Frequently Asked Questions.

Cancellation Protection can only be purchased when making a booking. When added to your booking, this entitles you to cancel your booking and receive a full refund, minus the charge for the Cancellation Protection.

The only exception to this is in the event of a no-show, where no money will be refunded.

If you must cancel your booking within 48 hours of the booking being placed, the cost of the cancellation protection will also be refunded.

Cancellation Protection costs £0.50 per rental day with a minimum charge of £2.50 and a maximum charge of £10.00 per booking.

When a booking is placed on our website and the car rental supplier has confirmed that a vehicle is available, the rental cost including fees for top-up insurance and cancellation protection will be debited immediately.

Any fees for additional extras such as child seats or any out of hours fees will be payable to the car rental supplier in local currency upon collection of the vehicle.

When getting a quote on our website, if the car rental provider has a desk in the airport and/or the vehicle is to be collected at the airport, this information is displayed on the search results page next to each vehicle under the heading Collection info.

Once you have made a booking and this has been confirmed, the full details of the collection procedure will be provided on your pre-paid car hire voucher.

If you have any further questions regarding collection information, please contact us.

As soon as your booking is confirmed by the car rental provider, we will take full payment and issue you with a pre-paid voucher. You must present this to the car rental provider when collecting the vehicle.

Nobody can match our prices on a like for like basis.

Our prices always include collision damage waiver with zero excess liability, unlimited mileage, a fair fuel policy and no credit card fees. We also offer lots of deals with a free additional driver included.

If you feel that you have found a more competitive car hire quote elsewhere, please call us on 0333 336 1554 to discuss this with our helpful Reservations Team.

Alternatively, please contact us and we will compare your quote on a like for like basis to ensure that you are getting the best deal.

A call to an 0333 number costs the same as a call to a normal home or business landline.

Unlike 08 numbers, 03 numbers cost the same to call as geographic landline numbers (starting 01 and 02), even from a mobile phone.

When viewing a quotation, the collection information for each vehicle is displayed on the search results page under the heading Collection info.

If the vehicle can be collected at the airport, it will either state: Desk and vehicle at airport or Meet and greet, vehicle at airport.

Full collection instructions will be displayed on your pre-paid car hire voucher.

Due to limited availability we are not able to accept online bookings for this vehicle, please call us on 0333 336 1554 or +44 (0)1362 852288 from outside the UK with your quote reference so we can check availability and book this vehicle.

Unlike many other car hire brokers, we request confirmation for every car hire booking. This makes sure that your booking exists in the car rental provider’s system and prevents any potential problems when you collect the vehicle. Confirmation can take up to 48 hours, but in most cases bookings are confirmed within 1-2 hours. You can login to My Account to check the status of your booking.

We do not offer discounts for booking multiple vehicles.

We do however offer a loyalty discount scheme whereby 2 loyalty points are received for each rental day booked. Once 100 points has been reached, you are entitled to a 5% discount from our standard prices and free cancellation protection on future bookings.

The car rental providers which we operate with require vehicles booked to have their own reference number and rental agreement so each vehicle required must be booked separately.

To ensure that two bookings are placed with the same car rental provider, please check the company logos displayed on the search results pages.

Alternatively, please contact us with your requirements.

No. We're still the same company and same people. We just have a different name and website.

We offer better service and better value than our competitors and our new name reflects our unique and fresh approach to car hire.

No. Insurance costs and cover will stay the same.

Our list of suppliers hasn't changed. We still aim to work with those that provide the best level of service.

We've made the booking process easier and the pricing and terms are much easier to understand. Local charges are clearly visible and you get a running total of what's payable locally.

Yes, loyalty points are still valid on the new website.

The cars and service provided by the suppliers we work with aren't affected by the changes we're making here. The suppliers are aware that we've changed our name. If there is any confusion upon collection, please don't hesitate to contact us.

