Car Rental Questions in Caen, France w/AutoEurope

1. Book in advance since that will make sure you get what you want. It will also speed up the rental process a bit.

2. The car rental places are out the front door and acroos the wide streets just to the south. Five minutes? The rental process should take no longer than fifteen minutes.

3. Get the car before you go to the museum, it will save time back-tracking and you're already there.

4. Drop boxes work fine. You've got the same five-minute walk as before.

5. There's probably going to be some stuff in the back seat with the third person. Don't worry about having to hide everything. I leave stuff in the back all the time and have never had a problem.

6. I don't handle insurance the way you do, so am not qualified to answer.

7. Thank you for organizing your questions and numbering them :).

1. Yes, it's possible. When you pick up the car, just tell the agent you want to purchase "Super CDW" coverage. This will leave you with no deductible.

Am I crazy for wanting to do #6? We usually just use the coverage with our credit card or get a binder from our own insurance company, but we've never rented outside of the U.S. and I've heard some horror stories.

Based on the photo I found online, there is no way the Peugot 107 will accommodate you and your luggage, even with one bag occupying the seat for a fourth person. The car is in the mini category. If you can cut back to all carry-on size bags plus your personal bags, you can get by with a compact car. If you stick with the bags you've listed, you'll probably need a midsize car.

Call Auto Europe's toll-free US number and ask about super CDW coverage.

Cindy, you're not crazy to buy Super CDW coverage.
If you buy it from the car rental company, it will be more expensive - but you'll have total no-hassle no deductible coverage if something happens.

Many people prefer to rely on their credit card coverage or other 3rd party insurers, because it's cheaper. The issue there is that you may have to pay up front and wait for later reimbursement. In some cases the rental company might put a lien on your credit card.

This is a frequent question on this message board and if you browse around you'll find tons of good information.

Hi Cindy,
I have done exactly what you are planning.
1. The rental car agencies are across the street from the front of the train station. You just walk across the street a somewhat to the right.
2. Definitely rent in advance. You'll save money and be assured of a car being available.
3. The Caen museum is very interesting. Use a GPS to find it. Caen is not too large, but somewhat confusing with a lot of roundabouts.
4. We dropped off our keys in the dropbox just as you plan. The agent gave us specific instructions what to do. It worked fine. We've actually done that several times.
5. Buy the Super CDW. Things can go wrong.
6. Have a great time. Driving in Normandy is very easy. Do get a GPS though.

Stuffing a 107:

Option 1 (probably requires a short hunk of rope or shockcord): Put the two twenty-five inchers upright (on end) in the rear left seat. Have the handles facting opposite ways. Using junk rope and seatbelt, tie them in as though they were a passanger. Personal bags stack on floor behind driver. Carry-on goes in the trunk.

Option 2: Put one twenty-five incher upright (on end) behind the drivers seat. Put one personal bag on the front edge of left rear seat to form a ramp. Put the second big bag on formed ramp. Carry on and other personal bag go in the trunk.

Option 3: Stack the two twenty-five inchers longways on the rear seat. Rest of stuff goes on floor or in trunk. There's still room to pull the inner strap of the seat belt out for the rear passanger.

Source: personal experience from wee opels, fiats, peugots, seats, etc. Patent pending.

Ed, thanks for all those options...the visual images they put in my mind were hilarious! I decided to move up to a Ford Focus. It doesn't cost much more and it's similar to my daughter's Nissan Versa (although the Versa has more trunk space).

I'm also seriously considering losing one of the 25" suitcases. I feel guilty, though, because I talked my husband into buying them about 6 months ago. They weren't cheap and I promised they would work for Europe too. I'm going to Alabama for 10 days in July, so I'll do a trial run with just using the carry-on size. I know I can do it...my girls and I all did 3 weeks in Europe six years ago with only carry-ons...I guess I was thinking that since I had two big, strong guys with me this time, I would take advantage of it. ;)

I don't know how the 2010 Ford Focus luggage space dimensions compare to those of the 2005 model, but I'll report my experience just in case you find it helpful. I rented a Ford Focus hatchback in Ireland. By standing our three 22" carry-on roller bags on end upright and placing them side by side like books on a shelf, there was just barely enough room for them in the space between the back seat and the hatchback door. There was no wiggle room either side to side or front to back. We put our three day packs in the empty passenger seat.

Another reason to book in advance with autoeurope would be to get your rate quoted in U.S. dollars. I use gemut.com for my rentals but they use autoeurope's toll free number for their 24/7 customer service contact if you need assistance while there. You may get a different rate by calling either autoeurope or Gemut but they should be close in price. We too have used the drop box in Caen with no problem. I use my AMEX platinum card for CDW. If you should decide to use your credit card for CDW be sure to call them and make sure you have coverage. In addition to calling I take a copy of that part of the AMEX contract showing the coverage. I highlight the part that is applicable.

You very well may get a free upgrade if you ask when you book or when you get there. Sometimes they may not have the same size car that you rented available when you arrive. We had a Peugeot 307 which would be sufficient for your luggage. A couple of articles that should be of help to you concerning rentals.

http://www.gemut.com/European-Auto-Rental/Europe-Car-Rental-Quotes-News-Deals-and-Advice/Avoiding-Unwanted-CDW-Charges-on-European-Car-Rentals.html

http://www.gemut.com/Carrentalspecialreport7.pdf

One good thing about an upgrade is that it always makes your gas costs go up.

True but if you go with a standard transmission and diesel the mileage on a one step-up upgrade would not be a big difference. Whether or not it is worth it for the extra room is up to the individual.

Many credit cards give you full car rental insurance in Europe. It is a good idea to verify the details with your particular card issuer.

http://www.creditcards.com/credit-card-news/rental-car-insurance-policies-1273.php