Europcar or AutoEurope in Italy?? Any good/bad experiences with either?
Apr 9th, 2009, 08:07 AM
#1
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Europcar or AutoEurope in Italy?? Any good/bad experiences with either?
Going to be renting a car in FCO and returning to Salerno (8 day rental - automatic)
Based on your experiences, is there one rental car company I should favor over the other?
Thanks in advance for your help!
Based on your experiences, is there one rental car company I should favor over the other?
Thanks in advance for your help!
Apr 9th, 2009, 08:12 AM
#2
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It's apples and oranges. Europcar is a rental company. AutoEurope is a broker, with several affiliates throughout Europe, including Europcar.
The advantage of dealing with AutoEurope is that you have the broker working toward your best interests should there be a problem or dispute. You're on your own with Europcar. Also, usually you can get a better price with AutoEurope.
I would never rent directly from Europcar. I've had more than 100 successful rentals with AutoEurope.
The advantage of dealing with AutoEurope is that you have the broker working toward your best interests should there be a problem or dispute. You're on your own with Europcar. Also, usually you can get a better price with AutoEurope.
I would never rent directly from Europcar. I've had more than 100 successful rentals with AutoEurope.
Apr 9th, 2009, 08:25 AM
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Last summer, AutoEurope.com offered a "no pick-up or drop-off fee for train stations/airports" which was valid until the end of August.
I booked within the specified period. When we arrived at Gare du Nord, they refused to honor the spiff. Same at Orly on the way out.
Last summer, AutoEurope lost a customer.
I booked within the specified period. When we arrived at Gare du Nord, they refused to honor the spiff. Same at Orly on the way out.
Last summer, AutoEurope lost a customer.
Apr 9th, 2009, 08:41 AM
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I have just booked a car through AutoEurope to be picked up at Milan Malpensa airport. Interestingly, the price varied considerably depending on which terminal I said I wanted to use. Since there is a shuttle between the two terminals, it seemed wise to use the cheaper one.
I have used AutoEurope.uk on previous occasions. One car I hired from Palma de Mallorca and the car came from a Spanish company named Goldcar. The driver's door mirror got broken, so I went back to the office and the mirror was replaced in about ten minutes, all without any fuss or charge.
I have used AutoEurope.uk on previous occasions. One car I hired from Palma de Mallorca and the car came from a Spanish company named Goldcar. The driver's door mirror got broken, so I went back to the office and the mirror was replaced in about ten minutes, all without any fuss or charge.
Apr 9th, 2009, 08:59 AM
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Chartley,
The rental car drop off in Milan can be tough to locate. Can we say minimal signage. Pay close attention to the drop off instructions that they give you.
It cost me 4 euro to exit and loop around again.
My mistake
The rental car drop off in Milan can be tough to locate. Can we say minimal signage. Pay close attention to the drop off instructions that they give you.
It cost me 4 euro to exit and loop around again.
My mistake
Apr 9th, 2009, 09:05 AM
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Robes - did you contact Customer Service at AutoEurope about "someone's" mistake and ask for a refund???
I've recived in the neighborhood of 6 refunds from AutoEurope because of a non-AutoEurope mistake, and about 2 because of mistakes AutoEurope made. I have never been denied a refund that I thought was due me. Once they honored an obvious typo on their list of cell phone rates for various countries. Most countries were $1.00 per minute. France & Italy were listed at $.10 per minute. When I was charged $1 per min, they said that $1 is correct, and that's what their current list shows. I sent them the FAX they sent to us that showed $.10, and they immediatly refunded the $.90 difference.
Stu Dudley
I've recived in the neighborhood of 6 refunds from AutoEurope because of a non-AutoEurope mistake, and about 2 because of mistakes AutoEurope made. I have never been denied a refund that I thought was due me. Once they honored an obvious typo on their list of cell phone rates for various countries. Most countries were $1.00 per minute. France & Italy were listed at $.10 per minute. When I was charged $1 per min, they said that $1 is correct, and that's what their current list shows. I sent them the FAX they sent to us that showed $.10, and they immediatly refunded the $.90 difference.
Stu Dudley
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Apr 9th, 2009, 09:26 AM
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Phil: I just did quite a bit of research before renting an automatic from Autoeurope. There are different prices depending on which Autoeurope site you use (www.Autoeurope.com; www.Autoeurope.it; www.Autoeurope.UK, etc ).
