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Problems with Autoeurope in Spain

We recently traveled to Spain and reserved a car with Autoeurope. Both of us have had US driver's licenses for several years, but when we went to pick up the car, we were told that since we had recently renewed our licenses (keeping them legal!), we weren't considered to have held our licenses for at least two years. We were told that no one in Spain would rent a car to us without a license that was at least two years old. I guess I would suggest bringing an old license with you, but I don't know if they'd even take that.

We were able to make other plans, but we had booked a hotel in a town that was only accessible by car and with less than 24 hours' notice of a cancellation, the hotel kept our money (as per their policy). Autoeurope refunded our rental fee and the customer service guy on the phone said they'd refund our hotel and our train tickets, but after sending in our documentation of the charges, Autoeurope then refused to pay. They said that we should have called them and they were "sure that an exception could have been arranged" (even though the people at the car pickup place said that no one in Spain would rent to us). We were happy with the rest of our trip and we took an unplanned side trip to Zaragoza, but we don't recommend Autoeurope and don't think Rick should either.

Posted by
629 posts

In May we rented a car from Avis while in Spain. My driver's license was renewed in 2009 and was not questioned by the Avis counter staff. Don't know why Autoeurope would enforce this policy or inform you that other rental agencies in Spain would also enforce it? I would keep trying for a refund of any of the costs that you incurred. Good luck!

Posted by
1064 posts

I suspect that if you had contacted AutoEurope immediately, they could have resolved the problem while you were still on the premises. Isn't that what they advise? I suspect that you were dealing with an inexperienced, overly cautious agent, but I would also expect that AutoEurope agents could quickly set him straight. (Gemut tells people up front to contact them immediately, and I believe that AutoEurope does the same.) These types of situations, alone, are justification for having a working global cellphone with you when you go to pick up a car. Also, I wonder why you never bothered to get an International Drivers Permit from AAA. I don't want to blame the victim, but I believe you could have prevented or overcome the problem without blaming others.

Posted by
10595 posts

AutoEurope is a consolidator. They only find the deals from the rental agencies. For example, last month I rented two cars using AutoEurope. In Italy it was through Hertz and in Germany it was through Avis. What agency was your rental with?

Posted by
2 posts

Andrea- we were trying to get our car from Europcar.

Roy- We didn't "bother" to get an international permit because every source we read said that a valid US driver's license was sufficient. Maybe you're right that we shouldn't have believed the agent when she said there was no way she could rent to us, but we didn't see a lot of options with this rule in place. There was no way for us to prove to anyone that we had held our licenses for two years. We're not "blaming" anyone, we're just telling others what happened to us so they don't end up in the same situation. We're not happy that Autoeurope told us they would pay for our hotel and then backed out, but we understand their rental policy.

Posted by
3642 posts

Just to add some information on this perennially discussed topic:
We returned this week from Greece, where the National agent at the Athens airport asked for my IDL while doing the paperwork for our car rental. I always get one, so no problem. I don't see why anyone would scrimp on spending the $15 for it. By the way, National (arranged through AE) gave us a really lousy car. The reverse gear, which was stiff when exiting the airport, became impossible to shift into. We had to get emergency road service when we arrived at our destination. So much for their claim that the car had been completely checked over. If I get around to it, I'll call AE to complain.

Posted by
348 posts

After buying an International Driver's Liscence once, I was told that it was a waste of money and doesn't accomplish anything more than my own DL. Since then I haven't gotten one and haven't needed one.

What is the value of having an IDL that a regular DL doesn't supply?

Posted by
2789 posts

"Roy- We didn't "bother" to get an international permit because every source we read said that a valid US driver's license was sufficient"

Every source being "internet message boards"?

I have ALWAYS gotten one and if you are even in an accident you will know the value. (I was and it was a lifesaver) Sure the rental car sees US DL all the time... The cop in some small town who speaks NO English. GOOD LUCK LOL! My accident involved one Frenchman, and two Americans. I was on my way at the same time as the Frenchman... The other Americans were having a MUCH harder time, they tried to convince the cop that MY translation would help him, but he wouldn't buy it.

I have had to call AutoEurope to change a rental and they were great. I would call.

I would also spend the $15. It will probably be cheaper then a day of your vacation dealing with police :)

Posted by
629 posts

I agree with Carol, we've ALWAYS bought and brought IDLs, regardless of the country. A very small price to pay for peace of mind and ease in any situation. Safe driving!