How does Europcar treat you as an Elite?

[Deleted member 29185]

Inspired by the Hertz thread which was inspired by the HH thread...........

As I seem to be swapping back to Europcar after a year or so at Hertz, I'm more interested in hearing of Europcars enhancements......
Personally, I've always found Europcar to be very good at upgrades whilst Hertz was very poor. I find Europcars vehicles to be newer and better attended to than Hertz, but I've also known Europcar to be very poor with administration.....so let's see how they go.

As the per the other threads, suggested format:

Status: (Club/Executive/Elite/VIP)
Date:
Location:
Car Booked:
Rate:
Car Received:

Notes: Anything members might find useful, vehicle condition, performance, luggage space, fuel economy, stuff-ups, disputes etc.

 

[PLANT]

VIP here... Stupid "young" eurocar girl talked back when mentioned no upgrade as expected. Fortunately a mature staff member recognised VIP member and directed immediately that upgraded car be allocated from some other prebooked sod.

Perth airport staff terrible.... Judge on look not status and every excuse not to upgrade for free on status.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Status: (Executive)
Date: 4/8/2014
Location: Surfers Paradise
Car Booked: i20 3 door manual (ECMR)
Rate: AU$47.38
Car Received: i20 3 door manual (ECMR)

Notes: This would have to be the worst car I've ever received from Europcar. I'm not overly surprised though, as I've rented about 3 or 4 times from Surfers and never had any kind of upgrade. I have the feeling it may be an agency of sort and they pay for what they order from the airport holding yard. They always use the excuse that they don't hold cars there, but that doesn't stop them ordering an upgrade.

 

[AdMEL]

I think the last time I rented from Europcar was at Christmas.

Status: Executive
Location: Melbourne City
Reserved: Audi A4 Avant Wagon
Rate: ~$190 for 2 days (corporate leisure rate)
Received: Mercedes E200 sedan

What I actually wanted was a Merc C Class sedan (replaced Audi A4 in Melb), but could only book wagon - no problem as rate was the same. Whilst an E Class was a decent upgrade, I actually much prefer driving the C Class. And too bad if I really needed/wanted a wagon!

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Status: (Executive)
Date: 5/8/2014
Location: Cairns airport
Car Booked: i20 3 door manual (ECMR)
Rate: AU$66.28
Car Received: i20 5 door auto (CDAR)

Notes: FTR, I had two concurrent rentals. Took 3 retro claims but did finally get points and rental day for both (I had been told by Europcar this is not possible)


Status: (Executive)
Date: 17/9/2014
Location: Cairns airport
Car Booked: i20 5 door auto (CDAR)
Rate: AU$91.69
Car Received: i20 5 door auto (CDAR)

Notes: No upgrade. Expensive hire. Start of school holidays though.


Status: (Executive)
Date: 21/9/2014
Location: Rockhampton
Car Booked: i20 5 door auto (CDAR)
Rate: AU$46.27 (per day for 6 days)
Car Received: Mitsubishi ASX (IFAR)


Status: (Executive)
Date: 28/9/2014
Location: Rockhampton
Car Booked: i20 5 door auto (CDAR)
Rate: AU$40.86
Car Received: VW Golf (ICAR)

Notes: Nice upgrade. I do like the Golf


Status: (Executive)
Date: 6/10/2014
Location: Rockhampton
Car Booked: i20 3 door manual (ECMR)
Rate: AU$46.18
Car Received: VW Golf (ICAR)

Notes: I mentioned I like the Golf and I have the feeling ROK may have added that to my hidden profile perhaps.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Europcar at Cairns airport is starting to annoy me.

Time before last, I received an additional $22 bill being for 6 litres of fuel. I drove 18km. Despite the fact I did top up the fuel on the return, even if I hadn't, their figures prove I didn't owe them 6 litres as that would have put the economy at 33L/100km which I doubt any new small car uses (it was a Corolla which boasts 6.6L/100km). They actually sent me a feedback request for that rental so I told them I don't like to be ripped off by idiots who can't even tell a convincing lie. Nothing back from them at all, so I gather the feedback to Europcar is a waste of time.

