Too good to be true car rental rate? Should I have a backup?

[jabberwocky]

I just booked flights with Air Canada to Frankfurt this July to take my two oldest kids to see some relatives. The trip will be relatively short (9 days), but we can travel pretty efficiently. Normally I don't click through on the airline "upsell" links for hotels/car rentals, but I did. I scrolled through the offered vehicles, ($850 for a compact vehicle - and it just went up from there ouch!). I did a double-take - there was a 7-passenger Mercedes van listed for $264 for the whole 9 days - and that includes all taxes with unlimited km. I'd prefer a smaller vehicle, but for that price, I couldn't let it go. I can cancel for free up until the day of rental. The company is a major worldwide brand that I frequently use for work (non-discount).

Everywhere else I've looked has been much more expensive (if we had flown into ZRH it would have been about $1800). Should I make a backup reservation just in case the company cancels this one? I think it's probably an error, but I do have the confirmation.

 

[silentg]

I just booked flights with Air Canada to Frankfurt this July to take my two oldest kids to see some relatives. The trip will be relatively short (9 days), but we can travel pretty efficiently. Normally I don't click through on the airline "upsell" links for hotels/car rentals, but I did. I scrolled through the offered vehicles, ($850 for a compact vehicle - and it just went up from there ouch!). I did a double-take - there was a 7-passenger Mercedes van listed for $264 for the whole 9 days - and that includes all taxes with unlimited km. I'd prefer a smaller vehicle, but for that price, I couldn't let it go. I can cancel for free up until the day of rental. The company is a major worldwide brand that I frequently use for work (non-discount).

Everywhere else I've looked has been much more expensive (if we had flown into ZRH it would have been about $1800). Should I make a backup reservation just in case the company cancels this one? I think it's probably an error, but I do have the confirmation.

I hope that’s not a per day price?

 

[BingoBangoBongo]

I would guess that based on the current price of fuel there is limited demand for bigger vehicles. How much driving will you be doing? You do mention that it is unlimited km, so that is the only other issue I've run into with crazy low prices.

 

[ScoopKona]

Should I make a backup reservation just in case the company cancels this one? I think it's probably an error, but I do have the confirmation.

I'd use Deutsche Bahn as the backup. Sadly, their train system has gone downhill from when I lived there. But a few years ago I still found the system to be reasonably efficient.

 

[Passepartout]

It probably wouldn't cost anything to reserve another car, just remember to cancel one reservation before the deadline.

 

[jabberwocky]

I hope that’s not a per day price?

No - the whole rental!

 

[jabberwocky]

I would guess that based on the current price of fuel there is limited demand for bigger vehicles. How much driving will you be doing? You do mention that it is unlimited km, so that is the only other issue I've run into with crazy low prices.

We'll be heading into Switzerland and visiting family for part of the trip, so there will be a fair bit of driving into more remote villages without good train service. I'm used to Canadian fuel prices, which are also subject to high taxes.

 

[goaliedave]

As above ... fuel guzzlers often are unused so deals abound.

 

[ScoopKona]

We'll be heading into Switzerland and visiting family for part of the trip, so there will be a fair bit of driving into more remote villages without good train service. I'm used to Canadian fuel prices, which are also subject to high taxes.

No RyanAir type flights from FRA to ZRH?

 

[goaliedave]

We'll be heading into Switzerland and visiting family for part of the trip, so there will be a fair bit of driving into more remote villages without good train service. I'm used to Canadian fuel prices, which are also subject to high taxes.

Swiss gas is at average C$2.70/ litre, and with that big guzzler you'd be at say double gas usage, so it adds up quick. Ensure you do all the math.

 

[ScoopKona]

We'll be heading into Switzerland

Any chance you'll buy 20 kilos of raclette cheese, and then as soon as you return home, take a vacation to the Big Island with the cheese? I can trade coffee.

 

[jabberwocky]

Swiss gas is at average C$2.70/ litre, and with that big guzzler you'd be at say double gas usage, so it adds up quick. Ensure you do all the math.

Thanks - I guess the differential has gone up a bit. I drive a gas guzzler at home that needs premium gas. I'd prefer something smaller and more sporty, particularly on the autobahn and through the alps.

 

[jabberwocky]

No RyanAir type flights from FRA to ZRH?

My mother has a cousin who lives 20 mins from FRA, so that is a great stopping spot and place to rest. I guess I'll be saving enough on accommodations for most of the trip that the expense of the ground transport is outweighed.

Even if I flew FRA to ZRH, I'd still need a car. Car rentals in ZRH are crazy expensive for the time period I'm looking at.

Any chance you'll buy 20 kilos of raclette cheese, and then as soon as you return home, take a vacation to the Big Island with the cheese? I can trade coffee.

LOL, I'll actually be one island over from you about five weeks before - I don't think I can justify another trip!

 

[ScoopKona]

My mother has a cousin who lives 20 mins from FRA, so that is a great stopping spot and place to rest.

If you're lucky, that cousin lives in Eltville, which is about 20 minutes from Frankfurt, and one of my favorite places on the planet.