car rental

Not sure I have ever heard an instance where using Auto Europe has caused someone any issues that they would not have had if booked directly.

I have used them a couple of times and consider them the best of the Consolidators if that means anything.
I just booked 2 rentals in Europe with them for this summer as well.
Many of the other consolidators I would not feel very comfortable using at all.

The plus sides of using them over booking direct:
Have another set of people to help you if issues arise and for US customers you can talk to people in Maine. The rental place US Hertz will have nothing to do with Hertz in Italy so you don't have that.

The insurance you can buy with Hertz providing the coverage is sold on their website and for cheaper. With Hertz I believe your only option is at the counter and you will not know the price beforehand. I assure you it is higher than what Auto Europe charges.
If you don't plan on buying any insurances this is obviously not of importance.
Of note in at least some cases, their offered super cover excess, which is the highest level of insurance offered is actually a combo of insurance through Hertz and insurance through Auto Europe, so slightly different from fully insured through Hertz.

The plus side of going direct:
If you have status or some type of corporate or industry discount with Hertz you could easily beat any rates Auto Europe can offer you.
There are some locations during peak seasons where Auto Europe can be a good amount higher than Hertz with something as basic as a AAA discount ; other times Auto Europe's price for Hertz will be less unless you have a really good corporate discount with Hertz from your work so pricing varies.

Usually you can pay at the rental place without a deposit in advance. With Auto Europe although their cancellation policy is great, they collect full payment the moment you book.

I cannot think of a benefit that is not price or cash flow related to using Hertz direct and most of the benefit to using Auto Europe is the insurance offered.

No reason not to compare pricing for both before you decide, even though I like them I have used and would use Hertz.com if they are cheaper and I don't plan on buying any insurance at the counter.

Thanks for your reply.Sounds like you are comfortable with them.We do not have a corporate plan.Do you get the super coverage ?We are needing a van since there are six adults in our family.My hubby and I have been to Italy twice but used trains not cars.With six of us figured car would be cheaper than train fares.Will spend a week in Tuscany so want to have car to visit all the towns.

Vans could have some special rules and not sure what size van you need for 6 adults and all of that luggage? As you know all car types are smaller in Italy/Europe and most people if they get in trouble it is due to luggage not number of people.
I would call Auto Europe if you look online and are not sure, they might charge a little bit more if you book over the phone. but their customer service is friendly.

I noticed on some fine print today a note about Vans in the summer once booked cannot be cancelled (or at least no money back if you did cancel).
I have done both in terms of the insurance.
Let it ride on my Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card which offers primary insurance and includes Italy and I have also paid extra for the Super coverage just to make any issues as hassle free as possible.

My Chase card coverage may not cover a big van though, so in that case I would definitely do the Super Coverage with Zero Excess if you can book that online.
In this case where you are buying insurance Auto Europe is going to be cheaper than Hertz direct even with the best discount. As I mentioned Hertz only will sell those insurances when at the counter and they charge an arm and a leg for them.
Some other companies on their websites directly will sell you insurance.
For Italy the big 3 of Hertz, Avis and Europcar are safe bets. All of the others are a gamble with some location offices good and some bad.

Not sure if Sixt is in Italy as well, but they are typically excellent throughout Europe, since they are German based.
Other than those 4 I would not even consider any other brand.

For later this year I booked a car in Nice, France for 10 days and letting that one ride with no insurance (just the coverage I will get with my credit card) but then I also booked 5 days in Lisbon, Portugal and for that I paid the extra for the Super Coverage.
Mainly because it didn't add much and if I can get the super coverage cheap enough, the convenience of not having to get the extra parties involved should something happen is worth at least a little bit.

So,you can call a number in Maine ? No credit car coverage unfortunately.Will probably do super coverage since roads are narrow and van wider than a compact.Sounds like you are quite the traveler.We have been to 24 foreign countries but not to Portugal though we have been to Spain.Only car rentals we have done have been in Ireland- took max insurance there due to narrow roads and driving on opposite side of road.Almost said wrong side of road but the Irish would set me straight if I did !

Oh,forgot to mention we ate limiting each of us to a small suitcase ( carry on size ) and a small backpack.

Kathy, I’ve rented through AutoEurope many times and use them exclusively. In Italy, since credit card insurance won’t cover your car, I always choose the Super Coverage. Fortunately I’ve never had to use it. With one exception, all my rentals were with Europcar. I’ve never had a negative experience with either company.

If you rent through AutoEurope, check current rental rates every few weeks. The cost of my last two rentals with them dropped substantially as it got closer to my travel date. A toll free call to their office in Maine resulted in a credit for the difference in price. And don’t forget that in Italy you or any driver needs a valid International Driver Permit - available at AAA offices for $20. Just be careful about speed cameras, average speed zones and ZTL’s.

Wow ! Love all this advice from your seasoned travelers . I think super coverage will give us peace of mind.When you are spending this much ( my kids inheritance as they say ) what is a few more hundred dollars! Will do as you say - probably call them today but keep an eye on prices for drops.I want to insure our trip so need to get a ballpark figure ( flight,car and rentals ) for the insurance .Usually they like you to do it right after you get your flights - which we did a few days ago.