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Europcar Adds Cycle Ready Vehicles To Fleet

June 26, 2014 Australia Comments Off on Europcar Adds Cycle Ready Vehicles To Fleet

Europcar Australia has made travelling with bikes simpler by becoming the country’s first car rental provider to offer a new category of vehicles fitted with bike carriers.

The new category of ‘cycle ready vehicles’ are Mitsubishi Outlanders fitted with Thule ProRide bike carriers are available from five airport locations – Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Coolangatta and Maroochydore.

Mike Warmington, sales and marketing director for Europcar Australia and New Zealand, said the new category of vehicles would suit both recreational riders and professional athletes.

“The challenge from customers and the cycling community was to create a safer and more convenient solution for travelling with bikes.

“The bike carriers offer more freedom and flexibility. People no longer have to worry about disassembling their bike to fit it in the back of the car.”

The new category of vehicles builds on Europcar’s commitment to support the cycling community and provide customers with simple and more diversified travel solutions.

The Thule ProRide carrier can transport most frame styles and types – from mountain to road – making it an ideal solution for road cyclists, triathletes and mountain bikers alike.

“The decision of what bike carrier to go with was an easy one.

“Thule is the world leader in gear transport solutions and Australia’s most trusted brand of bike carrier. Each carrier comes with secure locks and is pre-assembled meaning that no tools are required, giving customers peace of mind and convenience,” Warmington said.

The new vehicles will come with comprehensive instructions, a one-page disclosure statement and safety reminders about vehicle clearance heights.

Europcar will begin the roll out of the new fleet from June with the vision to expand to other major centres across Australia by the end of 2014.

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Dont Get Lost On Holiday This Year

June 25, 2014 Car Hire Tips Comments Off on Dont Get Lost On Holiday This Year

J.R.R Tolkien said in one of his iconic books … “Not all those who wander are lost…” If you are renting a car for your holidays and want to wander but not get lost you may think about using a GPS or satellite navigation system.

This will particularly appeal to men, who, as we know, are notorious for not wanting to stop and ask for directions. This is not sexist propaganda, it is a fact that most women are painfully aware of and men will sheepishly admit. Of course, there is also the fact that if you are driving in a foreign country and you don’t speak the language stopping and asking for directions may frankly be impossible. You don’t want to spend your valuable holiday time driving around in circles especially in hot weather when you could be sipping sangria on the beach or around the pool.

Most car hire companies offer these as optional extras and you may be tempted to book it as part of your hire, but here at Indigo we would advise you to think twice as it is definitely not cost effective. Renting a GPS can cost you up to £18.00 per day in some cases with most of which not having a cap you will be charged this for the duration of your rental. As with most extras it doesn’t seem like much per day but when you add it up over a fortnight it would cost you a whopping 252 pounds. There are lots of nice things I am sure that you would rather do with that money.

The good thing about new technology is that GPSs are portable and can be moved from one car to another, also can be used effectively in any country. So it would be the easiest thing in the world o buy one locally before you go and take it along with you on your trip to save money.

Here are some of the most common Sat Nav’s that you can find in hundreds of shops across the UK…

Navman F610 5” Screen – £33.32

The built in easy quick start menu contained within the modern and lightweight design is more than adequate to get you from A to B through your holiday. This Sat Nav also warns you of camera locations and gives instructions of correct lane manoeuvres and all for a very reasonable price.

Binatone R435 UK & ROI 4.3” Screen – £24.99

Also equipped with a speed camera alert system the Binatone R435 has a super bright, anti-reflection touch screen so the picture is crystal clear at all times, with clear voice guidance and millions of pre-installed points of interest to find you’ll never get lost again!

TomTom XL IQ – £76.95

The most popular name amongst Sat Navs, TomTom always produce the best. This GPS offers a 3-hour battery life, 24 languages and speedy arrival times with pre-installed alerts to help you drive more safely and responsibly. As part of this package you also get free lifetime maps, an Easyport Mount, USB car charger and cable as well as the GPS of course.

