Fly and Drive: Long and winding road…?

ARE you one of those agents who automatically sells the
smallest car possible to your clients just because it’s the
cheapest? Then it’s time to gen up on your motoring
knowledge.

Small cars have their place, but with airline commissions
falling you could set your sights – and earning ability
– higher by selling a car to suit the occasion.

Maybe your client is planning to do some long-distance driving
in the US, in which case a small car is definitely not the best
option. If clients are going on a flydrive holiday somewhere hot
– even Italy in the summer – they should consider
trading up to get air conditioning. Or maybe they’ve got a
bit of cash and simply want to drive something fun.

Areas to consider when recommending a car include the number of
people travelling, how much luggage they will be taking and how
much driving they plan to do on holiday.

We look at six holidays and chose the best cars for agents to
recommend.

Best car: Ford Mustang Coupé.

Why? The words ‘long’ and
‘distance’ should get the alarm bells ringing –
this is not a job for a small car if clients want to travel in
comfort. And as they are going to the US – where petrol costs
around 33p a litre, compared with roughly 85p a litre in the UK
– they don’t have to worry too much if they end up with
a gas guzzler.

Sample price: one week’s car rental in
May 2005 booked through Hertz, with pick-up and drop-off at Los
Angeles International Airport, costs £133 including unlimited
mileage, loss damage waiver, liability insurance supplement,
service charge and taxes.

Any extras? The Hertz Neverlost satellite
navigation system will get your clients from A to B without
stumbling on C or D en route, and costs $45 a week, excluding
tax.

Best car: Renault Clio with air
conditioning.

Why? Clients planning to do some short
sightseeing hops don’t need anything too big or powerful as
they won’t have luggage to cart around. The Clio comes in
three and five-door models – the latter costs more but saves
having to get the kids in the back through the front doors. Air
conditioning is essential in summer.

Sample price: renting a five-door Renault Clio
with air conditioning for one week in Malaga in May 2005 costs
£106 with Suncars, including unlimited mileage, collision
damage waiver, third-party insurance, theft waiver, Spanish Bail
Bond and local taxes.

Any extras? Child seats may be required
depending on the age. These should be requested at the time of
booking but are payable locally. Clients unsure when exactly they
want to rent a car can use Suncars’ Flexi-Drive service which
allows renters to arrange pick-up times when they arrive in
resort.

Best car: Renault Espace.

Why? Five people travelling in an ordinary
saloon would soon feel cramped, especially if there is
long-distance driving involved, so a people carrier is a much
better option. It doesn’t have to be too big, but as they are
touring they will need space for luggage. Diesel in France is 30%
cheaper per litre than in the UK, so you should suggest a diesel
car. Unfortunately, however, car rental companies are unlikely to
guarantee one.

Sample price: a week’s rental in France,
picking up and dropping off in Lyon, costs £455 with Worldwide
Cars including unlimited mileage, collision damage waiver, theft
protection and taxes.

Any extras? Check the children’s ages in
case a child seat is needed. These cost about £17 a week,
payable locally in euros. The parents can share the driving for a
supplement of about £12 a week, also payable locally in
euros.

Best car: Opel Corsa 1.2.

Why? Distances are short in Cyprus and you
can’t drive very fast on the winding roads, so clients
don’t need anything too powerful. However, they will need air
conditioning in high season so go for the group C Opel Corsa
– with a child in the back it’s a good idea to trade up
from the smallest car and give passengers some added comfort. Roads
can be quite bumpy, especially in the Troodos Mountains.

Sample price: Avis offers a week’s rental
in Cyprus in May 2005 from £208, including unlimited mileage,
collision damage waiver, theft protection and local taxes. Rentals
from Larnaca Airport have a surcharge of around £7.50.

Any extras? Insurance 4 Car Hire’s excess
cover insurance is a good investment as vehicles may be damaged on
the bumpy roads. The Insurance 4 Car Hire policy pays the excess,
which is £600 on Avis’ collision damage waiver policy.
It costs £49 for a year’s cover with Insurance 4 Car
Hire, earning agents 20% commission.

Best car: VW Beetle Cabriolet.

Why? If you want to see and be seen in St
Tropez or Nice, you have to go topless – meaning the car, of
course. As your clients will be cruising slowly, horsepower is not
as important as colour. Put in a request for a bright yellow or red
vehicle to complete the picture.

Sample price: one week’s rental in May
2005 costs £507 with Europcar, including collision damage
waiver and theft protection. There is a mileage limit of 1,100
miles, but that shouldn’t be a problem for posers. Bookings
have to be made well in advance and drivers must be over 21.

Any extras? Collision damage waiver and theft
protection waiver are not available on this car. Clients will be
liable for the first £578 of any collision damage waiver claim
or £751 of a theft claim.

Best car: Suzuki Vitara 4×4.

Why? Barbados was made for jeeps – the
weather is warm most of the year so you can drive with the top down
and take in the scenery as you wind your way around the island.
Just be careful to get back in the right vehicle if you stop at a
popular attraction – these cars are everywhere.

Sample price: a Suzuki Vitara rented for one
week in May 2005 through Holiday Autos costs £239, including
unlimited mileage, collision damage waiver, third-party insurance,
theft waiver, local taxes and online booking discount.

Any extras? Holiday Autos recommends taking out
its damage excess refund policy at £1.50 a day. Otherwise, if
there is an accident, car renters in Barbados could be liable for a
bill of around £800.