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Weekend Car Hire From £69!

May 31, 2019 News Comments Off on Weekend Car Hire From £69!
Weekend-car-hire-from-£69

Weekend car hire from £69

Sometimes you need to hire a car but only for the weekend. Maybe you’re going on a weekend break or need a slightly bigger car for the weekend. The problem is usually to hire a car for a weekend can be expensive, however, it does not have to be anymore.

We are pleased to announce we can offer weekend car hire starting from just £69! This is a great price for a 3-day weekend (Maximum 72 hours) and works out at just £23 a day, at that price you can’t go wrong. This offer is part of our Toyota car hire deal which means you can get your hands on some of the latest Toyota’s. Whether you want to get behind the wheel of a Yaris or try one of Toyota’s hybrid cars, this is the perfect opportunity to do so.

Daily Rental Fees

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Collection Locations

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The best thing you can do if you are interested in this offer is to get in contact with our reservations team directly who will sort out all the booking for you. If you have any questions or want to book a car then call us on +44 (0)113 880 0748 or send us an email at sales@thealternativeagency.co.uk and we will be more than happy to help.

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Car Hire For New Drivers In Europe

May 2, 2019 Austria, Germany, News, Spain, UK Comments Off on Car Hire For New Drivers In Europe
Car hire for new licence holders in Spain

If you have just passed your driving test you and have tried to hire a car you will know the difficulties of finding a supplier who will accept you. This is because you are an inexperienced driver and there is more chance of you having a crash. Previously, we have announced we can offer car hire for newly qualified drivers in the UK, but we wanted to offer more locations for you.

We are pleased to announce that we now offer car hire for newly qualified drivers across Europe providing you have your drivers licence photocard with you. Not all vehicle sizes are available with this offer, but you can hire up to a compact size car, for example a Peugeot 308 or VW Golf.

Is There An Age Limit To Hire A Car As A Newly Qualified Driver?

Unlike before where you had to be 25 to hire a car if you had just passed your test, you can now hire from as young as 18! So if you are looking to go on your first holiday with your friends you can now hire a car and save the hassle of using public transport abroad.

Can I Use Debit Card For This Offer?

Yes, you can use your debit card for this offer as long as it meets the restrictions. If you are unsure if it meets the restrictions contact our team and they will walk you through the process from start to finish, making car hire easier than ever before.

I Can Get A Low Deposit Too?

The last thing you want to do is put down a big deposit because you’re a newly qualified driver. This is unfair and sometimes not possible if you don’t have spare money lying around. Don’t worry Indigo has an offer of low deposit with prices as low as €300 deposit, now there is no excuse to not hire a car when you go abroad.

Where In Europe Can I Hire A Car As A Newly Qualified Driver?

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What Is The Ultra Low Emission Zone?

April 16, 2019 London, News Comments Off on What Is The Ultra Low Emission Zone?
What is the Ultra Low Emission Zone

What is the Ultra Low Emission Zone?

The Ultra Low Emission Zone also known as ULEZ, is an area in central London, in which you are charged if you enter in a vehicle that does not meet the minimum requirements. The ULEZ uses the same area as the Congestion Zone. If drivers enter this zone in older, more polluting vehicles they will be charged for entering, regardless of the time of day. The main purpose of this been is to try and reduce the pollution in London as it has been proven to be detrimental to health.

Do I Have To Pay The ULEZ Charge?

The ULEZ uses the same area as the zone used for the Congestion charge. Only cars that release a certain amount of emissions must pay the charge. For you to be exempt from this charge your vehicle must meet these requirements as a minimum.
Petrol: Euro 4 (Generally cars that were registered after 2005)
Diesel: Euro 6 (Generally cars that were registered after September 2015)

Do I have To Pay If I’m Hiring A Car?

Yes, you do have to pay the ULEZ charge if you are hiring a car and enter the zone at any time. With that been said most car hire companies use newer cars which are exempt from the charge. If you are unsure check with your rental company when you arrive at the desk.

How much is the Ultra Low Emission Zone charge?

The charges for the zone run from midnight to midnight. This means if you drive in the zone on 2 separate days, for example before and after midnight, you will be required to pay the charge twice. The standard charge is £12.50 per day. If you fail to pay the charge before midnight on the next working day after travel, you will be issued with a penalty of £160 that can be reduce to £80 if it is paid within 14 days.

