Distinctive NZ Limited t/a Ready To Book · GST 119-544-386
Booking Terms & Conditions
Effective date: 22 September 2026 · Version 1.1
These Booking Terms and Conditions apply to every reservation of a vehicle from Distinctive NZ Limited trading as Ready To Book, whether made on our website, by telephone, by email, in person, through a travel agent, or as part of a Stay & Drive package arranged with Distinctive NZ.
By submitting a booking request, paying a deposit, or confirming a reservation, you accept these Booking Terms and agree that the hire is also governed by our current Vehicle Hire Agreement (also called the Car Rental Agreement). A booking is conditional on you complying with the Vehicle Hire Agreement at all times.
The Vehicle Hire Agreement supersedes these Booking Terms. If there is any inconsistency between these Booking Terms and the Vehicle Hire Agreement, the Vehicle Hire Agreement prevails — including before collection, at collection, and during the hire. Cancellation and non-appearance are governed by Section 15 of the Vehicle Hire Agreement. Vehicle availability and substitution are governed by Section 10 of that Agreement. These Booking Terms repeat those rules so they are clear at the time you book.
1. Who we are
Distinctive NZ Limited trading as Ready To Book
- •Registered office / operations: No.1 Shotover Street, Queenstown, New Zealand
- •Telephone: 03 409 0752
- •Email: hello@readytobookrentals.com
- •Website: readytobookrentals.com
- •GST number: 119-544-386
We operate a premium-value vehicle hire fleet in Queenstown and the wider South Island, including Tesla and other popular rental vehicles.
2. Definitions
- •Booking means a reservation of a vehicle class or specified vehicle for stated dates.
- •Reservation value / hire charges means the quoted vehicle hire charges for the booked period, including any compulsory fees shown at booking, but excluding optional extras not yet selected, the bond, fuel/charging, tolls, traffic fines, and damage charges.
- •Collection / pickup means the scheduled collection date and time in the booking confirmation.
- •Hirer / you means the person named as the primary driver and contracting party.
- •RCM means our fleet and reservation system (Rental Car Manager) and any booking reference issued by it.
- •Vehicle Hire Agreement means our current written rental contract (Car Rental Agreement), including Section 10 (availability and substitution) and Section 15 (cancellation and non-appearance).
3. How bookings are made
A booking is an offer by you to hire a vehicle of the stated class (or a reasonably comparable vehicle) on the dates shown. We may accept, decline, or request further information. A booking is confirmed only when we issue a written confirmation (including an automated website or RCM confirmation) and the required payment has been received.
Website rates and availability are invitations to treat and may change until confirmation. We do not guarantee a particular registration plate, colour, year, or exact specification. Tesla and other premium vehicles are high-demand assets and may be substituted as set out in Section 10 of the Vehicle Hire Agreement.
Stay & Drive packages combine accommodation arranged through Distinctive NZ with a Ready To Book vehicle. The vehicle component is subject to these Booking Terms and the Vehicle Hire Agreement. Accommodation is subject to the applicable Distinctive NZ / property terms. In any conflict regarding the vehicle, the Vehicle Hire Agreement prevails, except that accommodation cancellation terms govern vehicle cancellation rights as set out in clause 5.2 below and Section 15B of the Vehicle Hire Agreement.
4. Payment terms
4.1 Deposit and balance
Unless we agree otherwise in writing:
- •For bookings made more than 30 days before collection, we require a deposit of 20% of the hire charges at the time of booking. The balance is due no later than 30 days before collection.
- •For bookings made 30 days or fewer before collection, full payment of the hire charges is required at the time of booking.
If you book online via our website, payment may be taken as an initial charge of 20% immediately, followed by a separate charge for the balance owing on or before the due date. By completing an online booking you authorise us (and our payment provider) to process those charges on the card you supply.
All bookings are conditional on payment being made when due and on you complying with the Vehicle Hire Agreement at all times.
4.2 Late or failed payment
If any amount is not paid on the due date, we may cancel the booking. Refunds, if any, follow clause 5 (and Section 15 of the Vehicle Hire Agreement). We may also charge a NZ$45 administration fee for failed payments, chargebacks, or repeated collection attempts.
4.3 Accepted payment methods
All payments for hire charges and related services must be made by a valid credit card. Card details will be held on file for the duration of the booking and hire, and for a reasonable period afterwards to process any outstanding charges. We may require the cardholder to be the Hirer.
