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Holidays 2025
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Word of warning. Don't travel to Italy without a credit card! I always use my visa debit card to pay for stuff, but the car hire company in Sardinia wouldn't accept my Barclays card when charging a further 900 euros for extra insurance cover. So I lost my £460 'Do You Italy' car hire fee and had to spend a fortune of taxi fares. Sardinia is a beautiful island but consequently, we didn't see much of it. (Ps I have a Barclaycard now!)0
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900 euros for extra insurance? That sounds astronomical.thewolfboy said:Word of warning. Don't travel to Italy without a credit card! I always use my visa debit card to pay for stuff, but the car hire company in Sardinia wouldn't accept my Barclays card when charging a further 900 euros for extra insurance cover. So I lost my £460 'Do You Italy' car hire fee and had to spend a fortune of taxi fares. Sardinia is a beautiful island but consequently, we didn't see much of it. (Ps I have a Barclaycard now!)1 -
Sounds like you were being taken for a ride, and not in a carthewolfboy said:Word of warning. Don't travel to Italy without a credit card! I always use my visa debit card to pay for stuff, but the car hire company in Sardinia wouldn't accept my Barclays card when charging a further 900 euros for extra insurance cover. So I lost my £460 'Do You Italy' car hire fee and had to spend a fortune of taxi fares. Sardinia is a beautiful island but consequently, we didn't see much of it. (Ps I have a Barclaycard now!)1 -
Yeah they were having you on there. I drove from New York to Seattle and the extra insurance through Enterprise was $176thewolfboy said:Word of warning. Don't travel to Italy without a credit card! I always use my visa debit card to pay for stuff, but the car hire company in Sardinia wouldn't accept my Barclays card when charging a further 900 euros for extra insurance cover. So I lost my £460 'Do You Italy' car hire fee and had to spend a fortune of taxi fares. Sardinia is a beautiful island but consequently, we didn't see much of it. (Ps I have a Barclaycard now!)0 -
Always buy ERI ahead of travel. Never pay the excess policy offered by the hire company at the hire desk when you collect the car because it will be incredibly expensive.
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Blimey, I hope you still managed to have a good time, Wolf Boy. I think if it was me though, I'd have just spent the whole time fuming. I hate money grabbing shysters lake that.0
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We were in Milan in May. We has bought fully comprehensive insure before we travelled but got a really hard sell from the car hire front desk. The guy almost threw the keys at me when for about the 10th time I told him I didn't want to take out his extortionatly priced extra insurance. Pricks!SporadicAddick said:Always buy ERI ahead of travel. Never pay the excess policy offered by the hire company at the hire desk when you collect the car because it will be incredibly expensive.1 -
Yes, we always have this - makes a huge difference. As Cheshire says, it can be 'challenging' to explain but there are ways and means of being 'firm'SporadicAddick said:Always buy ERI ahead of travel. Never pay the excess policy offered by the hire company at the hire desk when you collect the car because it will be incredibly expensive.0 -
In the year the lad will be going off to uni Mrs AA and I are looking forward to more out of term time winter sun breaks.
Went to Sevilla in October last year and it was bloody marvellous. 28 degrees all week, lots of historical places to go and see, but a nice poolside at the hotel as well. Right next to Sevillas stadium too (they weren't playing at home that week, I checked). Fantastic and cheap underground system gets you everywhere if you don't want to walk too much. Tapas lunch out for an hour or two over a couple of beers each day. Not going out for dinner until 9pm took a bit of getting used to though!
This year we were thinking of a few places. Marrakech was one. I'd quite like to do Girona. Missus likes to go out and see stuff. I'm happy to do a bit of that but quite like sitting on my arse in the sun poolside too.
Any ideas?0 -
Like others have said, getting your own excess insurance before you travel is a must. I got a few thousand pounds worth for about £15 for a week in Portugal this year.thewolfboy said:Word of warning. Don't travel to Italy without a credit card! I always use my visa debit card to pay for stuff, but the car hire company in Sardinia wouldn't accept my Barclays card when charging a further 900 euros for extra insurance cover. So I lost my £460 'Do You Italy' car hire fee and had to spend a fortune of taxi fares. Sardinia is a beautiful island but consequently, we didn't see much of it. (Ps I have a Barclaycard now!)
Every hire company I've ever used needs a credit card for excess deposits. It's because the funds are allocated but not taken, which I don't think they can do with a debit card, plus you'd need that amount available in your account to do it, whereas with a credit card you just need the available credit.
900 euro didn't sound right for excess insurance. That sounds more like the excess amount they wanted to put on a card.