So basically we can see that even if you decide to go for the most expensive GPS system we have mentioned, the TomTom, you will still have made a substantial saving and it will be yours to use when you return home and for any further trips you may make it the future. That is what we can call cost-effective!! And even more important for everyone, a stress free drive to and from the airport or around your destination without arguments over whose fault it is you are lost.

If you are interested in finding out more about hiring a car and buying a GPS then just come straight to our reservation agents and they will give you some tips and guide you through the whole process, they may even help you buy the most suitable Sat Nav! To contact them please call +44 (0)113 880 0748 or email us directly at sales@thealternativeagency.co.uk and we will get right back to you.

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Car Hire In Spain This Summer

June 25, 2014 Spain Comments Off on Car Hire In Spain This Summer

The phrase ‘Car Hire in Spain‘ has recently had a lot of tabloid space and social interaction and for the most part, for very good reason.

When you are not sure what to look for it can be a bit of a minefield when booking a hire car, especially in a country like Spain which is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe.

The first priority of the majority of people we speak to is price, the initial price has to fit in their budget which is totally understandable but before people speak to Indigo they generally assume that the price advertised is the only cost that needs to be considered. This is not the case with most suppliers:

Generally on top of the rental cost you should be aware of the below costs or deposits:

Deposit: An amount held against you card in local currency for security, usually the same amount of your excess. Can range between £150 and £1500.

Fuel Policy: Most suppliers will fill the tank for you and either charge you for the fuel or ask for a deposit until the vehicle is returned full.

Age Restrictions: Some suppliers charge a fee if you are over 75 or under 25, this could be as much as £20 per day.

Additional Insurance: Not a mandatory cost but some I thought I would mention as this can have a direct affect on the total deposit you have to leave, some suppliers only take a depsoit of the excess amount so by reducing this amount you are reducing the deposit. This could cost upwards of £10 per day.

Queue Jump: One particular supplier offers a queue jump to avoid the notorious delays at their desks, this is around 40 euros and can only be booked in advance, so you could be paying out for nothing or you could be saving yourself 2 hours waiting around in the heat.

Make yourself aware of all of the above costs before booking with any supplier, some of them may word their terms to avoid giving actual costs, this is when you should pick up the phone to us as we can tell you exactly what your outlay will be.

Below are the rental costs that you should expect to pay for a small car in Spain in August, based on a 2 week rental.

Malaga Apt – £19 Per Day

Alicante Apt – £20 Per Day

Murcia Apt – £21 Per Day

Girona Apt – £25 Per Day

Barcelona Apt – £26 Per Day

Madrid Apt – £26 Per Day

Remember these costs are not representative of the total you will have to shell out on the day, so when comparing prices, do so with all of the above in mind.

If you have any questions or you are interested in hiring a car and need some guidance then our reservation agents will be happy to assist you. Contact us directly by calling +44 (0)113 880 0748 or emailing us at sales@thealternativeagency.co.uk and we will get right back to you.

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Roadside Assistance Express From Europcar

June 24, 2014 Car Hire Tips, UK Comments Off on Roadside Assistance Express From Europcar

Europcar one of the biggest car hire suppliers in Europe, is helping customers hiring and driving in Scotland, especially in remote locations with the trial of Roadside Assistance Express.

The enhanced version of its existing product aims to get customers back on the road as quickly as possible, if they should experience a breakdown.

Anyone hiring or driving a Europcar vehicle in Scotland can now purchase Roadside Assistance Express.

The dedicated phone number escalates their call to initiate the express assistance process.

With standard roadside assistance, the customer and the broken down vehicle are taken to the closest Europcar branch by one of its recovery partners.

There, the customer is given a replacement vehicle.

With the Express service, customers benefit from a replacement vehicle being brought to them, wherever they are.

Ken McCall, managaing director, Europcar UK Group, said: “We understand that customers driving in Scotland can drive to remote locations, often several hours away from a Europcar branch.

