terms and conditions
general holiday autos car hire conditions
- All bookings by our customers are subject to our terms and conditions.
- The customer acknowledges that in making a booking with holiday autos he/she does so only on the basis of the material contained in our brochure, voucher, on our website or information provided on the phone by its employees.
- holiday autos acts as a car rental broker and agent for various independent rental companies in the countries in which it operates. Bookings made through holiday autos are subject to these terms and conditions. Please note that the rental of the vehicle will be subject to the law of the country in which it is supplied to you and for this reason you will be required to sign a rental contract with the rental company which supplies the vehicle. You should satisfy yourself that you understand (and agree) to its terms and conditions, as you will be subject to, and must comply with these terms, and the local law.
- holiday autos cannot accept liability for any charges incurred on documentation signed for and accepted locally.
- holiday autos will not be held responsible for anyone driving under the influence of alcohol/drugs, causing wilful damage, off road driving or driving without due care and attention. The customer will accept responsibility in respect of such claims.This list is not exclusive.
- Cars and all offers, including ‘the max’ are subject to availability. All information in these terms and conditions, including prices, is correct at the time of publication.
- Whilst every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and availability, some errors might still occur. For example, very occasionally, this may result in a price, product or service or other detail displayed or presented by Holiday Autos being incorrect or not available. Once aware of such incidents, we will make all reasonable effort to advise you within 48 business hours of the booking being made. We reserve the right to cancel the booking and refund all monies paid, or if applicable, you have the choice to pay any additional increase in price, should there be one. We will not, of course, cancel any booking without your prior knowledge.
holiday autos rental rates
Your holiday autos rental will include a number of benefits. The range of benefits will depend on the country in which you are renting a vehicle. Please see full details of what is included in your rental below.
Rentals in USA and Canada
Your rental includes:
- Unlimited mileage (restrictions apply at some locations in Canada. Please read the important information at the time of booking)
- Supplementary liability insurance (more information)
- Extended Protection (more information)
- Loss damage waiver
- Airport fees
- All local taxes and environmental fees
- Handling fees
Supplementary liability insurance
- All rentals in the USA and Canada include third party liability cover, which conforms to the statutory minimum required by each state but can be as low as $5,000.
Extended protection
- Our prices include excess liability cover, known as extended protection (EP). This offers third party liability cover above the minimum level of protection (see above) and increases your third party protection to $1,000,000 in respect of any claims made against you.
- EP also provides coverage up to $100,000 ($40,000 in Texas) to the renter and any family member related by blood,marriage or adoption, who, while occupying the rental car, sustained bodily injury or death caused by a negligent, uninsured/underinsured motorist.
Max
The Max product includes:- A full tank of fuel. (Excludes Manhattan)
- An additional named driver.
- Cancellation protection.
Rentals in Australia
Your rental includes:
- Unlimited mileage (restrictions apply at some locations. Please read the important information at the time of booking)
- Third party liability insurance
- Collision damage waiver
- Theft waiver
- Airport fees
- Excess reduction fee
Mileage
- All rentals in metropolitan areas of Australia include unlimited mileage, except minivans where rates include 200 kms per day.
- In country areas, rates include 200 kms per day.
- In remote areas, the rates include 100 kms per day.
- Excess kilometres are charged at au $0.30 per km.
Deposits
- A security deposit of between au $275 and au $1100, depending on car type, is statutory upon collection of the vehicle. Any major credit card in the lead driver's name is acceptable for this security deposit.
Switzerland rentals
Winter tyres are mandatory for all Switzerland rentals from 01 November 2009 - 15 April 2010. As result, the pre-bookable ski package option will be automatically selected for all Switzerland bookings. You can deselect this product but if you do so you will be charged locally.
Cyprus rentals
For all Cyprus airport bookings it is mandatory to pay an airport fee. You can pay this as part of your booking with us or when you arrive in Cyprus.
Rentals Worldwide (excluding USA, Canada and Australia)
Your rental includes:
- Unlimited mileage
- Mandatory insurances
- Collision damage waiver
- Theft waiver
- Airport surcharges (excluding Israel)
- Third party insurance
- Bail bonds (where necessary)
- All local taxes
What's not included?
- Personal accident insurance (PAI).
- Additional non-mandatory insurances.
- Insurance exclusions - see the relevant insurance sections.
- Fuel: a deposit is often payable for fuel and is usually refunded if the car is returned with a full tank. Fuel policies vary. Please check when you pick up your car.
- Garaging, tolls, congestion charges, parking and traffic fines.
- Additional drivers charges where applicable - please check online or with our reservations department at the time of booking. These charges are payable locally.
- Delivery and collection of your car can be arranged during normal working hours. There may be a charge for this.
- Out of hours charges.
