Is there a better option than Eurocar?

[PLANT]

Hi there,

Currently with Eurocar business account.
Auto and small economy car....4 door.
Pickup/dropoff Melbourne airport.
Unlimited kms.
Up to 4-5 days hire
9 times a year.
Been with them 4 years.

Is there a better option to recieve the kms and service for cheaper price?
Who do you recommend?
Why?
Have you negotiated a better business price with similar specs?
What do you say other than "thinking about walkng/leaving" ?

 

[MelUser]

Europcar are cheap but it's when things go wrong that you notice:

- eg car stolen they won't help.

- credit card overcharged - takes ages to get a refund

- there doesn't seem to be the customer service that comes with Hertz etc.

If you think of Hertz as being like Qantas, eg full service, Europcar is a bit like Tiger Airways.

 

[PLANT]

Yes, found some staff know me and like "have a good day" and others want paperwork filled out for the 1000th time!

 

[Masonic Phantom]

Hi
This site may be of interest :?:
http://www.standbycars.com.au/http://www.standbycars.com.au/

 

[obrienja]

I can only speak about the Europcar service I received at Sydney airport last year - but it was appalling. I was supplied with two filthy, damaged minibuses (sliding door nearly impossible to close on one, external rearview mirrors missing on both) and both unlicensed (windscreen sticker 6 and 19 months out of date respectively). Europcar Cairns was much better but still not a patch on Thrifty who I've received exceptional service from in Aus, US and UK. Hertz have been pretty good too - although generally more expensive...

 

[oz_mark]

Thrifty who I've received exceptional service from in Aus, US and UK. Hertz have been pretty good too - although generally more expensive...

Interesting, I usually find Thrifty more expensive than Hertz!

 

[Travel Guru]

I would concur with all of those comments about the Europcar "customer service" both from my personal interactions as well as those of my clients.

I generally use Hertz and find if I use the Entertainment Book CDP with one of their discounts it comes out 9 times out of 10 cheaper or on par with Europcars price.

TG

 

[markis10]

What price are you getting for your rentals as I missed it in the OP, I use Hertz and typically pay around $25-$30 a day +++, here is a typical 6 day quote using the Holiday Inn CDP for a group A:

Rate Details Selected Vehicle With unlimited free kilometers Daily 6 days at 28.00 AUD Rate Code SLD3
Additional Items Included In Total Approximate Charge: Taxes 24.23 AUD airport concession fee recovery34.43 AUD vehicle registration recovery34.50 AUD admin recovery5.38 AUD

Discounts CDP Name HOLIDAY INN PRIORITY CLB

Total Approximate Charge266.54 AUD

 

[futaris]

What's the Holiday Inn Priority Club CDP for Hertz?

 

[markis10]

What's the Holiday Inn Priority Club CDP for Hertz?

22754 and theres an additional $25 off if you use the bonus coupon :

Priority Club Rewards Hotel Reservations | Partners - Hertz

 

[PLANT]

Right got a receipt and reads:

5days @ $47 a day!
Business Direct 3
CCFEE $1.30pd (Does everyone pay this?) DID NOT GET CHARGED!
VRRF $5.25pd (what is this?) THEIR TOTAL WAS $26.25
Premium 36.18pct (Airport location charge) RECHECKED RECEIPT AND WRONG PRICE INITIALLY!
Admin $7.58

Total included GST : $335.51 AHHHHHHHHHH!

HELP!

So if a partner(married) is a PC member can they use CDP for Hertz?
Always get a car and if not available are supposed upgraded into better car for free? Is this true?

 

[serfty]

... Premium 13.85pct (Airport location charge) ...

Here's one problem.

... Pickup/dropoff Melbourne airport. ...

For multi day hires do not pick up from airport where this is charged! It's effectively a loading on you entire rental.

Just a guesstimate and without seeing you receipt I calculate: 5 * (47+3+1.3+5.25)*1.1385 + 7.58 = 321.91. That's a bit less than $335.51.

Do not collect from the airport and it comes out at 282.75, about $50 less.

e.g. If I were collecting from MEL and renting for more than one day, I'd take the Skybus to the City for $16 and collect the car there. No extra for dropping off at the airport on your way out (This with Thrifty).

 

[markis10]

Here's one problem.For multi day hires do not pick up from airport where this is charged! It's effectively a loading on you entire rental.

e.g. If I were collecting from MEL and renting for more than one day, I'd take the Skybus to the City for $16 and collect the car there. No extra for dropping off at the airport on your way out.

Or have two bookings, one at the airport for 1 day dropping off Metro then the balance at the metro location, the surcharge for Airport pickup for one day is around $6. Downside - you have two credit card authorisations. Upside - no waiting for a Bus or having to connect at Spencer st to the hotel and if you join Hertz GOLD, the following day visit to the metro location should take 5 minutes. The other upside is that you get twice the numebr of rentals which count towards Presidents Circle status which includes a free rental for every 20 of one day!

 

[serfty]

Europecar Example

I did a dummy FCAR (compact car) booking picking up dropping off at MEL (airport) 5 days later:

Base Rate Pricing Info
FCAR for 5 Day (x5) $224.00

Standard Taxes and Fees
Vehicle License Fees $28.88
Premium Location Fee $35.02
Admin Fee $7.34
Total Price: $295.24

Now changing the pick up to Melbourne city (still dropping off at the Airport):

Base Rate Pricing Info
FCAR for 5 Day (x5) $203.75

Additional Items
Vehicle Relocation Fee $22.00

Standard Taxes and Fees
Vehicle License Fees $28.88
Admin Fee $7.38
Total Price: $262.01

 

[rwatts]

VRRF $5.25pd (what is this?)

Probably Vehcle Registration Recovery Fee. Why this deserves to be a separate charge beats me but they're not alone in charging it. Makes as much sense as charging separately for the fuel that the aircraft wont take off without.

Richard.

 

[PLANT]

City pickup not an option, but thanks for the Tip!

Any you guys got a rental car broker?

Sent Hertz an email with my specs to see what they can offer!

 

[oz_mark]

Probably Vehcle Registration Recovery Fee. Why this deserves to be a separate charge beats me but they're not alone in charging it. Makes as much sense as charging separately for the fuel that the aircraft wont take off without.

Richard.

I would have thought that the recent changes re component pricing would have cleaned some of this stuff up - but obvioulsy not.

 

[PLANT]

Right.

Need cruise control on small AUTO car.
Euro tell me they do not stock the Intermediate hybrid Prius (cruise control)

So has anyone got an update price on corporate small car Auto with cruise control, pick up and drop off Melbourne Airport...2 week hires!

Prepared to jump ship to Hertz, Avis or Budget!