Best (cheapest) car rental option in Ireland?

The automatic transmission is probably what's knocking it out of the ball park.

The auto transmission does make it more, but not unreasonably more (maybe $100 for the time period). I just can't believe that the rates are so high. Also, I assume I can use my BoA MC for the CDW so I don't have to add that. If you think this isn't the case, please advise and thanks.

Wrong! Keep adding. Odds are credit cards don't cover the CDW in Ireland (or Italy or Israel, for that matter). If yours say they do, find it in writing - - mine don't. People lie. And in regards to the question you slipped in on another thread: Believe Nancy - - take what she says to the bank - - I'm a butthead, but I won't argue with that woman on account it hurts too bad.

Which thread was that, Ed? :) Jason, your MC will NOT cover you in Ireland. And though I would go with whichever company gave me the best deal, I have rented almost every time with Irish Car Rentals.

In making my plans for my Ireland trip I priced rental cars (automatics) and found prices flutauted all over the place. Usually the earlier you reserve the better the price. I also debated on what location to rent from. Prices were much cheaper at places like the Cork airport than at the Dublin airport. Also think about any car rental discount codes to which you may be entitled. Do you belong to AAA or AARP, for example? None of my credit cards will cover CDW in Ireland although one will in most other countries. For my trip I ed a travel insurance policy that covered rental cars. For a little extra (about $80) I got CDW coverage up to $50,000; this was a much less expensive option than paying the rental company for CDW (quotes ranged from 15-20 euros a day!).

I found there be be differences where you pick up and drop off. When I was planning a trip, I started looking at all sorts of "what ifs" and the car cost would vary a bit between all of the variations. It wasn't all that much when I think I paid about $500 for a weeks rental. In the end I picked up and dropped off at the Dublin Airport where you get hit with an "airport fee" that can be avoided by dealing off airport. My best rate by pennies was with Budget. The thing that makes it hard to price is tracking down what the eventual insurance costs will be. I would strongly recommend super CDW. It costs a significant amount but it covers everything but the tires. Automatics are higher priced and vary in availability. They are frequently only available in the larger/higher cost rentals. Just because you have a reservation for an automatic doesn't mean one will be there in the size vehicle you reserved. If you can bring yourself to rent a standard, you'll save money and be able to get a smaller car. Don't let the tail wag the dog here. The variations in car rental costs will be small.

When I rented a car in Ireland in 2005, my Capital One World MasterCard covered the CDW. At that time I believe that the World MasterCard was the only card that did. I don't know if that still is true, however. Check with your card provider. If the answer is "yes," get it in writing.

Regarding CDW coverage: Someone in the post said that Master Card does not offer CDW insurance. That is correct. But Visa does offer it, if you charge the rental and all rental related costs on the Visa card. I have rented autos a number of times driving throughout central Europe and have always had CDW coverage through Visa. Also, have you tried Kemwel Auto Rentals? Their website is http://www.kemwel.com/index.cfm. I use them exclusively when I drive in Europe. Happy traveling.
George

George, you may have had CDW for central Europe through Visa, as you say, but Ireland is not central Europe. I don't believe that any credit card will cover car rental insurance in Ireland (or Italy, or Israel). It is specifically excluded in the details of the car rental insurance program.

Nancy, I understand that Ireland is not in central Europe, so I double checked my Visa benefits guide and it confirmed what you said, that coverage is not provided in Ireland. Thanks for clarifying. I can assure you however, that Visa does cover CDW in Italy, as I have traveled there extensively.
George

I know it will add even more, but consider the Super CDW. You will have zero deductible.

I have a World Mastercard, and, technically, they offer coverage in Ireland. But I couldn't find anyone to tell me exactly what they covered. Couldn't get anything in writing, either. I went with the CDW with the rental company and excess coverage with dailyexcess.com. I'd rather pay extra and KNOW that I have coverage than go with the assumption that I do.

Thanks Maureen. So, rent the car and add the car rental company CDW to the price and then add in the excess insurance from dailyexcess.com and this essentially replaces the Super CDW? If I read this correctly, the €1000-1500 deductible with Avis (or whomever) would then be covered by this additional 3rd party insurance.... correct? I'm curious if any of the other posters on this thread are familiar with this as well. Thanks for any clarification!

Yep, the excess insurance covers that deductible. You've got 2 options with that: Buy it from the rental company. It costs more, but if anything happens, you just get to walk away from it. Buy excess coverage from a 3rd party company. We did that 2 years ago. It saved us about $100, but you've got to factor a couple of things into it. We did have to file a claim, so we had to keep all the paperwork, put the deductible on the credit card, and submit everything. Took about 6 weeks to get the money back. Also, my credit card charged 3% on the transaction, so a good bit of that savings was eaten up by the 3% charge on 1100 euro. A Capitol One card would've solved that. Price both of your options and see what works best for you. But I'd definitely get something to cover that deductible, ours ran us over $1600.

When I rented in Ireland I got what they called"walkaway insurance". It covered everything.I like the security of not worrying about damage and also you dont even have to check the car over when you pick it up.

The walkaway is the Super CDW.

We're renting a car from Rentacar Ireland for 2 weeks in May-picking up at Kerry Airport, dropping off at Dublin Airport. Compact Automatic for $294 plus 76 euros for other fees. Thru the Aer Lingus site, I learned of the Barclay World Master Card (no annual fee) that Does cover CDW and they assured me that I can get a letter from them attesting to their covering this. Barclay told me to request this letter just prior to my trip. Rentacar Ireland told me that I did not need proof in writing, however, I plan to have it anyway. My understanding is that to expect a 2000 euro hold on my credit card by the car rental-this seems to be standard practice. I'm okay with this plan.

Buy the super CDW insurance from the company you rent the car -- not a 3rd party. Here's why -- With super CDW, if you have a claim, you just call them and get a new car -- end of story. With 3rd party, you have to pay the costs up front, then do all the paperwork to finally possibly get a refund later -- about 6 weeks later. Do not rely upon your credit card. Do I think the super duper insurance is too expensive? yes. It it worth it anyway? yes I figure I'm in Europe to have a good time, not to have to worry about insurance claims. I'll pay the extra cost for the peace of mind.

We are renting a car for 3 weeks & we are finding that the difference in price for manual vs automatic is HUGE. Since I already drive manual in my daily car here and was the designated driver for a travel group for 3 weeks last summer over there (it was an automatic) I am going to be the designated driver for another group this summer, and we are going manual because I think it won't be that hard for me to figure it out. I will be the only driver since adding drivers is soooo expensive.
I know the roads and the roundabouts, and it is just going to be easier for all of us if everyone else does the maps and navigation and all the other travel chores, and I drive. That way they don't have to stress (none of them have ever been there) and they can fully support me as I drive. I don't want to be sitting in the passenger seat with them trying to drive for the first time on the left! I hate how much the CDW costs, and want a policy I can purchase that will cover the super CDW but for less than I would have to pay as the daily rate IN Ireland - any ideas are welcome!

Just did some google'n. On the car size we want to rent, the difference between a manual and a automatic is $800 for two weeks. More than enough to pay the Super CDW and have some left over for manual driving lessons. Your in a foreign country, with foreign laws, do you really want to cheep out on insurance?