$1300 for 15 day rental car - Paris to Venice - February/2011 - good rate?
#1
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$1300 for 15 day rental car - Paris to Venice - February/2011 - good rate?
I haven't rented a car in Europe for several years - I've checked a lot of sites - i.e. Auto Europe, Europcar, Sixt, Avis, Hertz, Budget, etc and this is about the best rate I've found, considering the drop off fee and the fact we have to book an automatic as my husband just had ankle surgery on his clutch foot - I could book a manual and do all the driving myself but that seems like it's tempting fate too much (i.e. only having one driver).
That particular rate is with Avis via AutoEurope - far more car that we usually rent (Full Size 4 Door, BMW or similar) but the automatic requirement bumped the class of car up. Also have a rate slightly higher from Europcar for a Mercedes 180, but it seems a wee bit small.
(note - both rates assume declining CDW and using our CC and home auto insurance for that portion of the insurance)
I could keep obsessively checking over the next few months (that's been known to happen) - or just be happy I got a reasonably good price - any comments? TIA.
That particular rate is with Avis via AutoEurope - far more car that we usually rent (Full Size 4 Door, BMW or similar) but the automatic requirement bumped the class of car up. Also have a rate slightly higher from Europcar for a Mercedes 180, but it seems a wee bit small.
(note - both rates assume declining CDW and using our CC and home auto insurance for that portion of the insurance)
I could keep obsessively checking over the next few months (that's been known to happen) - or just be happy I got a reasonably good price - any comments? TIA.
#2
Join Date: May 2005
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I think it is a good price.
If I am remembering correctly, we usually pay in the general area of 400 euro Per week for an automatic in Italy. Next week we will be paying about 370 euro (in Italy) for a car that is probably smaller than yours--a Peugot 407, called an "intermediate 4-door car."
So 400 euro x 2, for two weeks=800 euro or $1046. Add the drop off fee and you are in the same ballpark. Does it really make that much difference if you obsess and keep checking and checking and finally save $100? I think not, but forgive me if this sounds offensive to anyone on a tight budget.
However, I think you must take CDW to drive in Italy, or perhaps not since you are not beginning the rental in Italy...
If I am remembering correctly, we usually pay in the general area of 400 euro Per week for an automatic in Italy. Next week we will be paying about 370 euro (in Italy) for a car that is probably smaller than yours--a Peugot 407, called an "intermediate 4-door car."
So 400 euro x 2, for two weeks=800 euro or $1046. Add the drop off fee and you are in the same ballpark. Does it really make that much difference if you obsess and keep checking and checking and finally save $100? I think not, but forgive me if this sounds offensive to anyone on a tight budget.
However, I think you must take CDW to drive in Italy, or perhaps not since you are not beginning the rental in Italy...
#3
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Hi eks - thanks for the info - it is my understanding that I don't need CDW if the rental contract did not originate in Italy, but I think I'll just confirm that!
Re obsessing - just something I do! We're away for 3 months so every $100 is a meal or hotel night for me!
Re obsessing - just something I do! We're away for 3 months so every $100 is a meal or hotel night for me!
#5
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I believe your rate is relatively good but rates do fluctuate just like airline tickets.
For those paying in dollars, you will most likely be assessed several additional charges at drop off: environmental fee (for the automatic transmission) 30€, additional driver fee 25€, location surcharge for airport/train station pickup 38€, and road tax 24.40€.
There is typically no drop off fee unless you are referring to a one way fee which most rental companies do not charge as long as the pickup and drop off are both in France.
For those paying in dollars, you will most likely be assessed several additional charges at drop off: environmental fee (for the automatic transmission) 30€, additional driver fee 25€, location surcharge for airport/train station pickup 38€, and road tax 24.40€.
There is typically no drop off fee unless you are referring to a one way fee which most rental companies do not charge as long as the pickup and drop off are both in France.
#6
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There's two of you and a C180 is a wee bit small???
Blimey. To me that is a big car.
Do you really need such a huge vehicle?
The Peugeot 407 is about the same size btw - it is the BMW/Merc badge which ups the class not the size of it.
Are you sure your quote includes the one-way drop off fee? Often that is added on when you collect the car.
