1) If I have already made and paid for a Cairns car hire booking , can I cancel the car rental?
Customers must provide 14 days notice to cancel confirmed car hire bookings.
Least than two weeks notice will incur a 25% fee equal the non refundable deposit.
2) How much is my insurance excess?
The excess reduction rates depend on the category of Cairns Older Car Hire vehicle you choose.
We require a Visa or Mastercard CREDIT CARD for security on the hire car.
We will also accept a Visa/MC DEBIT card or a $600 cash bond, however you are obliged to buy the Collision Damage Waver (CDW) in order to reduce your insurance excess to below the level of your security bond.
See further details below in FAQ number 10.
In our Cairns Older Car Hire 'Backpacker' range ( our cheapest hire cars) the excess is $1000.
- Premium Cover ($10-12 p/day) reduces it to $250, and covers windscreen, headlights and tyre damage.
In our other vehicles the insurance excess is $2000.
- Premium Cover (varies between $15-26 p/day) reduces it to $500, and also covers windscreen, headlights and tyre damage.
For example, if you rent an ‘Economy with A/C‘, an additional $16/day will reduce the excess to $500 and cover windscreen, tyres and headlights.
NB. This is based on the main driver being over the age of 25. We do offer a damage waiver to under 25‘s, please ask for further explanation.
For under 21 year olds and provisional driving licenses the excess is $4000 and not reduceable.
The way our excess works is that you just pay for any damage to be repaired.
We don’t automatically deduct the full maximum amount like some car hire companies do!!
3) How do I get to the Cairns Older Car Hire office?
We are conveniently located near Cairns Airport at 410 Sheridan St/ corner of Cairns Airport Avenue and Sheridan St. also known as The Cook Highway.
We will come and collect you FREE OF CHARGE!As our office is the closest Cairns Car Hire Company to Cairns airport literally 3 minutes away, it is simple for us to come and pick you up.
Just telephone us on (07) 4053 1066 from Cairns Airport using your mobile OR pick up our FREEPHONE at The Virgin Terminal in Domestic Arrivals.
We can also collect you from your accommodation in the city of Cairns between 08.30am and 17.00 on Monday to Friday and Saturdays between 9am - 13.30 if you hire for 3 days or more. On Sundays Cairns Older Car Hire is closed but we can still arrange for you to pick up or return your Cairns Hire car.
4) How often are your cars serviced at Cairns Older Car Hire?
We have a dedicated team of experienced QUALIFIED MECHANICS who religiously service our Cairns hire car fleet in house EVERY 5,000km. All fluids, (water, oil, brakes, windscreen wipers) are checked regularly after each Cairns car hire.
We also operate a fully equipped and licensed Roadworthy safety inspection station so our Roadworthy inspector ensures that nothing gets overlooked in the safety department!
5) Will my car be clean when I collect it?
All Cairns hire cars are thoroughly washed & detailed inside & out after each rental to ensure you receive a clean car.
We operate a very strict NO SMOKING and NO ANIMALS policy so the car will smell nice.
6) Can I pick my Hire car up in Cairns and return it to a different town?
All cars must be collected from our Cairns Car Hire office near Cairns Airport at 410 Sheridan St and returned to the same location.
7) Can I return my Cairns Hire car to Cairns Airport?
I am sorry, but no - HOWEVER we are the closest Cairns Car rental office to Cairns Airport so just drop your car off at our office located on the corner of Cairns Airport Avenue and we will provide a complimentary lift to Cairns airport, so long as you have rented with Cairns Older Car Hire for 3 days or more.
If it is out of Cairns Older Car Hire office hours, we can pre-book a Cairns taxi to drop you off at a minimal charge - usually between $10 - $12.
8) I am arriving in Cairns at 4am. Can I still collect my Cairns Older Car Hire rental vehicle at that time of the morning?
Yes. We have a 24 hour collection service. For security reasons we cannot divulge the procedure over the internet, but just give us a call on 07 4053 1066and we will be happy to arrange out of hours collection for you.
9. I am leaving Cairns at midnight. Can I return my Cairns Older Car Hire out of office hours? No problem. When you pick up the car we will show you how. Or if you are collecting out of Cairns Older Car Hire office hours, just call us on 07 4053 1066 and we will issue you with instructions.
10) Do I need a credit card to hire a Cairns Older Car Hire vehicle?
It is easier to hire a car if you have a credit card because we can use the card as your bond or security against any damages, and do not need to process any funds on your bank account.
If you don't have a credit card, we can accept a bond of $600, which is payable in cash, Visa Debit or EFTPOS. This bond is refunded to you when you return the Cairns Older Car Hire vehicle.