- Optional extras.
- One-way rental charges where applicable.
- Young drivers charges where applicable.
- Licence fees in Barbados and Jersey.
period of rental
- The duration of your rental starts and finishes according to the pick-up and drop-off dates and times detailed on your voucher, the price of which will be confirmed at time of booking and is calculated on the basis of 24-hour units. If you wish to extend the rental period after collection of the car, or if you return the car later than stated on your voucher, you will be charged locally at the local daily rate, which may be higher than our rates. No refunds are payable on cars returned early.
deposits
- Deposits vary by destination to destination.
- All customers will be required to leave a deposit to cover the collision damage waiver excess, theft waiver excess (where applicable) and fuel . To do so, a valid credit card in the name of the lead driver, must be produced upon collection of the car, as a form of deposit.
- Cash deposits are rarely accepted.
- Where a deposit for fuel is payable, it will usually be refunded if the car is returned with a full tank. If the tank is not returned full, our local car rental partner will charge for fuel at its prevailing rate. They may also levy a refuelling charge. Please check the fuel policy when you pick up your car.
- Deposits against damage are required in some countries. A major credit card can be used for this purpose.
theft waiver (theft protection)
When you hire a car through holiday autos, your car rental agreement includes Theft Waiver (also known as Theft Protection).
Theft Waiver provides coverage for the theft or damage resulting from attempted theft of the vehicle, its parts and accessories up to their full value and any loss that our car rental partner may incur.
You are responsible for the excess of the claim, (this 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) which, you will be required to pay as part of the overall excess deposit (unless you are advised this is not applicable at the time of making your booking). Theft excess is only included on holiday autos bookings when the Total Damage Excess product is purchased at the time.
Once the rental vehicle is in your possession, your loss will be limited provided the keys are returned in accordance with the terms and conditions of your rental agreement with the supplier.
Exclusions
- 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 deposit paid.
- Further costs exceeding the 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.
collision damage waiver
When you hire a car through holiday autos, your car rental agreement includes Collision Damage Waiver. Collision Damage Waiver will waive your liability to pay for any damage caused to the vehicle during the period of hire, subject to the exclusions listed below. Your liability is waived subject to you paying a charge, referred to as an “excess” which limits your damage liability to the cost of the excess only. In some instances, an excess will not apply and you will be advised of this at the time of making your booking.
Exclusions
Collision Damage Waiver covers most circumstances, where damage has been caused to the vehicle during the period of hire. However it is subject to certain exclusions which include:
- 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 and or has been driven on un-tarmacked roads and or has been driven without due care and attention and or has been driven 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
In these circumstances, your liability to pay for any damage will not be waived and you may be liable for the full cost up to and exceeding the excess.
Damage Excess Waiver Products
On all bookings you will be required to leave a deposit to the value of any Collision Damage Waiver excess which you may be required to pay if the rental vehicle is damaged during the period of hire. If this excess does not apply, you will be advised of this at the time of making your booking.
If your rental vehicle is damaged, the deposit will be retained and treated as payment of the excess.
holiday autos offers two levels of Damage Excess Waiver product, which offer reimbursement for any excess paid as a result of accidental damages whilst renting your car:
- Standard Damage Excess Wavier or
- Total Damage Excess Waiver
If you purchase either of our Damage Excess Waiver products, you will be charged the excess but can reclaim this (subject to the terms and conditions outlined below), by filling in an accident report form (supplied by our car rental provider) and sending a copy to holiday autos within 28 days of returning your rental vehicle. If accepted by holiday autos your liability to pay for the damage will therefore be limited to the cost you paid for the Standard Damage Excess Waiver or Total Damage Excess Waiver.
Standard Damage Excess Waiver
Inclusions
- Collision Damage excess liability more info
- 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 and or has been driven on un-tarmacked roads and or has been driven without due care and attention and or has been driven 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
- Not available on prestige car hire
In these circumstances, your liability to pay for the excess will not be waived and you may be liable for the full cost up to and exceeding the excess.
Total Damage Excess Waiver
Inclusions
- Collision Damage excess liability more info
- Theft Waiver excess liability more info
- Damage to:
- Wheels & Tyres
- Windows/Windscreen
- Interior
- Replacement Keys
Exclusions
- Where any rental vehicle has been driven off-road and or has been driven on un-tarmacked roads and or has been driven without due care and attention and or has been driven negligently
- Where the theft or damage is the result of your negligence
- 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
- Not available on prestige car hire
In these circumstances, your liability to pay for the excess will not be waived and you may be liable for the full cost up to and exceeding the excess.
cancellation administration charge
- holiday autos levy a charge for cancellation of any booking you are unable to honour prior to your collection date (see below).