Last rental (attempt) in CNS was for a one day arrival 17.30 return 0930 next morning. I gave them the flight number, the estimated time and a contact number. Arrived exactly on time (actually 1 minute early) and passed through customs very quickly only to find no one at the Europcar rental desk. I picked up the phone and asked where my rental was to which the guy on the other end replied I'd have to make my way over to the domestic terminal as he couldn't possibly bring the car over to me as he was the only one on duty and could not leave the domestic rental counter. Why is that my problem? CNS Int and Dom can be walked between, but with luggage and in the heat, there was no way I was going to do that just to give them money for a car, especially when taxis were right outside. I told the guy I was not going to walk and I would not pay for the rental they had not provided to me and he agreed to cancel it. (No charge has ever come through) In the end, the taxi each way was cheaper than the rental car and I saved on valet parking at the Hilton and fuel and the imaginary fuel charge, so he did me a favour.

So recently, my experiences are mixed.

Status: (Executive)
Date: 2/11/2014
Location: ROK airport
Car Booked: i20 3 door man (ECMR)
Rate: AU$38.11 (per day, 5 days)
Car Received: VW Golf auto (ICAR)

Status: (Executive)
Date: 17/11/2014
Location: ROK airport
Car Booked: i20 3 door man (ECMR)
Rate: AU$40.66 (per day, 5 days)
Car Received: VW Golf auto (ICAR)

Status: (Executive)
Date: 24/11/2014
Location: Cairns airport
Car Booked: i20 5 door auto (CDAR)
Rate: AU$42.09 (per day, 5 days)
Car Received: MB A180 auto (JDAR)

Notes: Nice upgrade. Not a fan of the A180 though.

Status: (Executive)
Date: 10/12/2014
Location: Cairns airport
Car Booked: i20 3 door man (ECMR)
Rate: AU$61.45
Car Received: Corolla auto (IDAR)

Notes: Plus $21.58 for a phantom fuel charge

Status: (Executive)
Date: 29/12/2014
Location: CNS airport
Car Booked: i20 3 door man (ECMR)
Rate: AU$123.50
Car Received: Nothing

Note: Of all rentals to ignore, they passed on the most expensive Xmas/NYE period rental. Absolutely incredible.

 

[Clivem]

Europcar at Cairns airport is starting to annoy me.

God no ......Europcar' CNS being consistently passing on the love of late (Privi Elite) ...last three rentals for full sized (FCAR) have seen C class Merc (PDAR) keys tossed over at the CNS desks.

Starting think we are operating in a parallel universe swanning-it ....... lot of cairns (PNG?) /Cairns Hilton (hope you kept the top floor cnr suite tidy the other week) /Cairns Europcar ..........plus a deep love of ATR's ......although I do wish VA was still offering the ATR to TSV .........QF are now royally bending over punters on that one .........

Trust things are going well on you ensuring AUD / USD parity in the coming week or so ..........I'm counting on you, don't let the team down now.

 

[hummel]

God no ......Europcar' CNS being consistently passing on the love of late (Privi Elite) ...last three rentals for full sized (FCAR) have seen C class Merc (PDAR) keys tossed over at the CNS desks.

Starting think we are operating in a parallel universe swanning-it ....... lot of cairns (PNG?) /Cairns Hilton (hope you kept the top floor cnr suite tidy the other week) /Cairns Europcar ..........plus a deep love of ATR's ......although I do wish VA was still offering the ATR to TSV .........QF are now royally bending over punters on that one .........

Trust things are going well on you ensuring AUD / USD parity in the coming week or so ..........I'm counting on you, don't let the team down now.

Interesting experiences with CNS europcar. I'm heading up there end of January and have a rental 3 days. Am privilege elite through VA so could be interesting to see what I get.

Last time I booked in an i20 manual in BNE... I got an auto. That was the upgrade.

 

[Clivem]

You should be entitled to a free double upgrade above the class you book .....take a print of the Elite benefits off the Privilege web page with you.
I found I wasn't getting them regularly at other branches until I started asking .......never ask (nicely) never get at it's best.
That said I have been averaging a couple of 3 day rental a month out of CNS for the last 6 months or so ......they don't even ask to see my D.L. now (which surprises me).

