How does Europcar treat you as an Elite?

[andye]

The change to the reward programme contributed to messing up the upgrades.
In the previous iteration, T&Cs seemed to state that whatever base car you ordered you were supposed to get an I level car for second tier and an F level car for highest tier. A number of Australian locations (and Edinburgh airport) seemed to be good at honouring this previously. That has now changed to 1 or 2 level of upgrades respectively (which might just mean manual to auto).
Not honouring the current 'enhanced' upgrade expectation is poor form and now that the previous discounts have been enhanced away make it a pretty feeble programme IMO

 

[bobe]

I wouldn't touch Europcar with a Barge Poll, I hired in the UK from them for 33days had a problem with a slow puncture rang up there help line sent our a repaire guy who said he can't fix it as it needed a special electronic valve on the tyre, told me to take it to a GM dealer in Perth Scotland who fixed it , they didn't have a account with Europecar so I Paid 62 pounds out of my own pocket, gave the m the receipt 3 months later say they won't pay as I didn't get permission to get the vave fixed.

 

[Denali]

I just received an email from ANZ and apparently Ive earned 2 x $45 vouchers code (redeemable only in Australia).

Does anyone know about this promo and if yes, can I gift them to someone else to use? I tried the T&Cs but lost the will to live....

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Not honouring the current 'enhanced' upgrade expectation is poor form and now that the previous discounts have been enhanced away make it a pretty feeble programme IMO

I haven't really had an issue with them not honouring the "enhanced" program. I find they do, but to the minimum they can. The problem is that we had become used to good upgrades and now a one or two level upgrade (depending upon status) is what you get and as you say, a two level upgrade can be very, well ordinary, given I regularly see the exact same car with the exact same spec listed twice on the "select car" page and they have two different prices........I can only imagine the dearer one is actually considered an upgrade from the cheaper one .

That however, is the program, so be it. What peeves me most of all, is when they drop a sticky code into ones account which has the effect of ripping us off. That (IMHO) is deceptive and it's that feature of their business plan that will most likely see me taking my business elsewhere.

 

[Ausbt]

So, Europcar huh? I've had 56 days rental with them this year. Recently, they forward to me a Traffic Violation from the UK. It seems I overstayed by 20 mins a 3 hour shopping centre car park (the centre photographs you coming in and out). Europcar charged me an $80 'admin' fee for forwarding the violation. Over-the-top yes, but I was aware there was a charge in such circumstances. What gets me is the fact they mailed it to me, unlike emailing which they do with their rental invoices.

The notice from the car company was "pay us $110 before 23/09, or if you pay after 23/09 you owe us $180". Ouch. The real big ouch though is Europcar's letter arrived on 24/09. What's more it was a photocopy and lacked the double-side page which provided instructions on how to pay.

So ultimately Europcar charged me $80 for the so-called 'service' of forwarding a notice to me too late to obtain a $70 discount. Naturally, I've suggested to them they rebate their fee to me but they haven't responded yet. History has shown no response might be forthcoming at all. $260 for 3 hours 20 minutes of parking. At least it wasn't a speeding fine.

 

[bobe]

Like I have previously said, they are useless, they can't even reply to emails .in the end it wasn't the 62 pound they owe me it is the principle of it now, I have sent about 8 emailed to different departments NO replies .

 

[AdMEL]

Like I have previously said, they are useless, they can't even reply to emails .in the end it wasn't the 62 pound they owe me it is the principle of it now, I have sent about 8 emailed to different departments NO replies .

In my experience, all of the majors are terrible at responding to emails and dealing with complaints. It's just that With Europcar, they seem be worse than the others and issues crop up much more often. Add to that poor customer service in general and I only use them when I want to rent one of their luxury cars.

 

[clifford]

In my experience, all of the majors are terrible at responding to emails and dealing with complaints. It's just that With Europcar, they seem be worse than the others and issues crop up much more often. Add to that poor customer service in general and I only use them when I want to rent one of their luxury cars.

