Suggestions for Car Rent Company
 

Hi All,
Planning on renting a car to go from Amsterdam to the Frankfurt area then back (no drop off charges). In the US I usually use Hertz for business and just shop by price on vacation.

What company would you recommend for renting in Amsterdam? Also, are there any specifics I should be aware of? Any hidden charges?

When I rent here, I decline all the coverage's because they are covered through other means. Do I need the additional insurances in Europe?

Thanks for your advice,
Duane

For just about everywhere in Europe, I first check Autoeurope. They are a broker and deal w/ most of the major companies. Thay are often the cheapest - though not always. So start w/ them and then shop for a better rate elsewhere. (Often Autoeurope will match a lower quote.)

I've used various rental car agencies, with mixed success in Europe.

In looking for agencies, reliability and ease of ingress / egress are most important, especially if the prices are comparable. I don't want to deal with a flaky agency. (I'm not talking about AutoEurope, I'm just talking about the smaller, local rental agencies in Europe.)

I've used Hertz for business in the U.S. and in Europe for the past 20+ years. I've used Hertz in Europe many times on holiday. I find the pricing comparable, I know the 'Hertz' way, and a Hertz shuttle is easy to find.

I just did a quick view of AutoEurope, using the same dates and times that I've booked in May for a pickup in Marseille and dropoff at CDG.

For essentially the same sized car (Peugeot 407 w/ GPS at Hertz) vs. AutoEurope (Citroen C5 w/o GPS), the price in dollars at Hertz is $674 at today's rates. AutoEurope is $841. For both all taxes are included.

Who know, Avis might even be cheaper.

As the airlines, car rental companies, etc... all say, your rates may vary.

I usually check 5 web sites before making a choice: Hertz, Avis, Sixt, Europcar, and Auto Europe. After I get the lowest price from those 5, I check Expedia to see what it has to offer. Sometimes Expedia has some agency I never heard of at a low price. That, of course, makes me suspicious so I try to find out more.

But definitely shop around and get as many comparisons as possible. The money you save may be your own!

One problem I have found with Avis is this: it sometimes clips you if you have a second driver.

Others do too, but Avis in Austria lowered the boom! Something like $25.00 a day, which I found to be a bit over the top.

Hi D,

Try www.autoeurope.com, www.gemut.com and www.novacarhire.com

AE and G will generally beat any other price if you tell them that you got a better deal elsewhere.

((I))

PS!! Check Alamo. It has an office at the airport in Amsterdam.
Alamo shows up cheaper than Hertz. I did not, however, read the fine print on extras.

Autoeurope gave me a price of $$363 for on a Renault Scenic for a week. An Opel Vectra was $10.00 more.

A VW Passat, in the next larger class, was $384 for a week.
A Mercedes 180 was $641 and that is classed a luxury car.

Thanks everyone. Good advice, looks like I'll check the top 5 since there doesn't seem to be a clear cut favorite.

Do you take the aditional insurnaces?

Thanks,
Duane

I had forgotten about Gmut! I checked with them and got the same price offered by Auto Europe. I went with the known company: AE.

Also let me suggest that the chances of your actually getting the car listed are fairly remote. You reserve a car in a specific class. If one is not available, you will usually be given a free upgrade.

I don't think I have ever gotten the specific make and model I saw listed when I made the reservation.

The funniest one was in the US. I had reserved a midsize with Enterprise at BWI airport. When I went to the counter, the clerk tried the usual "You need a larger car because of X," where X is the cock and bull story of the day.

Furthermore, if I did not take the larger model I would be driving a PT Cruiser. Well when I got to the car, it was a new Chevvy Impala. So much for reason X, and so much for Enterprise's creditibility. I get tired of this nonsense, but I know of no way to stop it.

I know in Phoenix one year I was offered a Hyundai Sonata, but I the clerk told me I needed a Dodge Charger to get up the hill to Flagstaff because a Hyundai lacked power. Total BS and Blarney. The Sonata was fine. No complaints at all; in fact I rather liked the car.

Hi BB,

>I don't think I have ever gotten the specific make and model I saw listed when I made the reservation.<

Same here.

Flew into BWI one year with a reservation for a Ford Taurus, or similar.

Didn't have my car: Offered me an upgrade to an SUV.

I told them that I didn't want a truck.

Offered ne a Land Rover. Same response.

Offered me a Lincoln. Said OK.
Lincoln wasn't available.

I am now getting peeved.

Offered me a Jeep. I am now very peeved.

Offered me a Jaguar XJ.

I said, "I'll take the d****d jaguar, just let me get out of here"!

Wonderful car.

((I))

Hi D,

>Do I need the additional insurances in Europe?<

For the Netherlands, your CC company should cover you IF you waive the CDW.

Check with the company.

There might also be additional road taxes, airport fees, etc.

Gemut or AE will tell you what these are.

Gemut is "associated" with AE, so you get at least the same service.

One advantage to both of them is that if the price goes down, you can cancel and rebook at the lower rate without charge.

So far, my rental has gone from $850 to $680. I have a call in to Gemut to see if I qualify for the "free upgrade" rate of $650.

((I))