I wonder whether anyone might be able to advise me on how to deal with Europ Car Customer Services in the UK? I have just been reading your site and note that several of your readers have experienced difficulties.
Damage was done to our rental car in July 2007 in Corsica, a small dent on the front bumper. At the end of September £216 was put on my credit card. I have disputed this with EuropCar. Two letters were sent to ask them to investigate the amount and the length of time it took for this to appear on my account. I have had no response in writing. I have dealt with many people by telephone, one of which was very discourteous. I have asked for a supervisor to call me back and this has not happened. One person has acknowledged me by email but now they will not respond to my emails either. I am at a standstill but I am very frustrated as I do wish to pursue this and seek resolution.
I would be grateful for some advice.
Thank you.
Helen Thorpe, Sheffield, United Kingdom
Malaria Prevention
It is important to realise that the use of antimarial medication is only part of the precautions needed .It is equally important to prevent mosquito bites in the first place by measures such as bed nets & covering up with suitable clothes plus appropirate skin deterrents
Tim Southwood, Nailsea , North Somerset
Amanda Ursell's advice is invaluable. To be added to those at risk of Air Related DVT are those with the blood clotting factor Leiden V, passengers who have had recent injuries to extremities, people over 6 feet and those under 5 feet. A baby Asprin daily for a week before long distance flying is advised. Do not wear tight clothes and try to move feet and lower legs as much as possible. Try in-the-seat exercises and wear in-flight stockings. Drink buckets of water and try to walk as much a possible. If you've had a DVT and need to find a medical room to inject yourself with Heparin....now this is difficult. Gatwick allows the use of the chapel, all religions welcome!!! The USA is a real problem which needs addressing. Atlanta has a facility which is 100%but not always open, not so lucky in San Francisco, useless in Toronto. You will be offered a 'disabled toilet' to lie on the floor with a steady stream of people knocking on the door.
Theresa Felsinger, London, UK
I wonder whether anyone might be able to advise me on how to deal with Europ Car Customer Services in the UK? I have just been reading your site and note that several of your readers have experienced difficulties.
Damage was done to our rental car in July 2007 in Corsica, a small dent on the front bumper. At the end of September £216 was put on my credit card. I have disputed this with EuropCar. Two letters were sent to ask them to investigate the amount and the length of time it took for this to appear on my account. I have had no response in writing. I have dealt with many people by telephone, one of which was very discourteous. I have asked for a supervisor to call me back and this has not happened. One person has acknowledged me by email but now they will not respond to my emails either. I am at a standstill but I am very frustrated as I do wish to pursue this and seek resolution.
I would be grateful for some advice.
Thank you.
Helen Thorpe, Sheffield, United Kingdom
Malaria Prevention
It is important to realise that the use of antimarial medication is only part of the precautions needed .It is equally important to prevent mosquito bites in the first place by measures such as bed nets & covering up with suitable clothes plus appropirate skin deterrents
Tim Southwood, Nailsea , North Somerset
Amanda Ursell's advice is invaluable. To be added to those at risk of Air Related DVT are those with the blood clotting factor Leiden V, passengers who have had recent injuries to extremities, people over 6 feet and those under 5 feet. A baby Asprin daily for a week before long distance flying is advised. Do not wear tight clothes and try to move feet and lower legs as much as possible. Try in-the-seat exercises and wear in-flight stockings. Drink buckets of water and try to walk as much a possible. If you've had a DVT and need to find a medical room to inject yourself with Heparin....now this is difficult. Gatwick allows the use of the chapel, all religions welcome!!! The USA is a real problem which needs addressing. Atlanta has a facility which is 100%but not always open, not so lucky in San Francisco, useless in Toronto. You will be offered a 'disabled toilet' to lie on the floor with a steady stream of people knocking on the door.
Theresa Felsinger, London, UK
Brain,
There is a company called tuxedo-eaccount its a prepaid mastercard which you top up with the amount you need and can be reused at any time it works just the same as a regular mastercard, there is also charges with this, so read the details on the website. they also offer a maestro card
www.tuxedo-eccount.com
Another alternative is from idt financial services for the prime card it is also reloadable with fees.
www.idtprime.com.
Also if you have not booked any thing I have just come back from Andalucia and booked with James Villas they book the whole deal, villa was fantastic. They have a shop at Bluewater Greenhithe (Kent)
Hope this helps.
enjoy your trip
Bruce, Blackheath, London
I too have Rented from Autos Aguirre for nearly 25 years, both at Malaga and Gibraltar. They have been reliable and the rates have compared favourably with other firms. They also have given a discount for cash. Whereas they have an office in the city, they do not have a desk at Malaga Airport, but one is met at the exit by the rep., even if there is any flight delay.
Very happy to recommend them!
George Shiers,Warwick, UK.
G.E. Shiers, Wellesbourne,Warwick, UK
I have used Autos Aguirre (www.autosaguirre.com) for many years at Malaga airport. They will take cash payment on arrival and no deposit ,cash or credit card, required.
John Davies , Solihull, UK
I have used Malaga Car Hire for last 20 years plus, bookable in UK (www.malagacarhire.com) and payable in cash at Malaga airport..
Ian Borland, Dunfermline, Fife
G J Bunton, I had a similar experience with Europcar, except that they automatically signed me up for the "return empty" service without any discussion. I arrived late and in a hurry, told them in no uncertain terms that I wanted no additional services and only noticed later that the young lady at the counter had just snuck a one-off charge to refill the tank at a fixed cost in there. My fault, I guess, caveat emptor and all that, but Europcar do use hardsell tactics, possibly because they pay commission to the desk staff to punt useless services. Most of the big firms are pretty nasty, but some really are nastier than others and should be avoided at all costs.
Erin Jacobs, London,
Brian - I had a a nightmare trying to find a car hire company in France that would accept a booking without credit card details for the main driver (my boyfriend, who is, like you, proud of not having a credit card!) Debit cards and offers to pay the deposit in cash were both refused. I would advise speaking to the tourist office at Malaga airport, or in the town, and asking them to provide you with details of a local company, who are more likely to help you work round the problem. Having said that, even the company we eventually used needed credit card details as security - they just accepted mine (the passenger) instead. Good luck!
Lauren, Manchester,
Car Hire - I do not have credit card having at last paid off my debts. However, I am having problems hiring a car at Malaga Airport next year as all car hire firms are asking for a credit card to cover the deposit on picking up the vehicle. Its OK to pay for the hire up front with a debit card. Is there any Co at Malaga airport that will accept debit cards or cash? Help!
Brian Williams, Cardiff, UK
I was ripped off by a major car rental company and there is no reason to suspect that they are alone.
A large sign on their desk at the airport stated 'Let us fill your tank at 89.5p a litre' - so I opted for returning the car empty. Then I was told that it only applied if I had told them I would return the car empty. Result a bill of £126 - more than twice the pump price for a tank full.
Thank you Hertz. Nice one.
G J BUNTON, Slough, Berkshire