Europcar or Hertz for US rental?

[JetSetting88]

Hi, i've done some searching but not come up with much. I'm looking at renting a car for a month from LAX in January 2014. I'm platinum with VA and looking to see if anyone can shed some light or experience on whether i'll benefit better from Hertz or Europcar?

I'm after a Mid-Range SUV, looking at spending no more than 1500$ for the 4 weeks rental. Am I better off booking a lower class, pay less and hope for an upgrade at pickup? Or use the 30% off leisure rentals with Europcar? Anyone had any experience?

Thanks.

 

[Boris spatsky]

Hmmm i don't like your chances. Recent hire for me in May for 9 days was $1120 (due to all the mandatory insurance). That was Thrifty.

I suggest you look at the LAX hire car threads here on AFF - some good tips to get cheaper rental through the smaller rental companies and other third party providers.

 

[AdMEL]

A quick check of Hertz from Jan 11 for 4 weeks shows the cheapest SUV is ~AUD2,200 for a rAV4, prepaid., incl all insurance. Depending on what CDP's or other discounts you have access to, you might be able to get 10-20% off. Eg Amex Plat Charge Card usually gives 15% off.

With Europcar, note that you will actually be renting from National under a partnership arrangement as there is no Europcar in the US. Unsure what price/discount.

If you are happy to not get what you want or pay more, then book lower class and hope for an upgrade. Don't do it if you must have an SUV. I did it with Avis at LAX- booked a Mustang and upgraded to a Camaro. Worked ok but won't always. Can be risky.

 

[JetSetting88]

Ahh I see, was returning some cheaper prices for me for some reason. Hmmm.... wonder if its better risking it with the smaller guys or sticking with someone i'd have status with?

 

[TiredOldFlyer]

Have had success with Car Rental 8 Consolidator for most car rental companies.
If you are looking for an SUV 4x4 can be drama. Very difficult to confirm. Even when they say "Rav 4" in will be "or similar" The trend with many is to book a class of vehicle then send you down the section with all cars in your class and you choose.
Have often had to crawl around looking for a 4x4 as opposed to a 2WD
You can nearly always "upgrade" at time of pick up for very little extra.

 

[AdMEL]

Ahh I see, was returning some cheaper prices for me for some reason. Hmmm.... wonder if its better risking it with the smaller guys or sticking with someone i'd have status with?

What exact criteria were you searching (dates/times/company/discount codes/car category) and what price did you get?

The main advantage of using Hertz is if you have #1 Club Gold/Gold Plus rewards, the queue is much shorter/non existent - you go straight to your car. If you use a consolidator, you will be renting from Dollar, Thrifty or Alamo and the queues at places like LAX can be long!

Note that I don't know how the arrangement between National and Europcar would logistically work in the US, but I doubt it would be as seamless as Hertz (or Avis), both of which your car will be waiting with the paperwork inside.

 

[TonyHancock]

Let me tell you about my ongoing "experience" with a Europcar booking for the USA.

The booking was made for DFW. On arrival staff were unsure what to do with a Europcar booking and my impression was of a disjointed relationship at best.

The car was returned without issue and I received the invoice. The rental was in mid April.

What followed was a series of charges to my Amex card from rental locations across the USA. It is still going on.

Whilst National Car Rental recredits each one, it is a pain because of the conversion charges and change in exchange rates.

Europcar have been nothing short of a shambles. Initially the customer service agent said it was nothing to do with them, I escalated it up to some sort of supervisor who took all of the details and promised to look into it,. I received no response. I followed up again a month later and found someone who did pursue the issue with National. It turns out that my credit card number has become associated with a National frequent renter's account. A month after this it has still not been fixed and I am onto my third Europcar customer service rep.

I travel enough to know that things will go wrong occasionally and it is easy to go into a rant over a one off incident, but the problem here is that Europcar and National use two different systems that don't talk to each other, so any hope of getting things fixed quickly is practically nil. (Yep and the points haven't posted either!) I will be steering well clear of Europcar for US bookings in the future.

The bright spot is my new found relationship with amex and it's very good customer service staff. I know most of them quite well by now.