They do always state in their conditions it needs to be a credit card and not a debit card. A shitter I know but I always pore over those before I hire, having come close to a situation like yours before which you really don't need adding stress to the holiday. 👍
Goes without saying to picture EVERYTHING on the car regardless of whether they have marked it on their form or not. I tend to walk round the car taking a video rather than pictures, means you don't miss a bit. When I took the car back in Portugal they obviously know you didn't take their insurance as they spent AGES scrutinising every little bit of paintwork. Made sure I stood over them while they did it though!2 - Sponsored links:
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Definitely this. Had a few occasions where I think they was a possibility of them trying it on - but once they know how thorough you are they realise it not going to be quick win - so don't!ArmchairAddick said:
Like others have said, getting your own excess insurance before you travel is a must. I got a few thousand pounds worth for about £15 for a week in Portugal this year.thewolfboy said:Word of warning. Don't travel to Italy without a credit card! I always use my visa debit card to pay for stuff, but the car hire company in Sardinia wouldn't accept my Barclays card when charging a further 900 euros for extra insurance cover. So I lost my £460 'Do You Italy' car hire fee and had to spend a fortune of taxi fares. Sardinia is a beautiful island but consequently, we didn't see much of it. (Ps I have a Barclaycard now!)
Every hire company I've ever used needs a credit card for excess deposits. It's because the funds are allocated but not taken, which I don't think they can do with a debit card, plus you'd need that amount available in your account to do it, whereas with a credit card you just need the available credit.
900 euro didn't sound right for excess insurance. That sounds more like the excess amount they wanted to put on a card.
They do always state in their conditions it needs to be a credit card and not a debit card. A shitter I know but I always pore over those before I hire, having come close to a situation like yours before which you really don't need adding stress to the holiday. 👍
Goes without saying to picture EVERYTHING on the car regardless of whether they have marked it on their form or not. I tend to walk round the car taking a video rather than pictures, means you don't miss a bit. When I took the car back in Portugal they obviously know you didn't take their insurance as they spent AGES scrutinising every little bit of paintwork. Made sure I stood over them while they did it though!1 -
Italy is the most aggressive sales tactics I have witnessed for additional insurance coverage. All sorts of offers, tactics and counter offers to confuse the purchaser.PrincessFiona said:
Definitely this. Had a few occasions where I think they was a possibility of them trying it on - but once they know how thorough you are they realise it not going to be quick win - so don't!ArmchairAddick said:
Like others have said, getting your own excess insurance before you travel is a must. I got a few thousand pounds worth for about £15 for a week in Portugal this year.thewolfboy said:Word of warning. Don't travel to Italy without a credit card! I always use my visa debit card to pay for stuff, but the car hire company in Sardinia wouldn't accept my Barclays card when charging a further 900 euros for extra insurance cover. So I lost my £460 'Do You Italy' car hire fee and had to spend a fortune of taxi fares. Sardinia is a beautiful island but consequently, we didn't see much of it. (Ps I have a Barclaycard now!)
Every hire company I've ever used needs a credit card for excess deposits. It's because the funds are allocated but not taken, which I don't think they can do with a debit card, plus you'd need that amount available in your account to do it, whereas with a credit card you just need the available credit.
900 euro didn't sound right for excess insurance. That sounds more like the excess amount they wanted to put on a card.
They do always state in their conditions it needs to be a credit card and not a debit card. A shitter I know but I always pore over those before I hire, having come close to a situation like yours before which you really don't need adding stress to the holiday. 👍
Goes without saying to picture EVERYTHING on the car regardless of whether they have marked it on their form or not. I tend to walk round the car taking a video rather than pictures, means you don't miss a bit. When I took the car back in Portugal they obviously know you didn't take their insurance as they spent AGES scrutinising every little bit of paintwork. Made sure I stood over them while they did it though!US on the other hand has always been a take or leave it kind of deal.0 -
What is this ERI?SporadicAddick said:Always buy ERI ahead of travel. Never pay the excess policy offered by the hire company at the hire desk when you collect the car because it will be incredibly expensive.0 -
In car rental insurance, ERI stands for Excess Reimbursement Insurance. This type of insurance covers the excess amount you would typically have to pay if your rental car is damaged or stolen. Essentially, it reimburses you for the excess you paid to the rental company after a claim.Here's a more detailed explanation:
- What is a car rental excess?When you rent a car, the rental agreement often includes a Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or similar, but it usually comes with a large excess amount that you're responsible for paying if the car is damaged.
How does ERI work?You purchase ERI separately, either from the rental company or a third-party provider, before your rental period begins. If you need to make a claim for damage or theft, you first pay the excess to the rental company and then claim it back from your ERI provider.Why is ERI useful?ERI can be cheaper than the CDW offered by the rental company and may also offer broader coverage, including damage to tires or windscreens, which are often excluded from standard CDW policies.1 -
Edit: what he/she said ☝️Solidgone said:
What is this ERI?SporadicAddick said:Always buy ERI ahead of travel. Never pay the excess policy offered by the hire company at the hire desk when you collect the car because it will be incredibly expensive.
Basically insurance against the excess on your car hire
- you got a car and usually it comes "with insurance"
- this will, like most insurance, have an "excess", so, an amount YOU have to pay and insurance only pays in excess of that
- they "hold" this excess payment on your credit card, a payment that holds the funds, but they don't process it unless you return the car "damaged"
- so they offer you "excess insurance", an insurance against having to pay that excess amount (basically you pay it anyway on the credit card and then claim it back).
