If you have any questions about hiring a car in Christchurch or Queenstown from Touchdown Car Rentals, please take a look at some of our frequently asked questions.
If you can’t find the answer to your questions below, please contact us to speak to our team.
The amount you are liable for in event of accident or damage is dependent on what Liability Option you choose. We are required to hold your credit card details for bookings in New Zealand and will charge that credit card in the event of accident or damage up to the amount you are liable for.
This amount you are liable for can be reduced by purchasing one of our excess reduction packages:
For $30 per day the maximum excess will be reduced to $750
For $45 per day the maximum excess will be reduced to $0
Only the $45 excess reduction package includes complimentary windscreen and tyre damage repairs.
For our premium vehicles the standard excess is $5,000 and can be reduced to $750 for $45 per day. There is not zero excess option for premium vehicles.
The insurance coverage pertains only to the vehicle hire. Damage to any accessories hired will be the liability of the hirer. Touchdown Car Rentals takes no responsibility for damage caused to any equipment that is mounted to roof racks on our vehicles. It is the hirer’s responsibility to ensure skis and any other equipment are safe and secure.
Please do not leave any of our convertible hire vehicles unattended in the Arthurs Pass National Park area. Local birds called Keas will likely damage the soft top of the vehicle and this damage will not be covered by your rental insurance.
When hiring a car from Touchdown, we require pre-payment for the hire of your vehicle, plus $500 authorisation of a credit card which will be released on return of your vehicle.
Our normal business hours are 8am to 5pm.
We do have procedures in place for you to collect a vehicle outside of these times. If you select a pick up time outside of these operational hours, you will be emailed information on how to complete your pre-registration and pre-payment prior to arrival, and how to collect your vehicle.
If you do choose to collect a hire vehicle late in the evening or after a long haul flight we recommend that you rest before driving outside of Christchurch or Queenstown. Our country roads can be hazardous, and driver fatigue is a key element in many road incidents.
It is not recommended to drive late at night to other destinations, especially in the winter months. If you need accommodation in Christchurch our friends at the Commodore Hotel will look after you with a special deal if you are hiring from Touchdown Car Rentals.
Take a look at some of our recommended Christchurch and Queenstown Accommodation options.
One-way hires between Queenstown and Christchurch (and vice versa) are available for hires over 5 days, a one-way fee applies – and is determined based on season and availability, typically between NZD$300 and $700.
All our vehicles include unlimited kilometres and all Road User Charges, so you can travel without fear of additional charges.
All our bookings allow for as many additional drivers as you would like at no additional cost, provided they are over 21 years of age and have a full unrestricted drivers license.
You do not need to advise us of the additional drivers until you arrive to collect the vehicle, however all drivers must be present (with their physical license) if they wish to be added to the rental agreement.
We can accept Digital driver licenses that can easily be verified to have been authorised by the appropriate state/country authority , however we always recommend that the hirer brings their physical card as New Zealand law mandates that all drivers must possess and carry a physical driver’s license at all times when operating a vehicle on New Zealand roads.
When you come to collect your hire car from us, you will need a valid driver’s licence and a credit card for security. The credit card must have the hirer’s name printed on it for verification and the card must be valid until the drop-off date.
If you are hiring a car with Touchdown and have made a booking, but wish to cancel, the following charges are applicable:
More than 7 days before hire – No fee applicable
Within 7 Days of hire – 1 day’s hire
Less than 24 hours – 100% of the entire car hire fee
An admin fee of $35 is charged for any vehicles returned without a full tank of fuel on top of the cost of the fuel.
An admin fee of $35 is charged on top of any infringements or fines issued during the hire.
Yes. You can choose to add 1 or 2 bike racks to most of the 4WD vehicles we hire.
Bike Racks are not available for Corollas, MINIs , Hiace Van, or Ford Mustang rental cars.
Our Standard Bike Racks are not suitable for e-bikes, but please contact us for solutions for your e-Bikes with our Hilux or Prado rental vehicles.
Subject to availability, we can usually supply rear and forward facing child car seats (ages 6 months to 3 years), and child booster seats (ages 3-7 years).
It is important to note that Touchdown Car Rental staff are not trained child restraint technicians. It is the driver’s responsibility to check that the child restraint has been fitted correctly to the vehicle and adjusted according to the child’s size and weight.
We do not supply capsule seats for infants under 6 months old, but please contact us and we can help you to arrange one to be professionally fitted to your rental vehicle prior to your arrival.