How To Pay The ULEZ Charge

  • You can setup Auto Pay which cost £10 a year per vehicle and once this Is setup it will automatically pay all the charges for you.
  • Pay online
  • There is an official TfL app which you can download for Android or iOS.
  • You can pay by phone

    • UK: 0343 222 2222 (TfL call charges)
    International:+44 20 7649 9122
    Textphone: 020 7649 9123 (if you have impaired hearing)

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Top 5 Things To Do In Switzerland

April 2, 2019 News, Switzerland, Winter Comments Off on Top 5 Things To Do In Switzerland
Top 5 Things To Do In Switzerland

Switzerland is found in western and central Europe, it borders several countries including France, Italy & Germany. When most people think of Switzerland they think of skiing in the Swiss Alps. On top of skiing the country has so much more to offer, here is our Top 5 Things To Do In Switzerland.

Jungfraujoch

Have you ever wanted to climb a very high mountain but don’t have the effort to do it? Don’t worry, you can now get a train to the top. The Jungfraujoch stands at an impressive 4,158 m, that’s 13,642 ft, it was first climbed in 1811 and was a tricky task. Luckily for you in 1912 the Jungfrau railway opened to the public. This railway takes you to the highest train station in Europe and most of the journey is tunnels that have been carved through mountains. There are places the train stops where you can look at the breathtaking views as you travel up the mountain. Once you reach the top you will find plenty to do ranging from the snow fun park to walking around a palace made from ice! Travelling up this mountain is certainly a unique experience, second to none.

Lucerne

Lucerne is found in central Switzerland; this medieval village is packed with things to see. The city is best known for its Chapel bridge and 13th century water tower. The medieval bridge is 200 metres long and is the oldest wooden covered bridge in Europe! The bridge stretches over Lake Lucerne, a pearlescent blue lake that is home to many boat trips that you can partake in to enjoy the tranquil surroundings and learn about the history of the town. Another attraction in Lucerne is a very detailed lion that can be found carved into stone, so make sure you don’t miss it.

Rhine Falls

Rhine Falls is in northern Switzerland and is the largest waterfall in Europe! There is a short walk which takes you to a platform right next to the falls. If you want to get even closer to the falls you can take a boat trip which will last between 10 to 30 minutes. As well as the stunning waterfall there are castles nearby including the castles of Wörth and Laufen, which can both be reached by boat.

Toboggan Run

When most people think of a toboggan run, they imagaine someone on a toboggan (Sledge) going down a hill in the snow. In Switzerland there are some toboggan runs that are slightly different. These ones don’t require snow as they are toboggans on rails fit with a brake so you can travel at your own pace. One of the longest ones in Switzerland is at Churwalden, this run is 3060 metres long and descends nearly 500 metres. Lasting between 7 and 10 minutes and capable of reaching speeds of 25mph, this will certainly make your heart race. The cherry on top is that all of this is set in magnificent scenery which you can watch race by as you fly down the hill.

Schilthorn

Like Jungfraujoch, Schilthorn is another mountain in the bernese alps. The Schilthorn is nearly 10,000 feet tall and instead of a train, you will need to take a cable car to the top. What makes this mountain unique is on the summit of the mountain is a revolving restaurant! That means you can enjoy mouthwatering food as the restaurant spins around enabling you to have a 360-panorama view of the surrounding mountains. Don’t worry the restaurant takes just under an hour to complete a full rotation. If you are a James Bond fan you might recognise this place as it featured in the 1969 James Bond film “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service”. Make sure you try the fan favourite “007 burger” which comes in a bun with a 007 logo stamped on the bun!

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Low Deposit Car Hire Finland

March 7, 2019 Finland, News Comments Off on Low Deposit Car Hire Finland

About Finland

Finland is located in Northern Europe and borders Norway, Sweden and Russia. The most popular locations in Finland are Helsinki, Espoo and Tampere. Finland has a lot to offer from the Veijo Rönkkönen Sculpture Garden to the Northern Lights. Hire a car with Indigo to help you see as much of Finland as possible and make the most of your holiday.

Low Deposit Car Hire Finland

We are happy to announce that we can now offer low deposit car hire Finland. If you have been looking for car hire in Finland you might have noticed that the deposit for car hire can be extortionate. This can be a huge problem if you have already spent a lot of money on your holiday and can’t afford the deposit. With Indigo we now offer deposit from as little as €150!

Our Offers

As well as low deposit car hire, we have many other offers to help you save money, some of our best offers include…

Young/Senior Driver Car Hire – We offer car hire from the age of 19 all the way up to 99, the only requirement been you must have been driving for at least 1 year.

Unlimited Mileage Car Hire – we offer unlimited mileage car hire so you can travel as far as you want in your hire car.

Debit Card Car Hire – If you don’t have a credit card you can still hire a car in Finland with Indigo as we offer debit card car hire.

Large Variety of Vehicles – from small city cars to 7-seater MPV’s we have a good range of cars to provide you with what suits you best and all of them come with low deposit.

As always make sure you contact us directly for these specialist options so we can ensure you are with the right supplier – you can call us on +44 (0) 1138800748 or email us at sales@thealternativeagency.co.uk.