Yes. Your Economy Car Hire voucher will still be accepted by the car rental supplier. However, you can login to My Account and download a new voucher which shows both the Economy Car Hire logo and the Zest Car Rental logo if you wish.

We've listened to feedback from our customers and have made improvements. The site reflects our change of brand and has a simpler, clearer layout. The new website is also much easier to use on tablets and smartphones.

Yes. Your existing email address and password can be used on the new website, and your existing bookings are still visible in My Account on the Zest Car Rental website.

If you have a UK driving licence and are renting a car in a location outside of the UK and Ireland, you do not need to obtain a DVLA code.

When hiring outside of the UK and Ireland, you need either the photocard part of your UK licence or the older style UK paper licence. More information regarding this can be found throughout the booking process by viewing the information icon (i) displayed next to the heading Licence Requirements.

If you are hiring a car in the UK or Ireland, you will need to obtain a code to share your driving licence details which is available from the DVLA website. To obtain this, you will need your driving licence number, National Insurance number and the postcode on your driving licence. The code is valid for 21 days.

When collecting a car in the UK or Ireland, car rental providers usually require your passport and additional proof of address. Please check the information icon (i) displayed next to the heading Licence Requirements during the booking process or the pre-paid car hire voucher for more information before collecting your hire car.

The UK paper counterpart driving licence has been scrapped and is no longer issued by the DVLA. This has been replaced by a unique code which is valid for 21 days. This is available from the DVLA website.

You only need to obtain this code if you have a UK driving licence (excluding Northern Ireland) and are collecting a vehicle within the UK or Ireland. When renting a car in the UK or Ireland, you will also need your passport and additional proof of address. More information regarding this can be found throughout the booking process by clicking on the information icon (i) displayed next to the heading Licence Requirements. Full details are also displayed on your pre-paid car hire voucher.

If you are hiring a car abroad, you just need the photocard part of the UK licence or the older style UK paper licence to collect the vehicle.

Yes. The old-style UK paper driving licence is still accepted within the European Community; however, this must be presented along with photographic ID such as a passport or an International Driving Permit.

Many car rental providers in Europe will only accept licences that have been issued within the European Union. All other licences must be presented alongside an International Driver's Permit. Other car rental providers outside of Europe generally accept licences that are displayed in English or in the Roman alphabet.

However, you can check a car rental providers exact driving licence requirements throughout the booking process by viewing the information icon (i) displayed next to the heading Licence Requirements.

No. None of the car rental providers that we operate with will accept a provisional driving licence. You must have held a full driving licence for the car rental providers minimum required years.

You are able to view this information during the booking process by viewing the information icon (i) displayed next to the heading Licence Requirements.

The main driver must present their full original driving licence including all counterparts upon collection of the vehicle. If you do not have your original driving licence, some car rental providers may accept a DVLA Certificate of Entitlement for licences issued within the UK, which must be faxed directly from the DVLA to the supplier's office. Please contact us and a member of the Reservations Team can check which companies will accept the DVLA certificate.

Many car rental providers may also accept a faxed copy of your UK driving licence from the DVLA. You will need to check with us first if this is acceptable. The DVLA will need the fax number of the car rental provider. The DVLA charge £5 for this service and can be contacted on 0300 790 6801 or from outside the UK on +44 1792 782341.

Yes. The majority of the car rental providers with which we operate with will accept a US/Canadian driving licence.

However, many car rental providers in Europe will only accept the licence if it is presented alongside an International Driver's Permit. This can be obtained from the automotive association in the country the licence was issued. Please note that anyone holding a US/ Canadian driving licence is not eligible to hire a vehicle in the USA or Canada.

If you have a UK driving licence and are renting a car in the UK or Ireland, you must obtain a DVLA code to share your driving licence details.

To obtain this from the DVLA website, you will need your driving licence number, National Insurance number and the postcode on your driving licence. The code is valid for 21 days.

When collecting a car in the UK or Ireland, car rental providers usually require your passport and additional proof of address. Please check the information icon (i) displayed next to the heading Licence Requirements during the booking process or the pre-paid car hire voucher for more information before collecting your hire car.