“The new Roadside Assistance Express service being trialled in Scotland is designed to save customers from having to travel to their replacement vehicle, in the event of a breakdown.

“Instead, Europcar brings the vehicle to them, allowing travellers to get on with their journey as quickly as possible.

“This is an optional service, so those customers who want the added peace of mind and convenience can book it along with their vehicle to guarantee a stress-free experience.”

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All You Need To Know About Renting Vehicles With Tow Bars

June 20, 2014 Tow Bar, UK Comments Off on All You Need To Know About Renting Vehicles With Tow Bars
A hire car towing a boat

“Towing” the line with Indigo – All you need to know about renting vehicles with tow bars.

As summer approaches, there are many reasons you may want to hire vehicle with tow bar. Caravans, horseboxes, and trailers are the main reasons our clients need a special vehicle and British people certainly do have a penchant for taking to the great outdoors and the freedom and variety a holiday on the open road can offer.

Despite demand, renting vehicles with tow bars can be problematic as not every company offers this service. The fact that probability of damage to a tow vehicle is higher due to whatever is attached to it means that insurance liability is increased and many hire companies simply do not offer the option.

However, here at Indigo we are pleased to be able offer the service to our clients. We can offer a wide range of 4×4 vehicles and double cab pick-ups that will suit your needs. We only use vehicles from top manufacturers such as Mercedes, VW, Audi, Volvo and Ford and these are offered at certain locations throughout the UK. These are:

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So what happens if you do not live near any of these locations? Don’t worry; in many cases we can arrange vehicle hire with tow bar near me of the vehicle, so it is important that you contact us to see what we have to offer.

Summer is of course the most popular time to rent vehicles with tow bars, especially for touring holidays. Due to the limited availability of such vehicles it is essential that you book in good time to avoid disappointment. You must be over 25, have been driving for more than 2 years, and have a clean driving licence. You also need to meet the legal requirements for towing, and if you have any query on this please contact us for expert advice before you book.

All tow bars on our vehicles will be fitted with either the standard single 7 pin or new European 13 pin socket, but again, if you are unsure about which type of tow bar that you need please contact us and we will be happy to advise.

If you are planning on a touring holiday and rent car with tow bar, we can still help but you must let us know this before you book. At Indigo our strengths are transparent pricing, all inclusive quotes and excellent customer service, we offer a call back service or an online chat service to make your booking, and it is always advisable to speak to us directly if you have any particular requirements such as needing a towing vehicle.

If you are interested in hiring a car and need some guidance in terms of vehicles with tow bars or indeed any other special requirements then our reservation agents will be happy to assist you. Contact us directly by calling +44 (0)113 880 0748 or emailing us at sales@thealternativeagency.co.uk and we will get right back to you.

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Convertible Car Hire

June 19, 2014 Fun Stuff, Spain, UK, USA Comments Off on Convertible Car Hire

TOP DOWN, SUN ON YOUR FACE, WIND THROUGH YOUR HAIR-SOUNDS GOOD? -WHY NOT RENT A CONVERTIBLE?

There are not many better feelings than those driving a convertible can give you- weather permitting of course!! Although the weather in the UK is not often condusive to open top driving, if you are jetting off to sunnier climes and are thinking of renting a car, you may be surprised at the range of convertibles we have to offer at Indigo Car Hire, at very competitive prices.

You work hard all year, and your holiday is the time to pamper yourself and let your hair down, and you can do both in a fabulous convertible which will make you feel like a film star as you make the most of your well-deserved break. Maybe at last the kids are older and not going with you, so you dont´t have to think about a “sensible” car any more. Or maybe you don´t have children yet so have a little bit more budget to spend on yourself. Or perhaps you just feel like showing off a bit and why not.

At Indigo we can provide most types of converibles, from low end to prestige, both in the UK and abroad. Audi, Opel, Peugeot, Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz, BMW and even Porche and Jaguar convertibles and coupes can be rented from us if your heart so desires and your budget allows.

