Last Updated on June 24, 2023 by Chris
Wondering which rental car companies stand above the crowd and which don’t make the grade? You’ve come to the right place for rental car ratings.
Every week at AutoSlash, we gather feedback from thousands of customers across over dozen car companies. Over the years, we’ve developed a pretty good idea the good, the bad and the ugly.
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Before we dive in, we want to point out that there are always exceptions. There are star employees, an awesome free upgrade, or big misses from normally excellent companies. These ratings below are averages—a summation of the feedback we’ve collected over the years. They are, of course, subjective and could change over time.
You’ll notice we rate things differently than the big names in travel awards, like JD Power and Travel + Leisure.
AutoSlash Car Rental Company Rankings
When you receive a set of quotes from AutoSlash, you’ll notice star ratings next to each company name. We advise renters to heed these ratings, which can be a harbinger of what your rental experience may be like with a given company.
Our rating system for the major car rental firms is based on two factors:
- Our subjective perceptions based on hundreds of rentals by members of the AutoSlash team
- The feedback we hear from AutoSlash users
Note that our star-rating system does not factor in price. We rate the major rental companies on a five-star scale (shown on our quotes) and break them into tiers:
Car Rental Company Tiers
Tier 1
With a Tier 1 company, you’re highly likely to have a fast, problem-free experience—especially if you’re a member of the frequent rental program, where you can usually just walk straight out to the lot to your car and drive off without ever speaking to an agent. National gets extra kudos for its industry-leading Emerald Aisle car selection, although Hertz is showing a lot of promise with its Ultimate Choice service. You’ll often pay a premium (but not always) at these companies.
Tier 2
The Tier 2 companies represent a solid value. Most are run pretty smoothly, though you may encounter a hard sell for extra options like insurance or upgrades from highly-commissioned sales agents, fees even for spouses to drive, and lines can sometimes be long at peak times. You should join the company’s frequent renter program to minimize the wait.
Cars are generally of good quality and often shared with their respective Tier 1 brands (all of the second-tier brands are owned by the same larger companies as the top-tier brands). Rentals at Tier 2 corporate locations are generally unmemorable (but in the rental industry, unmemorable is a good thing), while the service level at franchises can vary. For renters trying to balance price and experience, Tier 2 is a good compromise.
A special note about Enterprise: Enterprise is routinely ranked at the very top of rental car rating by JD Power, Consumer Reports, Travel + Leisure and others. However, especially at off-airport, neighborhood locations, we have heard about—and experienced ourselves—reports of:
- Lengthy pick-up lines
- Extremely pushy sales agents
- Sketchy car availability. Plan to drive a car that’s seen better days, significantly larger (or smaller) than you reserved, and given to you with barely a quarter tank of gas (which you’ll have to return at the same level).
Yet one thing Enterprise gets right is customer service. Their overly-highly-motivated cadre of all-college-graduates does a good job of taking ownership of issues and making sure you’re “completely satisfied.” That’s the key to its success in the rankings.
Tier 3
The Tier 3 brands are smaller players in the market and often cater towards the extreme discount seeker. Along with their low rates, though, comes a mixed experience with lots of restrictions. Expect longer lines, older vehicles in mediocre condition, a shuttle to your vehicle in many locations (instead of being on-site at the airport), an extremely hard sell for extra options and other sometimes onerous limitations. Beware that they are often sticklers for damage, even though the car might have a ton of pre-existing damage.
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Come prepared with a printout of your reservation from the rental company’s own website, just say no to extra options, check your rental contract carefully before you leave the rental counter, and don’t hesitate to ask to speak to a manager if your total price is different than reserved, and you’ll probably be fine with a Tier 3 company.
Tier 4
We created a separate Tier 4 after hearing complaint after complaint after complaint about these companies. While they may offer what looks like a great price, be aware that you run the risk of an unsatisfactory experience.
Related:
- The Best Car Rental Companies at Airports
- How Are Car Rental Companies Rated?
The post AutoSlash’s Ultimate Rental Car Ratings for 2023 appeared first on AutoSlash.
Frequently Asked Questions
What documents do I need to drive in Europe?
All the necessary documentation must be available for each country that you visit. This includes passports, visa requirements as well as customs clearance and tax information.
You will also need copies your passport, driving permit, and insurance policy. The insurance policy will need to cover you while driving in Europe.
In some countries, you may also need to show proof of ownership of the car. This can include registration papers and a bill.
Some countries require drivers from their home countries to have a valid driving license.
How much per day does a rental car in Europe cost?
We are unsure, but we think it is between $100 and $200 daily.
