backpacker cars nz - auckland airport car rental companies
There's no better way to explore New Zealand than by car.
Traveling in a car allows you to have your kind of holiday. There's no need for set itineraries or timetables. Travel at your own pace. Experience the land, culture and people of New Zealand without blowing your budget.
Backpacker Cars are available from four locations nationwide: Auckland, Christchurch, Queenstown and Wellington (special request only).
Backpacker is also part of Australasia's largest rental operator
Backpacker Cars NZ Rental Terms for travel between 01-Apr-2011 and 31-Mar-2013
PAYMENTAn initial, non-refundable deposit will be secured at the time of booking confirmation. Accepted credit cards are Visa and MasterCard (transaction fee of 1.75% applies).
The balance, along with the applicable vehicle bond, will be secured directly by the supplier on your arrival.
RATES INCLUDE:
• Unlimited kilometres
• Extra driver fees
• 15% GST
• Vehicle liability (liability applies – see the “For Your Protection” section for more information)
• Customer care 24 hour 7 days per week road service helpline (toll free)
• All branches have local tourist information and maps available
RATES EXCLUDE:
• Liability Reduction Option
• Refundable Vehicle Security Deposit
• Fuel costs
• Location Fees if applicable
FOR YOUR PROTECTION
New Zealand legislation provides limited coverage for personal injury. Backpacker strongly recommends that all people travelling in New Zealand take out personal travel insurance.
All vehicles are insured for the damage to the vehicle or to the property of a Third Party. The hirer if greater than 21 years of age is responsible for the first NZ$1,000 (“the liability”) for rental cars of the cost of damage to Third Party property or to the rented vehicle, including windscreen and tyre damage, towing and recovery costs, theft, fire, break-in or vandalism with the exception of the ‘exclusions’. This also includes the cost of the daily rental for the period the vehicle is off fleet for accident repairs. In the event of a single vehicle accident and where the hirer is greater than 21 years of age the hirer is responsible for the first NZ$2,500 (“the liability”) for rental cars of the cost of damage to Third Party property or to the rented vehicle.
The hirer if between 18-20 years of age is responsible for the first NZ$2,000 (“the liability”) for rental cars of the cost of damage to Third Party property or to the rented vehicle, including windscreen and tyre damage, towing and recovery costs, theft, fire, break-in or vandalism with the exception of the ‘exclusions’. This also includes the cost of the daily rental for the period the vehicle is off fleet for accident repairs. In the event of a single vehicle accident and where the hirer is between 18-20 years of age the hirer is responsible for the first NZ$3,500 (“the liability”) for rental cars of the cost of damage to Third Party property or to the rented vehicle.
Please see the ‘Exclusions’ section below, whereby all liability cover will be made void.
The liability is applicable regardless of who is at fault and must be paid at the time the accident report is completed, not at the completion of the rental. The liability will be refunded if Backpacker is successful in recovering the cost of the damages from the Third Party. Please note that Third Party claims can take months to resolve.
The liability applies in respect of each claim, not rental.
The liability can be reduced, in most circumstances, by the purchase of Liability Reduction Cover Option 1 or Liability Reduction Cover Option 2.
Excess Reduction Option 1
| Cost per day | Excess reduced to | |
| 21 + year old drivers | $9 (maximum charge per hire NZ$270) | $250 |
| 18-20 year old drivers | $16 (maximum charge per hire NZ$480) | $1,000 |
When Liability Reduction Option 1 is nominated by the hirer and the hirer is aged 21+ years the hirer is responsible for the first NZ$250 (“the liability”) of ANY ACCIDENT COST of damage to third party property or to the rented vehicle, including towing and recovery costs, theft, fire, break in or vandalism. This also includes the cost of the daily rental rate for the period the vehicle is off fleet for accident repairs. The liability applies in respect of each claim, not rental.
When Liability Reduction Option 1 is nominated by the hirer and the hirer is aged between 18-20 years the hirer is responsible for the first NZ$1,000 (“the liability”) of ANY ACCIDENT COST of damage to third party property or to the rented vehicle, including towing and recovery costs, theft, fire, break in or vandalism. This also includes the cost of the daily rental rate for the period the vehicle is off fleet for accident repairs. The liability applies in respect of each claim, not rental.
If an 18-20 year old driver and a 21+ year old driver hire a vehicle together and both are driving the 18-20 year old liability and vehicle security deposit requirements apply.
