EuropCar vs Hertz in UK?
Sep 26th, 2019, 05:19 AM
#1
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EuropCar vs Hertz in UK?
I will be renting an automatic with No Deductible for a week. I have no experience driving on the UK side of the road but am a good driver.
i will go with NO Deductible because, should anything happen —from hitting a sheep to a minor scratch to a unfortunate stone wall incident — I just want to hand on the keys and walk away without paperwork, claims, etc.
EuropCar rates at the major airports and cities are frequently much lower than Hertz (I am looking via AutoEurope). i usually rent from Hertz or Enterprise or Avis in North America.
Is EuropCar a reasonable choice, or should it be avoided? Reviews elsewhere on the web are mixed.
i will go with NO Deductible because, should anything happen —from hitting a sheep to a minor scratch to a unfortunate stone wall incident — I just want to hand on the keys and walk away without paperwork, claims, etc.
EuropCar rates at the major airports and cities are frequently much lower than Hertz (I am looking via AutoEurope). i usually rent from Hertz or Enterprise or Avis in North America.
Is EuropCar a reasonable choice, or should it be avoided? Reviews elsewhere on the web are mixed.
Sep 26th, 2019, 06:02 AM
#2
Go with AutoEurope
They act as a broker and make it easier to use as your local laws will not be the same as they are in the UK.
They may choose any rental company but when the s@@@ hits the fan they negotiate for you.
US companies of the same name do not have to be the same company in Europe, the world is different abroad so don't get fooled by the brand you are used to buying.
They act as a broker and make it easier to use as your local laws will not be the same as they are in the UK.
They may choose any rental company but when the s@@@ hits the fan they negotiate for you.
US companies of the same name do not have to be the same company in Europe, the world is different abroad so don't get fooled by the brand you are used to buying.
Sep 26th, 2019, 08:56 AM
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I think in general with any company, issues may be location-specific, not for the entire brand. At least not for major national name brands, which all those are. Yes, Europcar is a very wellknown established European car rental company.
Autoeurope does not choose the rental company, either, you do. They show you prices from various brands and you still have to choose one, so you may be back to the same question.
I've gotten cheaper rates from Hertz directly in France than from Autoeurope, also, because I get a AAA discount with Hertz, which Autoeurope will not honor and will not show rates for (you know some hotel websites show rates by various categories, they won't do that, they just have one rate). And no, AE will not match it as I've asked. But if you don't get any special program discounts, that doesn't even matter. Autoeurope may have more stringent cancellation penalties, also (for HErtz, you have no penalty and can cancel up to pickup basically, as long as you don't choose the prepaid rate, for AE you have to cancel 2-3 days in advance to avoid a payment penalty).
other than those issues, I agree Autoeurope can be a good manager to deal with.
Autoeurope does not choose the rental company, either, you do. They show you prices from various brands and you still have to choose one, so you may be back to the same question.
I've gotten cheaper rates from Hertz directly in France than from Autoeurope, also, because I get a AAA discount with Hertz, which Autoeurope will not honor and will not show rates for (you know some hotel websites show rates by various categories, they won't do that, they just have one rate). And no, AE will not match it as I've asked. But if you don't get any special program discounts, that doesn't even matter. Autoeurope may have more stringent cancellation penalties, also (for HErtz, you have no penalty and can cancel up to pickup basically, as long as you don't choose the prepaid rate, for AE you have to cancel 2-3 days in advance to avoid a payment penalty).
other than those issues, I agree Autoeurope can be a good manager to deal with.
Sep 26th, 2019, 09:17 AM
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Right, thanks.
I have looked directly at Hertz with my AAA discount, but cannot get a quote for No Deductible online.
My question is not whether to use AutoEurope, but rather should I steer clear of EuropCar — a company with which I am not familiar — when AutoEurope brings that up as significantly less expensive than Hertz. (Alas, AutoEurope does not seem to represent Enterprise or Avis).
christina — thanks for your comments about EuropCar.
Sorry for being unclear.
I have looked directly at Hertz with my AAA discount, but cannot get a quote for No Deductible online.
My question is not whether to use AutoEurope, but rather should I steer clear of EuropCar — a company with which I am not familiar — when AutoEurope brings that up as significantly less expensive than Hertz. (Alas, AutoEurope does not seem to represent Enterprise or Avis).
christina — thanks for your comments about EuropCar.
Sorry for being unclear.
Last edited by Meredydd; Sep 26th, 2019 at 09:19 AM.
Sep 26th, 2019, 12:13 PM
#6
>>Alas, AutoEurope does not seem to represent Enterprise or Avis<<
AutoEurope does deal with Avis (and possibly Enterprise). But the quotes/companies will be very location specific. So it is likely that for your pick up and/or drop off location Avis doesn't work.
EuropCar is just another major international chain like Hertz or Budget or Avis.
AutoEurope does deal with Avis (and possibly Enterprise). But the quotes/companies will be very location specific. So it is likely that for your pick up and/or drop off location Avis doesn't work.
EuropCar is just another major international chain like Hertz or Budget or Avis.
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Sep 28th, 2019, 03:47 PM
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“just want to hand on the keys and walk away”
This sounds wonderful but some damage is not normally covered like glass or tires, unless you can add those on additionally. A new windshield with loss of use and administrative fees can be $500 and may have been covered for free by your credit card (check).
Last edited by tom_mn; Sep 28th, 2019 at 03:49 PM.
Sep 28th, 2019, 05:52 PM
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Just returned from a trip and rented with Europcar through AutoEurope. Europcar is one of the largest if not the largest rental company in Europe. I had used AutoEurope before but this was my first time using Europcar. No issues whatsoever, everything went fine. Got the car I expected, pickup was easy, dropoff was a breeze. I also took the no deductible option, just dropped the car off in the return area, handed in the keys and was on my way. Would not hesitate to use them again.
Sep 29th, 2019, 02:26 PM
#10
We have gotten a EuropCar from AutoEurope several times, never any problems, including last fall in Sicily. They are a major car rental agency.
Last edited by HappyTrvlr; Sep 29th, 2019 at 02:31 PM.
