Car Rental Information | 1300 Meteor Rentals

Meteor Rentals Important Info

Simple, Transparent Rentals — Everything You Need to Know Before You Hire

With over 45 years of local expertise behind us, we want to make your rental experience with 1300 Meteor Rentals as smooth and straightforward as possible. All rentals are subject to our rental agreement terms and conditions. Rates, deposits and conditions may vary between our Cairns, Townsville and Mount Isa locations, and are subject to change without notice. We always do our best to have your preferred vehicle ready and waiting — and with the largest privately owned rental fleet in Northern and Western Queensland, we usually can. On the rare occasion your exact vehicle isn't available, we'll sort you out with something comparable.
To help you feel confident and informed before you hire, we've put together the helpful information below covering everything from payments and deposits through to booking conditions and cancellation fees. If you have any questions about anything you read, our friendly team is always happy to help.

Zone of Use

Vehicles offered on an unlimited kms basis are for 'local use' are to be used within a 200km radius of the originating depot - use beyond this zone is available by arrangement (POA). Unlimited km rates where offered are available ex our Cairns and Townsville depots - limited km travel applies to all rentals ex our Mt Isa office. Electric vehicles are restricted to use within 50km of the originating depot. Cars, 7 - 12 seat minibuses (other than our Toyota Commuter Hi_Rider 12 minibuses), Use of the Vehicle on beaches, mine / quarry pits and under ground is prohibited to all vehicles. Failure to comply renders Loss and Damage cover null and void will result in loss of bond.

Licences

Motor vehicles (and trailers): All current open Australian, overseas and international licences are acceptable. Minimum age: 21. Overseas licences must be in English (RACQ can provide international drivers licences locally for clients driving in Australia with foreign language licences).

DRIVERS (minimum age is 21):

  • A Young Driver Fee (YDF) of $9/day is applicable to drivers in the 21-24YO age group;
  • Provisional Driver Fee (PDF): Drivers with a Provisional licence and have held same for a minimum of 12mths are welcome to rent our 4x2 cars (and no other) - a fee of $20/day or $280/mth applies.

Temporary Bookings

Whilst we welcome firm bookings, we do not accept temporary bookings at any time.

Rental Period / Late Returns

Quoted daily rates cover up to 24 hours, calculated from the time the vehicle was booked for collection. Late returns will be charged at 1/5 daily rate per hour up to 4 hours after which full daily rate will apply. Quoted rates are based on a continuous rental basis, with no deductions for weekends, public holidays, servicing downtime etc.

Fuel

Our vehicles are supplied full of fuel - clients may either return same full of fuel, or leave it to our staff to top up upon return in which case a $35.00 service fee applies, in addition to the cost of fuel taken (at cost).

Maintenance
Client is responsible for:
a) normal daily checks and top-ups (oil, water, fuel, tyre pressure etc);
b) notifying and arranging for service by 1300 Meteor Rentals at regular 10,000km intervals and mechanical repairs as required - damage arising from failure to comply is to the client's account.

Cape York by 4WD

Weather permitting four wheel drive rentals to Cape York are generally available between April and October inclusive - A minimum hire period of 7 days applies.

Payment

For Renters not on account we require payment in advance of the rental commencing, as follows:

  1. a Bond of $1,000.00 for 4WD's and $250 for all other vehicle types (per Vehicle), via a pre-authorisation on your Credit card or bank issued Visa and MasterCard Debit cards with a credit facility and displaying a card number and your name. Cash, Travel cards and Eftpos cards are not accepted. A credit card authorisation is not a charge but holds or secures an amount on your credit card (limiting the funds available), allowing us access to the funds in the event additional amounts need to be charged such as damage liability, rental extension or fuel charges. Pre-authorisations are not able to be cancelled by us but are automatically cancelled by your card provider between 14 - 28 days if not used by us. The card used has to be in the same name as the main driver picking up the Vehicle who must be present at time of vehicle collection.
  2. The estimated rental, inclusive of all fees and charges payable by cash, debit cards or credit card.

Booking Deposit

(Buses and 4WD's only)
A $100 deposit is required to confirm booking. This deposit is non-refundable where a cancellation is made within 7 days of departure date.

