Ciao tutti -

I reserved a car with AutoEurope (based on all the wonderful endorsements here) about a month ago for a trip in OCTOBER to Umbria.

I just recd my ccard bill and the ENTIRE CHARGE was on there -is this normal? I certainly don't want to pay for it that far in advance - but as it is for an automatic vehicle, I thought I better reserve early.

Looking for some feedback, please amici-

Grazie - a presto-

Jane

They do charge the full amount. Don't worry - they are very reliable. We have used them for every trip to Europe and have never experienced a problem at all.

Yes, we have to pay the full amount in advance from here in Australia for a hire car.

In the past AutoEurope has charged us a deposit upon booking (their commission?) then we have paid the balance when we picked up the car.

This year we have paid the full amount in advance.

Is this new? Or does it depend which car rental company AutoEurope books you with?

Call them with any questions. They'll explain everything to your satisfaction.

Since 2002 I have used Autoeurope on four different occasions. I was always charged the full amount at booking. When I had a cancellation, I received promptly the full refund. When I found a more favourable rate, I called them and I got a refund for the original amount and was debited the new, lower amount. Absolutely reliable, an excellent company!

We have used AE for years and they have always charged up front. But--you get a full refund if you cancel (have had reason to do that, also.)

Just another person chiming in with - this is how they do it. I only book months ahead if there is a sale. You can cancel your booking now and get a complete refund, then book it again closer to the date.

Sheena, the only time I had that happen (deposit first, full payment at end of rental) was booking with AutoEurope for Switzerland. What country were you booking for?

I am going to move this to the Everything About Travel forum, since this is more of a general travel thread.

quote:

Sheena, the only time I had that happen (deposit first, full payment at end of rental) was booking with AutoEurope for Switzerland. What country were you booking for?

The full payment was when we picked up the car, not at the end of the rental.

I wasn't complaining about paying upon booking - just commenting! I actually quite like having it paid and out of the way - not smart financially but it makes me feel good!

We always book with AutoEurope, and agree with the general consensus that they are a very fair company to deal with.

I've always had to pay within a day or so after booking with AutoEurope. Once they've e-mailed me a voucher, they charge my credit card. However, when I've cancelled (even the day before) the full amount is credited back to my card within a day or two.

M

A month ago, I made an intial reservation with AE for what happened to be Hertz locations in Italy, then contacted them to change it to Avis locations, which weren't showing on the SlowTrav clickthru, following Pauline's advice. The initial voucher for the Hertz locations (just a quote, I hadn't given my credit card number yet), had "Required partial payment $102.47, Balance due on delivery $243.47." I went on and changed to Avis, paying it all at the time of booking, because I preferred their locations, but based on this and what I think I've seen posted previously, you can wait to pay if you use Hertz locations. The Auto Europe site doesn't make it obvious which they are, but one clue is that the first Economy model they list is a Ford Fiesta.

I have rented with AE for Mid- May and only paid a deposit with balance due upon checkin. It is a car from Hertz.
Also, when I first reserved, the deposit was somewhere around $175. but then they (AE) were offering a special sale rate. I called them and they upgraded the car, credited $175 and then charged $102 for the deposit. So, with an upgrade we ended up with less deposit due and a better 2 week rate and a upgraded car.... great deal !!

Do Autoeurope actually honour the price match promise? I got a quote from them for a 7 seater for 10 days in August which came in at £650, I just contacted a travel agent who quoted £303 for the same vehicle. I am wondering if I would be better getting Autoeurope who seem to have many people happy with their cars and asking for a price match rather than going with the independent quote.
Also can anyone say which is the most central pick up point in Sorrento as 3 are quoted as Downtown.

Yes our past 'deposit only' experience was with Hertz, but this years rental is also Hertz (different location) and we paid in full. Are they franchized?

Poet, AutoEurope will honour the price match providing you are comparing apples to apples. Often a difference in price is due to different insurance coverage.

If the coverage is the same then simply contact AutoEurope with the quote from your travel agent.

I had already booked my car this year with AutoEurope when Doru pointed out one day that the rates were down. I called AutoEurope's 800 number and two minutes later had the reduced rate. No fuss, no hanging on for 20 minutes, just fast and efficient service.

Now if our exit from Rome can be just as fast and efficient........

We picked up in Sorrento several years ago - you can use a map program like www.viamichelin.com to see where the pickup location is. The one we used was a 15 - 20 minute walk from the central area:

AVIS, Viale Nizza 53, Sorrento, 80067

Many experiences with AutoEurope and no problems. We've even seen some strange credits (as in REFUNDS) come through a month or more after we rented for miscalculations of the rate or taxes (or something).

I have rented with Auto Europe several times. Each time they have taken the full payment at the time of booking. Recently, I noticed they had an upgrade special so I called them and they rebooked our car. They refunded the original amount and charged the new lower amount. Don't worry...they are a very good company and by booking and paying in full you are guaranteed the rate they quote you...but they will also honour any lower rates up to the day of pick-up. I kind of like this idea myself so I'm not paying for everything at one time.

quote:

Do Autoeurope actually honour the price match promise? I

Yes!

In reading your expert opinions of Auro Europe, I called this morning and asked if they would match what I got thru Thrifty (10 car days) of 375 US for a Fiat Punto. Yep! They matched it. Thank you! I just feel more comfortable now booking with a place that is well used by Slow Travelers.