Costco Car Rental in Ireland

I haven't used Costco rentals and n Europe but I have in the US, in Alaska and Nevada. I do not see why it wouldn't be a reliable choice for Ireland as well. Did you compare to what is offered if you book directly with Enterprise?

Just make sure you understand the insurance provisions.

Since Costco has a major contract with Enterprise ( they provided both of our rentals) I would be surprised if there were any problems.

If you have not rented from Enterprise before, you might join their program and get the Costco rental registered to your membership.

Well, I rent from Costco/Enterprise almost monthly. My concern is that last year when we were in Scotland, there was a rental car shortage and we were told when we picked up our car that had we not pre-paid, we wouldn't have gotten a car even if we'd had a reservation. So, while I've never had a problem with Enterprise or Costco that didn't conclude with my satisfaction, I HATE last minute issues. This reservation (as is usual with Costco) is not prepaid and it's during high-season.

And thank you for your response. Yes, I compared prices with Enterprise and Europcar. In the past we've always used Europcar.

Per Lola, you need to ensure that the quotes you're seeing are apples to apples comparisons. The issue with car rentals in Ireland is always the insurance - what's covered, what isn't, and how much of the extra CDW you want to spring for in order to ensure your peace of mind. Sometimes you really have to drill down into the fine print in order to sort things out.
Also, make sure that you're clear on any extra charges, and insurance exceptions, that may exist if you plan to take a vehicle rented in the Republic into Northern Ireland.

Thank you Robert. Yes, the insurance is always the hard part.

I had a problem with a domestic Enterprise car rental through Costco. My Costco price was for the total rental period but at the time of car pick up, the rental company wanted me to sign a receipt that was $$ per day. I made them multiply it out and it was more. I had the Costco paperwork with me. The employee said he would correct it and changed their paperwork but only in pen. I made note of the customer service person's name. When I turned the car in, they again had the incorrect pricing. I protested and they said they would change. I had them mark that on the receipt, again with employee name. When my credit billing came, it was changed to the correct amount. I'm glad I caught it both times and was prepared to go further if it wasn't changed. After the trip, I contacted Costco just to say what happened even though it was resolved. Costco just brushed it off with "that happens sometimes". Since it was resolved, I have continued to rent from Costco, but carefully check paperwork whenever picking up a car, and carry hard copy of original Costco contract. It is the only time I've had an issue with Costco auto rental and have used about a dozen times.

Confirm that your quotes are correctly designating automatic vs manual (manual are much cheaper than automatic). Also, if you definitely need an automatic, call Enterprise before you arrive as it can be hard to get automatics.

Thank you. Yes, I drive a manual at home so I rent a manual 'over there.' I'll be sure to document anything that happens. I just fear that the price is simply too good to be true and then being left with no car at all which would be even worse. And I will be careful to document if something does go awry.

That price is far to good to be true! Simply advising you have a paper trail when you arrive to pick up the car.

Word of advice from someone who has driven the around island 3 times. Get as much as insurance as you can.

Once you get off the main motor ways roads are small as in 2 cars can barely pass one another. Tall hedges create blind turns. There are roundabouts to negotiate, sheep, cattle, dogs, geese, lorries, farm equipment and bicyclists to avoid. Not to mention the occasional rock croppings, stone walls and tiny bridges.

So cover your tail and get the insurance.

If the COSCTO price quote proves to be real and u don’t get insurance and are in an accident where’s the savings?!

Better safe than sorry.

Thank you. So far my comparisons include everything but the CDW. It's a manual drive (I drive a sports car at home) big enough for 4 people plus luggage. I've called Costco, spoken with Enterprise and even printed out a chat with Costco on what to do if there's a problem. Even when I add insurance I would still save almost $1,000 with Costco.

To view an example of the small roads I've referred to use the Google Maps Satellite image option and type in Cross at Slea Head.

Perfect example of the size of many of the roads in Eire.

Can you see why I say get as much coverage as you can?

How did you find out about the insurance and anything extra...did you call enterprise directly to figure out that amount? Costco?

Boy...renting a car for Ireland is not for the faint of heart!!