Loss and Damage Cover

Standard Loss and Damager cover is included in our rates however Renters are reminded that an excess applies for any damage howsoever caused while in the Renters possession - the size of the excess varies according to driver's age, vehicle type and rental office location.

In the event of an accident you will be liable to pay the Standard Excess which is:

  • $5,500.00 for sealed road use; or
  • $5,500.00 for authorised use on unsealed gazetted roads.
    You may be able to reduce your liability in the event of an accident by purchasing an additional Risk Reduction option.

In the event of an accident the Risk Reduction Option may:

  1. reduce the amount of the excess;
  2. provide full cover (nil excess) against stone damage to the front windscreen and headlights (all vehicle types).
    Please note there may be no cover for "Overhead damage", "Underbody damage" or "Water damage" in some circumstances and some other exclusions apply. Please refer to our terms and conditions for a full understanding of the Risk Reduction Option inclusions and exclusions.

Windscreen and Headlight cover can be taken out by itself if preferred, and is highly recommended when you consider that a simple stone chip may cost around $75 to repair, or to replace a windscreen anywhere from $250 to over $1,000.00 (guide only) depending on the make and model of vehicle.

Disclaimer

The information on this site is general and is not intended to be advice on any matter. Nothing contained herein is intended to constitute an offer, inducement, promise or contract of any kind.

Ownership of the materials within this web site remains vested in the proprietors of 1300 Meteor Rentals.

When driving drivers must use the requisite care and diligence required by law. Nothing within this site shall derogate from this legal requirement whatsoever.

The use of this web site and the material contained within it are governed by the laws of Australia generally and the state of Queensland in particular and all disputes are to be determined in accordance with these laws.

One Way Rentals

We can sometimes facilitate one-way rentals where serviced by an airport (within Queensland only). Travel outside of Queensland is not permitted. One-way rentals are subject to availability, minimum days may apply depending on location, and require a deposit of 1/5th of the total rental paid at time of booking. This deposit is non-refundable once transport has been booked for the vehicle to be returned.

Trailers: We offer one way rentals of our trailers between our locations, and if you're hiring one of our vehicles on a one way rental to Cairns, Townsville or Mount Isa, you are most welcome to also hire one of our trailers one way behind it. In addition we're the local agent for U-Haul trailers - Australia's long term, local, one-way intrastate & interstate trailer hire specialist!

 

Account

Credit facilities are available subject to application and approval.

 

 

Cancellation Fees

A cancellation fee equivalent to one day's rental at the normal daily rate (but excluding risk reduction options) will be applied where the client doesn't show, or makes a cancellation within 2 hours# or after the time (and date) nominated for collection.

#The minimum 2 hours notice applies to office hours, calculated from the time the vehicle was booked for collection between 7:30am and 9:30am (or for delivery/drop off after hours) must be made the day before, prior to 5:00pm.

Admin & GST Fee

Administration Fee

An administration fee is applied as an extra (5% of contract value GST inclusive).

Goods & Services Tax

Included in our rates.

 

What You Need to Know Before You Book

What licence do I need to hire a car in Queensland?

All current open Australian, overseas and international licences are acceptable. Minimum age is 21. Overseas licences must be in English or accompanied by an RACQ-provided translation. An additional driver fee applies for 4WDs or more than 2 drivers. Young drivers aged 21-24 are exempt from the additional driver fee but are restricted to our T&C clause 29(b)(i) vehicles.

What payment is required to book?

For renters not on account we require a bond of $1,000 for 4WDs and $250 for all other vehicle types per vehicle via a pre-authorisation on a Visa or Mastercard credit card. Cash and travel cards are not accepted.

What is your cancellation fee?

A cancellation fee equivalent to one day's rental at the normal daily rate applies if the client doesn't show or cancels within 2 hours of the time or date nominated for collection. If local delivery was requested and the vehicle was delivered a further fee of $26 GST inclusive applies.

Is there an administration fee?

Yes. An administration fee of 5% of contract value GST inclusive applies. GST is included in our rates.

What are the fuel conditions?

Vehicles are supplied full of fuel. Clients may return same full or leave it to staff to top up at a $20 service fee plus the cost of fuel. The client is responsible for normal daily checks including oil, water, tyre pressure and arranging servicing at regular 10,000km intervals.