This is the only slow trav articles I could find, please post the thread you are talking about PLMN, thank you,
posted 12 August 2004 06:49 PM
I posted here a while back about renting a car from Auto Europe UK to save money. Since then I've learned a bit more about it, and I thought it might be helpful to people if I posted a summary of what I've discovered. Bottom line -- you WILL save money by renting a car through the UK site, and there's no reason you can't do so if you are in the US.
I've written this up as a Q&A, since I wanted to save it myself for future reference.
Q1. What is Auto Europe?
A1. It is a sort of wholesaler / broker of auto rentals. It is not a rental company per se, but makes deals with various rental agencies to get the best rates. If you book through Auto Europe, you will actually pick up your car from Hertz, Avis, Europcar, or some other ?name brand? agency, but your payment and all arrangements will go through Auto Europe. As far as I can tell, the Auto Europe rates are always significantly lower than you would get if booking directly through Hertz, etc.
Q2. Why would I want to rent from Auto Europe UK rather than Auto Europe US?
A2. Because you will save money. At the date I?m writing, the weekly rental fee for the same car is (after currency conversion) approximately $100 cheaper from the UK site than from the US site. (Actual difference depends, of course, on the car you are renting.)
Q3. Is there any reason why a US resident should NOT use the UK site?
A3. No. I spoke with an Auto Europe US sales rep and asked her about the price discrepancy between the two countries. At first, she was surprised to hear that there was a difference. She then checked with someone else and told me that the difference apparently stems from some kind of European Union regulations governing rates for those countries. She assured me that there was no reason I could not book on the UK web site.
Of course, I have to pay in pounds, and have my credit card company convert my bill into dollars. So it?s to my advantage to make sure I have a credit card that imposes the lowest available conversion fees. Note that some banks charge an additional currency fee on top of the 1% fee imposed by VISA and MasterCard, so you should check with your own credit card company to find out their policy. (Capital One, which I have, does not impose any extra fees.)
By the way, if you do go to the UK web site, don?t click on the Specials tab, thinking you?re going to get a better deal. That will take you via a route where you?ll end up back at the US site. Just click through to the booking pages for the UK, where you?ll see the specials listed anyway.
Q4. Why do I see a different list of available cars from Auto Europe, depending on what I choose for a dropoff point?
A4. The dropoff points are actually keyed to the rental agency. So, for example, in Rome you will see three dropoff points at the Termini rail station, and you will get a different list of available cars depending on which one you select. Auto Europe does not show you the agency name on the page where you select the dropoff. If you want to know which company you will be dealing with, you can select a car, then go on to the page before you complete the transaction (you can still back out). That page will tell you the name of the rental agency. If you are looking for a special car (we wanted an Alfa) and you don?t see it when you pick one dropoff point, try a different one.
Q5. Is there any difference in insurance coverage between the US and UK rentals?
A5. Yes. The Brits do not offer what we in the US call zero deductible. Their default rate comes with a fairly steep deductible if you should have an accident. To get the equivalent of our zero deductible, you need to select what they call "Price includes refundable excess." This will cost a bit more, but is still cheaper than the US zero deductible, and probably worth it for peace of mind.
As I understand it, the way this works is that if you do have an accident, the rental company (say, Hertz) will charge you the deductible. You have to submit a police accident report and the rental company's accident form to Auto Europe, who promise to refund you whatever deductible you had to pay.
Q6. What is the web site for Auto Europe UK?
A6. It?s www.auto-europe.co.uk (If you want to make your own comparison of rates, the US site is www.autoeurope.com)
Posts: 45 | Registered: 01 August 2004
joelscapes
New Member
posted 13 August 2004 07:48 AM
Thanks for the tip and your research. It seems that you can indeed save money over the posted Auto Europe USA rates for the same vehicle class. However, the deductible issue seems a bit risky and complicated for me. However, you may save even more money and get zero deductible coverage by first determining the cost from www.italybycar.it (or some other online service) and adding the extra charges for a zero deductible on collision (Super CDR) and liability (Super TLR). Then call Auto Europe USA(800 223-5555) and ask them to match the rate for the same car group code on italybycar, which tends to be lower than the web-posted rates for Auto Europe USA. They will research the validity of the competing rate and send you an email voucher within 24 hours, or you can just call them back in a few hours. I did this four times over the past month and every time they matched the rate without any questions. The matched rate was consistently less than their internet rate and was all-inclusive with a zero deductible. For example, on the same compact vehicle the rate was $89 lower than AE's USA internet rate and $14 less than their UK website's rate.