Blimey. To me that is a big car.
Do you really need such a huge vehicle?
The Peugeot 407 is about the same size btw - it is the BMW/Merc badge which ups the class not the size of it.
Are you sure your quote includes the one-way drop off fee? Often that is added on when you collect the car.
#7
(note - both rates assume declining CDW and using our CC and home auto insurance for that portion of the insurance)
You can't decline in Italy as it's mandatory (required by law) and it doesn't matter where the contract originates. If you are from the US, your car insurance will not cover you in Italy and most credit cards will not cover either (they typically exclude Italy and Ireland). Also know CDW had a large deductible (depends on type of car, but usually at least 1200€) that you must pay unless you pay extra for super CDW with 0 deductible. This can cost as much as the rental price. There are a few types of Visa cc's that don't exclude Italy.
You can't decline in Italy as it's mandatory (required by law) and it doesn't matter where the contract originates. If you are from the US, your car insurance will not cover you in Italy and most credit cards will not cover either (they typically exclude Italy and Ireland). Also know CDW had a large deductible (depends on type of car, but usually at least 1200€) that you must pay unless you pay extra for super CDW with 0 deductible. This can cost as much as the rental price. There are a few types of Visa cc's that don't exclude Italy.
#9
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adrienne - thanks I will look at Kemwell (had looked at other leasing companies but because we're going from one apartment rental to the other we really only need it for 14 days - the extra day is just a few hours difference on the pick up/drop off)
Sarastro - the rate I quoted includes a one way fee - as mentioned we are picking up in Paris and dropping off in Venice - as well as a second driver rate. We are not picking up/dropping off at an airport/train station but I have asked AutoEurope about an environmental fee - thank you.
Sarastro - the rate I quoted includes a one way fee - as mentioned we are picking up in Paris and dropping off in Venice - as well as a second driver rate. We are not picking up/dropping off at an airport/train station but I have asked AutoEurope about an environmental fee - thank you.
#11
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hetismij - re Merc 180 - my comments related to luggage - sorry that wasn't clear. I checked it out on a few sites and read comments that it could only take one large suitcase in the trunk...other bags would have to be in the back seat (hence visible). We're away for 3 months so have a bit more luggage than most. But I will check that again.
kybourbon - thanks for your warning but I have checked with my Visa (we're in Canada) and it does cover us for a rental originating in France, terminating in Italy.
kybourbon - thanks for your warning but I have checked with my Visa (we're in Canada) and it does cover us for a rental originating in France, terminating in Italy.
#12
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Elizabeth: Please make sure to check the price on the non-North American sites..I saved a couple of hundred dollars or more on this upcoming rental by finding the best price on the AutoEurope Italian site and then asking the AutoEurope.com person to match it...I've posted about this in nauseating detail on (a)separate thread(s).
#13
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MB A class has more internal volume than the MB C class.
So check the photos :
http://www.autogaul.com/wp-content/u...Class-2011.jpg
http://blog.leasetrader.com/images/b...%20trunk_2.jpg
Peter
So check the photos :
http://www.autogaul.com/wp-content/u...Class-2011.jpg
http://blog.leasetrader.com/images/b...%20trunk_2.jpg
Peter
#14
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Understanding that the one way fee is actually a cross border fee, $1300 for a 15 day rental with a car as you outline is really a give-away.
The last quote I saw for a pickup in France and a drop off in Italy was 1,000€ plus the rental fee. Are you absolutely sure that the drop off fee is included in this price?
The last quote I saw for a pickup in France and a drop off in Italy was 1,000€ plus the rental fee. Are you absolutely sure that the drop off fee is included in this price?
#16
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so, "drop fee paid locally".. what IS the drop fee? I guess I am not seeing the whole reservation and wording but unless it says "includes drop fee" I would not be 100% sure of it. I assume you have it clearly stated somewhere on the reservation.
#17
Original Poster
Sorry - haven't been clear - the $1,300 includes the drop fee paid locally (230E) plus the second driver charge (30E) but not the "road tax" of approx $50 (which Auto Europe just advised) .....so current all in cost is $1,350. Waiting to hear from them about the VAT tax component.