AutoEurope: bad news, many hidden taxes & surcharges.

Hello,

I booked a rental car for 6 days through CheapoAir, at the Europcar agency at the Nice airport in France. The rental price was very competivive in that car class (compact) and it seemed to include all common and well-known taxes for that location, which I have been there many times (near my hometown in France) and I had booked with many other rental agencies and online booking sites. That was a pre-pay deal so that is why the price was also very competitive. That was a last minute, unplanned booking.

In the booking confirmation I received, I noticed that a third party company was involved, AutoEurope, and that they were the ones providing the voucher to present at the Europcar counter. No problem: I have booked before a couple time with vouchers, with airline miles and such, so I thought again that all was covered, provided that I did not request any optional services and insurances.

I got to Nice. The Europcar agent of course wanted to upgrade me to a more expensive car and other options. I told him no and that I had prepaid online so I would take the car that was included. I asked him if the voucher woud cover everything, he said yes.

After getting back home a week later, I saw an additional charge for $66 and change. The original rental I had prepaid was $221. I contacted AutoEurope and they went into giving me links and a 5 page disclosure showing somewhere that the airport and road surcharges were not included. When I asked for an invoice for that, they just send me the detail in a regular written email, no formal invoice. The way they were showing the charges was also very confusing: the disclaimer said the surcharges were inclusive of VAT, but on their detail it showed not...

Anyway, on top of that, these extra charges were billed by Europcar, so they are playing the third pary "it's not me, it's them" game, and since I signed the receipt at the Europcar counter in Nice, I have no recourse.

So beware when you book: if you see AutoEurope anywhere, just cancel or be prepared to pay 30 to 40% more for your rental, depending location.