11) I am returning my car to your office at midnight - How do I get back to my hotel or the airport?
We can organise a taxi to be waiting here for you. The Black and White taxi number 131008 and they require a telephone call to book. From our office the fare to the airport is approximately just $10- $12.
12) What are the age limits for renting a Cairns Older Car ?
We will accept drivers between 17 and 75 so long as you have a valid, current drivers license.
We will rent to under 21 year olds and also to P plate drivers, but there is a $10 per day surcharge.
13) Can Cairns Older Car Hire provide baby and child safety seats with my Cairns car rental?
Yes, Cairns Older Car Hire has baby seats at $6 per day and booster seats at $3/day. Just tell us when you book. Please note that in line with Queensland State law, installation of baby seats are the responsibility of the parent or carer. We are happy to provide you with the seats but it is your responsibility to ensure that you are happy with the installation.
14) What if my driving record is less than perfect and I have points on my license? Will Cairns Older Car Hire check?
The prices are all inclusive. There are no additional costs to pay.
15) Are there any hidden extras?
No!! Our prices are fully inclusive of GST, Stamp duty and all government fees. You can CHOOSE to reduce your insurance excess by purchasing Collision Damage Waver ( CDW) but if you have a credit card it is not obligatory. If you don't have a credit card, you will be required to reduce your excess to below the amount of your security bond e.g. $600 cash.
16) Can I rent a card with a debit card e.g. Visa Debit card instead of a credit card?
Yes, you can use EFTPOS to pay for your car rental and we will accept a CASH BOND of $600 as security against damage instead of a Credit card.
17) Will I get unlimited Km's with my Cairns Older Car Hire?
All Cairns car rentals of 3 days or more get unlimited Kms. Rentals of 1 or 2 days will get 200 free Kms per day. Extra mileage is charged at $0.25 per day. You must stay within our Cairns area limit which is as far North as Cape Tribulation, as far South as Mission Beach and inlands onto the Atherton Tablelands as far West as Atheron, Mareeba and Ravenshoe. This is plenty of scope and is about a 2 hour driving radius in all directions around the Cairns region.
18) Does Cairns Older Car Hire charge for additional drivers?
You can add 1 or more drivers to your Cairns Car rental contract. There is a flat surcharge of $5 per contract for every additional driver but remember the excess rate is applicable to the youngest driver's age.
19) Can you pick me up from Cairns airport or my Cairns city accommodation?
YES - No problem! Just book a car for 3 days or more in advance by telephone or internet and call Cairns Older Car Hire on 4053 1066 AFTER YOU HAVE COLLECTED YOUR BAGS - to let us know you have arrived. We pick up between 8am and 5pm Monday to Friday and 8.30 - 13.30 on Saturdays. We are closed on Sundays.
20) What age are Cairns Older Car Hire cars?
We operate a large fleet of approximately 100 cars which vary in age from 3 - 22 years old. At Cairns Older Car Hire our vehicle fleet pricing structure is based on age - not size, therefore the older a car is, the cheaper is costs.The safety of our cars is our uppermost concern and therefore we employ a dedicated team of highly experienced mechanics to service and maintain our fleet. We also operate a fully licensed Roadworthy Safety Inspection Station - so we take the safety of our cars very seriously.
21) What happens if the car breaks down?
Our mission is to get you and the car back on the road safely and quickly.
We provide FREE 24 hour RACQ roadside assistance with every car rental. If you have any problems just call us on our 24 hr telephone number and we will organise RACQ roadside assistance. We also provide every customer with details of our RACQ policy so if its more convenient, you can call the RACQ toll free number for yourself.
The most common problem is if people have forgotten to switch off the headlights or locked the keys inside the car.
Then you will be charged a 'dummy fee" !! If the problem is a result of your oversight, you will be charged the RACQ callouts fee of $75 plus any extras applicable.
If there is a fault with the car we will deliver you another vehicle of equivalent.
22) What is the petrol policy?
Cairns Older Car Hire operate a 'return as you found it' petrol policy. We check the fule level with you when we complete the vehicle condition reoprt and you must just fill up the petrol level back to the level that you picked it up at. E.g. If the petrol gauge is on half full, then return it on half full.
23) Will I need Air- conditioning?
Between October until April the temperatures are about 32 degrees so the answer is definitely YES!
24) What is the weight limit I can carry in a Ute?
Up to a maximum of 900kg.
25) How far in advance do I need to book?
Generally during our busy season, and especially if you want a People mover, Station wagon or a Ute during April to December and all school holidays we advise that you book a 2 weeks ahead.
