We regularly use https://www.economycarrentals.com who are brokers, they let you know within a day whether a car will be available with one of their suppliers and so far there always has been.

A major plus point is that their rates already include items such as collision damage waiver and two drivers, which many companies charge extra for.

Do not expect any customer service from EuropCar. I rented and paid in full through Expedia. Car was in good condition. When I returned the car, I asked the staff to check that the returned car had no damage, and the lazy staff just sat there and refused to do so. Then when I insisted, he did a cursory check, and just said it was OK, without giving me any document to show that I returned the car in good condition. A few weeks later when I got my credit card statement, EuropCar charged an amount to my credit card. When I wrote in to query, they said that all enquiries must be directed through Expedia who will then conact Europcar,even though it was Europcar which chaged me, not Expedia. It is a terrible company. Do not be tempted by their rates even though they may be lower than other companies! You end up paying MORE.

welcome to Fodors AdrianneY -- somehow you dug up this eight year old thread. But w/ the slim chance you will come back and read any responses . . .

>><i>When I wrote in to query, they said that all enquiries must be directed through Expedia who will then conact Europcar,even though it was Europcar which chaged me, not Expedia. </i><<

Yes --they were right. When you book through a third party you have to deal w/ the third party. Which is why it is often a bad idea.

Too bad you didn't find Fodors first - maybe someone would have persuaded you to book otherwise.

Until you find out exactly what the charges were, any conclusion about the company through which the rental was made would be pointless. European rentals are rarely, if ever, paid in full before pickup. You could have been charged for an additional driver, an airport or train station pickup, road tax, an environmental fee (if your car had automatic transmission), or any number of other legitimate charges which are only charged at drop off.

At a minimum, Europcar should be able to explain the charges if they indeed came directly from Europcar. You might attempt anew to have them detailed.

You can always contest the additional fees with your credit card company.