Free Car hire Thomas Cook

[loopyloufew]

Hi, I have booked a package deal with Airtours (Thomas cook) and it included free car hire, but when i booked over the phone they said i would have to purchase additional insurance, I said I would talk to my husband (the amount she quoted seemed excessive)

So I looked at other car rentals and it appeared I could hire a car with insurance cheaper elsewhere.

I think we have decided to do this but I'm not sure if I should call to cancel the free car, I was going to just not collect it but I have since read they can charge you a non collection fee.

So I'm all confused has anyone had any experience with the free car hire?

[danisleigh]

We just didn't bother collecting our car with virgin holidays last easter! They wanted over £500 to upgrade and insure an intermediate SUV but we hired one elsewhere for £297 fully inclusive!

[loopyloufew]

thanks I think thats what we are going to do!

[STomo]

For every traveller who reads forums like this and realises that booking a car yourself (fully insured) is cheaper than just the insurance part of a fly-drive, there are hundreds who dont know and assume they have to take the car. This is what the operators plan on as an extra income stream.

This is why sometimes, fly drives can be cheaper than flight only.

[Lell]

We have booked twice with Thomas Cook and both times told them we didn't want the car which they were fine with. In fact, first time round the lady in the shop advised us we would be cheaper booking elsewhere.

[loopyloufew]

Brilliant thanks Lesley. Do you think I should let them know I don't want the car or just leave it?

[Lell]

Originally Posted by loopyloufew

Brilliant thanks Lesley. Do you think I should let them know I don't want the car or just leave it?

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Personally, I preferred to let them know beforehand as I didn't want to be hit with any unexpected charges but they were fine both times and obviously there was no charge.

[Tinks_81]

I would probably let them know out of curtesy.

[loopyloufew]

Yes I think I will, I would have ended up feeling guilty, I'm just a little bit worried about getting the hard sell, I'm a bit of a soft touch!

[Miket2001]

We have the same as we booked with TC. I went onto the online chat (works out cheaper than waiting on the phone) and told them on there that I didn't need it. The advisor put a note on my account.