An alternative to the big boys. (Europcar)

Member Name: richkw

Product:	Europcar
Date:	06/07/05 (88 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Friendly staff. Good cars. Good prices.

Disadvantages: Offices not as widespread as some larger companies.

The point of this short review is to highlight the fact that there are good, reliable alternatives to the major, household name car hire companies.

My wife and I always get a basic hire car when we go abroad, even if we're on a package tour. We like the flexibility it offers and the freedom to go where we please and to explore.

Until a few years ago, if on a package holiday, we booked through our travel agent. This was OK in most cases although problems occured occasionally, particularly in respect of the hire company not having been informed by the travel agent of our impending arrival.

For the last 4 or 5 years we've booked our car on-line through Holiday Autos and, after many good experiences, now specify Europcar assuming they have an office at our destination.

It would seem that by booking this way, rather than through a travel agent has certain advantages. For instance, we almost always seem to get upgraded.

Most of the better known car hire companies offer a similar service and up to date, well prepared cars. Where Europcar excel as far as we are concerned is in the courteous, highly efficient service provided by most of their airport offices. You are as a valued customer rather the enemy.

On the odd occasion we have had a problem, it has been sorted out immediately and highly efficiently by the Europcar staff. For instance, like a prat, I locked the keys in the car in Almeria, Spain at around 8pm one evening. A taxi was sent out from the airport with a spare set at no charge. Try that one with Avis or Hertz! On another occasion, on swerving to avoid another car on the wrong side of the road, I hit a bouldr and fatally injoured both tyre and wheel. After changing the wheel, I went back to the hire office the next day expecting a horrendous bill and a long wait for a replacement wheel and tyre. Not a bit of it. I was away in 15 minutes with a replacement car (an upgrade!) and an apology for the state of Spanish roads! Oh, yes, and no charge.

It's the little extra touches that can so often make the diffence. In my experience, Europcar have got it about right. Good quality, nearly new, well prepared cars. Efficient and courteous staff.

Oh, yes. I nearly forgot. Europcar are almost always considerably cheaper than the big boys.

HIRE CAR TIP

If there's 2 of you travelling, when you arrive at your destination airport, just one of you go to the caroussel while the other goes to the hire car desk before the queue builds. I've saved upwards of 2 hours by following this idea.

Summary: Good cars. Friendly, efficient service. Fairly priced.