How to make sure I get the "right" rental car (we're traveling as a family)

Definitely follow up a few weeks in advance, then a week before. I have heard of the same problem too but Hertz can always, if you are firm, get you a large enough vehicle.

Unfortunately, the availability of car is very dependent on when the car is returned and serviced for the next rental. So I don't know anyway to guarantee availability other than to use a large car rental agency. Even in the US, many times the size of car I have reserved is not available. It isn't the whim of the Hertz guy in Rome, it is what is sitting in his parking lot.

You can try options to "reserve specific model".

I would make a reservation with the company that has the best rate and ask for the size car you want. Upon arrival, if it is not available simply go to another counter and see what they have. Obviously, if they have the car, you will get it, but as has been stated, the cars may not have been returned as expected. Probably the larger companies will have more options. I never prepay as I do not want to deal with problems like this and then try to get my money back. Just make a reservation and see what happens when you get there.

You should also take into consideration what you'll be doing with the car. If you're going to stay in any underground garages, medieval cities, or other "narrow" places, you might not want the biggest car they have. Another issue is the frequent failure to have a "promised" automatic transmission on hand-this has happened to my wife even when renting for a company with an exclusive contract for one rental company. Presumably you're prepared for an extra charge for each approved driver, and whether you need a window sticker for access in certain countries, like Germany and Switzerland. Make sure Hertz knows all the countries you'll be taking the car into. If you use your credit-car collision coverage, be sure to photograph all sides of the car upon pickup and just before return. Try to find out if the return location will be "attended" if it is on a non-business day, or early or late. Even if they claim the right to find scratches after your departure, you can at least go over the car with the attendant.

Wow, you all have been so helpful. Thank you for the great ideas. I wouldn't have thought to photograph the car, or to just "take my business elsewhere" if the car we need isn't available. And I will definitely reconfirm weeks and days in advance. (Not looking for a really large car, just something in which 4 fit but American-height people can comfortably ride with 4 carry-on bags. Andre from the Netherlands, I don't envy you and your tall compatriots if you ever have to do a rental!) Wish we could just rent two cinquecentos but out of our budget. Any other ideas are welcome!!

You need to take into consideration that by prepaying with American dollars, you avoid certain taxes that EU citizens have to pay. So renting on the fly will cost you a lot more. In order to improve the chance of getting the car you need, you should pick up from a large agency, such as an airport or train station, not "in town", no matter how large the town. You should avoid times when a lot of locals are renting cars to leave on vacation too, such as the beginning or first weekends of June, July, and August, or holiday weekends. That's when car stocks are low and you'll get what's available, even at the airports. Finally, I've had good luck using Autoeurope as a middle-man for the past fifteen years. I've rented through them many times after arriving in Europe, using either their European 800-number or their website. Be sure it's .com-- not .it-- or you'll be looking at the EU price. They deal with many car agencies. FYI, there have been a lot of complaints on this Forum about Hertz-Italy in the past.

Just don't accept any car that doesn't work for you - including enough space for your bags. Italians can be pretty horrid when it comes to customer service. No, seems to be a perfectly acceptable answer there. Hopefully you won't have any problem. I agree about not prepaying, that gives you some leverage.

If you're going more than 17 days, you should consider leasing. I've found the price on rentals is better for economy cars. As you get bigger the price goes up quickly - and leased cars become the better option (and you will get the specific car you request).

You can call Hertz and have them confirm the class of car you reserved. They speak english and will annotate your reservation that you called. I got the most amazing rental rate once and that annotation preserved the rate with astonished agents in France - at both at pickup and return they confirmed via computer and phone then honored the reservation.

Be a broken record and repeat your request, calmly, as often as necessary, do not be in a hurry, wait calmly, and I bet they will produce a car that suits your party.

Enjoy the trip!

In response to an earlier poster, leasing arrangements are for a minimum 21 days, although I suppose you could return the car early.

I have found kemwel excellent for Italy bookings. Much cheaper than booking direct and I have received zero deductible insurance the times I have used them for Italy.

Like you, I travel as a group of 4 (2 kids) and I have always found the best way to get a vehicle with enough luggage space is to book a wagon. I always pick up from major depots and this strategy has endured I have never had a problem. On my curren trip, there now, we booked a compact wagon and got a Renault Megan's wagon that is not too big but has much better luggage space than any compact sedan. We can get 2 large and one small suitcase in comfortably.