I must say that I find Avis (as a Preferred member) to be pretty good. I recently reserved a car (Focus-type) for LGW and when I arrived at the Avis depot around lunchtime, it was like a football match, a huge queue and a shortage of cars.

One of the agents, a nice lad,y asked if there were any Preferred members waiting and I put my hand up. Well, I was given royalty-like treatment, ahead of everyone else, and when I mentioned my preference for a diesel, I was told an Audi A1 would be available in a few minutes and would I be interested. Of course, I said yes, and within a few minutes I was on my way, with the nice lady apologising profusely for keeping me waiting.

The car was absolutely great, returning over an average of 60 mpg, and was dropped off at LGW before the office opened in the morning, as I had an early flight to FCO. A few days later I received my Qantas points for the rental.

Can't really do better than that...

 

[Deleted member 29185]

when I mentioned my preference for a diesel, I was told an Audi A1 would be available in a few minutes and would I be interested.

That is what Europcar in Oz used to be like. These day's it seems to me, to be "zilch you low life scum that rents frequently and would like to rewarded for that"!
So be it. I was a Europcar frequent renter, only 9 rentals until VIP, about 1/4 of the year with Europcar rentals.



Eurpocar Australia (in particularly CNS) has f*cked that! Where is the logic in that? I rent a lot. I pay before the rental. I don't damage the rental. I don't return it with anything under full in the tank. I usually run up less than 20km per trip. Are these people normal or are they work experience people for the Endeavour Workshop? Hang on, I must apologise for that quip as I have friends who work for the Endeavour Workshop and their ethics are very genuine. Their business acumen is far superior to that of the Europcar management. I'm amazed at not just Europcars ineptitude, but their ignorance of their ineptitude.

Lifes tough, I won't become VIP and Europcar will fail to earn another cent from me. I wonder who the loser will be (I'm looking at you, Mr. CNS manager who needs a change of position).

 

[lovestotravel]

Europcar sure are stingy on the upgrades now

Last 10 rentals in Australia and NZ - Either no upgrade or a coughpy one-class upgrade

Hertz are no better, most recent rentals, I booked a Corolla Hatch and was upgraded to a Sedan. The staff were so happy to tell me about the upgrade....... I just thanked them, as there is no point pushing for anything better.

 

[andye]

Status: Elite
Date: Nov 15
Location: OOL
Car booked: SDAR
Rate: $62.96 (one day)
Car reveived: FDAR (Camry)

Very quick efficient pick-up process

 

[PLANT]

Swanningit Perth airport worst for VIP....Melbourne airport aim to get older staff because the young ones have no idea!

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Swanningit Perth airport worst for VIP....Melbourne airport aim to get older staff because the young ones have no idea!

I just picked up another one (despite me vowing I wouldn't ), from Europcar CNS. Booked Micra received a Camry Altise. Not bad I guess given the rate for 4 days was somewhere around the $40 a day mark.

I think you're right. It does to a fair degree, come down to staff knowledge on the day. I think Europcar has restricted the really good upgrades we used to get, but it's the staff that seem to be clueless at times as to what the Privilege program is. I've even been told at OOL if I want an upgrade, then book it to start with, when I've queried receiving the base car I've booked. Sure we're not guaranteed an upgrade but when you see a carpark full of vehicles and then pass a holding yard full of them as well, you tend to realise the staff must be a little ignorant to what the program means.

 

[kpc]

I just picked up another one (despite me vowing I wouldn't ), from Europcar CNS. Booked Micra received a Camry Altise. Not bad I guess given the rate for 4 days was somewhere around the $40 a day mark.

I think you're right. It does to a fair degree, come down to staff knowledge on the day. I think Europcar has restricted the really good upgrades we used to get, but it's the staff that seem to be clueless at times as to what the Privilege program is. I've even been told at OOL if I want an upgrade, then book it to start with, when I've queried receiving the base car I've booked. Sure we're not guaranteed an upgrade but when you see a carpark full of vehicles and then pass a holding yard full of them as well, you tend to realise the staff must be a little ignorant to what the program means.