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Debit Card Car Hire In Jordan Now Available!

March 6, 2019 Debit Card Car Hire News, Jordan, News Comments Off on Debit Card Car Hire In Jordan Now Available!
jordan car hire

We are happy to announce that we’ve now arranged a debit card option in Jordan, officially known as the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Tourism is on the rise in Jordan – and it’s easy to see why. It has an incredibly rich and varied history dating back almost 200,000 years ago with the earliest known human habitation, and is home to many biblical sites, such as the baptism of Jesus. For those looking for some more modern entertainment too, the capital Amman is also a sprawling metropolis with an emerging nightlife, and not to mention the Dead Sea, the saltiest body of water on Earth, know as a “natural spa” to the locals.
Jordan’s most famous and indisputable claim to fame though is that it’s home to one of the seven wonders of the world – the ancient city of Petra. Established around 400BC as the capital of the ancient Nabatean Kingdom, Petra is now a cultural icon featured in all types of media, and sees over 1 million visitors each year.

Which locations am I able to hire from?

Currently we only have pickup locations in the capital, Amman, however we have multiple city centre locations as well as Queen Alia Airport, so there’s always an option near you. We are also looking to expand into other locations in Jordan, so just get in touch which if you are looking to hire elsewhere.

What cars are available to rent on a debit card?

Virtually all types of cars are available with our debit card option in Jordan:

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What types of debit card can you accept?

We can accept a range of debit cards, the restrictions vary depending on location and the supplier. If you would like to check if your card will be accepted, just contact us via call or email.

What other services are available in Jordan?

We have quite a lot we can offer in conjunction with this option:
– Young / Senior drivers – We are able to hire to anyone over 21 and under 99 with no additional fees for young or senior drivers.
– Free additional driver – you can add on a friend or partner to drive free of charge, so you don’t have to be saddled with doing all the driving on your holiday!
– Low deposit – the deposit hold on these options go as low as $500 USD so no need to worry about locking thousands away on your card that could be better spent on holiday.

As always just make sure you contact us directly for this special offer – you can contact us on 0044 (0) 1138800748, email us at sales@thealternativeagency.co.uk, or just pop up on our chat function! We look forward to hearing from you.

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Can I rent a car without having to pass an address check?

March 5, 2019 Europe, News, UK Comments Off on Can I rent a car without having to pass an address check?
address check car hire

What is an address check, and what does it entail?

When hiring a car in the UK, you may often find that you could be subject to an address check when collecting a rental car – this check basically involves matching your details on the supplier’s internal ID system. This would include confirming if your licence matches your current address, if you pay council tax at that address, and if you are on the electoral roll, among other things. If even one of these doesn’t match, then it reduces your chance of passing the address check significantly – which means you don’t get the car.

Luckily though there are ways to bypass / avoid having to do an address check, this would just depend on whether you are an inbound or local hirer. I’ve outlined the differences in the sections below:

Inbound hirer

If you are an inbound hirer, this just means that you are flying in and out of the airport you are hiring from – this is the most straightforward way as generally speaking it means you don’t have to go through an address check or provide proofs of address.

There are however a couple pitfalls that some people may fall into – if you live overseas yet still have a UK licence, some suppliers may still perform an address check. This can be a huge problem, as obviously if you don’t live in the UK your chances of passing are slim at the best. Thankfully though this situation can also be avoided if you just inform us beforehand as most suppliers accept some proofs of your overseas address instead. We would still recommend switching your licence to your current country of residence as soon as possible though just to avoid any possible complications.

Local Hirer

A local hirer is someone just hiring a car from their local branch where they live. It can be a bit trickier for local hirers as almost all suppliers perform an address check. It’s particularly hard for hirers that have recently moved to the UK also, as you’ll likely be on an overseas licence and obviously won’t be on the voting register or have many links to your current address.

Fortunately, however, we do have some suppliers with offices nationwide that won’t perform an address check – instead you would just need to provide your passport or proofs of your address, like a utility bill or bank statement. So, if you are concerned about possibly failing an address check and not having the car released to you, just contact us directly and we can make sure you are booked with one these suppliers where you are guaranteed to get the car as long as you have these documents.

Please contact us by calling us on 01138800748 or emailing is directly to sales@thealternativeagency.co.uk for one of these options, or if you have any further questions.

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Car hire for new drivers available in the UK

June 14, 2018 News, Newsflash, UK Comments Off on Car hire for new drivers available in the UK
Car hire for new drivers available in the UK

Newsflash: New drivers, Indigo Car Hire has good news for you! Starting from now, Car hire for new drivers is available in the UK.