So why not just rent from italybycar in the first place? You certainly could, and they seem to have a good reputation. But the whole process was effortless with AE USA and I like the ability to negotiate with a live person on a toll-free line. I changed the vehicle class and rental dates several times with a quick phone call and no hassle whatsoever. Perhaps that might not have been so easy through italybycar, although I cannot be certain.
Contrary to popular belief internet rates for many purchases are not always the cheapest or best way to go. One example: Recently I purchased a camera with accessory lenses. After comparing prices and checking online reseller reliability ratings (www.resellerratings.com) I selected an online vendor with a low price matched with a high rating and an option for call-in orders. I contacted them by phone and in the end saved an additional $350 over the total package that they advertised online for $1,172.
The internet is a great tool, but it is no substitute for old-fashioned one-on-one dialogue in getting the best deal, when that option exists. And you don't have to be a skilled negotiator either; anyone who can say "Would you be willing to beat this cost?" can play this game and win.
Posts: 6 | Registered: 12 August 2004
GeorgeS
Traveler
posted 13 August 2004 08:01 AM
Well done, Roz, hope you enjoy your holiday. I presume you have also checked out the "or similar" bit when reserving the car, A few years ago, before we came here to live, I visited several times and hired through Hertz, always requesting an Alfa, but ending up with a Ford ?!?!?! on complaining, I was informed that the Ford Focus is considered to be of similar type to the Alfa, (errrrm, I think not!!!).
Anyway, we moved here and bought an Alfa...
However, on the white roads near our home errrm,
Enjoy your trip.
Posts: 37 | Location: Francavilla D'Ete, Le Marche, Italy | Registered: 07 March 2004
MikeOhio
Traveler
posted 13 August 2004 08:16 AM
I rented a Punto from the U.S. site from Sep. 4 to Oct 3 with 0 Deductable. The cost in U.S. dollars is 969.83. Booked it in July.
I went to the Brit site for autoeurope and checked the same car from the same pick up and drop off on the same dates but without the 0 Deductable insurance. Price - 557.81 GBP which converts to $1,025.75 USD, using the currency converter on this site.
So, while it may have worked out better for you Roz, it did not for me. Are you sure about your figures?
Posts: 40 | Registered: 14 July 2004
Jim Zurer
Slow Traveler
posted 13 August 2004 08:29 AM
>>Then call Auto Europe USA(800 223-5555) and ask them to match the rate for the same car group code on italybycar, which tends to be lower than the web-posted rates for Auto Europe USA.<<
As discussed in earlier threads, I frequently do price matches for my clients (I use the NOVA site) and I have found that it works most frequently when the NOVA quote is from AutoEuropa--where zero deductible is part of the contract. For quotes from Alamo Maggiore, it works less well because they have a deductible or excess liablity.
AutoEurope has price matched the Alamo Maggiore price but has included a deductible or excess liability in the price.
The price (when matched) is in Euros, not dollars and the voucher is from the Euro system, not the US dollar system.
Jim Zurer
Zurer Travel: Italian Trip Planning
[emailprotected]
Posts: 1543 | Location: Washington DC 20015 | Registered: 19 September 2002
Pauline
Administrator
posted 13 August 2004 08:48 AM
Jim, what is the URL for the NOVA site?
Pauline
What is Slow Travel?
Posts: 14766 | Location: Santa Fe, NM | Registered: 15 June 2001
joelscapes
New Member
posted 13 August 2004 09:05 AM
The matching quotes I received from Auto Europe USA were based on renting an Alfa Romeo 147 or "similar" from Europcar and were in USD, not Euros, with zero deductibles. The voucher was also in USD, as was the credit card payment draft. The amount was 89.40 USD less than Auto Europe's posted internet rate, and equal to italybycar's cost when their Euro rate is converted to USD. Seems like a good deal to me, but we'll see what vehicle they hand us when we get over there.
Posts: 6 | Registered: 12 August 2004
Roz
Traveler
posted 13 August 2004 11:39 AM
The car my husband really wants is the Alfa 156. The quoted rate for that on Auto Europe US (for 8 days), pick up at Rome airport and drop off at Termini, is $716.
On Auto Europe UK, we are paying 329 pounds, which at current exchange rates works out to something around $606 (that's with the "refundable excess").
I looked at Italy By Car, just to see how it compared. As nearly as I could figure it, the euro cost for that car with all the extra insurance would be 540 E, which converts to $667 at today's exchange rate.
So for us the UK rate definitely works out to our advantage.
