Car Rentals Italy--Update
 

Hi all,

Normally, I'll say that AutoEurope has the best rates, they do have excellent customer service.

However, I just looked into Car Rental Express and their rates not only are far below AutoEurope, but include 0 deductible on Theft and Collision.

Same type car, same days, same locations, Car Rental Express was $160 less than AutoEurope. Insurance differential is also a biggie.

http://www.carrentalexpress.com/rez/...nd-tours-corp/

Always looking for the best deal Dave

anybody ever used this company?

Just a thought - AutoEurope includes the mandatory (in Italy) insurance in their price. When I've found comparison shopping is that other companies don't give you the full price with insurance until you get close to ending the transaction. I'm curious to see if anyone has used this company. Have a fun trip!

Another option... I usually both through Kemwel (they're a broker for Sixt, AutoEurope, Europcar, etc).

They will generally beat any rate. So, if you don't trust the company, book with Kemwel, make a reservation with Car Rental Express. Call Kemwel back and ask them to beat the rate. They'll generally come in 10% cheaper.

>...make a reservation with Car Rental Express. Call Kemwel back and ask them to beat the rate. <

Then call AE and ask them to beat Kemwel's rate. :)

((I))

You fox Ira !

Make sure that your car has insurance. You can check it in a pocket on the upper right hand portion (from inside the car) of the windshield.

Our car was missing the insurance card and we rented through Alamo. We ran into an American who had to delay returning to the U.S. because he was in an accident with a car rental that also did not have insurance.

Actually, that is what surprised me, this includes full insurance with no deductible. I did a sample reservation and it clearly shows it. Here is what the site says...

All rates are in USD

Includes Unlimited mileage, Third party liability, T.L.W. (Theft Loss Waiver, zero deductible), C.D.W. (Collision Damage Waiver, zero deductible), 14% Airport charges, VAT at 20%. Alpha categories (A-Z) include one additional driver and one way rental in and between Sicily and the Mainland (except for rentals of 1 and 2 days which have a one-way fee)

Now, with all that said, I have only used AutoEurope in the past, so I too want to see who has used this company. I'll keep you all up on what I find out.

Dave

Hi All, I got more info...

Car Rental Express is kind of like AutoEurope, they are simply a booking site for various rental agencies around the world.

While they do have companies like Maggiore as clients, they also represent primarily smaller, independent companies. I'll keep on doing homework on this.

As to the company...based in Vancouver, 8 employees, been operating online since 2001, runs an international affiliate program.

dave

Be aware that AutoEurope and Kemwel are sister companies. In some locations the "fleet" offerings differ slightly as do prices. Sometimes you can get an inclusive price from Kemwel in the same location where AutoEurope doesn't offer it.

I'd be suprised if prices for the same location and agency used are drastically different between these two but I suppose stranger things have happened.

Hi all,

I checked CRX for my dates for Germany: They are $500 more than AE.

Also, they don't seem to permit drop off at another location.

I think that much depends on the details of the trip as to who is the best rental agency.

((I))

Just for the heck of it, I priced cars at AE for different home countries: Canada, France, Germany, UK, US.

Same car, same pickup/drop off, same dates ranged from 820 USD in Canada to 890 USD in Germany.

((I))

Apples to Apples

I have a rental (Lancia Y) through AutoEurope. Picking up in Rome (FCO) on Dec 24, dropping off in Palermo Jan 2 (PMO) Cost is $455. This includes mandatory insurances, CDW -$125 deduct. & Theft - $300 deduct. Includes all fees and taxes. Plus tolls and fuel. Does not include 2nd driver.

CRX-Cars Italy & Tours (the actual rental company) provided this price, for same days, same pickup, same drop off-- Fiat Punta...

Cost: $297, includes 2nd driver, CDW and Theft at $0 deduct, all fees and taxes. Does not include tolls and fuel.

So, similar car, but $160 less. The insurance is a biggie.

HOWEVER, I have learned through in-depth detective work (ok, I did a google search) that it seems that the Rome office tries to get people to waive the insurance and then attempts to bill them at the end of the rental for some imaginary damage.

Now, to be fair, both posts I found discussing this, the renters said they were tired and didn't know what they were signing. Personally, I think that is just plain dumb on their part. Also, this could be the same renter posting under two names in different sites.

Call me wacky, but if I have a pre-paid voucher for everything, why in the world would I agree to give away the insurance. And who signs something in a foreign country that they don't understand? Something doesn't seem quite kosher with the posts I found, but they were the only 2 negative things I could locate. I'd love to know if anyone else has had dealings with these folks.

dave