If I were you, I would book through AutoEurope or one of the other reliable consolidators. Renting in Italy is tricky. You credit card- associated CDW (Collision Damage Waiver)most likely is not recognized and you will have to buy additional insurance. Some credit card companies (I believe AMXCO is still one of them)won't even let you charge the rent on their card.

I think you're not comparing apples and oranges. The cheaper site includes certain insurances that you would need to add anyway. I used Hertz.com a year ago for Italy and again a few months ago for France. I booked my reservation, but continued to check the site. As the trips got closer, I found the same car at a lower rate. I would book and then go back and cancel the earlier reservation. This defies logic, but it happened on both trips and I saved a lot, especially on the trip to France.

And I used American Express for both.

If you plan to visit neighboring countries anyhow, it's cheaper to rent a car outside Italy. You rent a car in France, or even Switzerland, and drive into Italy. Yes, as mentioned, many CC companies are still listing Italy in their "black list" when it comes to CDW insurance coverage.

To add to my previous post: If you do take my advice, renting a car outside Italy, you better check in advance that you can drive into Italy. Last year when I was shopping around, at least one car rental agency would not allow traveling their cars into Italy... Sounds weird, but it did happen.

That should read, 'the cheaper site Does Not include insurances that you would need to add anyway.'

thanks all! Our trip is Italy-only so the neighboring thing is out.

If you rent from Hertz, be sure to pre-pay. If you don't, they use DCC (it's stated on the contract and you don't have a choice).

kybourbon. This is good information. I very seldom rent from Hertz in Europe although I have a couple of times.