I am planning on leasing a car from Europe by Car (http://www.ebctravel.com/), which was listed in Rick Steves' book on France. When I made the reservation, I did it online (included credit card number) but they said they never got the reservation when I called. I then reserved over the phone and they asked me to fax a copy of my credit card. Is this normal practice? If you have used this service before, please let me know if you did the same/how it was, or if I should be worried.
Posted by
Lake Forest, CA, USA
1633 posts
I have used AutoEurope on previous trips. When I reserved the car, I had to pay for it, upfront, with a credit card, but it was over the phone--not faxed. We have never had to fax the cc info. Maybe ask them why you can't give them the info over the phone. Seems kind of odd to me, too. Good luck.
Posted by
Myrtle Beach, USA
12313 posts
I used Europe by Car to lease a vehicle. I did pay for it upfront by credit card but can't recall how they required me to send it.
The deal worked as planned. They picked me up at Schipol airport, drove to the dealership, showed me how to work the car (it had a card to insert and a push button instead of a key to turn) and I was off and running.
The car was perfect and brand new. It drove great and the price for the lease was a bargain compared to renting or train tickets for five.
The only problem was returning it at a different airport (Rome). I called ahead to schedule a time to deliver it but had trouble finding the person. Supposedly, there were two different locations and the person was waiting at the other. I still think he just showed up an hour late (it is Italy, after all). We finally found him and took a train into Rome for our last five days before flying home.
Posted by
dallas, tx, usa
1358 posts
You ask if this is a normal practice. Nothing is any longer NORMAL in the travel business. I have rented 20 cars over the years and never faxed anything.
Tell them you dont have access to a fax machine and see what happens.