Avoid car hire shortages this summer

Each week there seems to be news coming from car hire suppliers warning tourists of possible car hire shortages this summer.  Last year car hire in Portugal and car hire in Spain saw shortages which left tourists disappointed and without transport for their long awaited holidays.  Shortages are even more likely this year due to economic pressures forcing some suppliers to reduce the size of their fleets during the quieter winter season.

Therefore the obvious advice for tourists is to check availability at the same time when searching for flights, change your dates if necessary and book online as early as you can.  If you search online using a car hire broker you will be able to search for availability across suppliers quickly and check prices to find the best deal at the same time.

Also check the local legislation, if you are travelling with kids, they might be required by law to travel using an approved child seat.  Again in the high season child seats might be in high demand and if you don’t plan to travel with a child seat in your suitcase, you better request them at the same time you hire your car.  Without a seat you might have a car but will not be permitted to drive.

Lastly, don’t plan your entire holiday around being able to drive.  There are still many alternatives to car hire to travel around. Albeit can be more restrictive and less convenient, trains, buses and taxis are always an option if car hire is unavailable.  Don’t let any shortages spoil your summer vacation.

Does the opportunity cost outweigh money saved on cheap packages?

Travelling these days is easy with a host of companies offering their travel services and many comparison sites finding you the cheapest deals on hotels, car rental, travel insurance and flights. The travel industry is a competitive arena and picking up a cheap deal isn’t too difficult with companies competing for your business. However if you wish to enjoy yourself and relax, travelling should not be about finding the cheapest deals. It should be about finding the best quality for a decent price.

Don’t just consider the price of doing things but consider the opportunity cost. In other words what are the benefits of upgrading your package? Does paying more on your hotel room mean the added benefits of space, comfort and cleanliness outweigh the extra $25 per night it takes to pay for this privilege?

Long Haul Flights

If you are jetting off half way around the world to get where you are going you need to endure a long haul flight, then make sure you choose your connecting flights carefully. Often cheap connecting flights have a long wait between flights and you will be left to entertain yourself for hours in a cold airport with very few seats providing comfort. Waiting around can make an enduring journey even more testing, therefore check to see how long you have to wait for your onward flight and establish the opportunity cost for taking a more expensive flight

Inclusive Hotel Packages

Going for the all inclusive bed, breakfast and evening meal hotel package may be appealing because of the convenience it provides and the money it saves on eating out, however the value it delivers may not outweigh the opportunity cost. The food might not be up to the standard you wish to eat and your individual tastes aren’t catered for, usually inclusive meals are mass produced for all hotel guests that are expected to eat the same thing at the same time each day. Which if you are late, means you will be left to eat the leftover food marauded by the people there before you. Therefore the opportunity cost might be that it is worth paying extra for eating out rather than going for that inclusive deal and getting more enjoyment and better value for money.

Car Hire

If you are trying to do things on a budget and opt for the cheapest car hire deal you might find yourself regretting your choices. Usually the cheapest car hire deal available will be a small economic car; good for two people but more than two you will be struggling to pack you and your luggage inside, making an uncomfortable journey for everyone. It is best to consider how many people you will travel with, what luggage you will be carting around and how long you will be driving. Perhaps the cheapest car doesn’t seem too appealing once you take these into consideration. Read more car hire advice and car hire tips help you choose which company to book with.

In light of the above it is always better to think carefully of what your holiday means to you and how much you are willing to pay for it. Don’t just go for the cheapest deal as this might not deliver the comfort and enjoyment you are hoping for and paying a little extra might well be worth it in the long run. After all, a holiday is usually for relaxation and enjoyment.

Holiday car hire - driving in the city

When booking car hire for any type of holiday, travelers are bound to encounter a number of extra options upon finalising the agreement. From specifying various add-ons such as navigation systems to picking the number of seats or amount of trunk storage, arranging for the ideal car hire situation is worth a bit of time and patience.  Some car hire companies offer people to purchase their damage excess refund policy often referred to as DER.   This article will discuss DER policies and you should learn what a DER policy is, what it covers and why you should consider this option.

Best way to avoid excess damage is by driving carefully, DER is there to ease your conscience!

Car Hire Insurance

Of special importance is the process of selecting insurance options for the car. Even in the best conditions with experienced drivers, accidents can occur, and it’s essential to step into a rented vehicle with the protection of an insurance policy. Travelers investigating car hire and insurance options may have the choice to purchase a damage excess refund, which can significantly cut costs in the event of a crash. Understanding this component of insurance can lead to a more secure and confident car hire experience.

Though car hire insurance is normally covered in the price of your rental agreement, it is important you ask what exactly you are covered for.  More often than not insurance policies that are included in your agreement are very basic leaving you to pay excess fees on costs that aren’t covered.  This could leave you faced with a bill for a large sum of money. This is where DER policies prove to be useful.

What is Damage Excess Refund

Damage excess describes the amount for which travelers are liable in case of accident. This means that while the insurance policy will pay for some damages to the car, an initial amount will be incurred by the policy holder. The specific amount varies depending on the car hire company and insurance carrier used, and different countries tend to allot different damage excess figures. In most cases, however, the amount is significant, and drivers can find themselves at a considerable financial disadvantage if something goes wrong during the rental period. Just as health insurance costs cover various visits and procedures after a certain sum has been paid out of pocket by the patient, car hire insurance comes with a figure for which the driver is responsible, and minimising this figure is a sound way to avoid extra costs.

Purchasing a damage excess refund waives this amount, allowing for little to no monetary burden should the unexpected occur. Though it can be tempting to consider the damage excess refund as an unnecessary expense, those drivers who decide to opt for this policy can relax in the knowledge that they won’t be held accountable for large sums of money.  Car hire brokers such as car hire 3000 offer good deals on DER, always ask whoever you book with about their DER.

