards accepted on the system are Visa and Maestro.

However when you arrive at the car hire branch to collect your car rental vehicle. The hire firms will ask for payment by credit card in the primary driver’s name.
The reason for the credit card payment is because the car hire companies ask drivers to leave a deposit for the excess, fuel etc. The amount is blocked on the card until the rental is complete and the car hire firms are happy with the return of the rental car.
Credit cards accepted by most hire firms tend to be Visa, Mastercard and Amex.