AutoEurope.com will match the best price that you find.
In addition to AutoEurope, you can check prices with Kemwell, as they sometimes offer better prices than AE.
I also recommend using a broker (Autoeurope; Kemwell, etc) rather than renting directly from an agency. One benefit is that you will have a toll-free phone number in the US to call 24/7 in case of problems)
AutoEurope.com will match the best price that you find.
In addition to AutoEurope, you can check prices with Kemwell, as they sometimes offer better prices than AE.
I also recommend using a broker (Autoeurope; Kemwell, etc) rather than renting directly from an agency. One benefit is that you will have a toll-free phone number in the US to call 24/7 in case of problems)
Apr 9th, 2009, 09:36 AM
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AutoEurope & Kemwel are the same company - same reservationists, same customer service, same guarentees, different pricing. Kemwel was much less expensive for France than my discounted rate (AAA) with AutoEurope's pricing.
Call AutoEurope and ask for their best rate with any discounts, (like AARP, AAA, 1 car upgrade etc). Then tell the reservationists what the Kemwel rate is on the internet & have them give you a Kemwel quote. If you go ahead with the Kemwel price, the voucher that they e-mail to you will say Kemwel - not AutoEurope.
Stu Dudley
Call AutoEurope and ask for their best rate with any discounts, (like AARP, AAA, 1 car upgrade etc). Then tell the reservationists what the Kemwel rate is on the internet & have them give you a Kemwel quote. If you go ahead with the Kemwel price, the voucher that they e-mail to you will say Kemwel - not AutoEurope.
Stu Dudley
Apr 9th, 2009, 12:51 PM
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I want to stress what I wrote above; not only should you check prices on Autoeurope.com and Kemwell.com, but on the various foreign AutoEurope and Kemwell sites.
I found the best price for an automatic in Italy (for our trip this month) on Autoeurope's Italian site.
Once you find the best price, you can either book it direct on-line, or call Autoeurope's (or Kemwell's) toll-free number and ask them to match the price.
The person I spoke with at Autoeurope denied that they were even related to Kemwell.
I found the best price for an automatic in Italy (for our trip this month) on Autoeurope's Italian site.
Once you find the best price, you can either book it direct on-line, or call Autoeurope's (or Kemwell's) toll-free number and ask them to match the price.
The person I spoke with at Autoeurope denied that they were even related to Kemwell.
Apr 9th, 2009, 01:35 PM
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They are two different legal companies, run by the same people. I called one number (AutoEurope), talked to only one person (who gave me AutoEurope Prices), and when I switched the topic to Kemwel, he gave me Kemwel prices and eventually a Kemwel voucher. I called the long term desk. I don't know if the short term desk will switch hats like Will at the long term desk did with me.
Obviously, they want to quote you their hightst rates, unless you ask for AAA/AARP/"Special" discounts, Italy/Belguim/England rates, Kemwell rates, etc. Best thing to do is to be informed & prepared before you call. Best way to get informed & prepared is to listen to what others have discovered on this forum.
Stu Dudley
Obviously, they want to quote you their hightst rates, unless you ask for AAA/AARP/"Special" discounts, Italy/Belguim/England rates, Kemwell rates, etc. Best thing to do is to be informed & prepared before you call. Best way to get informed & prepared is to listen to what others have discovered on this forum.
Stu Dudley
Apr 11th, 2009, 10:58 AM
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<I>
StuDudley on Apr 9, 09 at 01:05 PM
Robes - did you contact Customer Service at AutoEurope about "someone's" mistake and ask for a refund???</i>
Well, of course I did - and I got stonewalled at every turn. The offer was on the web site, but since it wasn't in the voucher I printed and took along, they claimed it never existed.
They also charged me for refueling, even though I topped it off about two miles from the drop-off.
I think AutoEurope are scum. YMMV
StuDudley on Apr 9, 09 at 01:05 PM
Robes - did you contact Customer Service at AutoEurope about "someone's" mistake and ask for a refund???</i>
Well, of course I did - and I got stonewalled at every turn. The offer was on the web site, but since it wasn't in the voucher I printed and took along, they claimed it never existed.