We recommend renting at least for two days to take advantage of the many attractions and activities in the area.
You might consider purchasing a vehicle for around $2000-$3000 if you plan to stay longer.
This way you could travel around Europe for free.
It is also worth checking if your credit company offers discounts on rental.
What is the difference of a national and international rental car?
Although domestic cars are less expensive than international models, they have fewer features.
International cars can be more costly but offer better safety and comfort such as air conditioning and seat belts.
The number of miles you plan to drive daily should guide your selection of a car.
If you plan to travel more than 100 miles from the airport, a domestic local car is a better option.
You should consider an international model if your driving will involve a lot of driving in cities or going off-road.
Can I rent a car and drive around Europe?
Yes, you can. You'll need an organized tour booking and separate payment for each day. There are many companies that offer these tours.
If you prefer flexibility, you may want to hire a vehicle through one of the primary agents. These agencies offer many services, including car rentals or city transfers.
They often work closely with local suppliers, who can provide quality vehicles at affordable prices.
Which company is the largest in car rental?
Hertz Corporation is America's biggest car rental company. Harry Hertz founded the Hertz Corporation in 1919.
Hertz Corporation has more than 6,000 locations around North America and Europe. The company also owns other businesses such as hotels, financial services and automobile parts manufacturing.
Today, there are almost 4,000,000 employees around the globe.
Is it possible to rent a car in Germany, and then return it to Switzerland?
Answering this question will depend on many factors including the vehicle type you are renting, how much time you plan to drive, and whether or not you have any special requirements such as child seats.
For example, if you are planning to drive from Munich to Zurich, then there is no need to book a car because you can use public transport instead. You might consider renting a car if you plan to drive from Munich to Barcelona during your holiday.
Which car rental company has the best locations?
Hertz would have been the answer, but they aren't listed as a provider of location-based services.
Statistics
- If you're a member of AAA, you might also be able to snag discounts of 10 percent at Thrifty, and 8 percent at Dollar. (afar.com)
- You can rent an automatic but these cars can cost as much as 50% more than a manual vehicle. (earthtrekkers.com)
- The perks vary from partner to partner, but you can expect discounts of up to 35 percent on some rentals and the ability to earn anywhere from 50 bonus American AAdvantage miles per day or 500 per rental. (afar.com)
- American Airlines, for example, offers AAdvantage members 35% off Budget and Avis — but you need to rent from an airport. (nerdwallet.com)
- Save up to 30% on your rental car in Europe when you book with us today. (autoeurope.com)
External Links
enterprise.com
autoslash.com
kayak.com
avis.com
How To
Here are 12 things you need to know about renting a car in Europe
What are my top tips for renting a car to travel in Europe?
There are many things to know before you drive off when you rent a car Europe. It really depends on which type of rental vehicle you choose. These are some must-know tips that will ensure your trip is smooth.
- Your insurance policy. Before hitting the road, ensure your auto insurance covers travel outside your home country. Find cheap car insurance abroad with our guide.
- You will need the correct documents. You'll need a driver's license from your own country, plus several identification cards (passport, visa, etc.) To prove your identity and whereabouts. It is best to have all the documents you need in order to meet any deadlines.
- Road Rules. Pay attention to signage indicating speed limits, one way streets and pedestrian crossings. Driving in another country can lead to fines or accidents.
- Parking rules. Parking regulations vary from one city to the next. Before you arrive in town, make sure to check out the parking regulations.
- Gasoline. Gasoline prices can vary depending on where you live and what country you are in. However, it is generally three times more expensive than gas back home.
- Insurance requirements. Rentals older than 3 years may require additional liability insurance. Check with your rental company about specifics.
- GPS navigation systems. Travelers are increasingly using GPS navigation systems. But if you're unfamiliar with how to use them, make sure you bring along a map and ask for directions.
- Radio stations. The radio station you are visiting may play music that is unfamiliar to you. You don't have to worry about it; just press "0", to change the frequency to English
- Seatbelts. Seat belts are mandatory in most European countries.
- Road tolls Road tolls can be found all over Europe. Many are charged at major intersections.
- Speeding tickets. Speeding is strictly forbidden in large parts of Europe including Germany, Austria Switzerland, Italy France, Spain and Switzerland.
- Tipping. Tipping isn’t as expected in Europe than in North America. Tipping isn’t a customary practice anywhere in the world. Try giving a round number, such as 10% or 15%.
Did you miss our previous article...
https://rentacar24.org/car-rental-news/what-occurred-to-the-plenti-program/
https://rentacar24.org/rent-a-car-europe/autoslashs-ultimate-rental-car-ratings-for-2023/
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