Some destinations are just made for convertibles. Make your American road trip Thelma and Louise Style, or meander through the pretty villages of Europe with the top down, sky over your head and a good view of everything. Even if your holiday is more City based, show off in a convertible as you drive around. Night time driving in a warm country after the sun has gone done with your music loud will certainly attract romantic attention if that is what you are looking for!!

The Costa Blanca in Spain is another perfect destination for driving a convertible. Heavy traffic is unlikely even in the peak season, so it is the perfect place to make the most of your ultimate driving experience. Driving south along the coast road from Alicante airport the view is fantastic of the beaches, the salt lakes, and you can make the most of this with an unrestricted view. Other ideal convertible destinations are Italy, France, Greece, Cyprus – all are ideal holidays with picturesque views for you to really enjoy driving while you are there.

A Peugot 308 convertible will cost you approximately 400 euros for six days in August, the peak season, from Alicante airport, and a Fiat 500 covertible only 295, which is excellent value for the time of year. Remember also that in Spain convertible weather probably starts May/June time and continues through to October, and the same Peugeot car would cost you only around 240 euros in September.

Why not treat yourself? If you don´t, who else will?

If you are interested in hiring a car and need some guidance in terms of convertibles then our reservation agents will be happy to assist you. Contact us directly by calling +44 (0)113 880 0748 or emailing us at sales@thealternativeagency.co.uk and we will get right back to you.

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Worried About Luggage Space?

June 18, 2014 Car Hire Tips Comments Off on Worried About Luggage Space?
Luggage Space

When you come to hiring a car there are several different concerns that you may have, one of which is the space that you will have in order to fit your luggage in the vehicle. Since hired cars are different models to the cars you may own or have owned previously you are left unfamiliar with the amount of luggage space that is available.

Generally we cannot tell you which specific vehicle you will receive but we have a couple of suggestions based on luggage size, we wanted to particularly focus on informing people of the size of vehicles they should hire if they have a large amount of luggage.

The two options are people carriers and estates but what’s the best option for you?

People Carriers
These are cars such as the Vauxhall Zafira, Ford Galaxy or similar. There are two types of people carriers, the large true 7 seaters and the 5+2 seaters. The larger 7 seaters fit more luggage than the smaller ones, on the booking engine you can see what the suggested amount of luggage is, as an example…

Peugeot 5008’s, Vauxhall Zafira’s, Citroen C4 Picasso and Renault Scenic’s will hold roughly 7 pieces of standard size luggage.

Volkswagen Sharan’s and Ford Galaxy’s will hold one or two more than the smaller models listed above.

Estate Cars
We suggest estate cars if you are only up to 5 people but are carrying a large amount of luggage. Estates are essentially standard sized cars with an increased size boot in order to fit more luggage in, Estates fit on average around 6-8 pieces of luggage. Some fit slightly more than others like the BMW 5 Series Estate fits more than the Mercedes C Class Estate, you can find out a bit more about some of the estate cars in our fleet by clicking this link

We do however have a supplier in the UK that can guarantee a vehicle model, so if you are looking for something specific that you maybe familir with or have heard good things about then simply get in touch.

If you are still stuck on what vehicle you will need for the amount of luggage you have our expert reservations team will help you choose and suggest options for you whilst also finding you the best price. You can contact us on +44 (0)113 880 0748 or email us at sales@thealternativeagency.co.uk and we will be glad to help.

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New Mercedes C-Class Available from Avis

June 17, 2014 UK Comments Off on New Mercedes C-Class Available from Avis

Avis have updated their prestige fleet with the new C-Class from Mercedes and it is available from all of their locations in the UK.

There’s plenty of standard equipment on the new Mercedes C-Class, including a reversing camera, rain-sensing wipers, Attention Assist, Speedtronic cruise control, heated windscreen wiper washers, a tyre pressure monitoring system and Collision Prevention Assist Plus as standard.

The Agility Select system is also included, allowing the driver to choose from five driving modes – Comfort, Eco, Sport, Sport+ and Individual.

