We are renting a car in Athens to drive to Nafplio area and stay for few days. I've been looking at various agencies and sites including ACR which seems to have lowest rates. However, if I use my credit card I lose ACR's CDW, and I am exposed to whatever amount of damages they feel I incurred, then have the hassle of recouping those dollars from my CC. If I don't use my credit card then I face their 800 E deductible, and their CDW Zero deductible is cost prohibitive. Other agencies charge more for rent but zero deductible is much cheaper. (Looking at zero deductible cause **it happens and don't feel like dealing with trying to recoup $$$ from my credit card). Has anyone had any issues with ACR if I use their CDW and have 800 E deductible and charges for damages you thought were not reasonable?
John
Posted by
Atlanta, GA area (USA)
241 posts
How much more is the Zero Deductible CDW? I would be concerned that with an €800 deductible they’ll magically find €750 of damage. Also, are you saying that if you pay with the credit card they won’t give you any CDW at all? I’ve never worked with ACR but that sounds like a red flag. If you don’t pay via credit card, are you supposed to stand there peeling off Euro notes to pay the bill? Maybe others on the board have direct experience with ACR. Good luck!
Posted by
OP
Florida
10 posts
John T,
If I use my credit card I have to refuse Athens Rent a Car CDW with its 800 Euro deductible. If damage occurs, I would need to pay to ARC, then follow my credit cards procedures to be reimbursed. I also contacted my travel insurance carrier and was told the same. I was quoted zero deductible with ARC for three day rental at cost of 210 Euro. I'm looking thru AutoEurope for agencies that may allow for zero deductible, and so far it appears Enterprise and Alamo offer it at much lower cost but need to look closer at fine print of terms. Enterprise and Alamo rental rates tho are higher than ARC. In general ARC has very good reviews on the RS forum, but like you concerned that somehow a few charges pop up within their deductible.
Posted by
2947 posts
We have rented twice from ACR. We did not have zero deductible. I think it was 1000 Euros and a brand new car which made me a little nervous.
We had no damage either time and no problems.
But I think if you want zero deductible without having to be reimbursed, you have to consider total cost of the car. It doesn’t matter then if ACR’s prices are better under some conditions, if those conditions are not what you want. I will tell you though as one who has bought insurance through Auto Europe what I bought was similar to credit card insurance in that had to be reimbursed. So read the small print carefully.
Posted by
OP
Florida
10 posts
Beth FL,
I'm guessing Fl is for Florida? I live in FL as well. In any event, they all seem to look good till you read the fine, real fine, need a magnifying glass, fine print. A couple years ago coming back to FL from Paris got held up in NYC due to hurricane's arrival in FL same day as landed at JFK. Spent a few days in NYC and took months, and lots of resubmitted receipts and emails to get travel insurance to finally pay. That experience has made me a little wary.