In the event of a single vehicle accident and where the hirer is greater than 21 years of age the hirer is responsible for the first NZ$2,500 (“the liability”) for rental cars of the cost of damage to Third Party property or to the rented vehicle.
In the event of a single vehicle accident and where the hirer is between 18-20 years of age the hirer is responsible for the first NZ$3,500 (“the liability”) for rental cars of the cost of damage to Third Party property or to the rented vehicle.
Excess Reduction Option 2
| Cost per day | Excess reduced to | |
| 21 + year old drivers | $15 (maximum charge per hire NZ$450) | NIL |
| 18-20 year old drivers | $21 (maximum charge per hire NZ$630) | $250 |
When Liability Reduction Option 2 is nominated by the hirer and the hirer is 21+ years of age, the hirer will not have to pay any liability at all for any damage to the vehicle or property of a Third Party with the exception of the ‘exclusions’. When Liability Reduction Option 2 is nominated by the hirer and the hirer is aged between 18-20 years the
hirer is responsible for the first NZ$250 (“the liability”) of ANY ACCIDENT COST of damage to third party property or to the rented vehicle, including single vehicle accident, towing and recovery costs, theft, fire, break in or vandalism. This also includes the cost of the daily rental rate for the period the vehicle is off fleet for accident repairs. The liability applies in respect of each claim, not rental.
If an 18-20 year old driver and a 21+ year old driver hire a vehicle together and both are driving the 18-20 year old liability and vehicle security deposit requirements apply.
BACKPACKER STRONGLY RECOMMENDS OUR CUSTOMERS TAKE LIABILITY REDUCTION OPTION 2 FOR TRAVEL WITH COMPLETE PEACE OF MIND.
Please see the ‘Exclusions’ section, whereby all Liability Reduction Cover will be made void.
EXCLUSIONS:
All Liability Reduction Cover will be made void if any of the following ‘Exclusions’ are breached:
1. Overhead and underbody damage to the vehicle
2. Damage caused to the vehicle because total load (kg) has exceeded recommended load as stated in vehicle manual. Vehicles are not to be used for the purpose of transporting and haulage of goods other than what might be reasonably expected of a leisure rental.
3. Any water related damage which includes, but is not limited to:
a. any vehicle submersion
b. creek or river crossing
c. driving through flooded areas
d. beach driving
4. Personal belongings. Backpacker recommends the hirer does not leave valuables in the vehicle and that they have travel insurance to cover for the loss/damage of personal belongings.
5. Any damage caused by wilful misconduct (e.g. sitting or standing on the bonnet or roof of the vehicle).
6. A single vehicle roll over occurs.
7. Damage caused to the vehicle by snow chains.
8. Any damage caused while driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
9. The Customer will be liable for any costs associated with the incorrect use of fuel or the use of Bio-Diesel which should not be used (fuel being diesel or petrol), or water or other contamination of fuel.
10. The cost to retrieve or recover a vehicle, which may include, but is not limited to a vehicle that has become bogged, submerged, caught, trapped, stuck or restricted in anyway and/or has been abandoned.
11. The cost to replace keys, which have been lost or retrieval of keys, which have been locked in a vehicle.
12. The vehicle rented may only be used to carry the maximum number of passengers as dictated by the vehicle type. If more passengers are carried than what is allowed Backpacker does not accept any liability.
13. Drivers not identified on the rental agreement and/or drivers that have a licence that has been cancelled or suspended and/or drivers who have a licence that is classified as a learners or probationary licence.
VEHICLE SECURITY DEPOSIT
Upon vehicle collection, a vehicle security deposit is required. The amount is determined by the Liability Reduction Cover Option selected.
For security purposes, only a credit card can be used to provide a vehicle security deposit. The credit card holder must be present and able to sign for the vehicle security deposit upon vehicle collection. The credit card holder is jointly and severally liable for any damage to the rental vehicle.
If a Liability Reduction Option is not selected and the hirer is 21+ years of age, the vehicle security deposit is NZ$1,000 to be supplied by credit card.
If a Liability Reduction Option is not selected and the hirer is 18-20 years of age, the vehicle security deposit is NZ$2,000 to be supplied by credit card.
The NZ$2,000/$1,000 is debited to the hirer’s credit card when the vehicle is collected.
In the event of single vehicle accident, the additional amounts required will be debited immediately at time of accident report.
If Liability Reduction Option 1 is selected and the hirer is 21+ years of age, the vehicle security deposit is NZ$250 to be supplied by credit card.
