Question
Their "MasterRental insurance" lets you rent a car for 31 consecutive days or less. All my other CC's are for 15 days or less. Am planning a winter get away for a 31 days. I was planning on having to do two or three car rentals, to get the insurance. This was a super, great, pleasant surprise :) .
Answer
Does your MBNA card include loss of use coverage? Most rental companies will charge you or your insurer for a full day's rental each day the car is being repaired, ostensibly to recoup the revenue they're losing by not being able to rent the damaged vehicle. These charges can add up if (heaven forbid) you get into a serious accident.
American Express cards, for example, do not cover loss of use, which to me makes AmEx practically worthless when it comes to renting cars. Visa and Diners Club do have provisions for loss of use charges, however.
Great that you've found a card with full 31-day rental coverage, though.
Answer
American Express cards, for example, do not cover loss of use,I had missed that (and it's right there in plain sight). Thanks for the pointer! ^
I just checked my travel insurance policy for an upcoming trip (got it mostly for the injury and evacuation benefit), and it covers the cost of repairs and rental charges imposed while the car is being repaired, so I'll stop worrying...
Answer
Bump/follow-up:
I reviewed a copy of the Visa Auto Rental collision Damage Waiver Program guide when I got home tonight.
Pertinent details:
Rentals up to 31 days outside your country of residence are covered. 15 days in your country of residence. The wording is such that if you have a rental that is going to exceed the time limit, there is no coverage, even for the first 15/31 days.
Valid loss-of-use charges are covered (need to be substantiated by the rental agency through a fleet utilization log - I think this means that they must have actually lost business because they were short at least one car in your car's rental class).
Who is eligible? You are eligible if you are a valid cardholder whose name is embossed on an eligible US-issued Visa card. You and any additional drivers permitted by the car rental agreement are covered.
Conclusion: This is a Visa benefit -- anyone with a US Visa card has this coverage.
Answer
[QUOTE=wahooflyer]Does your MBNA card include loss of use coverage? Most rental companies will charge you or your insurer for a full day's rental each day the car is being repaired, ostensibly to recoup the revenue they're losing by not being able to rent the damaged vehicle. These charges can add up if (heaven forbid) you get into a serious accident.
Yes, just checked and it does cover "loss of use" charges. Thanks for pointing it out. It is something I have never checked.
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