Car rental in Italy,again--using Italian AE site ok for US resident?
Mar 18th, 2009, 02:57 AM
#43
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It took more than an hour and two long phone calls! The first AE person I spoke to told me that they could not do it because AE US only charges in dollars and the Italian site charges in euros..
Mar 18th, 2009, 05:11 AM
#44
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EK,
sorry for not responding quicker. If you look at Both Auto Europe US and Kemwel US sights they publish a low price promise to match the lowest price of competitor my car was paid for and I was calling to cancel and when asked why i told them lower price for same car at Kemwel they said we can do that and that was it.
sorry for not responding quicker. If you look at Both Auto Europe US and Kemwel US sights they publish a low price promise to match the lowest price of competitor my car was paid for and I was calling to cancel and when asked why i told them lower price for same car at Kemwel they said we can do that and that was it.
Mar 18th, 2009, 06:43 AM
#45
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Thanks, Nolan. I did not think that AE US would match the prices on the European sites, but they finally agreed to do this after much checking with supervisors..
What I learned with this little exercise is that the prices fluctuate day to day on each site. A price I found last week was not there yesterday.
Each site offers different cars at different prices. The Spanish AE site, for example, did not have the car I found on the AE Italy and AE US sites.
Cars are categorized differently on the various sites. The car I rented in called a compact on some sites and a mid-size on others.
And besides comparing AE to Kemwell, we should compare prices on the various foreign sites and ask the US sites to match these.
There is no restriction on US citizens renting from foreign sites. Of course it is easier to rent from a site where you can read the language.
The prices varied by as much as $200 per week for the car I rented, depending on the day and the site.
All in all, I was happy with the outcome.
What I learned with this little exercise is that the prices fluctuate day to day on each site. A price I found last week was not there yesterday.
Each site offers different cars at different prices. The Spanish AE site, for example, did not have the car I found on the AE Italy and AE US sites.
Cars are categorized differently on the various sites. The car I rented in called a compact on some sites and a mid-size on others.
And besides comparing AE to Kemwell, we should compare prices on the various foreign sites and ask the US sites to match these.
There is no restriction on US citizens renting from foreign sites. Of course it is easier to rent from a site where you can read the language.
The prices varied by as much as $200 per week for the car I rented, depending on the day and the site.
All in all, I was happy with the outcome.
Mar 18th, 2009, 07:37 AM
#46
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I saw this thread and thought you might want to check National, I was able to get a automatic on their site yesterday for 222 euro for the week in spain (I know different country), both auto europe and kendel were quoting me 800 and 1100 euro, respectively, for the automatic. Hope this helps someone...
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Car Class: Compact 5-Door/Automatic/Air
Rates:
Time & distance 1 WEEK @ €191.97 €191.97
Inclusive Rate Items
(6) Collision damage waiver 1 Included
(6) Theft protection 1 Included
Guaranteed Base Rate Included
Unlimited Kilometers Included
Sub total............................................. ........€191.97
Coverages:
Collision Damage Waiver 1 €0.00
Theft Protection 1 €0.00
Taxes:
Vat Tax (16.0%) €30.72
Total Estimate.......................................... ......€222.69
(Country of Residence: US) (USD)
Approximate Estimated Conversion: $288.77
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Car Class: Compact 5-Door/Automatic/Air
Rates:
Time & distance 1 WEEK @ €191.97 €191.97
Inclusive Rate Items
(6) Collision damage waiver 1 Included
(6) Theft protection 1 Included
Guaranteed Base Rate Included
Unlimited Kilometers Included
Sub total............................................. ........€191.97
Coverages:
Collision Damage Waiver 1 €0.00
Theft Protection 1 €0.00
Taxes:
Vat Tax (16.0%) €30.72
Total Estimate.......................................... ......€222.69
(Country of Residence: US) (USD)
Approximate Estimated Conversion: $288.77
Mar 18th, 2009, 10:45 AM
#49
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Did you look at the coupon codes? I got an extra $25 off + 10% off for the promos here: http://www.nationalcar.com/index.do?action=emcIndex.do and signed uup for emerald club. I re-booked the car at the new rate of €189.29 this morning after double checking and taking the discounts.
how is Mercedes coming up? it isn't even giving me luxury car options, oh well...
how is Mercedes coming up? it isn't even giving me luxury car options, oh well...
Mar 18th, 2009, 11:34 AM
#50
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CB: National only had the larger Mercedes and they were more than $600; I checked to see what would happen if I put in citizen of Italy..still much higher. So even with the $25 and the 10% off, an automatic at National would be higher. I guess it depends on the country..
I even checked Sixt; the same small Mercedes was more than 800 euro! Avis prices were better, but not as low as the one I got..
I even checked Sixt; the same small Mercedes was more than 800 euro! Avis prices were better, but not as low as the one I got..
Mar 18th, 2009, 01:05 PM
#52
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Prices not only fluctuate day to day, but they fluctuate several times within a day. That's why it's a good idea to reserve at a particular price, without payment, and check the prices regularly over the course of a few days.
