I have learned so much from this board. This is our first family trip to Europe. We (dh, two sons and I) will be in Rome the last week in June then north to Umbria, meeting another family for a week. We're planning to use a car to get around the second week and have no idea how far ahead we need to book the rental. Would love some advice.
Posts: 408 | Location: Watertown, New York, USA | Registered: 22 August 2003
It couldn't hurt to book now through the AutoEurope link at the bottom of this page. AutoEurope doesn't charge to cancel a reservation, and offers this guarantee:
"Auto Europe guarantees the best rates and service available. If you happen to find a lower rate with comparable service, location, terms, and surcharges, we'll beat it! To submit the lower rate to us, please complete our Guaranteed Best Rate form."
Perhaps someone who's actually submitted a lower rate claim through their "Guaranteed Best Rate" form will step forward with more on how well the company lives up to that claim. I've never had reason to test it!
I've dealt with AE on three prior trips and everything has always gone smoothly.
Happy travels!
Posts: 444 | Location: New Rochelle, NY | Registered: 05 March 2002
Same here. I rented from AutoEurope months in advance and experienced excellent service and prompt email replies. Also rented a cell phone from them to use while in Italy and France. They had a special going with free rental, we only had to pay a $35.00 mailing fee and, of course, for whatever calls we made.
Posts: 943 | Location: North of Seattle | Registered: 28 February 2003
Although I don't think I have experienced a situation where AutoEurope said that they were out of cars, the earlier you book the more choices that are available....
Since everything is refundable and there are no penalties for changing dates, etc., the only downside is that frequently they charge the full price of the rental when you book the car.
My husband and I just booked our car through Kemwel (now the same company as AutoEurope) 7 days automatic Nissan Micra (does that sound small or what??? for June for the rate of 330 Euro all inclusive. I agree, earlier is better...(it's too bad the dollar is down though) You have to pay in full, but it's totally refundable up to the day of rental. Katharine
Posts: 24 | Location: New York, NY, USA | Registered: 16 October 2003