- No refunds will be given for rentals ended early, late collections, no shows or cancellations made after the rental start date, even if cancellation protection is taken.
- All cancellations must be made in writing, If your booking is for a destination in Spain (including the Balearics but excluding the Canary Islands) or Portugal (including Madeira) please e-mail or fax us at cancellationsch@lastminute.com or fax 0044 207 153 2735.
For bookings to all other destinations, please e-mail at cancellations@holidayautos.ie or fax 0044 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 us before the date on which they could be used otherwise no refund of any pre-payment will be made.
cancellation charges
| 7 or more days before start date | €15 |
| 3-6 days before start date | 50% |
| 0-2 days before start date | 75% |
| no show or no notification of cancellation | 100% |
cancellation waiver protection
- For just €7.98 per rental week, holiday autos will waive your liability to pay any cancellation charges if you are unable to honour your booking prior to the collection date. If you wish to purchase this contractual waiver charge, you must do so at the time of booking.
tax
- All taxes are included except those on any extras purchased locally. e.g. one-way drop-off fees, child seats and additional drivers.
- holiday autos reserves the right to levy any government increases in local taxes that may be introduced after the printing of these terms and conditions.
- Any additional charges payable on arrival are subject to local taxes at the prevailing rate in that country.
amendment charges
- You can make a number of amendments to your car hire booking online via the ‘my booking/voucher’ section. Details such as customer name, pick-up location, pick-up date, drop-off location, drop-off date, car selected and flight number can all be amended. Any amendments to your booking will result in your original booking details being cancelled and the new details being submitted back to the supplier to re-check availability. This can take up to 48 hours.
- Alternatively, if you choose to make amendments to your booking via our call centre, these may be subject to an amendment fee of €10 per change made.
drivers age
- If you are under 25 years old please inform our reservations staff at the time of booking. Age restrictions may apply in certain destinations, and in some cases there may be a young drivers charge payable locally.
additional drivers
- Charges often apply for additional drivers and are payable locally on pick-up. holiday autos cannot be held responsible for any increase in charges. Please check online or with our reservations department at the time of booking.
driving licence
- Drivers must hold and produce at car rental collection a full national driving licence from their country of residence for at least one year. (In some cases an International driving permit maybe required, please check the important information at the time of booking).
- Licences issued overseas must be clearly identifiable as a driving licence, otherwise an International driving licence will be required.
- Drivers holding a photocard British driving licence must also present paper endorsement sheet that was issued with the licence.
- In certain locations and for some car types, drivers must have held a full licence for a minimum of 2 years.
- It is the driver’s responsibility to ensure that he/she has the appropriate driving licence.
- Our reservations agent must be informed of any endorsements on the driver’s licence, as we may not be able to take your booking.
- No refunds will be given for rentals rejected due to non-production of a driving licence or non-disclosed endorsements.
- Faxed or photocopied licences are not acceptable.
flight information
- For airport pick-ups, it is essential that holiday autos be given the correct flight number and arrival time, before departure. This can be done either online or by phone.
- If this is not available at the time of booking, please ensure that you inform us of this at least 7 days prior to departure, either online or by phone. No responsibility can be accepted or compensation allowed for a failed rental due to the late provision of this information.
special requests
- Child seats: these are mandatory in most countries and must be requested at the time of booking. Although instructions will be provided you will be required to fit the child seat yourself. For older children, it is recommended that you take your own booster seats. If requested and confirmed at least 7 days prior to departure these will be guaranteed.
- Roof racks and ski racks: these are available in some locations and should be specially requested at the time of booking. There is usually a charge for them which is payable locally. No guarantee can be made regarding their availability unless you book the 'ski max' (where available).
delivery and collection/one-way rentals
- Delivery is normally to a local office, with a driver collecting you from your accommodation to pick up the car. A charge for delivery and collection payable locally may apply and will be advised on booking if applicable.
- Collection is normally at the airport or local office.
- In some locations deliveries are available during normal working hours. If you would like your car to be delivered, full address and delivery time must be given at the time of booking.
- Delivery and collection must be booked by phone and do not qualify for a web booking discount.
driving restrictions
- Restrictions are applicable when crossing country and state borders. Please consult our reservations department at the time of booking as to whether border crossing is permitted and what, if any, charges apply.
out of hours charges
- In most locations flights will be met and cars supplied outside of normal working hours. However, there may be an additional charge for this service payable locally. This will be quoted when your flight timings are given to us. In the event that a flight is delayed, causing the car pick-up to fall outside normal working hours, the additional charge will be made locally, where the out of hours service is available.
- holiday autos can accept no further responsibility where there is no out of hours facility available and it is therefore recommended that customers should take independent travel insurance.
rental documents
- The rental voucher must be presented when picking up your rental car. holiday autos cannot be held responsible for rentals rejected if a voucher is not presented.