 

[hummel]

You should be entitled to a free double upgrade above the class you book .....take a print of the Elite benefits off the Privilege web page with you.
I found I wasn't getting them regularly at other branches until I started asking .......never ask (nicely) never get at it's best.
That said I have been averaging a couple of 3 day rental a month out of CNS for the last 6 months or so ......they don't even ask to see my D.L. now (which surprises me).

Well I've just booked passat or similar as it was only $60 more over i30 type car.

Will report back on experience.

Cheers

 

[Deleted member 29185]

God no ......Europcar' CNS being consistently passing on the love of late (Privi Elite) ...last three rentals for full sized (FCAR) have seen C class Merc (PDAR) keys tossed over at the CNS desks.

Starting think we are operating in a parallel universe swanning-it ....... lot of cairns (PNG?) /Cairns Hilton (hope you kept the top floor cnr suite tidy the other week) /Cairns Europcar ..........plus a deep love of ATR's ......although I do wish VA was still offering the ATR to TSV .........QF are now royally bending over punters on that one .........

Trust things are going well on you ensuring AUD / USD parity in the coming week or so ..........I'm counting on you, don't let the team down now.

Parity has to happen by Monday. I'm quietly confident (so quiet I dared not mention it again....thanks heaps)!

Seems internet gossip can identify someone after all. Yes H-CNS keeps me happy and I am glad to hear Europcar CNS has just had a bad hair day (twice) with me, as I do have at least another 3 or 4 booked with them. Some of my CNS trips are enroute to PNG others are destination CNS and how could you suggest with a straight face, that I dislike the ATR? I ask you.....have I ever said anything negative about them? :mrgreen:

It's just VAs version of the ATR I dislike and that's largely because of the Crazy Clark bench seats they installed in them. I regularly fly aboard an AT4 on a 3+ hour flight with no such issues......in fact it's actually an enjoyable flight! So maybe our parallel universes aren't so dissimilar!

For VA.....here's breakfast on an AT-4...a rather delicious chicken, spinach, pumpkin and pesto pie (with sauce) ..... fruit salad and yogurt .... blueberry muffin .... almond and apricot muesli bar .... Mars bar .... Mentos .... coffee. Choice of juice or water is also rolled around at least twice as well. Now that's a reasonable breakfast....not hard is it?





And here's the seating....
Somewhat better than the uncomfortable rubbish VA chose.

 

[Kolo]

On my last two hires with Europcar, both out of CBR, i have not automatically received Velocity points. My VA number is registered in my Europcar profile. I did a retro claim for the first, and that has eventually come though. I emailed Europcar to ask why the automatic crediting has not occurred; this has been referred to their Aust colleagues with no reply after several weeks. The first of these hires, the paperwork was done and the keys waiting for me. The second, nothing was ready and the paperwork had to be done while I waited. Both hires were booked on line through my account. I don't understand why there's no consistency, and it's very annoying.

 

[Pvcmenace]

I've only just made Executive level 1 year after joining, and have had great rates every hire, better than those of Avis whom I used for 9 years. There have had only one upgrade in ZQN from a Corolla to a Rav4, which was good. Looking forward to the next rental to see how that plays out.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I've only just made Executive level 1 year after joining, and have had great rates every hire, better than those of Avis whom I used for 9 years. There have had only one upgrade in ZQN from a Corolla to a Rav4, which was good. Looking forward to the next rental to see how that plays out.

I'm executive level (still) and nearly always get an upgrade.

My latest was an upgrade from a C300 Merc to a 7 series gold BMW (730Li). The Europcar guy said it was a 3 level upgrade but I'm not convinced of that. I'll check the paperwork one day, to see what category it is. Very nice drive though and I was very pleased with the car.

Here's a pic of it in Oman.

 

[Clivem]

.......... i have not automatically received Velocity points. My VA number is registered in my Europcar profile............