Yes. All of the car rental providers that we operate with will require a security deposit to be authorised on the main driver’s credit card upon collection.

This is to cover the car rental provider for any parking or speeding fines, uninsured parts of the vehicle, if a claim is made when the insurance has been invalidated and to ensure the safe return of the vehicle.

When viewing a quotation, the amount of the security deposit will be displayed on each vehicle beside the heading, Security Deposit. This information is also displayed throughout the booking process.

Upon collection, most car rental providers require a security deposit to ensure safe return of the vehicle.

If the deposit is pre-authorised by the car rental provider, this will lapse in 21 days. If the deposit is debited, this will be refunded upon return of the vehicle, as long as there has been no additional damage to the vehicle.

Some card issuers charge for international transactions, so it is advisable to check the terms and conditions of your credit card before travelling.

No. Payment for the rental cost including fees for top-up insurance and cancellation protection will be debited immediately upon confirmation of vehicle availability from the supplier. This is to ensure that our customers benefit from the best prices possible.

All of the car rental providers that we operate with will require a security deposit to be authorised on the main driver’s credit card upon collection. This is to cover any parking or speeding fines, uninsured parts of the vehicle, if a claim is made when the insurance has been invalidated and to ensure the safe return of the vehicle.

When viewing a quotation, look for the heading Security Deposit next to each vehicle. This information is also displayed throughout the booking process.

Additional charges may be applied when collecting the vehicle for delivery to accommodation, out-of-hours collection/return, cross border requests and one-way rental surcharges. Any additional charges are paid directly to the supplier in local currency when collecting the vehicle and are clearly stated at the time of booking.

All mandatory locally payable fees are displayed next to Additional Local Charges on the search results pages and throughout the booking process. A full breakdown of fees can be viewed by clicking on the information icon (i).

Many of the car rental providers we operate with in Portugal now offer the use of a toll transponder. This is a device which monitors the use and total charge of the toll fees. These are either pre-loaded with an amount of Euros or they monitor the amount used and you are charged at the end of the rental.

We also work with car rental suppliers that do not provide the use of a transponder. When booking with these companies, you will have to proceed to a local post office 48 hours after using the toll road. On your return to the airport you will be unable to pay the outstanding toll fees, so the local authority will send these to you in the post.

To check if a car rental supplier provides the use of the transponder, click Book this car on the search results, and navigate to the Local Charges page. Look under the heading Optional Extras, and if a transponder is available the price and information will be displayed here.

It is common for car rental providers to apply an additional charge for one-way rentals. Some companies offer one-way rentals with no additional charge when the rental duration is over a certain amount of days. It is always stated at the time of booking if an additional one-way charge will be applied.

If you have requested a one-way rental, the fee for this will be displayed beside Additional Local Charges on the search results page and throughout the booking process. A full breakdown of fees can be viewed by clicking on the information icon (i).

The one way charge must be paid directly to the car rental provider in local currency.

Some of the car rental providers we operate with offer an out-of-hours service, where they can provide a vehicle after their office has closed. The charge varies between companies and also upon the time of collection outside of the operating hours. If an out of hours fee is applicable, this will be displayed next to Additional Local Charges on the search results page and throughout the booking process.

REMEMBER: As we work with a number of suppliers at each location, office hours and out of hours charges can vary for each vehicle. It is advisable to check more than one vehicle to find the most favourable option for you, or contact us to find the most suitable.

As a UK based car hire broker, we operate with a number of car rental providers at each location, each with their own terms and conditions and charges in place for additional extras and fees. On the search results page, the vehicles displayed as available will be with different car rental providers.

The total mandatory local charges are displayed on the search results page next to the heading Additional Local Charges. A full breakdown of fees can be viewed by clicking on the information icon (i). This information is also displayed throughout the booking process and on your pre-paid car hire voucher.

