Best credit card for rental car in Europe (Spain, France)?

[Laurie]

We have a few to choose from and I think rules keep changing... I always used to assume our credit cards covered everything but not so sure now. Anyone know which ones cover Collision Damage Waiver these days? Theft? Deductibles? I know I can call each company, but sometimes when I call they just send me to their websites for such questions where it's hard to wade thru their legalese, and maybe some of you TUGgers have this info at your fingertips.

 

[isisdave]

A lot of them do, with varying parameters. I use Chase Sapphire Preferred or Reserve, good for up to 31 days, primary coverage for damage. I've collected twice, no problems.

I have also used AmEx Premium Car Rental Insurance. There's a fee of about $20 per rental. Good for up to 42 days.

 

[Laurie]

New info - was going to use our regular Amex and purchase Premium Car Rental Insurance (don't have Chase Sapphire) - however AmEx discontinued that as of September for all reservations made after that date. Fortunately the phone rep mentioned that Citi Costco (Visa) cards still cover this. Excellent.

 

[isisdave]

Laurie, I used it last month, and I don't think I reserved before September. In fact I normally would just use Sapphire (free), but was experiencing a security problem at the time I reserved, so I decided to use Amex ($18) as it was a 3-week rental.

I think they discontinued the feature where you'd automatically get coverage (as many cards have in the last year).

But they are still advertising the PREMIUM service here. And Budget in fact had the info wrong ... told me that Amex had discontinued insurance. But the wrong insurance.

 

[Laurie]

I think they discontinued the feature where you'd automatically get coverage (as many cards have in the last year).

But they are still advertising the PREMIUM service here.

OK, thanks for the link. So I wonder whether the Costco Visa coverage is as complete, if I can in fact purchase this AmEx with my basic AA AmEx. Am I correct that you just enroll, and then if/when you rent a car using this cc and decline CDW, it automatically kicks in and charges that cc acct - as opposed to my having to take action to register and pay with each rental?

 

[isisdave]

Yes, Laurie, that's how it works. It's a bad deal for a 1-day rental, and about the same as the agency's price for 2-day, but beyond that it's way cheaper.

Also, coverage is primary even in your home country, which isn't true of Visa/MC coverage, so your insurer won't need to know.

My Amex is Blue Cash Everyday (no fee), and I think you can have the plan with any Amex card.