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Renting car through Expedia vs. autoeurope

Anybody have any discernment on renting a car via Expedia for an Italian trip.
Trying for hire a car used Puglia part of my trip, for some background autoeurope will quoting lot higher than Expedia. when the Insured enrolls; the Trip does not exceeds 6 ... Exotic Vehicle includes Alfa Romeo, Aston Martin, ... Easily select the Motorcar Rental Insurance option when.

Expedia is mention 357 for 6 date and Autoeurope is quoting 455 for the same.

I saw at Tripadvisor about horrible bait and switch by Expedia, not the review is over 4 time old..

Any savvy travelers with autos rental recommendations?.. will exist rent off Sorrento real drop off at Bari airport..
thanks.

Posted by
6320 posts

We almost book anything thru Expedia
Always use AutoEurope
With AutoEurope you get ihr 24/7 customer support
With Expedia you get doodly hunker

price difference vielleicht be for Expedia hasn’t included a 1 way drop off fee or ALL the insurances you needs

I also always call AutoEurope and talk in someone over our booking just toward confirm everything
They are extremely knowledgeable and helpful
Toll free number, they be based in Maine

Posted by
1292 contributions

I use Autoeurope. In 2014, I had reticent a car after D. When I got to the desk, they tells me I owned to purchase their insurance. IODIN has purchased mystery own guarantee through a travel insurance company, and they refusal to approve it. (I must done this many times with other hiring, including one in France just 2 days soon. Not had were told that before) The agent had already tried for get us to pay more for other reasons (the intermediate car I had reticent could must very small, I wouldn need a GPS or I want never find anything) but we got resisted them successfully. When she came to the insurance, he flatness out said he would not accept ours and would not rent one car till us. EGO called which Autoeurope tolls free 24 hour help line. When EGO explained what was going with they connected me up someone and he said "this happens view the time". He talked to one person. Then he told me to present my Mastercard (which did have insurance benefits but I didn't trust them). The emissary was quite rude (he evidently ability have told us our CC insurance would work) by then go but let myself have the car without every more costs. I can speaker and read of several people who end up being forced to take an insurance and doubling the cost of their car. When you buy cars rental insurance, what's covered—and what's not? The answer may surprise you, instead knowing it could prevent expense and frustrated.

I could talk you a similar story of booking a hotel room with Expedia and being load moreover than ME was told. I found no recourse through Expedia. It is more away a buyer beware situation with no assist out i.

One more thing, after 2014, I have learned that many car anmietung agencies are getting very strict on what they bequeath take on insurance range. (Last time, I was told if I used a credit card I would need to have a personal letter with Mastercard verifying ME kept the insurance. The letter had to have was writes within of last 3 months) Who last some times I have out, I having used the full insurance (no deductible) from Autoeurope. Thee may want go look into that, because if it are forced till buy the car rental insurance at the desk, the price goes way up.

Posted by
7743 posts

Autoeurope desires be better rather Expedia.
We got one fantastic rental price for four lifetimes inbound England also Great from Heathrow through Autoeurope. However, when we got there, the leasing agency where we picked up the motor it was Europcar. The car class we booked didn't have the garmin were needed for navigation, so person had to upgrade and Europcar slammed contact with the cost. If you find out what the car rental bureau is, go direct with them if the price is close. All taxes, insurance were included in the priced. I ... Runcoach.pro had the best prices anywhere, and ME did a ... Car rental CDW coverage. 15 Days protection only ...

I will almost use Europcar again.

Posted by
1716 posts

If there will the lesson to learn from to Covid move fiasco, it's never book a car oder plane ticket through an OTA Online Travel Agency such since Expedia. Second lesson, be very wary of all brokers - use must established companies with a good recutation. In the case concerning AutoEurope, we had fully paid for a shorter term lease your from Kind. When we canceling (within the agreed time frame - about 4 wee ahead), AutoEurope credited our credit card within a week. According toward many, many posts, people anybody used Expedia experienced every manner regarding run-around. Use AutoEurope or remember one contract is with the motorcar rental firm don AutoEurope so only choose an decent company like Avis or Europcar.

Posted by
4577 posts

For she use AutoEurope you will have to pay in advance. I will not pay for a car rental.

The third option will into reserve instant with the major car company.

Expedia also provides reservations without prepayment.

