Looking at prices to rent from Geneva it now looks like cars from the French side are considerably more expensive than from the Swiss side. Add winter tyres and a Vignette and it extortion.
I'll be getting transfers this winter.
Has Icy broken the law??
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Winterization fees when picking up a car in winter, are outrageous. This happened to me a few years ago and in the end I got the fee refunded. If you book a car during winter months, then it should be included, or explicitly stated up front. It's not as if you have a realistic option of declining the fee, so basically those charging it are effectively shaking you down for a few extra dollars.
Worse than that are those rental companies that allow their franchisee's to rent you a car during unavoidable winter conditions, but without winter tires. Many won't even offer you the option. Very few of the people who are involved in the rental of these vehicles would drive in the same conditions without winter tires themselves.
Winter tires are a must when driving in conditions that might involve icy roads. I would rather drive a large 2 wheel drive car on winter tires than the latest AWD technology on regular or all season tires. Make sure you demand them when renting your next car.
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Started by Iceman in Ski Chatter 17-Mar-2016 - 36 Replies
Gareth Fair
reply to 'Has Icy broken the law??' posted Aug-2016
When in doubt?....Flat out.
Andymol2
reply to 'Has Icy broken the law??' posted Aug-2016
To be honest it's easier to get in and out from the Swiss side by car even if you are going to many of the French resorts.
The important thing with car hire is that if you book it here to be certain of what is covered as things like "winterisation" and insurance are included but the car hire desks are often very persuasive in telling you that this that and and the other are not included and you have to pay a shed load to cover them. Printout your documents and be familiar what is covered so that you can shrug your shoulders and point to the line on the agreement when the hard sell comes on.
To be fair the only extra they tried to sell me on a long weekend out of Geneva last winter was an upgrade to a Cayenne!
The important thing with car hire is that if you book it here to be certain of what is covered as things like "winterisation" and insurance are included but the car hire desks are often very persuasive in telling you that this that and and the other are not included and you have to pay a shed load to cover them. Printout your documents and be familiar what is covered so that you can shrug your shoulders and point to the line on the agreement when the hard sell comes on.
To be fair the only extra they tried to sell me on a long weekend out of Geneva last winter was an upgrade to a Cayenne!
Andy M
Gareth Fair
reply to 'Has Icy broken the law??' posted Aug-2016
The laws have changed this year though.
When in doubt?....Flat out.
Steverandomno
reply to 'Has Icy broken the law??' posted Aug-2016
Winterization fees when picking up a car in winter, are outrageous. This happened to me a few years ago and in the end I got the fee refunded. If you book a car during winter months, then it should be included, or explicitly stated up front. It's not as if you have a realistic option of declining the fee, so basically those charging it are effectively shaking you down for a few extra dollars.
Worse than that are those rental companies that allow their franchisee's to rent you a car during unavoidable winter conditions, but without winter tires. Many won't even offer you the option. Very few of the people who are involved in the rental of these vehicles would drive in the same conditions without winter tires themselves.
Winter tires are a must when driving in conditions that might involve icy roads. I would rather drive a large 2 wheel drive car on winter tires than the latest AWD technology on regular or all season tires. Make sure you demand them when renting your next car.
Wanderer
reply to 'Has Icy broken the law??' posted Aug-2016
............ oh and another thing :!: Be careful renting in Switzerland and driving to Austria. A change in Customs regulations means that an EU citizen cannot drive a Swiss registered car in the EU any more and the car is liable to be confiscated by customs :shock:. I think the car hire companies are trying to find a solution to this but it presents a significant problem.
Of course, Brexit might help in due course - that's if the EU will let you guys in at all :roll: :roll:
Of course, Brexit might help in due course - that's if the EU will let you guys in at all :roll: :roll:
Topic last updated on 11-August-2016 at 10:21