They also charged me for refueling, even though I topped it off about two miles from the drop-off.
I think AutoEurope are scum. YMMV
Apr 11th, 2009, 01:01 PM
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>>They also charged me for refueling, even though I topped it off about two miles from the drop-off.<<
AutoEurope didn't charge you for refueling - Avis/Europcar/Hertz (or whoever) charged you for refueling. Did you save your receipt????? This has happened to us a few times, and AutoEurope refunded the cost - out of their own pockets, even though Avis/Europcar/Hertz was the "scum".
You experiences are sure differet than mine - and most others on this forum. Are you sure you're not confusing AutoEurope with Europcar??? We got "stonewalled" when we tried to work with Europcar.
Stu Dudley
AutoEurope didn't charge you for refueling - Avis/Europcar/Hertz (or whoever) charged you for refueling. Did you save your receipt????? This has happened to us a few times, and AutoEurope refunded the cost - out of their own pockets, even though Avis/Europcar/Hertz was the "scum".
You experiences are sure differet than mine - and most others on this forum. Are you sure you're not confusing AutoEurope with Europcar??? We got "stonewalled" when we tried to work with Europcar.
Stu Dudley
Apr 11th, 2009, 01:13 PM
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I, too, have had good luck using Autoeurope. Next month, I'm using them in Italy. The Europecar location I was planning on using has recently closed. The alternative location is not convenient for walking (from the train station). When I brought this to Autoeurope's attention, they offered to refund the price of my taxi fare. I think this is an appropriate response, given the circumstances. So...my vote goes to Autoeurope.
Apr 23rd, 2009, 02:05 AM
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I will NEVER hire a car from AutoEurope again. Last summer, we rented a car in Bologna, Italy. We had to guarantee 300 euros with Visa, but that's a normal thing. What's not, is the next:
in october and november, we received three 'fines'. Last week, in april, we received two again. The moment is indicated, the places aren't, but that could (maybe) be due to the Italian authorities. We've called the company, AutoEurope, and it seems that the 'fines' we received, are only ADMINISTRATION COSTS, for a total amount of 264 euros and this will be taken from the guarantee of Visa. We don't understand at all how administration costs can be up to 60 and 36 euros for one fine, and make a total amount of 264 euros. The reason for the fines, they say, is because we drove through zones in Firenze where only people with a 'special permit' can drive through. But the road signs are only in Italian, so as tourists you don't know unless they've told you. Which they did not.
I think rental companies should aware for these practices, especially because we signed the contract in the airport from Bologna, a city wherein these special 'zones' are also marked. And if they do not, these companies can at least act normal and ask 'administration costs' from less than 60 and 36 euros. We certainly won't drive ANY of their cars anymore, unless maybe this case will be resolved (but I don't think so). But if it will, I'll post it on this site.
I'm curious if we are the only ones who've experienced this.
in october and november, we received three 'fines'. Last week, in april, we received two again. The moment is indicated, the places aren't, but that could (maybe) be due to the Italian authorities. We've called the company, AutoEurope, and it seems that the 'fines' we received, are only ADMINISTRATION COSTS, for a total amount of 264 euros and this will be taken from the guarantee of Visa. We don't understand at all how administration costs can be up to 60 and 36 euros for one fine, and make a total amount of 264 euros. The reason for the fines, they say, is because we drove through zones in Firenze where only people with a 'special permit' can drive through. But the road signs are only in Italian, so as tourists you don't know unless they've told you. Which they did not.
I think rental companies should aware for these practices, especially because we signed the contract in the airport from Bologna, a city wherein these special 'zones' are also marked. And if they do not, these companies can at least act normal and ask 'administration costs' from less than 60 and 36 euros. We certainly won't drive ANY of their cars anymore, unless maybe this case will be resolved (but I don't think so). But if it will, I'll post it on this site.
I'm curious if we are the only ones who've experienced this.
Apr 23rd, 2009, 02:13 AM
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evbe - many people on this forum have had this happen in Florence, do a search...but this is clearly not autoeuropes fault. You didnt follow road rules and were caught, it would have happened no matter where you rented the car from. The authorities go through the rental companies to collect the fines (hence the admin fee from the rental company). This has nothing to do with autoeurope.
