Auto Europe's track record?

Old Feb 24th, 2002, 04:59 PM
  #1  
Tim Stark
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Auto Europe's track record?

Hello,

I am wondering if anyone would share experiences (either good or bad) with Auto Europe in Great Britain (specifically Scotland). They have beaten the Hertz AAA rate by a few pounds, but I am leaning with going with a "known commodity" at least as far as something as mundane as a car rental. Any thoughts to help me with my decision?
 
Old Feb 24th, 2002, 05:13 PM
  #2  
r
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Tim; My experience with them was in Spain but I don't see why it wouldn't be the same anywhere? I was very happy with them. They rented us a great car at a great rate. There were no problems, whatsoever. I found the reservations agents helpful, experienced in travel, and a real person. I have also read on this forum where others have felt the same. Of course, there are always those exceptions.
 
Old Feb 24th, 2002, 05:15 PM
  #3  
xxxx
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Get a hertz or avis rate and see if they will beat it..get a confirmation number from Hertz or Avis..they have never beat it yet in about 12 instances!
 
Old Feb 24th, 2002, 05:17 PM
  #4  
Leslie
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Auto Europe is a consolidator. You aren't actually renting a car from AE. AE has contracts with multiple car rental companies, including Hertz and Avis. When you call Auto Europe, just ask which company you will get the car from.
 
Old Feb 24th, 2002, 05:19 PM
  #5  
Grasshopper
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I used Auto Europe in the UK and in France. In England we rented in Oxford, drove to Scotland and returned the car at Heathrow. No problems at all (other than trying to get used to driving on the "wrong" side of the road). In France we rented in Fountainbleu (to avoid Paris), drove to Lyon and then the Loire Valley and returned to Fountainbleu. When we went to pick up the car they had lost our reservation but they found a car for us (took about an hour). In both cases only standard transmissions were available. I wouldn't hesitate to use them again.
 
Old Feb 24th, 2002, 05:44 PM
  #6  
Capo
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Hi Tim. I've rented cars through AutoEurope twice, both times in Provence. Decided to use them for the first time, in 1998, since I'd read they match any competitor's price.

I've been very impressed with their service and their prices, both times, were the lowest -- or equal to the lowest -- I found (though I didn't check with every possible car rental agency.)

Both times, the actual rental company I used was Europecar. The second time, the car we picked up at the Nice airport didn't have a functioning tape deck and, because we were promised one, we actually got upgraded to a great Renault minivan for the same price.
 
Old Feb 27th, 2002, 06:44 PM
  #7  
Bob Brown
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Auto Europe, as described above, is not a car rental agency that has many cars as far as I know. I have used Auto Europe 4 times, and ended up with Avis each time. Once I chose Avis despite a lower price with another agency because Avis was close to the train station in Innsbruck. I could walk there and get my car easily, and drop it off in Salzburg close to the train station.

Also all of my returns have been painless. No squawking over miniscule scratches and the like, or testing the gas tank for milliliters of fuel.

A car rental is not exclusively the base price. You have to look at the whole package.
 
Old Feb 28th, 2002, 08:03 AM
  #8  
bettyk
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Used them a couple of years ago for our 2-week trip to Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy. Picked the car up at the Frankfurt Airport. Had confirmation for a compact car with air conditioning, but there was no AC. Didn't realize it though until we were in Italy where the weather was really hot. When we returned the car to Frankfurt, my husband made them take a little off the rental since we did not get an air conditioned car but they really didn't want to do it. Would probably go with Hertz or Avis next time if there wasn't much difference in price.
 
Old Feb 28th, 2002, 03:16 PM
  #9  
Leslie
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I know this thread's subject is primarily about car rentals, however, I thought I would mention a very positive experience I had today making air and hotel reservations with Auto Europe.

Auto Europe is presently running an airfare sale from major US gateways to a number of European gateways (London, Manchester, Paris, Frankfurt, etc.) Departure from the US must take place by April 10th and return by the end of June. Anyway, ordered 2 tickets for my boss with a Saturday departure (April 6) and Friday return (April 12) from Boston to London for $323 each including tax. These seats are on American's morning flight, and frequent flyer points will be credited to his account. This is the best fare that I could find, the next best fare was $565. Also booked him into the Thistle Westminster (a 4 star, and Thistle's second best property in London) for $143 per night including VAT and breakfast. The best internet deal I could find for the Thistle was $168, and even calling the Thistle 800 number could not get me a better price. The room can be cancelled up to 24 hours in advance without penalty.

Here are some other positive things I found out about Auto Europe -- even though I booked the trip today, I was told that the air reservation could be held for 5 days without giving a credit card. I held it for 2 hours. I was asked if I wanted paper tickets ($15 by FEDEX) or electronic tickets (no charge). I was reminded that if the tickets needed to be changed that there would be $175 penalty. On top of that, the customer service rep, who even checked alternate dates for better pricing without me asking, gave me the record locator number, his first and last name, and his extension. When I called back to give the credit card #, I had to leave a voice mail message. He called me back in 5 minutes.

So, as an alternative choice to booking air and hotel reservations, I recommend Auto Europe when it has favorable pricing.
 
Old Feb 28th, 2002, 03:21 PM
  #10  
dean
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I have used Auto Europe of 5 of my 6 trips to Italy. It is a totally pailess process with them. Also, whehn you prepay with them you are guaranteed an upgrade if available. Last time we got an audi a4 wagon gor the price of a smaller car. In Itlay, you have to take all the coverages and we have returned cars to them with dents and scratches with no problem.

 

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