How Does Damage Excess Refund Policies Work?

By accepting to pay extra for DER at the time of rental will mean that any excess costs will be refunded but the holder of the DER policy will be required to initially cover the costs of excess damage.  This cost will then be refunded to the policy holder after producing the receipt of excess costs.  Some types of damages, of course, and crashes that occur in certain situations such as during illegal drinking and driving episodes are typically not covered by damage excess refunds.   Other things often not covered with such policies include, damages to windscreens, tyres, the cars undercarriage and in some cases personal injury.  Asking car hire company representatives about the limitations of their refund policy will provide peace of mind for concerned motorists.

Summary

Planning for the worst-case scenario might not be the easiest or most popular way to prepare for a trip, but when working with car hire, purchasing a damage excess refund is a step that costs little and can result in major savings. Car hire clients who take advantage of a refund offer can typically expect to provide a package of report documents should they need to claim the refund, and should be able to obtain a prompt reimbursement for the funds charged. With the security of this refund as part of a trip’s safety net, travelers can focus on enjoying themselves and leaving anxiety behind.

Since publishing the long-haul flights travel tips article a large number of people have asked ‘what is the best footwear for long-haul flights?’  There is no fast and hard answer for this question as it is really down to taste and comfort. However here are some following points to consider.

1. The cabin temperature – Are your shoes warm enough?
2. Comfort – Are your shoes too tight?
3. Breathability – Will your feet sweat?

Cabin Temperature – Are your shoes warm enough?

The cabin temperature on long-haul flights can tend to get cold at times and by keeping your feet warm you will feel warmer all over.  Though most airlines provide free socks on most longhaul flights, it is a good idea to avoid open toe shoes and wear your own socks.

Don’t wear sandals, keep your feet covered and keep warm.

Comfort – Are your shoes too tight?

Sitting for long periods of time and flying at high altitude increases chances of developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT) due to restricting the blood flow through your body.  Don’t wear shoes that are too tight and shoes that come high up on your leg, also avoid shoes with thin straps that when fastened could restrict your blood flow even more.  Slip on shoes and comfortable loafers are ideal a they are easy to remove when sitting and slip on when you need to get up and stretch your legs.

Read more on  Deep Vein Thrombosis

Breathability – Will your feet sweat?

Do your shoes allow your feet to breath? Not only can it be embarrassing to remove shoes unleashing an odour so powerful penetrating every corner and every orifice of the cabin, making people talk and heads turn, but shoes that aren’t able to let your feet breathe are more likely to make your feet swell causing some discomfort and possibly reducing the flow of blood.  Therefore avoid shoes made from plastic and cheap synthetic materials and buy yourself a nice pair of shoes that let your feet breathe.

These are just a few tips and points of advice for you to think about before you fly, if you have any other tips please feel free to leave a comment and let our readers know.

1. Do I need to take anti-malaria drugs?
2. Do I need Mosquito Repellent?
3. What type of repellent is best?
4. When is the best time to apply mosquito repellent?
5. What clothes should I wear?
6. Shoul I Keep Cool

Do I need to take anti-malaria drugs?

Mosquitoes that transmit malaria can sometimes lay dormant depending on the time of year and they reside only in rural areas.  So if you plan on staying in the city or your vacation is planned during the dormant season, then the need for anti-malaria drugs is less.

There are different types of drugs on the market that each come with a different price tag and each with different side effects, if you are going to take them it is advisable to check which drugs have fewest side effects.  Do online research about your destination and always ask your doctors advice, especially if you are pregnant.

Do I need Mosquito Repellent?

A simple answer is yes!  Even if you don’t think you get bitten much, you most likely do but don’t show signs of bites.  Some people react differently to the anti coagulant found in mosquito’s saliva which prevents blood from clotting and causes irritable red inflammations.  Just because you don’t have an allergic reaction like some people, doesn’t mean you are safe.  A top tip is to take with you some antihistamine medicine to help reduce the itchiness and risk of infection caused by too much scratching which breaks the skin and can leave you scarred.

“Remember, prevention is better than cure”

What type of repellent is best?

Applying a repellant that contains 25-50% DEET usually works best for keeping the blood suckers and other nasties at bay. The downside to using this is that it can be bad for your skin and contains chemicals which can be toxic.  Avoid these types especially if you are pregnant and don’t use on young children, so check out the natural repellents that are on the market.

When is the best time to apply mosquito repellent?

Mosquitoes are most active at dusk and dawn, so apply your repellent before it gets dark and apply it if you wake up early.  Where Dengue fever is present, use the repellent sparingly throughout the day because the mosquitoes that transmit dengue fever are active during the day.  Sadly these mosquitoes also populate urban areas and being in the city doesn’t mean you are safe.  If you choose to use natural repellents you will most likely have to apply these more often, but always read the instructions before use.

What clothes should I wear?

Avoid dark colours, believe it or not but mosquitoes are attracted by dark colours, for this reason try and avoid wearing black at times of high mosquito activity.  Instead wear Khaki coloured clothing, light brown and light green and cream coloured loose clothing, with long trousers and sleeves to cover yourself properly.  Don’t wear open toe sandals, wear socks and avoid tight clothing.

Should I Keep Cool?

According to research carbon dioxide and lactic acid help mosquitoes hone in on their victims.  Therefore try to keep cool and avoid unnecessary exercise around the times mosquitoes are most active. Good excuse for some of you not to rush about!

For further reading on mosquitorepellents and advice visit:

• http://chemistry.about.com/cs/howthingswork/a/aa050503a.htm
• http://www.webmd.com/allergies/features/avoid-mosquito-bites