JEFF_

Last year when AutoEurope matched a lower price from a competitor, they did in fact require full payment up front.

Clifton

In October, we rented through AutoEurope and put down a 1/3 deposit, the rest secured through credit card but paid on drop off back in Budapest. The car was actually from Budget.

I wonder if these variations in payment policy don't have something to do with which actual rental company provides the car, and the country involved (francises)?

Michael

Clifton, if that was for your Romanian trip, did you have to pay a premium for going to that country? How much, if I may ask?

Clifton

Michael, yes that was the Romania trip. We didn't pay a premium for the rental itself for taking it across the border. However, if we'd taken the CDW rather than covering it through our MasterCard, the insurance costs went up and the deductible jumped to almost $3000. Decline all coverage if you're going to use Mastercard coverage.

That was for through Budget at their downtown (Kristina Korut) location. No other company that AutoEurope brokers for would allow the the border crossing. Even Budget was more restrictive on their own website, but AE had their own negotiated terms (another plus for AE). Even Budget didn't allow the car to be taken into Serbia or Bulgaria, or to be left in Romania.

wlzmatilida

Hi,

re: Auto Europe and deposits vs. payment in full...

I use them consistently for clients after checking other companies to compare rates.

Normally, you will pay a deposit up front and the balance upon return of the car. The deposit is determined as a percentage of the total cost of your rental.

There are some cases where they will ask for full payment, but this is dependent on which car rental company you're dealing with and the dates of travel. Each rental agency has their own rules and regulations. I just recently did a reservation for a client travelling to various areas in New Zealand. Because of the drop off locations involved (some at the airport, some in town, etc) there were three rental car companies involved and only one had payment in full because the clients were leaving in less than a month; and apparently, that's just their particular policy.

Hope this helps!

Melodie

tcreath

I just booked a rental car with autoeurope.com for this May. I had to pay the entire cost up front. I was going to guess that this was because we are planning on taking the car across Western borders and into Czech Republic and Slovenia, but I just read Clifton's response about taking his car into Romania and only having to put 1/3 down so that must not be the reason. I don't recall having an option. If I wanted to book the car, the entire car had to be charged in advance. I did many price comparisons and autoeurope.com was the cheapest for the type of car we wanted (compact).

Intrepid1

I reserved a car for July in the Loire valley through Avis for pickup at the RR station in Blois. Didn't have to pay anything up front..so yes, there may be alternatives.

Michael

Clifton, Sorry to be bugging you, but I just received a quote of $1110 for 20 days from AutoEurope if I take the car to Romania, a 40% increase over what it would be if I stayed in Central Europe (Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia). Is that a price within your ball park? Orbitz is $300 cheaper, but it is not clear that this would be a final price.

Clifton

Michael, sorry to take so long to get back, but we were doing some traveling over a long weekend.

Let's see, that comes out to about $55 per day, which sounds about right. I was seeing a few local rental places in Budapest that were a little less, but insisted on selling the CDW along with. I have the URLS for a few I communicated with, if they'd be helpful. Don't forget that CDW terms, can vary widely.

http://www.avalon-rent.hu/
http://www.americana.matav.hu/auto_f...dex_flash.html
http://www.capitolcity.hu/index.htm
http://www.fox-autorent.hu/index.php

At first when I read your question, I was thinking that we got the price, THEN told AE we were going to Romania, but then I recalled that you check the box for crossing borders in E. Europe before you see the prices. I don't think I even priced it with the box unchecked.

Katiemay

WE always go thru Autoeurope. You
can return the car early w/o a penalty. We pay in full before we go
to avoid the cc fees on overseas
purchases.
They will match any other car rental
prices.
We use the cc insurance. Autoeurope
includes 3rd party coverage.
If there is any problem they take
care of it immediately and you dont
have to deal with a foreign company.
And if there is a problem when you
get there, you can call them collect.

humanone

If you are going to be using a car from 17 or more days, it really pays to purchase/buyback. Don't panic; they only ask you to prepay the amount for the time you will be using the car, although you do sign a note for the value of the car to protect them from never getting it back. The purchase/buyback, also known as long term lease avoids taxes, has no extra charge for additional drivers, and is all inclusive in protection. Prices in France are the same for all companies, since Peugeut is the only car available. I have used Auto Europe many times, have suffered flat tires, bad scratches on the side of the car, and even a dented room once. No hassle, no deductable, no additional insurance, or charges; they just took the car back without a blink or a frown. Even smiled.

Michael

I disagree on the value of the buy/purchase plan if going for more than just 17 days. That plan front loads the costs of getting the registration and the insurance, so that for 20 days, it is more expensive to use such a plan than to rent. Just compare the prices on www.renaultusa.com and the prices AutoEurope will give for a rental.