 Frequently Asked Questions - France
- About booking a car:
- What car should I choose?
- Are there any restrictions on where I can drive?
- Can I drop off the car at a different location?
- What's included in my WheelsAbroad price?
- How is my WheelsAbroad price impacted by exchange rate fluctuations?
- What if I don't receive my email confirmation?
- Can I get frequent flyer or other loyalty points on my rental through WheelsAbroad?
- What about child seats?
- What kind of Driver's License do I need?
- What does Damage Waiver Excluded / Included mean?
- About changing plans before you leave:
- What if I need to change or cancel my rental plans?
- About picking up the car:
- How do I know where to collect my car?
- What do I need to pick-up my car?
- Is there a deposit taken on my credit card?
- Can the rental agency refuse to give me a vehicle?
- What if I don’t like the vehicle I’ve chosen?
- What if I don’t pick-up the car at all?
- About the rental:
- What happens in the event of a breakdown or accident?
- What if I keep the car longer than I booked?
- What if I keep the car less time than I booked?
A.1. What car should I choose?
Think carefully about how much time you may spend in the vehicle and how much space you need - for people and luggage. Then make your choice based on comfort and not just price. Finding yourself cramped into a vehicle that is smaller than you need could really spoil your vacation. The majority of cars in French rental fleets are manual transmission. But automatics are available, and usually carry a premium price. If you are not familiar with manual transmission, think carefully before you decide to learn 'stick shift' in a strange environment, and maybe even on the "wrong side of the road". All current vehicles in the program have radios, and most larger cars have CD players.
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A.2.
Are there any restrictions on where I can drive?
You should only drive your rental car on public roads and highways. You may drive into the following countries without restriction or surcharge: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Holland, Luxembourg, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland and the UK. Only Economy and Compact class cars may be driven into Italy.
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A.3.
Can I drop off the car at a different location?
In general, WheelsAbroad prices are based on dropping off your car at the pick-up location. But we do have a comprehensive one-way program within mainland France... it's free between all locations! Drop off outside France is not available.You can book your one-way rental through the regular Book It screens... click on "Same as Pick-up Location" to select a different Region / Drop-off Location.
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A.4. What's included in my WheelsAbroad price?
Your WheelsAbroad price includes Limited Collision Damage/Theft Waiver, all mandatory charges, fees and taxes. Optional charges are not included. See Prices for more information. Be sure to click "What's Included" on the booking screen for detailed price information for the location you have selected.
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A.5. How is my WheelsAbroad price impacted by exchange rate fluctuations?
WheelsAbroad.com Inc is a Canadian company and we process all credit card charges and refunds in Canadian Dollars (CAD). WheelsAbroad prices are "guaranteed" in destination currency (Euros)
This means that...
Your Pre-payment is calculated in Euros, and then converted to Canadian Dollars. This Canadian Dollar charge will be converted (if necessary) to your home/statement currency by your credit card issuing company at their exchange rate.
The Balance Due to rental agency is "guaranteed" in Euros. This charge will be converted (if necessary) to your home/statement currency by your credit card issuing company at their exchange rate.
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A.6. What if I don't receive my email confirmation?
You can request another copy of your email confirmation through the Change / Cancel menu. Enter your Confirmation Number / First (Given) Name / Last (Family) Name, retrieve your booking and select "Receive another confirmation/itinerary". Please check your email address carefully, and correct it if necessary.
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A.7. Can I get frequent flyer or other loyalty points on my rental through WheelsAbroad?
No. We don't participate in any loyalty programs.
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A.8. What about Child Seats?
In France, any child between 20 - 40lbs / 9 - 18 kgs should be secured in a forward-facing child seat. You should book your child seat(s) in advance, and there is usually a per rental charge for use of the seat. We do not offer infant seats or booster seats. Check out this UK site RoSPA - Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents for more information about child restraints.
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A.9. What kind of Driver's License do I need?
All drivers must present a full Driver's License issued by your country of residence. A Provisional, Graduated or Learner license is not acceptable. The license, held for a minimum of one year, must be valid at the time of rental and remain valid throughout the rental period.
If your driver's license is not in English or French, you should bring with you an International Driving Permit (IDP). An IDP is written in 10 languages and serves as an officially recognized translation of your local driver's license. Your IDP must always be accompanied by your valid local driver's license.
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A.10.
What does "Damage Waiver Excluded / Included" mean?