The C-Class was officially revealed at an exclusive event on the eve of the Detroit Motor Show. The new, fifth-generation model is far more than just another posh compact saloon – it’s set to be the most efficient, refined and dynamic model in its class.

Michael McInerney, fleet director, Avis UK, commented: ‘As people increasingly look to hire premium cars for both business and leisure, we’re delighted to add the Mercedes C-Class C200 Sport Saloon Auto to our fleet. Whether for a city break or a longer tour across the country, it’s the perfect choice for those looking for a luxury driving experience.’

If you are looking for something extra special when hiring a car or maybe you are interested in buying one and would like an extended test drive then please get in touch, we can arrange rentals of this new model at many locations throughout the UK. You can call us on +44 (0)113 880 0748, chat with us online or email us on sales@thealternativeagency.co.uk.

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Young Drivers In Sweden

June 16, 2014 Sweden Comments Off on Young Drivers In Sweden

Great news for Young Drivers In Sweden or those under 25 that are visiting, we have arranged a great deal with a large supplier that will see the costs of hiring a car tumble for those under the age of 25.

Until now, hiring a car in Sweden was a tough task for those of us under the magic age of 25 and even when it could be arranged it came with a hefty daily surcharge of upto £25 per day, sometimes more then the cost of the car itself.

The deal we have arranged means that drivers from the age of 19 can hire a vehicle with no additional surcharge providing they have held their licence for more than a year and are resident in Sweden.

For those who do not live in Sweden the same deal applies but from the age of 21.

Couple this with another deal we have available with this supplier like a low deposit and you stand to save a substantial amount of money when travelling, an extra bonus being that you can pay for the rental with a debit card for those who do not hold a credit card or those that want to avoid high international credit card fee’s.

These deals are available at all of their 80+ locations in Sweden, including all major airports.

If you are looking to hire a car in Sweden, then speak to the experts at Indigo. Call us on +44 (0)113 880 0748, chat with us online or email us on sales@thealternativeagency.co.uk.

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Friday The 13th, The Cheapest Day To Fly

June 13, 2014 Fun Stuff Comments Off on Friday The 13th, The Cheapest Day To Fly

Today is Friday the 13th is the most economic day to get on a plane, an airline booking site has said, suggesting that superstition keeps some of the general public from taking to the skies.

The average price of a domestic return flight during June was £233, according to the well known flight booking website but, for those brave enough to travel today, this fell by £52, with tickets on June 13th costing just £181 on average. The website claims it is the cheapest day to fly this month.

The search engine processes more than one billion queries annually and has concluded that prices have been driven back by superstition based on search trends from around the world.

Today is the only Friday 13th in 2014.

The day apparently worries fliers in other European countries too, with prices on Friday 13th being the cheapest over the whole month in France, Austria and Sweden also.

The average price of domestic return flights in France dropped by £53 on Friday 13th and in Austria by £24. Swedes seem to be the most nervous fliers, with the average price of a domestic flight on that day there falling by £89.

For domestic return flights in the UK, the average prices either side of this Friday were £258 on Wednesday 11th , £239 on the 12th, £203 on Saturday 14th and £223 on Sunday 15th.

Fear of Friday 13th is called friggatriskaidekaphobia as we have discussed on our blog before.

Some hotels don’t number their 13th floor but give it a name instead, such as the “pool floor” at the Radisson Hotel in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Just how superstitious are travellers? Not enough to convince airlines to do away with row 13 in their cabins.

“A lot of the rumours are simply urban myths in the aviation industry,” a British Airways spokesman said. “All our aircraft have a row 13.”

He went on to suggest that British Airways flights do not follow the booking pattern that the flight booking website discovered either.

“Prices are not cheaper on Friday 13th,” he added, “if anything they usually go up slightly at the end of the week due to demand.”

What do you think? Would you be worried to travel on Friday the 13th or would you be happy to save a few pounds and have the plane to yourself?

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