- You should retain your rental documents and related receipts for a minimum of 28 days after returning home.
provision of cars
- Our local car rental partner can refuse to provide a car to any customer who is, in their opinion, unfit to drive or does not meet eligibility requirements. In such circumstances your contract with us will terminate immediately, and we will have no further liability to you, and no refund will be due.
number of passengers
- Our rental cars are insured for a maximum number of passengers. holiday autos cannot accept responsibility if the vehicle is not large enough to fit all passengers and luggage on arrival if details were not supplied at the time of booking. In the interest of safety this number must not be exceeded and if exceeded the insurance will be invalidated.
car type/suitability
- holiday autos are unable to guarantee a particular make, model or fuel type of car. The car shown on your voucher is for guidance only and may be substituted for an alternative, similar or upgraded car (at no extra cost).
- If you have booked a prestige car, the specific car booked is guaranteed.
- If it becomes impossible to provide your booked car due to breakdown or an accident, a similar or upgraded car will be provided.
- If you are dissatisfied in any way with the standard of your booked car, you must advise our local car rental partner immediately and holiday autos in writing within 28 days of your return. Failure to do so may result in any claims not being accepted or settled by holiday autos.
mechanical difficulties/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.
- In the event of an accident you must also complete an accident report form by the end of the rental period.
- 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.
- Our local car rental partner 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.
complaints
- · holiday autos aims to resolve complaints within 28 days of receipt. In doing so a situation may arise where customers or travel agents receive a refund, goodwill gesture and/or compensation payment of a duplicated nature, from both holiday autos and our local car rental partner. In such an event holiday autos reserves the right to recover such duplicated payments at any time within two calendar years of such an event. Some complaints may take longer than 28 days owing to the nature of the issue and information provided. holiday autos can only consider complaints that reach them within 180 days of the final day of rental to which the rental voucher refers. Actions against holiday autos are restricted to the laws that occur within the jurisdiction of the United Kingdom courts? Shoud this be Irish courts?
how a contract is formed with holiday autos
- The way in which a contract is formed, for the purchase of car rental, is basically the same whether you book over the phone or via our website. However you choose to book, 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 we quote prices over the telephone or place products on our website we are inviting you to make an offer for their purchase. You do not make this offer until you do so verbally or by pressing "Book Now".
- You have made holiday autos an offer to purchase the products once you have either pressed "Book Now" or done so verbally. holiday autos will then accept this offer when it has both received full payment and has sent you your confirmation voucher. Once done there is a binding contract between you and holiday autos for the product. - Prior to making your booking and if you are at all unsure of anything relating to the arrangements being made or simply have a question that you would like to ask, you can always use our help pages to find the answer, or you can call one of our Customer Service staff, who will be happy to assist you.
consequential loss
- holiday autos are responsible for losses you suffer as a result of holiday autos breaking this agreement if the losses are a foreseeable consequence of holiday autos breaking the agreement. Losses are foreseeable where they could be contemplated by the both you and holiday autos at the time our agreement is formed. holiday autos are not responsible for indirect losses which happen as a side effect of the main loss or damage and which are not foreseeable by you and holiday autos (such as loss of profits or loss of opportunity).
force majeure
- holiday autos shall not be liable itself or vicariously through its local car rental suppliers for either a failure to perform or delay in performing any of its obligations under or pursuant to this booking, voucher, reservation, rental or terms and conditions, if and in so far as performance is delayed, hindered or prevented by force majeure, which expression shall mean any event beyond the reasonable control of the party in question. In the event that the force majeure persists for more than 14 consecutive days, holiday autos may terminate and withdraw this booking, reservation or rental by giving 14 days notice to the clients original billing address.
- All prices in the brochure apply at the time of printing but we reserve the right to change any of these prices from time to time. Prices can go up or down. Please check our website for all up-to-date prices and services. Your local travel agent or holiday autos reservations agent will also be able to tell you the up to date price of your chosen car rental and of any other service advertised in this brochure before confirming your booking.
our recommendation to you
- As part of our continued commitment to quality customer service, we strongly recommend that, prior to signing our local car rental partner's rental agreement, you ensure that the details on this agreement match those details on your holiday autos car rental voucher. Any additional purchases accepted to your credit card after the rental agreement has been signed will be your own financial responsibility.
holiday autos uk and ireland,
Victoria Gate,
Chobham Road,
Woking
Surrey
GU21 6JD
holiday autos is part of lastminute.com
Registered office:
39 Victoria Street,
London,
SW1H 0EE holiday autos uk & ireland is registered in England and Wales no.3292373.
holiday autos may on occasion record telephone conversations for quality assurance purposes.