Payment for all additional extras will be debited upon collection of the vehicle in local currency.

Some card issuers charge for international transactions, so it is advisable to check the terms and conditions of your credit card before travelling.

Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) doesn’t cover damage to certain areas of the car such as tyres and wheels, the interior, the roof, the underside of the vehicle, the glass parts of vehicle (including the windscreen), and wing mirrors.

Loss or damage to the car key, locks, aerials, vehicle documents, registration plates and any additional equipment provided with the vehicle are not covered either.

If you wish to cover damage to these parts of the vehicle you should purchase Top-up Insurance on our website when making a booking.

If the rental vehicle is involved in a collision or stolen, you won’t have to pay the excess. The excess is the amount you would have to pay the car rental provider if your rental vehicle has been involved in a collision, damaged or stolen.

At Zest Car Rental, Excess Waiver is included in our quotes as standard in the form of either No Insurance Excess or Excess Reimbursement Insurance (ERI):

No Insurance Excess (also known as Zero Excess) means you don’t have to pay any excess for claims relating to collision damage or theft.

In the event of a claim, Excess Reimbursement Insurance (ERI) requires you to pay the excess to the car rental provider before claiming it back through the insurance company when you return home.

Full support is available if you have to make a claim. The main driver will need a credit card upon collection to enable the car rental provider to authorise a security deposit.

Please note, damage caused through negligence is not covered by the above.

Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) reduces your liability in the event of an accident. Without this, you could be liable for the full cost of the rental vehicle if it were to be damaged or written off. CDW means you won’t have to pay the full cost of any repairs as long as you’ve followed the T&C’s.

You’ll have to pay a contribution to repair costs up to an agreed level of ”excess” which can be up to £2,000. It forms part of an insurance policy that says the car rental provider will waive the terms that make you liable for:

• Loss or damage to the vehicle, whether or not it’s your fault.

• The cost to repair or replace the vehicle.

• The loss of income to the supplier while the vehicle is being repaired.

CDW is always included when booking with Zest Car Rental with either No Excess or Excess Reimbursement. CDW is sometimes known as Loss Damage Waiver or Damage Excess Waiver.

We have negotiated with all of the car rental providers that we work with, so that a fair fuel policy is included in the headline price.

A Fair Fuel Policy offers better value than the traditional Full-Empty policy where you paid for a full tank of petrol upon collection and returned it empty.

• Full-Full – Collect the car with a full tank and return it full.

• Return with same amount – We recommend you take a photo of the fuel dial when you collect the car in case there’s confusion over the exact amount.

• Quarter to empty – This is mainly found in locations where you’d be unlikely to use a full tank of fuel e.g. Gibraltar.

More information relating to fuel policy can be found on the search results page, next to each vehicle underneath the heading Fuel Policy. It can also be found during the booking process and on your pre-paid car hire voucher.

All of our prices include a fair fuel policy. This means that you either collect the vehicle full of fuel and return full, return the vehicle with the same amount of fuel or collect the car with a quarter of a tank of fuel and return empty.

The fuel policy varies depending on the car rental provider. More information about this is displayed on the search results page next to each vehicle underneath the heading Fuel Policy. It can also be found during the booking process and on your pre-paid car hire voucher.

The cost of fuel is dependent on the car rental provider’s fuel policy which is stated at the time of booking. It is also dependent upon the type and size of vehicle you have requested. Please be aware that fuel rates fluctuate on a regular basis and due to refuelling logistics you will be charged at a higher rate per litre compared to the normal pump price.

This will depend upon the fuel policy of the car rental provider.

Fuel information is displayed on the search results page, next to each vehicle underneath the heading Fuel Policy. It can also be found during the booking process and on your pre-paid car hire voucher.

Some card issuers charge for international transactions, so it is advisable to check the terms and conditions of your credit card before travelling.

We have negotiated with all of the car rental providers that we work with, so that a fair fuel policy is included in the headline price.