 

[AdMEL]

Had a quick check of Europcar - even more expensive than Hertz! Chev Equinox AUD2,500. Privilege discount does not apply (at least not Executive, Elite may, but I doubt it).

 

[AdMEL]

Let me tell you about my ongoing "experience" with a Europcar booking for the USA.

The booking was made for DFW. On arrival staff were unsure what to do with a Europcar booking and my impression was of a disjointed relationship at best.

The car was returned without issue and I received the invoice. The rental was in mid April.

What followed was a series of charges to my Amex card from rental locations across the USA. It is still going on.

Whilst National Car Rental recredits each one, it is a pain because of the conversion charges and change in exchange rates.

Europcar have been nothing short of a shambles. Initially the customer service agent said it was nothing to do with them, I escalated it up to some sort of supervisor who took all of the details and promised to look into it,. I received no response. I followed up again a month later and found someone who did pursue the issue with National. It turns out that my credit card number has become associated with a National frequent renter's account. A month after this it has still not been fixed and I am onto my third Europcar customer service rep.

I travel enough to know that things will go wrong occasionally and it is easy to go into a rant over a one off incident, but the problem here is that Europcar and National use two different systems that don't talk to each other, so any hope of getting things fixed quickly is practically nil. (Yep and the points haven't posted either!) I will be steering well clear of Europcar for US bookings in the future.

The bright spot is my new found relationship with amex and it's very good customer service staff. I know most of them quite well by now.

Your experience backs up my thoughts that the relationship between Europcar and National would not provide a seamless experience!

Are you dealing with Europcar Australian customer service staff? My experience is that they are atrocious!

Did you get any sort of discount off the standard rate?

 

[TonyHancock]

Your experience backs up my thoughts that the relationship between Europcar and National would not provide a seamless experience!

The guys in DFW had no idea what to do with the booking when I arrived. It is my only Europcar/National experience though so may just have been a bad day.

Are you dealing with Europcar Australian customer service staff? My experience is that they are atrocious!

Yep and they have been pretty bad. I found one rep who followed up with National and managed to find the problem, but she has moved to a different department.

Did you get any sort of discount off the standard rate?

TBH I didn't really pay much attention to the rate, it was lower than AVIS that's all I recall.

It may just have been that one time in a hundred when things go wrong....but the failure to fix it ensures I'll never use Europcar for US bookings in the future.

 

[JetSetting88]

Thanks for the info on Europcar!

I might opt into Hertz for the peace of mind.

 

[obrienja]

I'd suggest changing your "place of residence" to the US so you don't get stung for extra charges just because you're an international (if you haven't already), using the Amex Platinum discount code (if you have one) or failing that there's some good discount codes on FlyerTalk for Hertz (and Avis).

 

[AdMEL]

Thanks for the info on Europcar!

I might opt into Hertz for the peace of mind.

If you are only opting in to Hertz now via Virgin Platinum and don't have an existing Hertz account, just be aware that you may have to go to the counter for your first rental, to enable verification of your licence.

I'd suggest changing your "place of residence" to the US so you don't get stung for extra charges just because you're an international (if you haven't already), using the Amex Platinum discount code (if you have one) or failing that there's some good discount codes on FlyerTalk for Hertz (and Avis).

I would suggest not changing your place of residence to the US, for the following reasons:

1. Using an incorrect country of residence could be considered a breach of the terms and conditions of the rental and whilst you may get away with it at the time of collecting the car, in the event of an accident, you may find yourself without any insurance cover at all, if it is discovered. Not something I'd want to risk in the US!

2. Hertz provide packaged rates to Aussies, which include all of the insurances, at reasonable rates. The Hertz US resident rates do not include any insurance - you must purchase it separately. In my experience the packaged rates available to Aussies are usually about the same as the rates to US residents not including insurance.

3. If you are #1 Club Gold/Gold Plus Rewards, you will not be given the upsell on insurance.

My two experiences with Hertz in the US (at SFO a couple of years ago), were good.