During the hire, any bond due must be held on a valid Visa or Mastercard only. Debit cards, prepaid cards, virtual cards, and cards not in the Hirer's name may be declined for the bond.
4.4 Prices, GST and currency
Prices are in New Zealand dollars and include GST unless stated otherwise. Quoted rates are for the vehicle class and period shown. Optional extras, one-way fees, after-hours fees, additional drivers, child seats, charging or energy, tolls, and similar items may be extra. We may correct obvious pricing errors before or after confirmation; if the corrected price is higher, you may cancel and any refund will follow clause 5.
5. Cancellation and non-appearance
This clause mirrors Section 15 of the Vehicle Hire Agreement. If the wording differs, Section 15 of the Vehicle Hire Agreement prevails.
5.1 Standalone vehicle bookings (made directly with us)
Cancellation must be notified to us in writing (email to hello@readytobookrentals.com is acceptable) and is effective when we receive it.
| When | What is payable / refundable |
|---|---|
| Cancellation more than 24 hours before collection | Pre-payments are refundable less a NZ$45 administration fee. |
| Cancellation within 24 hours of collection | The first two days hire charges plus a NZ$45 administration fee are payable. |
| Failure to collect, or failure to supply required documentation | The full hire charge is payable. |
These standalone rules apply to bookings made directly with us. Agent and third-party bookings follow the terms advised at the time of booking.
5.2 Stay & Drive packages
Where the vehicle is part of a Stay & Drive package, the accommodation cancellation terms also apply to the vehicle component. Notice periods, refund percentages and cancellation fees in the accommodation confirmation govern both accommodation and vehicle. A package cancellation cancels both under those same terms.
If accommodation terms are silent on any vehicle point, the standalone rules in clause 5.1 apply as fallback.
Cancelling only the vehicle (or only the accommodation) requires a written request and our approval. In such cases the standalone vehicle rules in clause 5.1 normally apply, and any package discount on the vehicle may be reversed.
If we cancel the vehicle hire under Section 10 of the Vehicle Hire Agreement because we cannot supply the booked vehicle or a reasonably comparable substitute, we will refund unused vehicle hire charges as set out in that section. Accommodation under a Stay & Drive package continues unless you also cancel it under the accommodation terms.
5.3 Refund timing, agents and date changes
Refunds are processed within 10 working days. They are paid to the original payment method where practicable. We do not refund payment-processor fees we cannot recover.
Agent and third-party bookings follow the terms advised at booking.
Date-change requests are considered case-by-case and are not guaranteed. A change is not confirmed until we reissue the booking. If a change increases the hire charges, the extra amount is payable immediately (or by the original balance due date, whichever is earlier).
5.4 Cancellation by us
We may cancel or decline a booking if payment is not made when due; we reasonably believe the information supplied is false or incomplete; you or an additional driver do not meet eligibility requirements; or we reasonably consider there is a safety, fraud, insurance, or credit risk.
If we cancel the vehicle hire under Section 10 because we cannot supply the booked vehicle or a reasonably comparable substitute, our liability is limited to a refund of the unused vehicle hire charges paid for the period we cannot supply a vehicle. We are not liable for consequential losses, including missed activities, accommodation, flights, tours, or the cost of hiring a vehicle from another operator, except to the extent we cannot exclude that liability under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 or other applicable law.
6. Eligibility, identity and documents
At the time of booking, and again at collection, you must provide documents and valid proof of identity. This includes:
- •A copy of a current, full driving licence held for the minimum period stated in the Vehicle Hire Agreement, valid for the class of vehicle hired. An international driving permit or certified translation may also be required if the licence is not in English.
- •For non-New Zealand citizens, a copy of a valid passport.
- •Contact details, residential address, and a valid credit card in an accepted form.
The minimum driver age is 25 unless we agree otherwise in writing. Additional drivers must be named, approved, and meet the same standards. Failure to supply required documentation is treated as non-appearance under clause 5.1 (full hire charge payable). We may refuse to release a vehicle if documents are incomplete, licences do not meet our insurer's requirements, or the card cannot authorise the bond.
You warrant that all information you give us is true and complete. We may verify identity, licence status, and payment details with third parties.
7. Bond and security
A security bond is required for every hire. The minimum bond is NZ$500, or such higher amount as our insurer or the Vehicle Hire Agreement specifies for the vehicle class (premium and Tesla vehicles may require a higher pre-authorisation). The bond must be pre-authorised on a valid Visa or Mastercard at collection and held for the hire and a reasonable period afterwards.