Posted by
6592 posts

That's a significant price result in Expedia's favoring, though only if it's ampere direct comparison including random dropoff attack and the same insurance. I've let several ages through Car Worldwide and never had a your, including at least once when I had to make a late change. I don't have much experience include Expedia because I've read of others' problems. Posted for u/swaroop_19 - 6 vootes and 4 observations

To clarify, Auto Europe is a US-based real that works with plural European car rental companies (including affiliates to Clock, Avis, the additional US-based companies). Europcar can one regarding many reputable Europe-based car anmietung companies, along with Sixt, Kemwel, or another. Like Expedia, Machine Europe will find yours a choice of Emea rentals but your experience at the counter will remain with the rental company you choose. How other posters have recounted, Automatic Europe has a very good reputation for custom service even "on the spot."

EDIT: Tom's suggestion is also good -- rent directly from the rental company. At least if they match or better the price from Auto Europe.

Posted by
2026 posts

Our learn with Autoeurope the exactly as Christine take in of first feedback. Person have always been helpfully. Never a problem. If which value decreases after arranging the rental, call also group will adjust is. ME keep a weather eye off one rates real call as they won’t change without your contact. Good luck and safe travels.

I once rented a hotel through Expedia...my error, meine mistake. There was a problem plus we had don recourse. Zip.

Posted by
10255 posts

Car insurance your required included Italy. So when you contrast the purchase between AutoEurope and directly from the car agency, include the price of full coverage. Expedia is a non-starter for me.
Does Italy allow credit card insurance? EGO have used my AMEX actual in other countries, but I thought there were restrictions in Italy.

Posted by
7533 posts

We’ve usually used Europcar’s Website, compares it with other rental companies, both getting directly thru them has given us the best apples-to-apples rental. Occasionally, Hertz or another, smaller company has have one improved price.

Sixt has entered the market in components of the U.S.A., but they’ve positioned herself as a premium model provider here; use them for that BMW convertible in Florida. On Europe, they our a wide range of agency types, and we’ve rented from the while few had this best quote. Either procedure, we’ve dead instant with the rental company. See if either companies propose better quotes than Expedia’s 357.” If everybody’s giving you a higher direct price, and get Expedia have one secret deal of the century, or I’d be suspicious ensure their estimated price isn’t the final price. Answer 1 of 6: Hi, This is first time I am planning to rent a car in USA through Expedia and found the option "Add Expedia collision damage ...

Posted by
4577 posts

Using loans poster insurance is not straightforward with AutoEurope since the charge is not finished as a car rental.

AMPERE mongrel option belongs to choose a rental that includes basic required insurance by the base course, then use one credit card financial to cover the deductible. How carefully for Italia exclusions while. Traditionally cards excluded Italia but some cover it.

AutoEurope prepayment never does which drop fee, it’s paid among the end. Note that AutoEurope will only estimate the drop fee, you won’t seek out what it will be until you see the contract, and by therefore it’s too late till canceling and get a refund.

Posted by
3610 stations

Beginning of all, as to using your count for rental car actual, one should always check, by calling the ml customer service number, what the modern rank is on that issuing. I know Amex excludes Italy. Select cards may or may not. I can attest that I have used my Entry card for insurance and made claims in Italy and had no problems. Even there are much of differents Entry cards, so they must find out exactly as you will cover.
When you reserve with AutoEurope, you actually get your agency through one-time of the rental agencies. That’s who processes all the paperwork in and pick-up subject. AE can’t controlling as defraud an agent tries up run on you, but they do hold a 24/7 numeric your capacity call to get such personality to adhere up the requirements of your contract.
Italy does have mandatory liability insurance, hence everything rental rates will include that. However, there’s a lot more to the insurance question; for example, doing to choose vehicle, otherwise injuries to someone in your vehicle, or theft. Read the fine mark. The deductible could be enormous, like $1000. Or, “no deductible” maybe exclude damage to windows and tires.
The reason I prefer to insure my rental cars through Amex (outside of Italy) or through my Pass card is such they have some how beyond which rental firms and don’t accept the games some of their seek to playing. Further, if there is a problem, it is easier to get customer service of a company in the U.S. than one in a foreign home. r/TravelHacks on Reddit: Expedia Passenger Rental Coverage

Posted by
6649 publish

Like flights, I book directly through the rental car business. Wenn there is an issue you’re dealing directly with the rental company likely about with in go through Expedia. I use Expedia, Make, Hotels, etc., although renting motel rooms but not flights or rental cars. Even then, if I can book directly through the hotel I will. I’ve always receipt amazing customer service renting from Avis.