I know we aren't absolutely guaranteed to get the Alfa, but on two past Auto Europe rentals we did get it (my husband loves that car). He had contacted them a couple of times before we left mentioning how much he really wanted that particular car. He said he noticed when he picked it up the last time, that someone had written in big letters on the rental sheet "ALFA!!!" so I guess they took his pleas to heart. Maybe because it's an Italian car, also, it appealed to their sense of national pride
Posts: 45 | Registered: 01 August 2004
Pauline
Administrator
posted 13 August 2004 12:54 PM
I spoke with my contact at AutoEurope and he gave the following explanation:
1. Yes, the prices can be different for the same rental on autoeurope.com (the US branch) and autoeurope.co.uk (the UK branch). This is because the suppliers give different prices to companies depending on where the company is located. This is a market driven thing that they have no control over.
2. It is not always cheaper on the UK site.
3. The UK site does not offer "basic" rentals - rentals with no insurance, where you use your credit card to insure your rental (you can do this in most European countries, but not always in Italy - check your credit card).
4. The deductibles are different.
5. If you book on the UK site, you must use the UK call center, not the US one, for bookings, changes and any problems.
Pauline
What is Slow Travel?
Posts: 14766 | Location: Santa Fe, NM | Registered: 15 June 2001
Pauline
Administrator
posted 13 August 2004 12:55 PM
Link to the NOVA agency Jim mentioned:
Pauline
What is Slow Travel?
Posts: 14766 | Location: Santa Fe, NM | Registered: 15 June 2001
Pauline
Administrator
posted 13 August 2004 01:58 PM
I compared prices between Nova and AutoEurope for our 31 day rental in England and Nova was more.
Sally Watkins was checking my reservation for me and pointed out that the location I had chosen to pickup in Bath was not downtown, but was outside of Bath (even though I was positive I had checked on Maporama - but I must have forgotten). Sure enough, AutoEurope now says on their site that this is not a downtown location, so I called and rebooked my reservation and picking up at the downtown location is cheaper because it is through National, not AutoEurope. Also the deductible is less.
Booking car rentals is starting to be more like booking with the airlines.
Pauline
What is Slow Travel?
Posts: 14766 | Location: Santa Fe, NM | Registered: 15 June 2001
grif305
Slow Traveler
posted 13 August 2004 02:06 PM
Note that you need to have a hyphen in www.auto-europe.co.uk . Without a hyphen it appears to be a seller of auto electric supplies. You can also go to autoeurope.com and say you're a U.K. resident.
Andrew --Travel home page
Posts: 145 | Location: Midwest U.S. | Registered: 22 February 2004
Jim Zurer
Slow Traveler
posted 13 August 2004 02:17 PM
>>I compared prices between Nova and AutoEurope for our 31 day rental in England and Nova was more<<
Everyone should know by now that any insights and experience that I have are completely Italy-centric. I have no idea about car rental practices in England, France, or anywhere else.
So when I write about my experience with AutoEurope, NOVA or anything else, it is strictly based on my dealings with Italian car rentals.
Jim Zurer
Zurer Travel: Italian Trip Planning
[emailprotected]
Posts: 1543 | Location: Washington DC 20015 | Registered: 19 September 2002
dougie
Traveler
posted 13 August 2004 10:27 PM
Thanks so much for this advice. My quote was also better this route. Is still need to see what coverage my visa gives me : i think it covers damage but not theft.....
Posts: 77 | Registered: 11 July 2004
Pauline
Administrator
posted 13 August 2004 10:53 PM
Some credit cards cover car rentals in many European countries, but not Italy. At least that was the case when I last checked a few years ago. It may have changed.
Pauline
What is Slow Travel?
Posts: 14766 | Location: Santa Fe, NM | Registered: 15 June 2001
MikeOhio
Traveler
posted 14 August 2004 05:17 AM
That is still the case Pauline. The insurance coverage afforded by my Visa Platnium is not accepted when renting a vehicle in Italy.
Posts: 40 | Registered: 14 July 2004
MikeOhio
Traveler
posted 14 August 2004 05:32 AM
When checking Italy by Car site, I noted a mileage charge is incured after 3000km. Autoeurope does not charge for mileage. The 0 deductable that is included was included in the autoeurope quotes from a U.S. site is well worth having as well.
Posts: 40 | Registered: 14 July 2004
Roz
Traveler
posted 14 August 2004 08:57 AM
Re credit card coverage: I just looked at my Capital One Visa cardholder benefits and realized that I do have complete collision, theft, and towing charges covered in every country except Israel, Jamaica, or Ireland (both parts). So I guess I can even save a bit more money by rebooking the car without the "refundable excess."