 

[Jurahn]

Beware that if renting through Hertz, you may not receive any Velocity points if you prepay. Hubby rented a Mustang for a month in Vegas earlier this year, got a good prepaid rate, provided his Velocity number etc, but a few weeks after his return, no points had come through, so he put in a retro claim. It was knocked back as Hertz claim the prepaid rate was a "contract" rate and therefore ineligible for Velocity earn. We went through every bit of paperwork he had from them, Ts & Cs, the lot, with a fine tooth comb and nowhere could we find ANYTHING that indicated the rate he paid was ineligible for points earn or that it was classed as a "contract rate". He didn't use any discount or company codes, it was just a normal booking, only difference was the prepaid rate - we know of a couple of other people this has happened to as well.

 

[UP4014]

Question; why these two?

personally I wouldn't use either in the US.

My most recent rental in California, Alamo class this as a midsize so a bargain.
Metrolink | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Charger | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Matt

 

[JetSetting88]

Because I get status with both from VA Platinum. Nice car, but need a SUV for space.

 

[AdMEL]

Beware that if renting through Hertz, you may not receive any Velocity points if you prepay. Hubby rented a Mustang for a month in Vegas earlier this year, got a good prepaid rate, provided his Velocity number etc, but a few weeks after his return, no points had come through, so he put in a retro claim. It was knocked back as Hertz claim the prepaid rate was a "contract" rate and therefore ineligible for Velocity earn. We went through every bit of paperwork he had from them, Ts & Cs, the lot, with a fine tooth comb and nowhere could we find ANYTHING that indicated the rate he paid was ineligible for points earn or that it was classed as a "contract rate". He didn't use any discount or company codes, it was just a normal booking, only difference was the prepaid rate - we know of a couple of other people this has happened to as well.

Thanks for the heads up - wasn't aware of that. Often you don't get a choice now.

Question; why these two?

personally I wouldn't use either in the US.

My most recent rental in California, Alamo class this as a midsize so a bargain.
Metrolink | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Charger | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Matt

According to the Alamo website, Corolla is mid size and Charger is full size:

https://www.alamo.com/en_US/car-rental/cars.html

Suspect you were just upgraded.

A quick check of 4 weeks from Jan 11 for a mid size SUV (Ford Escape) shows an all up price of USD 2,150 once the insurance is included - no cheaper than Hertz! But unlike Hertz, you have to queue! I'm not saying you can't get it cheaper through a consolidator though.

Because I get status with both from VA Platinum. Nice car, but need a SUV for space.

If you have an Amex Plat Charge Card, you get 20% off the Hertz rate I quoted earlier. Virgin CDP does not seem to discount the rate. If no Amex, possibly the only Hertz benefit is not having to queue.

If not queuing is important, try Avis too - Preferred does not have a status level in Australia, but they treated me well at LAX last year. Not so well at JFk though - the staff member was a complete tosser. A quick check showed that the price was probably no cheaper though.

In summary, if you wan't cheap, use a consolidator (net flights, Drive Away), or Avis UK. If you don't want to queue, use Hertz Gold Plus rewards or Avis Preferred. Note that I don't think Budget Fast Break or Thrifty Blue Chip give a seamless experience, as the US versions use different systems (or something similar). I could be wrong about this though. None of them cost anything to join, but Hertz and Europcar are the only two that have status levels in Australia.

EDIT: A quick check of net flights shows comparative price GBP582 for a Ford Escape from Alamo, inclusive of all insurance.

 

[UP4014]

Because I get status with both from VA Platinum. Nice car, but need a SUV for space.

Righto, I guess I'm not looking for the status.

Matt

 

[UP4014]

According to the Alamo website, Corolla is mid size and Charger is full size:

Suspect you were just upgraded.

i think youre right, maybe it was standard, still under full size though.

Just went to the standard row and there was a bunch of Chargers, off to the gate, checked and out. That was LAX. Tried Alamo Cancun on the same trip, a mid size manual was a VW Polo (with every panel dented)

Matt

 

[AdMEL]

i think youre right, maybe it was standard, still under full size though.

Just went to the standard row and there was a bunch of Chargers, off to the gate, checked and out. That was LAX. Tried Alamo Cancun on the same trip, a mid size manual was a VW Polo (with every panel dented)

Matt

Completely random then!