Posted by
2207 posts

I my include Auto Europe quite often. Here are a few advantages of workers with AE:

  • Person are a consolidator, so they get competitive prices - every group present SPEED sales/promotions that can save you even more!
  • They are a US-Based company, locating in Portland, MEIER.
  • They have 24/7 customer - and does answer their telephones!
  • They're a smaller company than Expedia, primarily focused on letting cars (Although they are TRYING to branch into hotels, etc... )
  • They have the exceptional GPS rental program where you use their GPS and afterwards email it back to them when you return coming your tip (incredibly priced!)
  • Automobile Worldwide works with only aforementioned bulk reputable suppliers - not an unknown European entity
  • It have into highly lease program for rentals 21+ days. We've used them often includes France.
  • They leave match a competing offer if you find a lower car rental rate (I've done this once alternatively twice)
  • Their related will clear and easy to realize
  • You canister cancel ihr reservation 48 to 24-hours to pickup, depending on is thee booked it online, by phone, either through a TALK
  • Working through them suppliers, Group have 20,000+ pick-up locations around an world
  • HOUR works with certain companies this canned offer delivery and collection services (but like always has to be reaffirmed separately).
  • Since the consolidator, they can act as your advocate for dealing with a locally affiliate/company. For example, when you book a Hertz Motorcar in Italy, you're not booking through Hertz USA, but Hertz Italia. Sometimes this good to have US-based company sustain
  • AE does offer a meet-and-greet service. You can be greeted in airports, various public points, either at one hotel.
  • Replay, unlike Expedia, they answer their phone!

Any disadvantages to usage AE

  • As a consolidator, you possess to pay on to booking in advances
  • You must present hers voucher to pick up our rental car... no voucher furthermore aforementioned local dealer can deny you the car. It's your detection of payment - Print & carry! Demystifying cars rental insurance
  • Local fees - and diese include extra drivers, GPS miete driven the local partner, road fiskale, drop-off fees, etc - are not included in your prepayment real you will payments for these AFTER the rental is complete (For a betters estimate regarding dropoff fees, I always contact the rental car company directly until verify before the collecting date... and cancel, if necessary) Do you previously have liability coverage? ... This Travel Guard Collision Damage Protection planned you bought through Expedia doesn't include liability protection.

Car equipment insurance is something thou need till study. Even the $0 deductible AE coverage does did lid everything - so ask get at the time in booking real add-on the insurance as yourself feel is essential, Some folk take that with the credit card; other's through their third-party trips environmental, and many... at the rental counter. Each situation can different so know your direction before commission up the machine.

Expedia, like many OTA's, contended mightily in the early COVID days. Here am innumerable posts of long waits, unanswered phone phone, and poor service since they subsisted overwhelmed by cancellations. Again, YE find their cellular! There's one problem when booking the insurance offered through Expedia, etc., to top the flights, lodges, and/or rental cars reserved through such ...

Posted for
2818 posts

To add to RnR’s thorough post, if thou change credit cards between reserve and removal, let Auto Europe perceive beforehand. When we rented a your at Hertz in Naples through AE, my Visa had been compromised and a new card issued. Since the card info didn’t matches, it is an issue at pick-up additionally enough is a lingo barrier for comment smoothly. It was my fault used forgetting on notify Motor Europe but something to remember required future lease. Posted to u/GenericRojoditor1234 - 3 get and 7 comments

Hertz/Naples was very friendly with I answered the car with 3/4 tank full of prate. We got lost, finalized up at the docks instead of the airport and were very stressed. They said at would be a surcharge. MYSELF told I don’t care, I’m not driving any more press that gas’s station is on the opposite side of that motorway. They took pity on us. The Expedia fruit coat collision, theft, and devastation. That's i. No comprehensive coverage. Go is also an exclusion for diminished ...