I need to do a retro claim about 20 ~ 30 % of the time - same thing Velocity # registered and recorded on the agreement doc......... A lot of South Pac. / PNG point have to be chased every time. That is if Europar in POM every actually bill you.......on three rental in the last two years I have never been billed for 4/5 day rentals ..........

Consistently inconsistent re points crediting but still ridding the upgrade wave very nicely so I'll just smile and retro claim.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

On my last two hires with Europcar, both out of CBR, i have not automatically received Velocity points.

I just check my Velocity statement and have found my last credit from Europcar was back in October. Looks like I'll have to chase up a few as well, but to be fair I have been using the Accor link for the discount so that may be the issue (I don't direct to Accor but instead give my VA number in the comments field). I also note my Abu Dhabi rental does not show in my Europcar profile yet and that's coming up to a week since finalisation (cash has been taken from the CC) so that may also need a retro claim.

 

[AdMEL]

I'm executive level (still) and nearly always get an upgrade.

My latest was an upgrade from a C300 Merc to a 7 series gold BMW (730Li). The Europcar guy said it was a 3 level upgrade but I'm not convinced of that. I'll check the paperwork one day, to see what category it is. Very nice drive though and I was very pleased with the car.

Here's a pic of it in Oman.

View attachment 40788

Nice upgrade!

My experience with Europcar in Australia (with no status and now as Exec) has been far from great. Having said that I don't rent from them often and when I do, I usually rent their high end cars (Audi/Merc). Experiences include:

- almost always having to chase Velocity points, despite number being in my profile

- less points for corporate rates (Hertz also do this, but Avis always credit full points on corporate rate and never have to be followed up)

- the one time I did receive an upgrade, it was from C200 Merc wagon to E200 sedan. Whilst I only rented the wagon because the sedan was sold out, too bad if I really needed a wagon! And I prefer driving C class to E class. So not very impressive.

- Wanted an SV6 from MEL, but they were not bookable due to being phased out, despite still having plenty. Staff at airport said not possible to book, so I booked a Passat. Offered an SV6, which they then tried to charge me extra for!

- staff very rarely reply to phone calls or emails with membership queries.

- odometer and fuel readings often wrong and unable to be amended on rental agreement

- staff don't know the diff between damage and fair wear and tear and unwilling to note damage on agreement (a 10cm long deep scratch in an Audi bonnet is not fair wear and tear!)

I'll still use them if I want a nice car, but wary of their terrible service.

 

[Pvcmenace]

Nice one! Looks like the brakes were getting a good workout.

 

[lovestotravel]

Nice upgrade!

My experience with Europcar in Australia (with no status and now as Exec) has been far from great. Having said that I don't rent from them often and when I do, I usually rent their high end cars (Audi/Merc). Experiences include:

- almost always having to chase Velocity points, despite number being in my profile

- less points for corporate rates (Hertz also do this, but Avis always credit full points on corporate rate and never have to be followed up)

- the one time I did receive an upgrade, it was from C200 Merc wagon to E200 sedan. Whilst I only rented the wagon because the sedan was sold out, too bad if I really needed a wagon! And I prefer driving C class to E class. So not very impressive.

- Wanted an SV6 from MEL, but they were not bookable due to being phased out, despite still having plenty. Staff at airport said not possible to book, so I booked a Passat. Offered an SV6, which they then tried to charge me extra for!

- staff very rarely reply to phone calls or emails with membership queries.

- odometer and fuel readings often wrong and unable to be amended on rental agreement

- staff don't know the diff between damage and fair wear and tear and unwilling to note damage on agreement (a 10cm long deep scratch in an Audi bonnet is not fair wear and tear!)

I'll still use them if I want a nice car, but wary of their terrible service.

Sounds about the same as what Hertz do these days, except for the damage, Hertz don't look after their vehicles as much so they let scratches and wear and tear go

I have been using Europcar a bit more recently, as their rates are cheaper, cars newer and they upgrade me quite often, however I take photos of each and every scratch and demand that everything be noted. A small hassle but worth it

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Nice one! Looks like the brakes were getting a good workout.

My wife has circulated another picture in FFer forums..........a pic of me bogged in downtown Dubai! :shock:

I must say though, not everyone can do that!