A common question we are asked is “how long do you need a driving licence to hire a car?” The answer to that question is that drivers who have held their licence for less than 12 months are able to hire a vehicle in the UK at all major airport locations and some downtown. Until now, hiring a car in the UK would have been possible only if the drivers held their driving licence for at least two years. This kind of policy was restricting the access to the car rental services to many possible customers. Many new drivers who want to test their vehicle before buying, or hiring short term until something else comes along were either restricted or over charged.

However, we at Indigo Car Hire have managed to arrange a deal in the UK and now it is possible to hire a vehicle even if you have just passed your practical test. This specialist service was made possible by our company in partnership with one of the major suppliers in the UK. So, if you have only held your driving licence for a few days or for less than 12 months and you would like to hire a vehicle in the UK, give us a call and we can sort it out for you.

Requirements For Renting A Car In The UK

Like most of the specialist services there are particular requirements for renting a car in the UK, this deal is subject to few restriction:

  • Full valid UK driving licence
  • A Passport is often required, particularly at airport locations
  • Proof of address, such as a utility bill or council tax
  • You’re required to get a DVLA code
  • You must contact us directly, don’t book online, as supply is limited
  • The driver must be over 25 years of age
  • You must have a credit or debit card

This is a service we can provide at most of the main airport locations in the UK plus London and Edinburgh city locations.

Top New Driver Car Hire Locations

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If you do not see the location you require in the table above, please contact our team today as this table is not exhaustive and we have many more locations across the UK.

For more information about our specialist services and Car hire for new drivers available in the UK, please contact us over the phone on +44 (0)113 880 0748, email us on sales@thealternativeagency.co.uk

or chat with us online using the function at the bottom of this page.

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Do I Need An International Driving Licence?

April 25, 2018 News Comments Off on Do I Need An International Driving Licence?
international driving licence

An International Driving Licence or IDP (International Driving Permit) is exactly that, a permit that allows you to drive in other countries that wouldn’t ordinarily accept your driving licence for various reasons. The main reason being the language barrier. Your driving licence will still be required, the IDP is just a permit to accompany your original.

The permit is simply a document that translates the information on your licence into a more legible language for the destination country, with a few exceptions.

I Have A UK Licence, Do I Need An International Driving Licence In Europe?

If you hold a full valid UK photo-card licence that came into circulation in 1998 then you are able to drive within the European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) without an international driving licence.

If you still hold a paper licence from prior to 1998 then you will either need to apply for a new photo-card licence or you will be required to provide an International Driving Licence in all EU countries.

I Have A UK Licence, Do I Need An IPD Outside Of Europe?

There is no blanket black and white answer to this, our general rule of thumb is that if English is not the first language in that country then the chances are you may need an IDP. Our suggestion would be to apply for one just in-case.

An example being in the USA, with a UK licence you do not need an international driving licence. But in the event of an accident they much prefer you to have one because it makes their jobs easier. Individual rental or insurance companies can require them as additional identification. So as Franz Kafka said,

Better to have, and not need, than to need, and not have.

How Do I Get An International Driving Permit?

Its pretty straight forward, simple pick up a form from your local post office or visit them online at The Post Office. It will set you back £5.50 but can be validated anytime within the next 3 months and will last 1 year. So you don’t need to apply every time you travel, only when your international permit expires.

Do I Need An IDP To Hire In The UK?

If you do not hold a driving licence issued within the EU or one that has been printed in the Roman Aplhabet (English) then yes you will need an international driving licence from your country of origin. Do not apply via the above link, this is for the UK post office. The authority that issued your licence will be able to provide you with an International Driving Licence.

REMEMBER, THE IDP IS USELESS ON ITS OWN. YOU WILL ALWAYS NEED TO PROVIDE YOUR ORIGINAL LICENCE AND IDP TOGETHER.

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New Zealand, New Supplier, New Deals

December 20, 2017 News Comments Off on New Zealand, New Supplier, New Deals

Hiring a car in New Zealand just became much easier with Indigo Car Hire, we have two new suppliers on board covering all major airports.

The great thing about these particular suppliers is the particular services that we can offer through them that none of the major suppliers in New Zealand seem to match.

Firstly, paying for and securing your vehicle with a debit card is a very rare service in New Zealand but it can now be offered from Christchurch Airport & Auckland Airport. This does require deposit to be left but that is pretty standard in New Zealand and indeed most other countries.

Also, Young Drivers are supported by both of the new suppliers, enabling drivers from the age of 18 years old to hire a car at no extra cost. For those us us at the other end of the scale, this goes for drivers up to the age of 99 too.

And finally, Free 2nd Drivers are available on all rentals too, this could be a huge saving against some of the other providers.

Hiring a car in New Zealand just became a lot easier if you do not tick all of the boxes that suppliers traditionally require. If you have any questions about this or indeed anything else car rental related then please contact us.

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