In France, the rental price includes full Third Party cover, but does not automatically include coverage for any loss or damage to the rental vehicle.With the "Damage Waiver Excluded" option, you are responsible for making good on any loss or damage to the rental car. Worst case is you can be responsible for the full replacement cost of the vehicle. We don't recommend this option unless you have car rental loss/damage coverage through a premium credit card. You may be asked to provide proof of coverage... please take with you a copy of your credit card program. With the "Damage Waiver Included" option, your loss or damage responsibility (deductible) is limited to a maximum of EUR 625.00 (more on larger vehicles). Most rental agencies offer additional coverage packages which can reduce your deductible to zero. The price varies by location, by car and by rental duration but you can budget around EUR 6.00 - 7.00 per day for this additional "peace of mind".
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B.1.
What if I need to change or cancel my rental plans?
Changes or Cancellations more than 2 days before pick-up date
You may change or cancel your booking at any time up to 2 calendar days before your planned pick-up date.
Changes which affect your Total Rental cost...
The change in Pre-payment will be posted - in Canadian Dollars - to the credit card you used for your initial booking (we debit the new Pre-payment and credit the old Pre-payment). The Balance Due to rental agency will also change.
Cancellations...
Your Pre-payment will be refunded - in Canadian Dollars - to the credit card you used for your initial booking, less a Cancellation Fee of CAD 20.00 (we debit the Cancellation Fee and credit the old Pre-payment). There will be no Balance Due to rental agency.
Please make changes or Cancellations through the web-site (green Change/Cancel menu). You will need to enter your WheelsAbroad confirmation number and the name on the reservation to retrieve your booking.
Changes or Cancellations within 2 days of your pick-up date
Changes... no changes are allowed.
Cancellations... your Pre-payment is not refundable and serves as your Cancellation Fee. There will be no Balance Due to rental agency.
No Show... failing to pick-up the reserved vehicle is considered as a Cancellation within 2 days of pick-up date. Your Pre-payment is not refundable and serves as your Cancellation Fee.
Check with your travel insurance policy for possible re-imbursement of cancellation fees and non-refundable Pre-payments.
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C.1. How do I know where to collect my car?
Click on 'What's Included' in the booking table for information about the supplier and pick-up point. We also send you an email Confirmation/Itinerary which recaps all the details of your car rental booking. We include specific instructions on where to report to pick-up your car. This message also includes additional contact information and telephone numbers for the rental agency location. For airport rentals, all of our suppliers are "in-terminal" and have a desk in the airport arrivals area.
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C.2. What do I need to pick-up my car?
When you arrive at the rental agency, you will need to identify yourself by name to match up with your reservation, and meet the rental agency's minimum criteria for age (21 in most cases), driver's license (valid and held for a minimum of one year) and credit (major credit card - Amex, Diners, Mastercard or Visa - in your name).
NB: Debit cards are not accepted as a method of payment.
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C.3. Is there a deposit taken on my credit card?
Most car rental agencies take an "authorization" on your credit card when you pick-up the car. Generally, the amount taken is the estimated rental charges (the Balance Due plus any extras you choose at time of pick-up) plus the deductible amount and the cost of a full tank of fuel. When you drop off the car, this authorized amount is released and replaced by the actual amount of your rental charges.
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C.4.
Can the rental agency refuse to give me a vehicle?
The rental agency will not give you a car if you can't produce your driver's licence or your credit card, if you are outside the required minimum/maximum age range or if you appear unfit to drive... no exceptions! This situation is considered as a Cancellation within 2 days of pick-up date... your Pre-payment is not refundable and serves as your Cancellation Fee.In the event that the rental agency cannot provide the booked/confirmed vehicle (whether "oversold" or any other reason), they will make every effort to give you an alternative vehicle, or arrange to get the booked vehicle to you as quickly as possible.
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C.5. What if I don’t like the vehicle I’ve chosen?
Talk to the rental agency staff - they will try to get you into a car you like. There will be a charge if you choose to upgrade to a larger vehicle.
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C.6. What if I don’t pick-up the car at all?
There’s no charge by the rental agency, but you forfeit the Pre-payment you made to WheelsAbroad.
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D.1. What happens in the event of a breakdown or accident?
In the event of mechanical difficulty or accident, contact the rental agency immediately - see their rental contract for contact information - and they will advise you what to do. You should notify the local police about all accidents involving injury or property damage, and obtain a signed police report. You should also obtain full details of any third parties involved.
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D.2. What if I keep the car longer than I booked?
The rental agency will charge you full retail rate (time, distance and coverage/option charges) on extra days and services outside your original booking.
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D.3. What if I keep the car less time than I booked?
The rental agency will charge you the full Balance Due to rental agency. There’s no reduction or refund for shorter rentals.
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