ekscrunchy

Franco: So many thanks. If it is no trouble, the booking number is EU3374547. Let me know if you need more..I will return soon..

ekscrunchy

NEWS FLASH!

I took the advice of Franco and others here, and called AutoEurope. The first person I spoke to insisted that, because my booking is in euros, I had to speak to a "European rep." He put me through to a phone answered by a recording, in German.

I phoned AE again, and in about 3 minutes, the second rep agreed to change my booking to the "refundable deductible" rate, for an additional 30 euro or so.

So the new charge, with theft and accident coverage, actually the refundable deductible, is now 373 euro for a mid-sized automatic. I am now waiting for the new voucher to confirm the changes..

franco

Ah, I see! So I'll wait before calling them again (which I was about to do when I noticed your last post). Let me know if and when you receive the corrected voucher - if it doesn't work, I'm still here to call the headquarters (which is where they forwarded you to, no doubt, hence the recording in German).

franco

And by the way: I didn't find any indication that you're not allowed to book through the Italian AutoEurope website. I started a fictional reservation for a US resident through the Italian website, and their system didn't object to it; on the contrary, as soon as you say you're a US resident, a drop-down menu will pop up where to choose "your" US state. So obviously, the only barrier is the language; if you manage to go through the Italian version, you pay the Italian price, all officially, whether you're from Afghanistan, Burundi, Italy or the USA. Next time you need a car in Italy (in the Cilento, presumably), I offer to do that together with you, step by step.

kwren

I think I'll just pass this thread on to my husband and let him worry about it

loncall

Hello ekscunchy, sounds like you may have resolved this however just thought it was worth mentioning that you can probably buy CDW insurance much cheaper quite seperately from the rental car dealer. We were stung last time we went to Italy for huge amount at the rental car counter and being cautious in nature bought it. Since then I have discovered that, in the uk at any rate, there are firms that sell a whole years worth of additional cover online for excess charges CDW etc. for much less than I paid for a week. Maybe worth exploring for futre trips ? Thanks by the way for your recent tips on agriturismo near Fasano which we will follow up as they looked exactly what we are searching for.

ekscrunchy

Franco: Not only did I get the voucher, but I called them to confirm the refundable deductable clause. You really deserve credit for going so far out of your way to help. Especially on a topic as boring as this one! I know we can go on and on about food, but car rentals!??!! Many thanks, once again. That is great to know about not being "illegal" to use the Italian site as a US resident. Next time I will just use the website! I had to laugh, however, when I got that German recording on the phone!

franco

Admittedly, there are more fascinating topics than car rentals - that's why I chimed in rather late as compared to your other thread of spring 2009. But we'll be back to food tomorrow, after what your friends call an early dinner and what I call a late lunch.

paulsc1

Make sure you know the traffic rules and signs esp. the ZTL limited access signs. They are very expensive on the fines.

Centralparkgirl

eks - I've reread this thread and it makes me dizzy! I checked autoeurope.it and it is must cheaper than the US site. But, there is so much written in Italian that it's impossible to decipher. There are so many things to fill in on the screens. How did you convince them over the phone to match the price? Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated!

ekscrunchy

I know--I was going a little nuts when I was researching this. don't worry, though, It will work out. First of all, read the Italian translation given here (Look at March 11 post by Henry) and read through most of this thread:


http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...s-resident.cfm

You can also try the Auroeurope.eu site which is in English.

http://www.autoeurope.eu/



At the advice of people here, I ended up taking the slightly more expensive price on the Italian site that includes the "reimborso alle franchigia." That way they will reimburse the deductible if you have an accident. I can barely understand what that means, but they guy at the rental counter confirmed that that was a good thing as far as protection.


After you select your exact car and price, call Autoeuorope on their 800 number and tell them what you found on the Italian site. Ask them to match the price. You may have to insist, or even call back and speak to someone else. Or ask for a supervisor. Then come back and let me/us know what happens.

Dukey1

That I am aware of, and do correct me if I am incorrect, but all of those "inclusive" AutoEurope rates NEVER include something that eliminates the basic deductible...and that is something you usually have to pay for separately once you reach the rantal agency counter.

Is it a good deal? Is paying thousands in deductible a "good deal?" Not IMO but you have to do what you can afford and what brings you peace of mind I suppose.

ekscrunchy

I paid nothing extra at the rental counter for these last two trips when I took the "reimbursible deductible" option.

kybourbon

The Auto Europe reimbursable deductible is only available if you select certain locations. I think if you select a Hertz location, it won't be offered as an option (it's a box you select and only shows up on certain locations). After selecting the zero or refundable excess, click on terms and conditions.

>>Price includes refundable excess
Auto Europe Refundable Excess Program in case of damages to or theft of car

If you have purchased one of our "Refundable Excess" products, you will be reimbursed for any excess paid to the supplier for accidental damage. This possible refund is NOT an insurance but a service from Auto Europe. For rentals commencing in France, Germany, Italy and Mainland Portugal, damage to windows, windscreen, wheels , tyres, roof and undercarriage are refundable providing relevant policies are adhered to.

For more information about our Reservations Policies please see our Car FAQ page.
Auto Europe Refundable Excess Program in case of damages to or theft of car

If you have purchased one of our "Refundable Excess" products, you will be reimbursed for any excess paid to the supplier for accidental damage. This possible refund is NOT an insurance but a service from Auto Europe. For rentals commencing in France, Germany, Italy and Mainland Portugal, damage to windows, windscreen, wheels , tyres, roof and undercarriage are refundable providing relevant policies are adhered to.<<<

There are quite a few exclusions such as:

# When the damage is caused by the driver due to: gross negligence or intent, adding wrong fuel, traffic violations, burned clutch, using the hand brake incorrectly When the vehicle is stolen due to the loss of keys.
# When parts of the vehicle are stolen as well as personal belongings from the interior.

Also it appears the coverage is not good if you drop after hours.
>>The "excess refund" with Auto Europe will not apply if the vehicle is not returned to a car hire company employee within the designated office operating hours.

Centralparkgirl

I just did a quick check on autoeurope.eu and it is quite cheaper than autoeurope.com, avis and hertz. And I could read it!!! As far as picking up the car at Malpensa, there are two options: Malpensa and Malpensa terminal 2. Do you know the difference?

Thanks for all your help!!!

ekscrunchy

I THINK (but you need to check) that you would choose "Malpensa."

If you are finding a much better price on the IT site than on the Eu site, call them and tell them to match it--it does not matter if you can read all the print--you just need them to match the price because you now have the translation from the EU site....

Centralparkgirl

eks - good thinking

Centralparkgirl

Is there any problem with my booking the car on the Eu site directly?

ekscrunchy

I can't see why not. I always feel more comfortable speaking with a live person but that is just a personal quirk. You could call them and see what they can do for you price-wise. If they replicate the online price of the EU site, fine. But for some reason, I think they even gave me a few euro of the online price when I called, because the voucher seemed to list some kind of discounted price. If you don't want to waste all that time, just use the eu site.

Is the price the same on the EU site as it is on the IT site?

chartley

Malpensa is the main terminal, used by international flights, while Malpensa 2 is used by low cost flights such as Easyjet. I found the main Malpensa terminal to offer cheaper car hire, and there is a free bus between the terminals.

It's probably best to check both terminals and see which is offering the best price for the dates and vehicle you require.

Regarding the higher prices on the U.S. Autoeurope site, I have always wondered if these are because the U.S. credit card companies take a much higher commission. They have to pay for their "free" insurance somehow, and it cannot be from taking the customary 2% of the value of the transaction.