More information relating to fuel policy can be found on the search results page, next to each vehicle underneath the heading Fuel Policy. It can also be found during the booking process and on your pre-paid car hire voucher.

REMEMBER: As we work with a number of car rental providers at each location, it is advisable to check more than one vehicle to find the most favourable option for you, or contact us to find the most suitable.

In most locations worldwide, we operate with car rental providers that will allow someone over the age of 70 to hire a vehicle without any additional cost.

When entering the dates and times of your hire, simply untick the box which states Driver aged between 25 & 70. A box will then appear where you can enter your age.

We will only show you available options where an older driver surcharge is NOT applicable.

In some locations we operate with car rental providers that will allow someone under the age of 25 to hire a vehicle without any additional cost.

Many car rental providers have a minimum age limit of 23 or 25 years. When entering the dates and times of your hire, simply untick the box which states Driver aged between 25 & 70. A box will then appear where you can enter your age.

We will only show you available options where a young driver surcharge is NOT applicable.

Yes, you can select GPS (Sat Nav) hire as an additional option when booking car hire at some locations. It must be requested when booking and paid for in local currency to the car rental provider when collecting the vehicle.

On step one of the booking process, an option to select a Sat Nav and associated costs will be displayed where available.

Sometimes the Sat Nav is included in the headline price. If so, this will be shown next to applicable vehicles on the search results page. USA is the most common place that you will see this.

Yes. We offer the facility to hire child seats and booster seats. They must be requested when booking and are paid for in local currency to the car rental provider when collecting the vehicle.

On step one of the booking process, you will be advised of the cost to hire a child seat. You can also select the number required here.

The charges for these are stated when booking and vary depending upon the chosen car rental provider. Child seats and booster seats must be fitted by a parent or guardian.

Additional charges may be applied when collecting the vehicle for any chosen optional extras such as child seats, booster seats and winter equipment.

Any additional charges are paid directly to the car rental provider in local currency when collecting the vehicle. A full breakdown of fees can be found by clicking on the information icon (i) displayed next to Additional Local Charges on the search results page. The cost for any selected optional extras will also be displayed throughout the booking process.

No, we do not offer the ability to request a roof rack at any location.

Yes, in certain locations snow chains can be selected as an additional option when booking car hire. They must be requested when booking and paid for in local currency to the car rental provider when collecting the vehicle.

On step one of the booking process, an option to select snow chains and associated costs will be displayed where available.

As a UK based car hire broker, we operate with a number of car rental providers at each location, each with their own terms and conditions and charges in place for additional extras and fees.

On a search result, the vehicles displayed as available will be with different car hire companies. Each provider's terms and conditions are displayed next to each individual vehicle. Any applicable local charges can be found by clicking on the information icon (i) displayed next to Additional Local Charges on the search results page.

The cost for any selected optional extras will also be displayed throughout the booking process.

Yes. You can select Ski Rack hire as an option when booking car hire at some locations. It must be requested when booking and paid for in local currency to the car rental provider when collecting the vehicle.

On step one of the booking process, an option to select a ski rack and associated costs will be displayed where available.

Yes. In some locations winter tyres can be selected as an additional option when booking car hire. During the winter season, in certain locations it is mandatory to have winter tyres.

Car rental providers that include the cost of winter tyres in their price will have Winter Tyres Included next to the vehicle description on the search results page.

Where winter tyres are not included, they must be requested when booking and paid for in local currency to the car rental provider when collecting the vehicle.

On step one of the booking process, an option to select winter tyres and associated costs will be displayed where available.

Some car rental providers will allow you to take the vehicle across the border into a different country. However, some countries are restricted and some companies do not allow their vehicles across any borders. You can check if a car rental provider allows a vehicle into a particular country and if there is a charge for this on step one of the booking process.

REMEMBER: As we work with a number of car rental providers at each location, cross border charges and countries in which you are permitted to travel can vary for each vehicle. It is advisable to check more than one vehicle to find the most favourable option for you, or contact us to find the most suitable.