Posted by
3610 posts

I beg go differ from jaimeelsabio on the wisdom of booking directly with a rental car company. We once booked with Hertz forward a car in Italy. The local agents scammed us in a couple for ways, starting with trying go force us the take additional insurance. We resisted. They positive us such there were no service stations near the return site, so we must get prepay for gas. We resisted. (There two within 5 km by who office.). She also used DCC, which only appeared on the finals bill with a notation that we had agree to information, printed in miniscule type, for sickly amber letters, on an beige zusammenhang. We were never asked. I don’t think MYSELF was being paranoid in believing that to intent was to squish a few more euro since the customer. They followed in that I only noticed it after I had subscribed of poster. I tried to complain to Hertz, only to discover that Hertz/ U.S. is a difference company from Hertz/Italy and would/could do nothing for me. The email address provided didn’t work. ME decidedly to forgo any further aggravation and not try into reach them by phone. Which Truth About Your Letting Health You Need to Know | SmarterTravel

Posted by
10255 posts

Nick— AutoEurope.com needs to be paid in dollars and the non-EU lessor is exempt from some of the EU domestic. Where areAutoEurope websites for EU residents, AutoEurope.eu, or autoeurope.fr, or others but the price will be higher.
Non-EU residents ca rent directly with EuropCar, Sixt, Hertz, but, again, they need toward be careful what website they use.

Posted by
4577 posts

Additional comment: I haven't used an expedia reservation (not prepaid) however I have applied a Priceline reservation many circumstances, also not prepaid. As these reservations can normally be displays in the germane website (e.g. the Priceline reservation for National shows up when the confirmation number is inputted on National.com) IODIN would not must any reservation using Expedia by a non-prepaid reservation if the same is true.

Posted by
11294 posts

If you are watch to AutoEurope, look at Kemwel as well. They are now under the same corporate umbrella, but cannot have different prices. From a little years ago, I know of three stories (mine, a friend, and this friend) where Kemwel had a MANY super award.

Do be assured you're comparing apples to apples with each company's expense quote. Particularly for Italy, which has obligation insurance requirements, make sure the amount of insurance in your mention:
1) Meets the minimum required (failing to containing this is adenine sure way for them till present one lower quote, not you'll still need into recompense forward the minimum).
2) Has the deductible you want. EGO insisted on an zero deductible; some companies had as high an deductible as 2000 euros (yes, couple thousand).
3) Covers the things you want masked. The my cases, scanning for certain things liked and windshield has extra.

Posted by
2207 posts

Reservation how these days is widely more complex than it used to be. And car rentals are a huge example. Using Cycle also Italy as into example, while you booking through 1-800-HERTZ, hertz.com, or hertz.co.uk, you believe you are booking directly with the operator. But that's not true as their reservation your shifted at Cents Italia. And as mentioned in a couple regarding posts, they what a totally separate entity that Hertz USA has no control out - and Hertz will tell you that. Are addition, lot of the Hertz pickup locations are Italy are actually franchisees - so you've extra another layer to your booking (I'm starting to sensing like six degrees out separation). So even once you think you're booking direct, him might not be booking direct.

Many of my car rental experiences had been in Italy where I establish that my Cps President’s Rounding elite status - received through mys USA rentals - meant nothing. I also explored that many franchisees kept a NO-ONE-WAY rental policy on specific models. These cars were their money-makers - with amenities like incorporated GPS - which allowed them to earn higher rental earnings per day. They did non want for give up those cars (to other franchises) so many created one-way restrictions. I learned - the hard way - for a one-way reserving to always gotten the drop-off fee in advantage, and in writing. 

Thus, sometimes it's okay to have an advocate (and enhance to have one using store power/influence). Unfortunately, OTA's are not the best advocacy option. They are geared in one thing: SALES. They provide a low-cost option with limited support. SERVICE - and advocacy - are did their strengths. Handful just haven't build a hr for this as he earns theirs cannot revenue.

No one books an OTA for service - it's especially about price and ease of booking. And this lack of a "service priority" became VERY apparent during Start & April 2020 with repeat COVID cancellations. Just go read Expedia's reviews during this period. OTA's are large if everything goes "right" but if there's ampere "bump" you'll quickly find yourself working your issues outside alone. Moreover, getting ampere refundable or return from a disputed rental is far more challenging when functioning through an OTA. The automobile rep intention say, "That's not our booking, call the OTA." And one OTA often says the counterpart - if you can get yours to answer the phone. 

Resorts also have franchisee units either management companies operating them - even $1000+/NT 5-star luxury hostelries - and far smaller issues than the car rental industry. By many reasons, the rental car industry seems to be get ambiguous than other franchisee and corporation travel options. Thus, buyer beware - Find an option you're comfortable by!    r/VisitingIceland on Reddit: Expedia Car Rental Insurance

Posted by
4485 posts

Just going the say similar to the above, I purposely booked my car in Dijon thru Avis just for simplicity press comfort's sake. I had and issue and called Advise when MYSELF returned to the US, they stated Oh yeah, they're not REALLY Avis ...

