Europcar questions

First of all check if you can get a better price through a consolidator. Try www.kemwel.com or www.autoeurope.com.
They are two sister companies based in Portland, Maine. Check prices with both. They work primarily with Europcar, Hertz, Avis, and Maggiore (the largest car rentals in Italy). Their prices offer the "No insurance Excess" option (i.e. zero deductible). Take that option.
Traveling to the Dolomites will mean steep uphill climbs. You will probably do better with a car with some guts in the engine. Diesel engines deliver much more torque than gasoline cars, therefore ask if you can get a diesel model. Diesel engines are also more fuel efficient and diesel fuel tax is lower too. Most compacts and higher have Diesel engines in Italy. Smaller Economy models tend to come in gasoline rather than diesel, but if you book an economy, ask if they have a diesel available. Last time I was on the Dolomites I had a VW Passat station wagon TDI (turbo diesel). I was climbing those roads like a rocket in spite of having 4 adults on board (including 3 women who have no concept of packing light). If you only have two people in your party, don't waste money on a big car. An Economy will hold enough luggage in the cargo area for two.

Typically I'll search every possible rental car site and take the one that looks like the best deal.

If you can drive a standard transmission, an economy car with diesel engine and standard transmission will work well for two people. Diesels get great gas mileage and a standard transmission feels a lot peppier than an automatic transmission with the smaller European engines.

CDW is often an expensive option. I use American Express's rental car CDW option to save a bunch of money while limiting my risk.

The biggest potential glitch is not planning for luggage space. A small four door with a trunk is very comfortable for two people and has plenty of room for two carry-ons in the trunk (which is the most secure way to travel with a rental car). The same car would feel impossibly cramped for four people with a carry-on each (even though it says it holds five adults) - and wouldn't fit four people with a full size suitcase each.

Sometimes you can't get a trunk so you have to keep your luggage in the back, visible from outside the car, which is less secure - hopefully it at least has a covered area that will conceil two carry-ons. If you have more than carry-ons, plan on filling the back seat with your bags.

When booking through Auto Europe or Kemwel, I've usually found the Economy (manual) category to cost just a few dollars more than the smallest Mini category. Those few dollars might give you a better chance of a covered luggage hatch or trunk. Also, the rental agency may "upgrade" you to a larger car at pick-up, which should not cost you any more.

Don't get a car that is bigger than you need. Roads, city streets and parking spaces are razor thin. If you get the diesel model on a small car, then you'll have plenty of pep for hills. Even if not a diesel, the car will make it over the hill...

The "hidden fees" usually come at the counter or return. Always be very clear on the agreement terms and what you are initialing and signing. If not sure, ask. If you think something unnecessary has been added, stand your ground. Be sure to note in writing on the forms ANY existing damages. Take photos of the car before you leave and when you return. Good idea to take a photo of the gas gauge on your return too (some scams charge you for less than a full tank). Such rental scams are not everyday occurrences, but happen enough to take a few reasonable precautions. Most aren't even scams but just unsuspecting people not understanding what they were signing.

we had a german made sumpin with a stick shift that the 4 of us took up the mountainside into Slovenia. for a bit three of us were buckled into the back seat and it was ok. the "trunk" had a retractable cover, but we were able to get 2 roller bags, 2 large back packs and assorted tote bags into the trunk no problem. yes, if we had screwed up and not returned it full of gas, it would have cost us 3 times what that tank did outside the airport.

We've had great luck several times with Europcar (France, Italy, Spain) and never seemed to have any gotchas. Do ensure that you understand the insurance and deductible options offered. If you have a credit card that provides insurance coverage, check with them to identify any requirements they have to ensure that you'll be covered by them, and then make sure Europcar drops their own charges for providing any insurance coverage, if that's the route you take. Of course, hopefully you won't need to file any claim because there'll be no damage. Do go over your vehicle before driving off and ensure they note, on their form, any existing scratches on the body, wheels, bumpers, side view mirrors, and glass. Get their acknowledgement when you return the car that it's in the same condition as when you picked it up.

They've provided us with great maps, too, which get us out of town and into the countryside. Get directions on exactly how to get back to the car return location, and ask for the best place for you to fill up before returning the car.

Don't forget your International Driving Permit (available at AAA in the USA), just in case you would get stopped by an Italian cop - but, again, hopefully that never happens. Buon viaggio!