I got a Mercedes 180 automatic for $535 for a week, pickup in Foggia, dropoff at Bari Airport, which I thought was pretty good, considering the type of car and that it's all inclusive. When I wanted to take an extra day I saw several different rates for the extra day before getting it for $575 for 8 days.
Then I decided to keep it for 9 days and when I checked Sunday the 9 day rate was $760 - crazy! Later in the day on Sunday it was $690. Monday morning it was still $690 and later in the day it was down to $647, which I booked.
I checked the AutoEurope UK site and for the 9 days, automatic but a Nissan, etc. the price was $555. So I'm going to check with AutoEurope and see if they'll honor it. I don't care what kind of car I get as long as it's an automatic, and as small as possible.
Oddly enough, my pickup on the US site is downtown Foggia and it says the RR Station pickup is not available. On the UK site, it was just the opposite.
Kemwell didn't have any availability on my dates for an automatic.
I got a Mercedes 180 automatic for $535 for a week, pickup in Foggia, dropoff at Bari Airport, which I thought was pretty good, considering the type of car and that it's all inclusive. When I wanted to take an extra day I saw several different rates for the extra day before getting it for $575 for 8 days.
Then I decided to keep it for 9 days and when I checked Sunday the 9 day rate was $760 - crazy! Later in the day on Sunday it was $690. Monday morning it was still $690 and later in the day it was down to $647, which I booked.
I checked the AutoEurope UK site and for the 9 days, automatic but a Nissan, etc. the price was $555. So I'm going to check with AutoEurope and see if they'll honor it. I don't care what kind of car I get as long as it's an automatic, and as small as possible.
Oddly enough, my pickup on the US site is downtown Foggia and it says the RR Station pickup is not available. On the UK site, it was just the opposite.
Kemwell didn't have any availability on my dates for an automatic.
Mar 18th, 2009, 01:53 PM
#53
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Yes, I noticed that, too! Different pick-up and drop-off locations on different AE sites! On some sites they offer train station in Turin and on others there is no such address listed!
I will take your advice and keep checking!
I took the car for one week, but might drop off early.
The AE Europe people told me I would get a rebate if I did so, even though the price for a 5-day and a 7-day rental is the same on their site.
I will take your advice and keep checking!
I took the car for one week, but might drop off early.
The AE Europe people told me I would get a rebate if I did so, even though the price for a 5-day and a 7-day rental is the same on their site.
Mar 18th, 2009, 06:28 PM
#54
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>>> The AE Europe people told me I would get a rebate if I did so, even though the price for a 5-day and a 7-day rental is the same on their site. >>>
Interesting, considering they charge the same for 5,6 or 7 days. I'd be interested to know what happens if you do turn it in early.
Interesting, considering they charge the same for 5,6 or 7 days. I'd be interested to know what happens if you do turn it in early.
Mar 19th, 2009, 02:24 AM
#55
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I will certainly report back.
Current plans are to keep the car while we are in Turin, our last stop, and use it to drive to Malpensa on our last morning. This will mean keeping it in the hotel garage, as we will have no need for the car within Turin.
If we drop off the car in Turin, we will have to take a 7am bus to Malensa; our flight does not leave until noon.
Current plans are to keep the car while we are in Turin, our last stop, and use it to drive to Malpensa on our last morning. This will mean keeping it in the hotel garage, as we will have no need for the car within Turin.
If we drop off the car in Turin, we will have to take a 7am bus to Malensa; our flight does not leave until noon.
Mar 19th, 2009, 04:47 AM
#56
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The different sites must have different contracts with the different rental agencies. That would explain the different car selection and pick up points. Like maybe the US site has a contract with Avis which has lots of automatics and an office at the train station, and the British office doesn't have a contract with Avis and has a contract with someone else with no automatics and only an office at the airport, etc.
Mar 19th, 2009, 05:18 AM
#58
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Been visiting Italy for 25+ years. Used to rent at Malpensa, but then started flying in and out of Nice, France to save on car rental charges. Only Italy forces you to take insurance. And now, Amex charges a one-time fee for each car rental that make comparable cars less expensive. Nice is about 30 minutes from the Italian border. Also, used to rent with AutoEurope, but last time tried Hotwire and saved $200.
Mar 19th, 2009, 05:20 AM
#59
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Hi eks. Those prices do look very high. I've never paid more than about €300 for a week, one way, although admittedly not for an automatic. A couple to try in case you haven't come across them already... Our car hire last year was via the UK Air Miles organisation (but using cash not miles) so I guess that option isn't open to you, but the actual car hire company turned out to be Targarent which seemed to be a Fiat subsidiary and they were fine. Before that I've got good rates with rent.it.
Are you still going to London soon too, for the opening at the Royal Court ? (V. impressed !) What's the title of the play ?
Are you still going to London soon too, for the opening at the Royal Court ? (V. impressed !) What's the title of the play ?
Mar 19th, 2009, 03:20 PM
#60
I am renting a car for 10 days in Sicily. I went to the various AutoEurope sites & found that the prices & the cars available varied from site to site & even the different drop-off locations in the same city affected the same. I checked ecomomycarrentals.com & they were significantly cheaper. I emailed AE using their web-based form & they bettered the price. In other words, they dropped 25% to meet the quote.
Ian
Ian
