Posts Tagged ‘advice’

Tips On Smooth International Car Rental Transactions

Posted on February 21st, 2010 by by Jason Hall

When you are renting a car it is typically a simple process. You start out by obtaining quotes online or on the telephone, you then decide on which deal is best, next you make your rental reservation and lastly you arrive at the rental company and pick up your vehicle. This is a very simple and straight forward process, however if you are traveling internationally there are a few additional steps that you will need to take in order to rent your car for the visit.

To start with you may be required to obtain an international driving permit in order to rent a vehicle at an overseas destination. This permit is not always required for your international travel rental, but it is mandatory by many other countries. If required, your international driving permit needs to be obtained prior to leaving your country, therefore you will want to look into this several weeks in advance to ensure that if the permit is required you have enough time to get the documentation and paperwork together. In addition to needing an international driving permit, many countries also require that you have a valid drivers license so you will want to be sure that you have both documents on you when you go to pick up your rental.

Next you need to find out if the country you are visiting requires an international insurance card, as proof that you are insured while driving your rental internationally. This is usually required for all international rental cars, so what you really need to do is contact your insurance company and inform them that you are in need of this documentation. Many insurance companies are regionally located so the insurance card that you receive will let the rental company know that you are a carrier of valid insurance, therefore you are eligible to rent your vehicle. Much like the international driving permit, you will be required to obtain this form in your home country, so you will want to check with your rental company several weeks prior to your visit to ensure you have enough time to obtain the required documentation.

When you are looking at international rentals you will most likely feel more secure if you rent from a company that you are familiar with. Many of the companies that you are familiar with in the United States are also located in countries around the world. In addition to going with a rental company that is reliable you will also want to reserve an extras that you feel you will require during your traveling. Rental companies offer many additional items for you to rent including child safety seats, ski carriers and GPS devices. If you require these, or other items, you should reserve them in advance as there is not an unlimited supply. One wise addition that you should always take, if available is a GPS, especially when you are traveling internationally. This will allow you to easily maneuver around the region you are visiting without worrying about trying to read the road signs or getting lost. Not only will the GPS assist you in getting around, it will also assist you in finding emergency services, restaurants, gas locations and other areas that you may be looking for during your travels.

As long as you inquire about, and obtain, all the required documents for your international car rental everything should go fairly smooth. Just make sure to have all you need and reserve your rental, along with your additional services, well in advance. If you follow the advance that was given in this article you should be smooth sailing from the time you pick up your rental to the time that it has to be returned. Happy Travels and Drive Safe!

Types of Credit Cards and Choosing One

Posted on October 18th, 2009 by by Bob Jones

Almost everyone over the age of consent has or wants a credit card these days and they are taken in almost every establishment. There are three major sorts of credit card in use in America. The first major kind of credit card is travel and entertainment cards such as American Express or Diners Card. These have to be paid completely by the end of the month and are liberal on spending limits.

The second major sort of credit card is the bank card such as Visa, Master Cards, GM, and Ford cards distributed mainly by the banks. The bank defines the spending limit, which in bank parlance, is known as the credit line and each bank offers different terms and conditions. Banks offer a choice of payment methods: you can either repay the balance in full with no interest charges or pay the minimum (or some part of the balance) with a finance charge.

The other major kind of card is the retail store card, such as Sears, J.C. Penney, Shell or Mobil. These store cards and the ones from gas companies, which are known as fuel cards, are only accepted in specific countries. They usually do not carry annual charges. There is a wide disparity in the terms and conditions for these cards.

Different kinds of credit cards present different options. Some are designed for individual consumers, while others are designed in ways that work best for small business requirements. To know what type of credit card fits your requirements, you should review a few options.

How to Select a Credit Card.

Credit cards are a part of everyday life for most people who live in the western countries. It’s becoming increasingly impossible to avoid them, especially for business men. So, if it is the first time you are thinking of entering into the world of plastic money, here are some of the basic things you should look out for.

First, compare the interest charged on all the credit cards you are interested in. While the rate will not remain fixed indefinitely, it’s always best for beginners to go for the one charging the lowest rates.

Read the fine print carefully, especially on the other charges that may be applied, like late-payment fees, annual fees, and whether there is a grace period which is normally given before the finance charges kick in.

Decide which spending limit is most suitable for a person of your income. Furthermore, the fewer credit cards you have, the better placed you will be to track your spending pattern.

You ought to compare the services such as the cash back incentives, guarantees, rebates and the like and check whether the card is accepted broadly enough to fit in with your requirements.

You will do yourself a favour by familiarizing yourself with the following terms: 1] Annual Percentage Rate: this is the measure of the yearly cost of the credit. 2] Finance Charges: these are the total charges involving the transaction. 3] Period of Grace: This is the period the issuer allows you before he starts charging you interest on new purchases. (Note that not all credit cards have a grace period).

Understanding DUI

Posted on October 16th, 2009 by by Richard Milford

It seems like these days almost everyone knows someone who has been arrested for a DUI. The surprising thing is that despite the commonality of the phrase there is a lot of misunderstanding regarding what a DUI actually is.

DUI is actually an abbreviation for driving under the influence and many falsely assume that is when someone is caught driving drunk. However, that is not just right since a DUI isn’t restricted to just the consumption of alcohol. It can also include legal and illegal drugs. Another mistake is to believe that a DUI can only be charged to people driving a car. The truth of the matter is that a DUI can also be given to people who are operating cars, boats, trucks, planes and motorcycles.

Since a DUI is treated in the same manner as any other criminal offense, the consequences are also more severe. The reasoning behind this is that before you can get a driver’s license that you have to pass the written test and part of that is proving knowledge of what driving under the influence entails. In addition, if you are caught and charged with a DUI then you not only put yourself at risk, but also everyone else on the road.

The usual way to determine DUI is by BAC or blood alcohol content but it is not the only means that can lead to a conviction. From state to state the legal limits are different so be aware of your local limits are.

It is also important to keep in mind that you can be convicted of a DUI for being under the influence of drugs as well as alcohol. Basically, anything that impairs you should keep you from driving. There are even prescription drugs that state you should not operate any machinery while taking them and if you still decide to drive a vehicle then you are putting yourself and others at risk.

However, perhaps the oddest way that you can get a DUI is actually with something that seems nearly harmless. Cough syrups and cold medicines often have alcohol as an ingredient. If you take too much and then get on the road, your blood alcohol level might be above the legal limit.

Should you be arrested for DUI the consequences you face for it depending on the state you are in as rules vary but they also have some in common such as fines, suspension and restrictions on your license, probation and in some cases jail time.

Finally, there is the consequence you don’t think of and that is your automobile insurance. If you are arrested for a DUI and convicted you will have to fill out an SR-22 form and your insurance company may opt to drop you and since you are now “high risk” you also face higher premiums and deductibles because you are considered high risk.