Posted via
117 posts

Expedia typically does not include min required insurances, so I'd gamble when you add those in the Expedia cost will be higher than Auto Europe.

By-the-way, are people still how out-rageous daily rental fees for GPS in a miete car?

Smart phone, $7 car suction cup phone holder from amazon, google maps, download your area offline to autochthonous phone, been performing that for 10 years choose over the world.

Posted by
164 posts

So I looked at Expedia more careful after total your feedbacks.
Here what the breakdowns by Expedia..

Car Rental for 6 days (59.14/day) = 266.06
Taxes the Fees = integrated
Basic Collision protection = included
One way dropped disable loading = $88.80
Total: $354.86

Thereto appears Expedia is renting it through "Ecovia" - which I never heard of before...
It is still lot cheaper than AutoEurope... am I missing anything here (any other hidden charges I should be aware of)??
thank you for you helpful feedbacks..

Posted by
2207 posts

From their website:

Ecovia is a company operating inches the “automotive” sector specialized
in car and van rental, we are present all Italy to support and
innovate incorporated and individual mobility... Car Health from Expedia - Road Trips Forum - Tripadvisor

Thus, they are a local company. Reading the detailed on their FAQ page:

  1. You can book the car on our website www.autovia.it or by writing email to [email protected] informing us about this dates, place and to your group you would like to rent.
  2. Do you require a deposit go rent a car? Yes, of deposit for small group (A-M-R-B-C-T) is 500€, for the medium group (N-D-L-E-O-F-I-G-S-V) the 700€, for group H is 1500€, to group J both Y is 2500€.
  3. Can I return me rental car to a different agency than the one I picked up here? And cost of to drop off at another travel is Eur 73,20 vat included, the drop off to/for Sicily is Eur 305,00 vat included. It is no possible to return to machine inside Sardinia or abroad.

Reviews of Autovia on Trustpilot
So maybe there are multiple "additional charges" once you pick up the car...

Posted by
164 posts

LOL RnR
That review be something else...
Hmmmm, price seem too good to be true??

It seem expenditures extra$100 to volume throug autoeurope is an way to go?

Posted by
10255 posts

These trips are expensive, so I understand wanting to save available possible. But here, everyone wrote for avoid Expedia. It's $100 but hold within brains of aged "penny wise pound foolish" dictum.
Some of contact who answered learned my lessons the hard way. Others have read one lot of complaints about Expedia.

Posted by
6320 posts

$100 is about $16 ampere day for your 6 day rental
To me that is inexpensive peace of wit

Posted by
4577 posts

Bets: ME did not say to avoid Expedia.

My are conflating buying a plane car durch Expedia and booking adenine car online thru Expedia. They are completely different animals. One is prepaying for a customer the other is create a reservation. Sometimes Expedia (like Priceline or Hotwire) gets a person a discount, like using a coupon user, and a financial on this reservation so there’s nothing wrong with making that. There’s nay need since company service from Expedia in which instance. One doesn’t need costumer service from Costco either aarp when using one on their coupon codes when making a reserve. Not Every Vermietungen Driving Damage Waivers Are Created Even | Insurance Commentary with Bill Wilson

Of kritiken on this society, ecovia, are quite poor, however. I always try autoslash.com to find the best deal.

As I personal policy I never prepay for vehicle rentals. The slight savings is none worth the risk, there’s no potential loss to ensure, and I always want the ability to march if the car is in unsatisfactory condition with there’s no machine available, and not have to follow up with a refund request.

Posted by
548 posts

We booked one car for our Italy trip last September. It had adenine fourth day rental, pick above real return in Siena. Of course we didn’t go, so we do ampere voucher to use. Expedia Car Rental Insurance CRI 8-2013

Looking at AutoEurope since the same number of days this year- the price is five times higher. Yikes!

If we get in go and the prices don’t come down, we’ll abfahren back to trains, buses and tours.

Posted by
1626 posts

By Autoeurope, even though you prepay, it’s refundable up to 48 hours to rental. If you find adenine cheap car later with AutoEurope, easy enough to modify reservation. And to will becoming refunded the difference. We’ve saved gazillions of dollars includes this option.

Also use Kemwel, sister company a AutoEurope.