If Liability Reduction Option 1 is selected and the hirer is 18-20 years of age, the vehicle security deposit is NZ$1,000 to be supplied by credit card.
In the event of single vehicle accident, the additional amounts required will be debited immediately at time of accident report.
The NZ$250/$1,000 is debited to the hirer’s credit card when the vehicle is collected.
If Liability Reduction Option 2 is selected the vehicle security deposit is NZ$250.
The NZ$250 is debited to the hirer’s credit card when the vehicle is collected.
If an 18-20 year old driver and a 21+ year old driver hire a vehicle together and both are driving the 18-20 year old liability and vehicle security deposit requirements apply.
The vehicle security deposit is fully refundable provided the vehicle is returned on time, to the correct location, undamaged, in a clean condition, and with a full fuel tank. Except where the customer has purchased the Pre Purchase Fuel (PPF), failure to return the vehicle with full fuel tanks will result in refill charges, which will be advised upon return of the vehicle. Backpacker reserves the right to retain an NZ$220 cleaning fee if the vehicle is not returned in a clean condition. This includes smoking related cleaning, as smoking is not permitted in the vehicle.
FOR SECURITY PURPOSES, ONLY THE HIRERS CREDIT CARD CAN BE USED FOR VEHICLE SECURITY DEPOSITS.
RENTAL DURATION
• Rental days are calculated on a 24 hour basis.
• Minimum rental period is one-day pick up and return same city.
• Vehicles are required to be collected and returned within business hours.
• For one-way rentals between cities, the minimum rental requirement is 3 days.
• For one-way hires that are southbound, the minimum rental requirement is seven days.
• Minimum rental period is subject to change during peak periods.
Early return of vehicle does not entitle the hirer to any refund of the unused portion of the rental.
Backpacker allows a grace period of 59 minutes before the hirer is liable for late return charges. Late return fees are applicable as follows:
• 1 hour late, one third of daily rate will apply
• 2 hours late, two thirds of daily rate will apply
• 3 hours late, one full day rate will apply
AIRPORT CONCESSION FEES
An airport concession fee may be charged for hires with pick-up or drop-off from airport locations. An airport pick-up fee of NZ$30.00 per hire will apply for hires with pick-up at Queenstown airport. This fee is subject to change and new airport charges may arise as required.
This surcharge is payable to Backpacker directly upon collection of the vehicle.
ADDITIONAL PRODUCTS & SERVICES
To be requested at time of reservation and paid by the customer on pick up:
• Picnic Table NZ$24 per rental
• Picnic Chair NZ$17 per rental
• Baby / Booster seat NZ$35 per rental
• Tent (4 persons) NZ$65 per rental
• Camping Pack NZ$20 per day (maximum charge NZ$200 for 2 persons)
• Snow Chains NZ$35 per rental
• First Aid Kit NZ$30 for purchase (In vehicle. If seal broken customer is charged)
• PPF – Pre-Purchase Fuel Option Details on request
• GPS NZ$10 per day with a maximum charge of NZ$100
• Portable Hand-Held Shower NZ$15 per rental
• Electrical Adaptor NZ$14 for purchase
Charges for additional products and services will be charged per hire.
CHANGE OF LOCATION
If the customer wishes to change the pick up or drop-off location from what was originally booked, permission must be first obtained from the reservations or scheduling departments. Subject to the change being approved, an additional charge of up to NZ$700 may apply.
RENTAL EXTENSION
If the customer wishes to extend the rental whilst on hire, they must first obtain authorisation from reservations or any of the Backpacker branches. The rental extension is subject to vehicle availability. The cost of an extended rental must be paid by credit card over the telephone on confirmation of the rental extension. The rate charged may not reflect the original rate booked. Failure to obtain authorisation will result in a daily fee of NZ$150 in addition to the daily rate.
TRANSFERS
At Backpacker, we offer free transfers to and from Auckland Airport to our Auckland Airport branch on the day of your arrival or departure. If you’re picking up from our Auckland downtown branch, simply show your Auckland Airbus driver your rental confirmation and they’ll take you for free. We also provide free transfers to and from Christchurch Airport to our Christchurch Airport branch on the day of arrival and departure. Unfortunately, transfers aren’t available from our Christchurch City branch, but it’s just a short 20 minute walk from Cathedral Square, or a $10 taxi ride. Our Queenstown branch is located at the airport, so easy as! Just a reminder, we only offer the Compact Car and Economy Car from our Auckland City and Christchurch City branches. Look forward to seeing you soon.
INFRINGEMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION FEES
Backpacker reserves the right to charge the hirer for any speeding, toll way or parking fines and/or vehicle damage including Third Party property damage not reported on return of the vehicle. In addition to these costs, Backpacker reserve the right to charge for associated administration costs for processing the fines (irrespective of liability) and/or all claims in the event of the customer not having a NIL liability. In addition to the costs associated per fine and/or claim, an administration fee of NZ$60 will be applicable.
EXCHANGE RATE / CURRENCY VARIATIONS
All credit card transactions are conducted in New Zealand dollars. Due to exchange rate fluctuations and bank transaction fees there could be some variance in the amount refunded compared to the amount initially charged. Backpacker does not accept any liability for variances up or down.
LICENCE
A current and full (i.e. no probationary licences are accepted) motor vehicle driver’s licence is required and must be produced upon vehicle collection. Should a foreign licence be in a language other then English it must be accompanied by a current international driving permit issued in the same country as the driver’s licence was issued. An accredited English translation will be accepted in lieu of an international driving permit.
AGE RESTRICTIONS
Drivers must be 18 years of age or over. A medical certificate stating that the customer is fit to drive the vehicle they have booked for the duration of the hire is required for drivers 75 years of age or greater.
MULTIPLE RENTALS
Should a customer have more than one consecutive rental they can be combined to qualify for longer-term hire discounts off the vehicle rate. Consecutive campervan hire in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa and/or consecutive car hire in New Zealand for Backpacker can be combined to qualify if the vehicle collection date/s are within a 3-month period. For all rentals to qualify each booking needs to be made at the same time. If a customer makes another booking at a later time, the new booking can be combined to qualify if the vehicle collection date/s are within a 3-month period however, the original booking/s will only qualify for a discount if the booking/s are not already travelling or travelled.
Note that 2wd car hire in Australia cannot be combined with any campervan or New Zealand car hire to qualify for longer-term discounts.
Longer-term discounts must be requested at the time of booking.
For campervans that pick up and drop off on the same day, the less expensive rental day will be free of charge. This also applies to the liability reduction option or the Smart pack if applicable.
If multiple hires are within the same country and total days exceed 50 days only the maximum charge applicable to the Liability Reduction Option or the Smart pack will apply. If combining a vehicle hire with another Backpacker vehicle that has a more expensive Smart pack or Liability Reduction Option, the more expensive Smart Pack/Liability Reduction maximum cost is applied.
Vehicle security deposits can be transferred between most multiple rentals. This service is available when the booked products are campervans and the vehicle security deposit amount is the same.
ROAD RESTRICTIONS
Vehicles can only be driven on sealed/bitumen or well-maintained roads. No vehicle shall be driven on Skippers Road (Queenstown), Ninety Mile Beach (Northland), Ball Hut Road (Mt. Cook), Bluff Road that runs between Kuaotunu and Matarangi and North of Colville Township (Coromandel Peninsula).
Backpacker reserves the right at its sole discretion to restrict vehicle movements in certain areas due to adverse road or weather conditions.
ON-ROAD ASSISTANCE
Any problems associated with the vehicle, including equipment failure, must be reported to Backpacker as soon as possible and within 24 hours in order to give Backpacker the opportunity to rectify the problem during the rental. Failure to do so will compromise any claims for compensation. Backpacker does not accept liability for any claims submitted after this period.
CHANGE OF VEHICLE
Should the vehicle booked be unavailable Backpacker reserves the right to substitute an alternative vehicle without prior notification and at no extra cost. This shall not constitute a breach of contract and does not entitle the hirer to a refund.
VEHICLE CATEGORY
Vehicles cannot be requested by make or model, only by vehicle category.
VOLUNTARY DOWNGRADE
Should the hirer decide to take a lesser vehicle than booked they will not be entitled to any refund.
CANCELLATION POLICY
There are no cancellation fees applicable to car hire unless the original booking was for a campervan, which was subsequently amended to a car rental and then cancelled. In this case the campervans cancellation policy applies.
DISCRETION
Backpacker reserves the right to refuse any rental at its discretion.
ANIMALS
No animals are permitted in our vehicles, excluding guide dogs.
PERSONAL AND COMPANY CHEQUES
Personal and Company cheques will not be accepted as payment for rentals at the time of pick-up. These must be paid to Backpacker 14 days prior to commencement of rentals. Personal or Company cheques are not acceptable as the vehicle security deposit.
