Frequently Asked Questions.

If you've chosen to pay fully at the time of booking: As soon as your booking is confirmed by the car rental provider, the rental cost including fees for top-up insurance and cancellation protection will be debited immediately. Bookings are usually confirmed within 1-2 hours but can take up to 48 hours.

If you've chosen our Book Now Pay Later option: If you've chosen this option, we'll take the small initial payment for your booking straight away, you can then log in at any time to pay the remaining balance. Once you've paid this, you'll receive your pre-paid car hire voucher via email.

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

Enhanced 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 Enhanced 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 up to 48 hours before the rental takes place, the cost of the cancellation protection will also be refunded.

Enhanced Cancellation Protection costs USD 0.70 per rental day with a minimum charge of USD 3.50 and a maximum charge of USD 14.00 per booking.

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.

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

Our prices always include collision damage waiver with zero excess liability, 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 +44 (0)1362 852288 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.

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.

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.

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.

We are unable to issue VAT receipts. Your booking voucher is your receipt of purchase.

Our Top-up insurance provides reimbursement cover against loss or damage to the vehicle not covered by the car rental insurance such as wheels, tyres, glass, under body, roof, keys, locks, mis-fuelling, lock outs and battery failure.

Top-up insurance will not cover interior damages made to the rental vehicle. For more information about what is covered, please see the Top-up insurance guide on our blog.

All rentals include protection in the event of collision or theft. The price includes either full collision damage waiver and full theft waiver with no insurance excess or excess reimbursement insurance which provides a refund for any charges made in the event of collision damage or theft. More information about the inclusions in the price can be found beside each vehicle.

Damage to certain parts of the vehicle such as wheels, glass parts, underside and roof are not covered by collision damage and theft protection.

Our top-up insurance provides reimbursement cover against loss or damage to the vehicle not covered by collision damage and theft protection. This includes damage to the wheels, tyres, glass, under body, roof, keys, locks, mis-fuelling, lock outs and battery failure. This can be added on step 2 of the booking process.

In the event that you have to claim on this policy your claim will be handled by Orchard Administration Limited. The claim procedure is set-out in the policy wording.

Top up insurance can be purchased when booking your car hire online.

If you have already placed a booking, top up insurance can still be added by logging into My Account. Click on the reference number of the booking that you wish to add top-up insurance to and click the link, or simply use the link displayed next to the relevant booking reference number. We can also add Top-up insurance over the telephone.

Top-up insurance can be purchased by all customers aged above 21 with no upper age limit (who are medically fit to drive) when travelling to the following countries:

Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, French Guiana, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Guernsey, Guadalope, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Isle of Man, Italy, Jersey, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Morocco, Montenegro, Martinique, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Renion, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisa, Turkey, and the United Kingdom.

Worldwide cover is also available to residents of United Kingdom, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, and the rest of Europe.

Driving licence requirements vary depending upon the rental destination. The exact driving licence requirements are stated in the booking process by viewing the information icon (i) displayed next to the Licence Requirements heading.

For rentals taking place within Europe: Photocard driving licences issued within the United Kingdom and the EU are accepted in Europe without an IDP. Licences issued outside the United Kingdom and the EU should be accompanied by an IDP.

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.

UK citizens with a photocard-style licence do not need to obtain an International Drivers Permit for travel within the EU after the UK leaves the EU.

There are some exceptions, you may need an IDP:

• If you only hold a paper licence, not a photocard
• If your licence was issued in Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man.

If any of the above apply to you, please check before you travel. You can find more information with a full breakdown of IDP requirements on the UK Government's website.

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.

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 car rental provider'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.

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. 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.

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.

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.

Visitors with EU and EEA driving licences will not need an IDP to drive in the UK.

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 up to 30 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 (Unless you've used our Book Now Pay Later option) 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.

All rentals include either full collision damage waiver and full theft waiver with no insurance excess or excess reimbursement insurance which provides a refund for any charges made in the event of collision damage or theft.

For more information, click on the information icon (i) displayed next to the text Collision Damage Waiver with zero excess liability on the search results page. Here it will display whether the price includes no insurance excess or excess reimbursement insurance. This information is also shown during the booking process and on the pre-paid car hire voucher.