This was my experience with Europcar Dublin...sorted out in the end but was quite annoying initially!

Hi AdMel...timely Q. Overall it went well.We got an auto Skoda...quite a small car but suited the 2 of us. Some of the roads in Ireland were quite narrow as others previously pointed out. ..made parking very easy!! Limited boot space but just enough for our 2 carryon size bags and a small back pack...drove ~1500 kms in 6 days (€110 in fuel @~€1.40 per litre for unleaded!! ).

Great having 2 drivers as we swapped drivers every 2 hours so we were not too tired. Europcar Dublin city Centre were a pain in A$$...refused to give me an additional driver (Europcar Privilige Elite benefit) for free and charged me €8 per day! Paid as had no choice and we were keen to get going.

Emailed Europcar Ireland yesterday to complain...received immediate reply and have been given full refund, apology, upgrade for next rental in Ireland!!, and a promise to re educate staff re Elite benefits...excellent service recovery! ! €1600 block on my credit card was released after 10 days. ..Most importantly we had a blast as the Irish countryside is SPECTACULAR! !

 

[Deleted member 29185]

This was my experience with Europcar Dublin...sorted out in the end but was quite annoying initially!

Good to see they made good......annoying however, that they needed to make good!

BTW if we swapped drivers, I'd be a nervous wreck in need of a holiday!

 

[Awesom Andy]

I'm not quite an elite yet, with still 2 more rentals to go. However, booked a Camry last month, but was allocated an Infiniti. I had to double check that the paperwork was indeed correct.

 

[andye]

Status: Elite
Date: Jan 16
Location: BNE
Car booked: PVAR
Rate: $533.45 for 5 days via Europcar.co.uk (much cheaper than .com.au)
Car received: PVAR (Carnival)-no logical upgrade

Despite Privilege number on confirmation, it didn't appear on Manage My Booking or Account Summary so needed to call to check it was all OK (it was). Suspect there may be an issue with points posting as a result
Pickup efficient but they had missed a light scratch on the front wing on the damage report
Queue for the turn-off for rental returns quite long at 7pm on a summer Sunday
Managed to get stuck at the return boomgate by following to closely to the car in front which meant I had to reverse up to trigger the sensor

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Status: Elite (2 rentals off VIP)
Date: Jan 22
Location: CNS
Car booked: ECMR (dogbox Nissan Micra)
Rate: $59 (Accor 15% off)
Car received: PDAR (highest prestige vehicle in the CNS fleet.....2015 Mercedes C class)

Well maybe Europcar CNS read these posts as the last two (since I spat and said I'd never rent from the mongrels again) have gone a long way to redeeming themselves. An Altise and a C class off base rentals.

All I can say is....congratulations Europcar CNS, you are now back on my rental list. (As much as I hate eating my words, two good deeds may be worth a 2nd try).

 

[madmouse58]

Status: Elite (2 rentals off VIP)
Date: Jan 22
Location: CNS
Car booked: ECMR (dogbox Nissan Micra)
Rate: $59 (Accor 15% off)
Car received: PDAR (highest prestige vehicle in the CNS fleet.....2015 Mercedes C class)

Well maybe Europcar CNS read these posts as the last two (since I spat and said I'd never rent from the mongrels again) have gone a long way to redeeming themselves. An Altise and a C class off base rentals.

All I can say is....congratulations Europcar CNS, you are now back on my rental list. (As much as I hate eating my words, two good deeds may be worth a 2nd try).

From all the rom coms I've been watching, I believe they call this the "exception to the rule" . GJ Europcar CNS tho

 

[Deleted member 29185]

From all the rom coms I've been watching, I believe they call this the "exception to the rule" . GJ Europcar CNS tho

We'll see I suppose. It used to be the rule, lately it's certainly been the exception to it. If I enjoyed catching taxis, they'd still be off the list however I hate taxis so I'll see how they perform.