Europcar- not so privilege program

[TonyHancock]

As a quick update to my current dealings with Europcar, I had a pretty quick response back promising to investigate. My Sydney A4 turned into an E250, and I received confirmation that the incorrect discount code was in my profile for international bookings. My existing bookings (all LHR) have been reconfirmed with the correct code. Pretty good rates - very difficult to walk away from.

The proof will come at LHR where there seems to be no acknowledgement of status. Fingers crossed for an upgrade, I'm not sure I could face a Skoda Octavia.

Overall I have to say I have been very impressed with the quick responses and feedback to my queries. It is the same person who handled my status match. I was ready to throw in the towel and return to Avis, but the way my query/complaint was handled has brought me back into the fold. It is amazing what results excellent customer service can get. (Europcar is not offering me anything other than what they advertise as standard they just dealt with me very well.) Let's hope the staff on the ground can continue the good work.

As an aside I was looking at my spend on car rental and it is scarily quite low.(Given my travel patterns) I think I'll probably rack up $5k max this year.

I don't think car rental is a business I'd like to be in.

 

[lovestotravel]

I have given up trying to get a Status Match at Europcar, no-one calls me back... Yet they are happy to let me ring them and they discount the rental each time...

 

[sail0r]

Yet they are happy to let me ring them and they discount the rental each time...

I've just had a similar encounter with a booking at WLG (actually when they upgraded it they changed the booking to the ferry terminal , so luck I caught that when they sent the confirmation). I just told them about the upgrade I gt with Hertz 5 star gold and they matched it.

If only they would improve their upgrade offering to include when you originally book in a full size, as I don't want to get stuck in something smaller if they run out.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

If only they would improve their upgrade offering to include when you originally book in a full size, as I don't want to get stuck in something smaller if they run out.

I think the upgrades are only on offer if it suits them (ie they have an upgrade vehicle sitting there). I've previously received the car class I've booked twice, but never at an airport......always upgraded at airports although the "upgrade" is occasionally debatable.

 

[markis10]

I think the upgrades are only on offer if it suits them (ie they have an upgrade vehicle sitting there). I've previously received the car class I've booked twice, but never at an airport......always upgraded at airports although the "upgrade" is occasionally debatable.

Their system does not do the upgrading, it's at the discretion of the operator and hence the variance. I have done a few rentals this year:

Program	Expiry date	Qualifying rentals	Qualifying days
Privilege Elite	31/12/2012	13	101

I always book an i20, have got that twice, had an Audi 7 times, VW twice, Xtrail one time and my grandmothers cruze once.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I always book an i20, have got that twice, had an Audi 7 times, VW twice, Xtrail one time and my grandmothers cruze once.

Funny coincidences. I'm nowhere near your rental levels but the only times I've got the car I booked was when that was an i20. Normally I'll book larger vehicles simply because they're not that much dearer anyway. I've had Audis 3 times, an X-Trail once (debatable that's an upgrade) and a cruz once.........definitely not what I'd call an upgrade........wouldn't pull the skin off a custard that one!

 

[Jama]

For me (Elite Level) of the last 4 rentals only one uprade to a VW. Usually, also book an i20. All airport rentals.

 

[Ausbt]

Anyone know if you are an existing Executive level and move up to DJ Plat whether or not you can convince Europcar to make you Elite?

 

[Jama]

Anyone know if you are an existing Executive level and move up to DJ Plat whether or not you can convince Europcar to make you Elite?

Yes. You should not have any problems.

 

[wallacej]

Anyone know if you are an existing Executive level and move up to DJ Plat whether or not you can convince Europcar to make you Elite?

No problem.. I just did this a few weeks ago...no problem. 2 rentals since and upgrade each time.


....sent from the place closest to the airport I just arrived at.

 

[sail0r]

WLG Europcar i45's or Captiva's

Actualy got a Captiva, as apparently they don't have the Ford Kuga's (or VW's) at WLG.

Made the highway driving pretty easy, though when I went mountain sightseeing driving, I think I would have enjoyed the Kuga more as I read that it is based on a Focus.

Might have to try Hertz again. I think an XR6/SV6 would've been nicer. (the last i45 I got from GLT had no bluetooth connectivity, so that was a real PITA)

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Re: WLG Europcar i45's or Captiva's

Actualy got a Captiva, as apparently they don't have the Ford Kuga's (or VW's) at WLG.

Made the highway driving pretty easy, though when I went mountain sightseeing driving, I think I would have enjoyed the Kuga more as I read that it is based on a Focus.