To get my quotes I first went online but then followed up with calls and (printable) chats with Costco and Enterprise because of the major differences. In the past we have always rented from Europcar, however I always get quotes from 3 companies. Recently I had noticed that Costco did rentals in Europe and this included Ireland. So, I included Costco in my spreadsheet (which I convert to dollars). For example, Europcar has a prepay option that we usually take and it would save us about $160. Last year while in England/Scotland for a month, we were told that had we not PREPAID, we most likely would not have gotten a car because of a shortage. Costco does not offer the prepay option. We prefer to do 2 drivers (just in case I am sick, etc.) and I included that pricing. The additional driver cost with Europcar (for 3 weeks) is $200 and $100 at Enterprise. At Costco it is included in as part of my membership. Further, we only rent cars with covered trunks when traveling so that our luggage can't be viewed and therefore, we never rent an SUV, hatchback, etc. And to really frighten some people, we ALWAYS take only the coverage of our credit cards (I verify it again before I leave town) and use it as our primary coverage when in Europe and Africa (but use it as our secondary coverage in the US). We have taken 4 or 5 driving vacations in Ireland.

More of a question than answer ; ) I am doing the same thing, using Costco to rent a car in Scotland and another in Ireland in September for the reasons you state - 2nd driver included and the price difference.
Curious if you have used the Costco Citibank VISA for your insurance and know for sure that they cover Ireland? I haven't called, but have checked the terms online and see no specific exclusion for Ireland that I see talked about on the travel forums extensively. I always use my CC insurance too.

Ok, I looked at the website yesterday for Costco's credit card. It has more information than my other two credit companies with regard to rental car coverage. It's fairly clear about what it covers AND lists examples of what it doesn't cover. I'm sure you read my post about renting in England in 2017 from Europcar. When we picked up our car in Salisbury they told us that had we not prepaid, we would not have had a car, despite our reservation. At least last year there was a severe shortage of rental cars according to the agent. But, who knows? Back on Costco, I rent from them about once a month, but its domestic. In about 5-6 years, the only time I have had problems was with Avis and Budget. I now limit my rentals domestically to Enterprise.

Yes, saw the post.

I guess somewhat naively I've not worried about not being prepaid (even in Europe) and the agency not having a car available
- unfortunately I can't remember who I used last trip to England, but it wasn't through Costco.
I also keep seeing warnings of not being allowed to take a rental on a ferry, but Costco website and Enterprise website allow renting from Edinburgh and dropping in Belfast (obviously still in the UK). I'll doublecheck before we go, but I can't help but wonder how else than by ferry do they think I'm going to get a car from Scotland to Northern Ireland?
I'm also hoping September is slightly less busy and less chance of not having a car available.

I'll try to remember to come back here after our trip to Ireland and let you all know if there were any issues with this rate thru Costco. Also, we're not going into Northern Ireland this trip, but it used to be rental car insurance didn't cover Northern Ireland.

That would be super! Especially since I have two rentals on the line with Costco.

Does this option require the same several thousand $s being held on a credit card that most local car rental companies in Ireland seem to want?

To the best of my knowledge, every time we've ever rented, regardless of the credit card, we've had a hold put on our card.

You must have better luck with Costco than I did calling them. I need an automatic and car big enough for 5, and though the price from Costco seemed like 1/2, they couldn't guarantee that, and they weren't that interested or knowledgable. The Costco rental rep just told me to call the rental agency directly in Ireland. LOL.

I ended up going through my United Mileage Plus discount with Hertz. Price was more but I'm guaranteed a car for 5 and automatic.

I don't see anyone mentioning Auto Europe, who we have used exclusively for our many trips to Ireland and all other European visits! Unless things have changed in the last few months, No U.S. credit card covers CDW in Ireland so I'd be very wary of using that method for insurance, and thinking that you are covered. Auto Europe always seems to have the best rates, you can take out full and complete coverage (NO deductible), and they have the full range of car categories available.....in addition, the car IS prepaid, AND there is a phone number on the voucher with a number to call if you run into any problems in Europe. We are renting an intermediate car in Ireland in August for 3 weeks for the full price of $766 total, including CDW, but not including road taxes and location charge (approx 34.05), both paid locally. AutoEurope is a broker and they deal with many of the car rental companies, including Enterprise, Hertz, and Europcar. We have been extremely satisfied with their service for the last 20 years of traveling!! (no, I don't work for them, but I am a former travel agent!!)

I'll check them out. Until now we've always used Europcar.