Car rental companies, anyone decent out there?
Discussion
Just booked my hire car through rentalcars.com for my trip to Italy.
Whilst investigating various car rental businesses on Trusted Pilot, no one seems to get a decent rating, especially those big branded business. Is it just pot luck whether you have a good experience and not get ripped off? Not rented a car in many years, seems to be so many pitfalls involved. My rental is with Europcar, which appear to have a terrible rating like many others..
Any wisdom out there what to look for?
G
Whilst investigating various car rental businesses on Trusted Pilot, no one seems to get a decent rating, especially those big branded business. Is it just pot luck whether you have a good experience and not get ripped off? Not rented a car in many years, seems to be so many pitfalls involved. My rental is with Europcar, which appear to have a terrible rating like many others..
Any wisdom out there what to look for?
G
All you can do to reduce the risk of issues use a 'household name' firm (eg. Hertz, Avis, etc.) rather than someone random cheapo local firm.
As you say, all the big firms will have a few disgruntled customers posting poor reviews whilst the millions of daily customers who have no issues won't ever leave a positive review.
As you say, all the big firms will have a few disgruntled customers posting poor reviews whilst the millions of daily customers who have no issues won't ever leave a positive review.
Avis seem pretty good. I use them whenever I can, but only from their bigger branches as it's hard to find an actual person in the smaller ones...
I once returned a car to them with quite extensive damage (not my fault!!!) and they were cool about it, apart from requiring quite a lot of money out of the excess.
I once returned a car to them with quite extensive damage (not my fault!!!) and they were cool about it, apart from requiring quite a lot of money out of the excess.
We were in Italy a few weeks ago and hired a car with Europcar and they were fine. All the other (cheaper) companies had huge queues at them whereas we got taken straight away. Only minor issue was we booked a Fiat 500 and they tried to give us a Toyota Aygo but we refused and they relented and gave us a brand new 500.
On the way home at a petrol station just outside the airport my partner managed to crash into the plinth holding the petrol pumps and made the front tyre explode cue me jumping out and immediately dragging the spare tyre out the boot to change it over so we didn't miss our flight (it was like a formula one pit stop). When we dropped the car back they took pictures of the damage and only charged us a £75 admin fee.
On the way home at a petrol station just outside the airport my partner managed to crash into the plinth holding the petrol pumps and made the front tyre explode cue me jumping out and immediately dragging the spare tyre out the boot to change it over so we didn't miss our flight (it was like a formula one pit stop). When we dropped the car back they took pictures of the damage and only charged us a £75 admin fee.
I used a chap recommended on here for my recent trip in Spain.
He was stood in arrivals holding a sign with my name, walked out to the car park. Handed him 160 euros. He took my credit card details and that was that.
To drop it off I drove to departures and he was stood there waiting for me.
Superb service.
Carlos @ Benalmadena Cars.
He was stood in arrivals holding a sign with my name, walked out to the car park. Handed him 160 euros. He took my credit card details and that was that.
To drop it off I drove to departures and he was stood there waiting for me.
Superb service.
Carlos @ Benalmadena Cars.
I think most of the major companies are much of a muchness. I use Avis occasionally through work, and have never had any issues. Privately, I've used Eurocar, Hertz and local companies, again pretty painlessly. Most of the issues people have seem to be around charges they were not expecting or didn't understand. To avoid this it's best to be crystal clear at the time of booking about what is included. To be fair to the companies I think they are doing a better job in making it clearer. One thing that does my nut though, is how much tapping at a computer is required for a pre-booked previous customer to pick up a vehicle...
Yipper said:
Sixt generally have a good mix of good cars, good availability, good service and fair wear-tear policies.
Everything hangs on the frontdesk staff. They can range from quick and happy to slow and miserable. Just pot luck what you get.
I used Sixt a couple of weeks ago, ended up with a BMW 1-series. Picked up in Faro then returned at Lisbon airport. Everything hangs on the frontdesk staff. They can range from quick and happy to slow and miserable. Just pot luck what you get.
Handed the car back in some state, due to where we were staying requiring a bit of a rally along a dirt track. No issues, would recommend.
abzmike said:
I think most of the major companies are much of a muchness.
I agree. I think where they are not so good is where the booking has been made via a broker site. The only time I've ever had any bother was with a Europcar car via holidayautos. I could be completely wrong, but I don't think I would have had the hassle if I'd booked it direct.IrateNinja said:
I used Sixt a couple of weeks ago, ended up with a BMW 1-series. Picked up in Faro then returned at Lisbon airport.
Handed the car back in some state, due to where we were staying requiring a bit of a rally along a dirt track. No issues, would recommend.