Might have to try Hertz again. I think an XR6/SV6 would've been nicer. (the last i45 I got from GLT had no bluetooth connectivity, so that was a real PITA)

I got an upgrade out of ROK earlier this year of a brand spanker SV6 Commodore. I'm not a Holden fan, but this car had 112km on the clock (I more than doubled the Kms ) and it was a really nice drive. Made the GLT commute almost as much fun as in the Golf (nothing's beat the Golf yet though....even the Audis).....pity that stretch seems to attact the police, otherwise it could be done very quickly .

 

[markis10]

Re: WLG Europcar i45's or Captiva's

I got an upgrade out of ROK earlier this year of a brand spanker SV6 Commodore. I'm not a Holden fan, but this car had 112km on the clock (I more than doubled the Kms ) and it was a really nice drive. Made the GLT commute almost as much fun as in the Golf (nothing's beat the Golf yet though....even the Audis).....pity that stretch seems to attact the police, otherwise it could be done very quickly .

You have not had an A1 5 door yet have you, I liked mine so much I went and ordered one!

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Re: WLG Europcar i45's or Captiva's

You have not had an A1 5 door yet have you, I liked mine so much I went and ordered one!

I thought I did, but I just went and checked my history and it only goes back 6 months so I can't be sure now. I did have a cute little A3 which was a little rocket as well (unlike the sluggish A4) but I still preferred the Golf. I'd love to know what model Golf it was (I didn't look closely) as it absolutely leapt up off the road and flew when the accelerator was punched. I actually wondered if it was the GT twin charger (I think that's what they call it with a combo blower and turbo) but I doubt it........it is just a rental, but it was real fun......moreso than any rental I've driven.

 

[Jama]

Re: WLG Europcar i45's or Captiva's

I have to agree. I arrived in Sydney hoping I might get an Audi and got a Golf. The disappointment lasted as far as the first set of lights. Was a great car and would be happy to get that upgrade anytime.

 

[ozmille]

Re: WLG Europcar i45's or Captiva's

Got a very nice Skoda Superb wagon last week in FRA. I had never driven a Skoda before and wasn't too sure if you could call a Skoda an upgrade but once on the autobahn at 170km/h I changed my mind

 

[sail0r]

Re: WLG Europcar i45's or Captiva's

I think Europcar is better in the cities, but in the regions, it is a bit like KoreaCar. That would not be such bad form if they actually said that is what you will be getting, bt to say you are booking into VW... or similar, is less impressive.

Tried Hertz: Rented XR6 in ROK yesterday and got double upgade to Kluger. Only drove 14 km, so should have got a taxi, I suppose.

 

[Moopere]

Re: WLG Europcar i45's or Captiva's

Did my first Europcar rental early last week. Audi A1. Pickup was easy, but I'm wise to the rental car racket now so made sure all the t's were crossed and i's dotted. Returned the car to MEL airport and had them sign off the on the return and finalised the account at the same time.

Not impressed with the A1, far too underpowered even for the light little body - great fuel economy though, 5.4l/100km is in diesel territory I'd have thought even though this was a petrol. I moaned a bit about the performance when I returned the car and was told that it actually performs better than the A3 as the car is lighter ... yikes!. Whats next? anyone had any experience with the A4? I don't need V8 performance, but it has to be comfortable to drive, not feel like you're whipping a half dead mule.

 

[DeKa]

I wasn't impressed with the A4 1.8T I rented in Hobart. The CVT blunts the performance and it under steers like crazy. It was full of interior rattles at 30000km. German quality? No thanks.

 

[markis10]

Re: WLG Europcar i45's or Captiva's

Did my first Europcar rental early last week. Audi A1. Pickup was easy, but I'm wise to the rental car racket now so made sure all the t's were crossed and i's dotted. Returned the car to MEL airport and had them sign off the on the return and finalised the account at the same time.

Not impressed with the A1, far too underpowered even for the light little body - great fuel economy though, 5.4l/100km is in diesel territory I'd have thought even though this was a petrol. I moaned a bit about the performance when I returned the car and was told that it actually performs better than the A3 as the car is lighter ... yikes!. Whats next? anyone had any experience with the A4? I don't need V8 performance, but it has to be comfortable to drive, not feel like you're whipping a half dead mule.

Thats interesting that you found it underpowered, it was probably refuelled by the last renter with E10, should be min 95 RON and does 0 to 100 in 6.9s.