Damage to vehicle parts such as the wheels, glass-parts, underside and roof are not covered by collision damage and theft waiver. Damage to these items can be covered by purchasing our top-up insurance. More information about this can be found on step 2 of the booking process.

All rentals include public liability cover and third party liability cover for the driver(s). For more details about insurance, please read our terms and conditions.

All rentals include either full collision damage waiver and full theft waiver with no insurance excess or excess reimbursement insurance which provides a refund for any charges made in the event of collision damage or theft.

For more information, click on the information icon (i) displayed next to the text Collision Damage Waiver with zero excess liability on the search results page. Here it will display whether the price includes no insurance excess or excess reimbursement insurance.

With all rentals, the main driver will need a credit card to enable to the car rental provider to authorise a security deposit upon collection. The amount of this is displayed next to the heading Security Deposit shown beside each vehicle.

Unlimited mileage ensures that you are not restricted to a specific mileage limit whilst the rental contract is in place. Some companies may impose a limit which means you can only drive 100 or 500 miles for the period you have rented the vehicle for.

Unlimited mileage (subject to fair usage) is included in our headline price at most locations worldwide with the majority of the car rental providers that we work with. This ensures that you’re free to drive for as long as you want.

Sometimes. Not all vehicles have spare wheels. This will depend upon the manufacturer of the vehicle. If a spare tyre has not been provided, a tyre repair kit will be supplied for use in the event of a puncture.

If you wish to book a vehicle with automatic transmission, look for A for Automatic displayed next to the vehicle. You can also use Refine Results to filter the search results page to only show vehicles with automatic transmission.

You can also contact us and a member of the Reservations Team can generate a quotation which shows automatic vehicles only.

Our luggage capacities are worked out using a medium-sized suitcase which has an average size of 68x44x27cm. The baggage capacity of each vehicle varies. This information can be found on the search results page of the website beside each vehicle. This information is for guidance purposes only.

Holders of UK "automatic only" driving licenses are allowed to drive any vehicle which does not have a clutch pedal. This includes vehicles with tiptronic transmission or up/down gear selection paddles.

If you wish to book a vehicle with automatic transmission, look for A for Automatic displayed next to the vehicle. You can also use Refine Results to filter the search results page to only show vehicles with automatic transmission.

Yes. Where available we indicate which vehicles are diesel. Where we do not state that a vehicle is diesel, a petrol or diesel vehicle could be provided. If a diesel vehicle is selected, a diesel vehicle will be provided.

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 enter your age in the 'Drivers Age' box.

We will show all options available to you, sometimes a driver age surcharge may be 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 enter your age in the 'Drivers Age' box.

We will show all options available to you, sometimes a driver age surcharge may be applicable.

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.

Fair fuel policies are as follows:

• 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.

We do not require you to provide the details of any additional drivers during the booking process. For this reason, the additional driver's details will not be displayed on your pre-paid car hire voucher.

Upon collection of the vehicle, any additional drivers must bring a valid driving licence, and if applicable an International Driving Permit. They will be then be added to the rental agreement.

Please see the information icon (i) displayed next to the heading Licence Requirements shown throughout the booking process for more information.

Please check if you have the 'Adobe Reader' software installed on your computer, if not, this can be downloaded from the Adobe website. If Adobe Reader is already installed, "save" the file to a location on your hard drive then open it using Adobe Reader.

If this issue persists please contact us.

You should receive a confirmation email with your pre-paid car hire voucher attached within 48 hours of making a booking.

If you have taken advantage of our Book Now Pay Later option, you will receive confirmation of your booking immediately, however, your car hire voucher will not be provided until full payment has been made.

If you have not received any correspondence from us within 48 hours, please check the junk/spam folder in your email account. For further assistance please contact us.

Alternatively, login to My Account where you can you check on the status of your booking and download your pre-paid car hire voucher.

First re-type the email address and password to make sure they are correct.

If you are not sure about your password, click on the forgot password? link. You will then be asked to enter your email address and check the box "I am not a robot." Sometimes a captcha may appear, please fill this and submit it. You will then be sent an email with instructions on how to reset your password.