CALCULATION ERRORS
Backpacker will not honour calculation errors. Should a calculation error occur Backpacker will charge for the shortfall.
AGENT NON-PAYMENT
In the case where pre-payment is required and this has not been made the hirer agrees to pay the full costs to Backpacker.
DISCLAIMER
Illustrations and text in any of our brochures or website are a representation only of the vehicle depicted. Variances in the vehicles offered for rental may occur due to substitutions made by Backpacker or modifications and/or upgrades to the vehicle design made by the manufacturer.
Terms of booking on this website
Information disclaimer
The rates on this website are often heavily discounted. This is due to our negotiated rates and bulk buying power. On very rare occasions, a rate may be displayed incorrectly due to our, or a vehicle supplier's error. In such a case, if you book with us at a quoted rate that is incorrect, we will notify you of any price change and give you the option to proceed or cancel. We make every effort to keep information on our site up to date, but we cannot guarantee this website is free of errors or omissions and retain the right to update or change the information published at any time.
Liability
To the extent permitted by law we/the owners of this website will not be liable to you or to any third party (whether in contract, tort, or otherwise) for any direct, indirect or consequential loss or damage (including but not limited to any accident, injury, delay or loss of enjoyment) arising out of your reliance upon information contained on this website, including but not limited to your use (or inability to use) any products or services described or procured through this website.
When you pick up your vehicle, you will be required to sign a rental agreement with the supplier of the vehicle. Your rental and use of the vehicle will be governed by the terms of the rental agreement and any other documentation or information provided to you by the supplier at the time you pick up your vehicle. The rental agreement is between you and the supplier and we will not be liable to you or to any third party in relation to the terms of the supplier's rental agreement or any other documentation provided to you by the supplier at the time of pick up.
While we will make reasonable efforts to ensure we are representing only reputable suppliers, we make no warranty about the fitness or suitability of any third party (supplier) product or service and will not accept responsibility for the quality or fitness of any vehicle. We welcome feedback from our customers on their experience with our suppliers. We may, at our discretion, provide you with reasonable assistance in resolving any dispute you may have with a supplier.
Our total liability to you in relation to your use of this website and the information contained on this website will not exceed the dollar amount of the deposit we have received from you in relation to your booking/rental. Refunds will not be made for bookings cancelled due to inclement weather. Again, we strongly recommend that you take out travel insurance. Your use of this website is governed by the laws of New Zealand and the jurisdiction of the New Zealand courts.
Booking information
To make a booking you must complete our booking form which is easy to follow and secured with the latest encryption technology. Once we receive your form, we will, subject to availability, confirm your booking by emailing you a confirmation voucher and invoice.
If you are booking via phone, please make sure you have read the terms and conditions of the vehicle you wish to rent first. Our reservations consultant will ask you if you have read the terms and agree to them before proceeding. The onus is always on the renter to ensure they make themselves fully aware of the terms displayed on our website.
Information disclosure
In booking on this website you acknowledge that we disclose your information to your selected Supplier in order to provide the requested rental services.
Vehicle capacity and fitness to drive
Under no circumstances are you permitted to carry more passengers than the vehicle you rent is legally registered to carry, and if you do your insurance may be invalidated. The number of seatbelts (and passengers) is indicated next to each vehicle on this website. Luggage capacity where shown is an indication only and we will not be responsible should you be unable to fit your entire luggage into a vehicle. It is your responsibility to choose a journey that is within your capabilities. A vehicle supplier can refuse to rent a vehicle to any person who is in their opinion unfit to drive or does not meet eligibility requirements. In such circumstances we will have no further liability to you.
Refund Policy
We are committed to providing a quality service and aim for complete customer satisfaction. In the event of cancellation, any refunds or penalties are detailed in the terms and conditions of your selected vehicle that you are asked to read and accept at time of booking. In the event you are unsatisfied with our service, please contact us within 48 hours of placing your booking or request and we will work to resolve any issues and determine if compensation is due. In the event you have completed your rental and are unhappy with your vehicle, we are happy to assist you in seeking compensation from the operator of the vehicle.
This website is owned and operated by Car Rental Republic Ltd, a specialist in worldwide car rental distribution. Our financial centre and marketing office is based at Level 4 Excelsior House, 6 Commerce St , Auckland, New Zealand. Thank you for booking with us.