Ditto (although we book through flizzr, which is sixt's cheaper arm. Got an upgrade for £20 for a week from an astra to a 420d gran coupe! Plus, as above, car was dropped off filthy as we were staying on a road which was basically a dirt track. Handed the car back in some state, due to where we were staying requiring a bit of a rally along a dirt track. No issues, would recommend.
Thanks for the feedback..
Is it worth going with their full protection cover? Brings down excess and covers repair costs, they are charging £100 for 2 weeks. Will I be charged more at the desk?
Also, I keep hearing stories that they never stock the car you ask for. I have ordered a Passat Estate.
G
Is it worth going with their full protection cover? Brings down excess and covers repair costs, they are charging £100 for 2 weeks. Will I be charged more at the desk?
Also, I keep hearing stories that they never stock the car you ask for. I have ordered a Passat Estate.
G
Yes you will be charged more at the desk. Be aware you will probably have to pay the huge xs and claim it back though if there is an incident....
I rarely get my booked car, (although I am supposed to get an automatic upgrade with Hertz (not sure they really are upgrades though!)).
My one and only booking with a agent, I'd booked a full size 7 seater, and they tried to give me a Zafira. My non-french french worked well as the only thing I could say was No, until a Grand Voyager was produced (which was s
t to drive, but worked as a 7 seater).
I rarely get my booked car, (although I am supposed to get an automatic upgrade with Hertz (not sure they really are upgrades though!)).
My one and only booking with a agent, I'd booked a full size 7 seater, and they tried to give me a Zafira. My non-french french worked well as the only thing I could say was No, until a Grand Voyager was produced (which was s
t to drive, but worked as a 7 seater).never scrimp on hire cars unless you have full 0 excess on everything on the continent.
Hired a car in Nice France from SIXT no issues at all, the couple in front hired a car through a 3rd party and they did not have any cover for the extra insurance, only basic cover, SIXT would cover them on their insurance but would cost them 60euro extra a day excess waiver, tyres screen etc etc.
She did say she bought full cover but in the event of a accident SIXT would keep her deposit and she would have to claim from the company she hired the car from, so what turned out to be a cheap deal actually cost more.
As someone else said, stick with the big boys.... they will all have UK call centres.
Also look for cheap pre pay deals, you can take the extra insurance out at time of booking, but can also be added on when you arrive, but if you cant speak the lingo where your going all you would need to do is sign and ask for the keys knowing your fully covered.
Hired a car in Nice France from SIXT no issues at all, the couple in front hired a car through a 3rd party and they did not have any cover for the extra insurance, only basic cover, SIXT would cover them on their insurance but would cost them 60euro extra a day excess waiver, tyres screen etc etc.
She did say she bought full cover but in the event of a accident SIXT would keep her deposit and she would have to claim from the company she hired the car from, so what turned out to be a cheap deal actually cost more.
As someone else said, stick with the big boys.... they will all have UK call centres.
Also look for cheap pre pay deals, you can take the extra insurance out at time of booking, but can also be added on when you arrive, but if you cant speak the lingo where your going all you would need to do is sign and ask for the keys knowing your fully covered.
Gio G said:
Thanks for the feedback..
Is it worth going with their full protection cover? Brings down excess and covers repair costs, they are charging £100 for 2 weeks. Will I be charged more at the desk?
Also, I keep hearing stories that they never stock the car you ask for. I have ordered a Passat Estate.
G
unless your in one of the car clubs and have a high status you will never get what you booked unless you have car choice guaranteed.Is it worth going with their full protection cover? Brings down excess and covers repair costs, they are charging £100 for 2 weeks. Will I be charged more at the desk?
Also, I keep hearing stories that they never stock the car you ask for. I have ordered a Passat Estate.
G
I think £100 is great for a week but I would be looking to pay another £100 for the insurance so if there is an issue you can walk away when you hand the keys back, they tend not to look at the car if you have and take full insurance, otherwise they will go over every mark. They check out guy usually shrugs their shoulders and says 'no problem, full insurance' when at 10pm after a 6hr flight you want to go over the car and check for check out damage!!
Edited by bmw320ci on Friday 23 June 11:38
£100 for the week is not great! Buy an excess insurance policy from Questor instead.
I've used all sorts of people in Italy over the years and Europcar have always been fine. I wouldn't use them in the UK though after they said I didn't exist so couldn't rent me the car I'd booked, leaving me in the lurch.
I've used all sorts of people in Italy over the years and Europcar have always been fine. I wouldn't use them in the UK though after they said I didn't exist so couldn't rent me the car I'd booked, leaving me in the lurch.
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