- on the premises this is always pretty extortionate
- you can buy this "excess insurance" from a third party online before you depart for your holiday instead, usually much cheaper. This is ERI. I don't know what it stands for probably along the lines of "excess recovery insurance" or something.
- even the third party ones have a ream of conditions and situations they won't cover, so as always, read the small print.
- no really, actually read it.0 -
What AI said !ArmchairAddick said:
Edit: what he/she said ☝️Solidgone said:
What is this ERI?SporadicAddick said:Always buy ERI ahead of travel. Never pay the excess policy offered by the hire company at the hire desk when you collect the car because it will be incredibly expensive.
Basically insurance against the excess on your car hire
- you got a car and usually it comes "with insurance"
- this will, like most insurance, have an "excess", so, an amount YOU have to pay and insurance only pays in excess of that
- they "hold" this excess payment on your credit card, a payment that holds the funds, but they don't process it unless you return the car "damaged"
- so they offer you "excess insurance", an insurance against having to pay that excess amount (basically you pay it anyway on the credit card and then claim it back).
- on the premises this is always pretty extortionate
- you can buy this "excess insurance" from a third party online before you depart for your holiday instead, usually much cheaper. This is ERI. I don't know what it stands for probably along the lines of "excess recovery insurance" or something.
- even the third party ones have a ream of conditions and situations they won't cover, so as always, read the small print.
- no really, actually read it.1 -
Thanks Sporaddic and Armchair.0
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thewolfboy said:Word of warning. Don't travel to Italy without a credit card! I always use my visa debit card to pay for stuff, but the car hire company in Sardinia wouldn't accept my Barclays card when charging a further 900 euros for extra insurance cover. So I lost my £460 'Do You Italy' car hire fee and had to spend a fortune of taxi fares. Sardinia is a beautiful island but consequently, we didn't see much of it. (Ps I have a Barclaycard now!)
Next time make sure you've got extra cover and when returning the car, park it in reception.3 -
Having run out of pages in my passport I had to apply for a renewal. The Passport Office said that it could take up to 3 weeks to receive a new passport. I received my new passport this morning and it only took 1 week. Well done Passport Office!2
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With the things you liked from Seville, have a look at Lisbon or Athens.ArmchairAddick said:In the year the lad will be going off to uni Mrs AA and I are looking forward to more out of term time winter sun breaks.
Went to Sevilla in October last year and it was bloody marvellous. 28 degrees all week, lots of historical places to go and see, but a nice poolside at the hotel as well. Right next to Sevillas stadium too (they weren't playing at home that week, I checked). Fantastic and cheap underground system gets you everywhere if you don't want to walk too much. Tapas lunch out for an hour or two over a couple of beers each day. Not going out for dinner until 9pm took a bit of getting used to though!
This year we were thinking of a few places. Marrakech was one. I'd quite like to do Girona. Missus likes to go out and see stuff. I'm happy to do a bit of that but quite like sitting on my arse in the sun poolside too.
Any ideas?Both decent for weather, light bites for lunch and a later dinner, historical places to explore and plenty of relaxing.3 - Sponsored links:
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https://x.com/maga_x_times/status/1948919628714868979?s=48&t=PRgt_6QdRFwhs17CYoSLqwI don’t think I’ll be doing a cruise for a while!2
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Have you heard of AI?Mendonca In Asdas said:https://x.com/maga_x_times/status/1948919628714868979?s=48&t=PRgt_6QdRFwhs17CYoSLqwI don’t think I’ll be doing a cruise for a while!0 -
Who does he play for?SporadicAddick said:
Have you heard of AI?Mendonca In Asdas said:https://x.com/maga_x_times/status/1948919628714868979?s=48&t=PRgt_6QdRFwhs17CYoSLqwI don’t think I’ll be doing a cruise for a while!0 -
Too be fair, my son just said that, got me!2
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For CDW, check your credit card as some include that cover for free, some American Express cards do anyway.0
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Has anyone actually had any experience of claiming on ERI? I have taken it a number of times and never had to claim. It worries me a little that it would be difficult if it ever came to it.0
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We have. Shrek deals with ours and didn't have a problem the one time he made a claim on itAthletico Charlton said:Has anyone actually had any experience of claiming on ERI? I have taken it a number of times and never had to claim. It worries me a little that it would be difficult if it ever came to it.1 -
Currently in Puglia, where it has been scorchio, circa 42c. It's a ghost town during the day. And then suddenly at 10pm, there are people everywhere.
Lecce is the most beautiful city I've been to. Prettier than Florence by my count. You could take a picture of every street. And the people are much friendlier and less tired of tourists, because there aren't that many here.
I love this region, but the only downside is the food. It is a much simpler cuisine compared to the rich flavours of Rome and the North.1 -
Luton..but not for much longer 😉Mendonca In Asdas said:
Who does he play for?SporadicAddick said:
Have you heard of AI?Mendonca In Asdas said:https://x.com/maga_x_times/status/1948919628714868979?s=48&t=PRgt_6QdRFwhs17CYoSLqwI don’t think I’ll be doing a cruise for a while!0