We may debit the card on file for unpaid hire charges, extras, charging or energy shortfalls, tolls, fines, NZ$45 administration fees, damage, cleaning, recovery, and other amounts payable under the Vehicle Hire Agreement.
8. Rates, extras and what is not included
Unless the confirmation says otherwise, the hire charges cover use of a vehicle of the booked class for the booked period, subject to any kilometre cap stated. The following are typically extra or payable by you:
- •Bond / excess / liability options selected at or before collection.
- •Additional drivers, child restraints, snow chains, after-hours collection or return, one-way fees, and delivery.
- •Electric vehicle charging and energy costs, unless we have agreed in writing that charging is included (for example a promotion or package). The Vehicle Hire Agreement includes an 80% return charge rule for EVs and Supercharging on-charge rules.
- •Road user charges (RUC) where applicable, tolls, congestion or parking charges, traffic and parking infringements (plus NZ$45 administration fee per notice).
- •Excessive cleaning, smoking, pet contamination, off-road recovery, and damage not covered by the selected liability option.
9. Collection, return and condition
Collection and return times and locations are those in the confirmation, usually from our Queenstown premises unless we agree otherwise. You must allow time for inspection, briefing (including EV and driver-assistance systems on Tesla and similar vehicles), and completion of the Vehicle Hire Agreement.
The vehicle must be returned on time, in a reasonable condition, with the required fuel or charge level, and with all keys, accessories, and charging cables. Late return fees and unauthorised extension charges may apply. Unauthorised use outside permitted areas, unsealed roads not approved by us, or use of Autopilot / driver-assistance systems other than in accordance with the law and the manufacturer's instructions is at your risk and may void cover.
10. Insurance, damage and your responsibility
Cover, excess, exclusions, and the Hirer's responsibilities are set out in the Vehicle Hire Agreement and any product disclosure we provide. Nothing in these Booking Terms is a promise of insurance. You remain responsible for damage, theft, and third-party loss to the extent the Vehicle Hire Agreement and applicable law provide. Driver-assistance features (including Autopilot) do not reduce your duty to control the vehicle.
11. Website, quotes and communications
Images on the website are indicative. Specifications can change. You should check the confirmation and Vehicle Hire Agreement for the terms that apply to your hire. Electronic communications (email and SMS) to the contacts you give us are deemed received when sent, unless we receive a bounce-back. You must keep your contact details current.
A valid credit card must remain on file for the whole booking period. You must tell us immediately if the card will expire, be cancelled, or be otherwise unusable.
12. Privacy
We collect personal information to process bookings, verify identity and licences, take payment and bonds, manage the fleet (including telematics, cameras, and sensors fitted to many vehicles), deal with incidents, and meet legal and insurer requirements. We handle personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act 2020. You may request access or correction by emailing hello@readytobookrentals.com.
13. Consumer law
If you are a consumer under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 or Fair Trading Act 1986, nothing in these Booking Terms excludes rights that cannot be excluded. If you acquire services for business purposes, the parties agree that the Consumer Guarantees Act does not apply to the extent permitted by law. Our liability for supply failure is otherwise limited as set out in clause 5.4 and the Vehicle Hire Agreement (unused vehicle hire charges for the period we cannot supply a vehicle).
14. Force majeure
We are not liable for delay or failure caused by events beyond our reasonable control, including severe weather, road closures, natural events, pandemic restrictions, utility or charging-network failure, industrial action, cyber incidents, or unavailability of a specific vehicle due to accident, recall, or repair. Our obligation is to refund unused hire charges or offer a reasonably comparable substitute where we can, as set out in Section 10 of the Vehicle Hire Agreement.
15. General
- •These Booking Terms are governed by the laws of New Zealand. The courts of New Zealand have exclusive jurisdiction.
- •If any provision is unenforceable, the remainder continues in effect.
- •The Vehicle Hire Agreement supersedes these Booking Terms wherever they conflict.
- •We may update these Booking Terms from time to time. Operational, safety, cancellation and substitution rules in the then-current Vehicle Hire Agreement apply.
- •No waiver is effective unless in writing.
- •You may not assign the booking without our written consent. We may assign or subcontract performance (for example roadside assistance or payment processing).
16. Contact
Questions about a booking, payment, or cancellation should be sent to hello@readytobookrentals.com or 03 409 0752. Please quote your RCM / booking reference.