I love this Miles One credit card, by the way. Capital One really is the best company I've done business with. It accumulates miles on any airline (with a cashback option if I prefer). The bill always arrives at least 3 weeks before it's due (I hate those cards where you practically have to pay the minute the bill arrives to avoid late fees). And, as I said earlier, they don't impose any extra fees for currency conversion. It does cost $19 a year, but I think it's well worth it.
Posts: 45 | Registered: 01 August 2004
Jim Zurer
Slow Traveler
posted 14 August 2004 09:15 AM
>>I just looked at my Capital One Visa cardholder benefits and realized that I do have complete collision, theft, and towing charges covered in every country except Israel, Jamaica, or Ireland (both parts). So I guess I can even save a bit more money by rebooking the car without the "refundable excess."<<
That sounds great...but if I were going to use that CDW coverage, I would speak to a Capital VISA representative on the phone, reference the coverage statement and ask him to confirm the coverage in writing.
Better safe than sorry.
Jim Zurer
Zurer Travel: Italian Trip Planning
[emailprotected]
Posts: 1543 | Location: Washington DC 20015 | Registered: 19 September 2002
joelscapes
New Member
posted 14 August 2004 10:17 AM
Perhaps I am wrong, but I thought it is a law in Italy that disallows collision and liablility coverage by foreign companies, including deductible coverage. Someone can confirm or deny this, but if true, you must purchase coverage as part of the vehicle rental, and your credit card collision damage waiver is useless. Thus, if you decline to purchase a zero deductible option at time of rental you would be at risk for the deductible, which for some companies such as Italybycar can be several thousand dollars. This is why Auto Europe's quotes are all inclusive.
Furthermore, thanks to Jim's comment a few days ago regarding NOVA, I checked with them and for the same car and dates I mentioned previously and they are even lower than italybycar's, and Auto Europe said they will match their lower rate, which saves me an additional $36 on my rental. Since I have already pre-paid they said they will credit my credit card account accordingly without any problem. At this point I have been able to obtain $125 off Auto Europe's posted internet rates for this vehicle, and Auto Europe states they will further reduce the cost upon request if their, or the competition's, rates are lower at time of rental.
Roz, I too have the Capital One miles card, and do not pay any annual fee. It is their platinum card, and yesterday they increased our credit limit by $2,500 upon my request. The card earns 1 point per $1 spent, and the cash value or air miles ratio is $1 for every 1,000 points. Thus, it takes a lot of bucks to equal a typical frequent flyer credit card, but can be used for virtually any US-registered airline without restrictions, black-out dates, etc. since it is a rebate program. Airline mileage cards may have annual fees also.
Joelscapes
Posts: 6 | Registered: 12 August 2004
MikeOhio
Traveler
posted 14 August 2004 03:13 PM
You are correct that in Italy you must purchase the insurance as they will not allow the credit card insurance to take care of the manditory insurance coverages. This is something I have had first hand experience with and tried all angles to get the insurance on my Visa to take care of the requirment. You must purchase the insurance on your own in Italy. All other places where I have rented, the insurance provided by my card was accepted. Not in Italy.
Posts: 40 | Registered: 14 July 2004
dougie
Traveler
posted 16 August 2004 12:32 PM
"You must purchase the insurance on your own in Italy".
I dont quite understand that? It seems that the coverage is optionable ,is it not? At least to a certain deductible? The law then does not mandate zero deductible does it?
Posts: 77 | Registered: 11 July 2004
joelscapes
New Member
posted 16 August 2004 01:16 PM
What we are saying is that a Visa card benefit for covering auto insurance deductibles is not applicable in Italy. You can either purchase it as part of the car rental or go naked and take the risk. Your choice.
Posts: 6 | Registered: 12 August 2004
MikeOhio
Traveler
posted 16 August 2004 06:05 PM
Well put Joel. Now why couldn't I have said it that way?
Posts: 40 | Registered: 14 July 2004
Phoebe
Slow Traveler
posted 19 August 2004 04:34 PM
Hi ya'll.
I requested a price quote from the AutoEurope US website and it was much higher than the quote I received from calling one of the car rental companies directly.
It was suggested that I CALL AutoEurope and tell them the rate I got from the car rental agency. They came within $4.00+ but I rented with them anyway. They seemed much easier to deal with than the car rental company.
I checked the UK site and the price is higher than what I ultimately received by phone from AutoEurope website. The price on the UK site compared to the US site was very close. Not enough of a svaings to deal with conversion rates, dealing with phone numbers outside of the US, insurance issues, etc.
Oh, well it doesn't hurt to try.
Posts: 114 | Location: Central Florida Coast | Registered: 22 March 2004
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