I have just been told that there could be a maximum age that you can rent a car and that at a certain point the rates could go up because of age. Has anyone experienced this? If yes, what is the age? When I've looked on line, it says it could vary by individual rental agency's policies. My husband and I will be 70 next year and this would be bad news for us since we like to rent cars in Europe and drive the countryside. Thanks.
Posted by
Campbell River, Canada
361 posts
Hi Sharon, We too wondered about the maximum age for car rental as my husband was turning 71 on our trip to Italy. Couldn't find any definitive answers on any of the rental companie's websites. We went ahead and booked anyways and had no problem with either of the two rentals that we had. No comments were made about his age. We booked with Gemut.com and had great rates, service and rental experiences with Hertz and Europcar rentals thru' them. Ciao, Sherry
Posted by
Genesee, ID
1840 posts
On the Isle of Islay the maximum age to rent a car is seventy. I'm over it and my wife is a few years under it. No exceptions. I suspect that may go for the rest of Scotland as well.
Posted by
Bend, OR, United States
1167 posts
Ireland has limits: "Age Requirements - Restrictions.
Drivers under 25 must have held their full license for at least 24 months prior to the date of pick up. The minimum age to rent a vehicle is 21 years (maximum 75). Drivers under 25, i.e. drivers aged 21,22, 23 or 24 are subject to an insurance surcharge of 25 Euro per day and drivers 70 or over are subject to an insurance surcharge of 25 Euro per day. All drivers under 25 and over 70 are liable for the first 1,200 Euro of damage to the car (excess). The surcharge is paid when collecting the car and is not included in the quoted price."
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
Interesting, I don't recall any field in the rental car application that asks for your age. There may be a statement saying that you have to be over 25 but since my wife and I are over 70, we don't pay too much attention to it if its there. We've rented cars in recent years in England and France. Not a problem.
Posted by
OP
Santa Rosa, CA, USA
1446 posts
Thanks for your comments. My husband called Hertz today just to check (he asked about renting in England). They indicated they do not have any age restrictions in terms of the maximum age. I guess we're going to have to hurry and get trips in to some of these other places or start changing our mindset on how we travel. Thanks.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33842 posts
My father was renting cars in England and Italy (Naples of all places - but he was there in the War so knew his way around LOL) well into his 80s. Sometimes you have to shop around over 80, and the insurance is sometimes a bit difficult, but he found he had no trouble once the reservations were made.