Renting a car in Germany

[PussyLiccker]

Should the car rental company charge damages like scratches etc to your credit card, can't we just get the card company to dispute that on our behalf? They provide primary insurance coverage after all. Am I missing anything here?

You just file a claim(with the credit card company) and provide all the evidance (all the paperwork provided by the rental company for the damages) and they will reimburse you of how much you paid for the damages.

The deposit the rental companies require is for incase you damage the car if you refuse THEIR insurance.

[Ggekko2009]

So let's say that I use my credit card to pay and that card provides me coverage for primary insurance, and not secondary insurance, then what is the benefit of buying car insurance from the car rental company?

Should the car rental company charge damages like scratches etc to your credit card, can't we just get the card company to dispute that on our behalf? They provide primary insurance coverage after all. Am I missing anything here?

[Free Dude]

I guess I'm lucky. Never been charged for small scratches. Recently rented with Europcar, and was great(I always had good experience with Europcar, SIXT as well, but don't rent from them much). No deposit required even with a 3rd party broker involved.

One time, a checker let something go that he noticed. I guess lucky. I notice that they hardly check the car in detail

My experience maybe different, and I've rented over several years

When I rent in Frankfurt it's pretty much always Interrent, which is part of Europecar. Never had any issues and they seem to only check the gas level when I return the car. Typically I pay 15 euros a day or less.

[PussyLiccker]

I guess I'm lucky. Never been charged for small scratches. Recently rented with Europcar, and was great(I always had good experience with Europcar, SIXT as well, but don't rent from them much). No deposit required even with a 3rd party broker involved.

One time, a checker let something go that he noticed. I guess lucky. I notice that they hardly check the car in detail

My experience maybe different, and I've rented over several years

[Beeoch]

A few months ago was my first time in Germany, rented a car from SIXT at Munich airport. In doing my research I read the horror stories of people being charged for small scratches etc. I decided to buy the SIXT insurance with no deductible, I usually do not buy insurance, renting in the USA just use my AMEX that charges me $17 for insurance and that is fine they paid a claim I had with no problem. The insurance almost doubled the price of the car. I am thinking on my upcoming trip to buy the SIXT insurance that comes with about an 1100 euro deductible but is about $6 a day instead of $30. I could come up with the 1100 euro if I damaged a car but do not want to be completely without insurance or pay $30+ a day for it. I will be renting a Mercedes which costs more than $50,000 and the AMEX ins does not cover $50,000 + cars. Does anyone have a better idea?

[Smoke Light]

Hello dear colleagues,

I am currently in Dusseldorf. Staying in a one bedroom apartment, I hooked up with a girl who just came back from Romania. Before she had a chance to go back to work to her club, I came to see her at her place where she lives with her girlfriend. She liked what we did and agreed to move in into my place for a few days. Gentleman, life is good. Among other things we bought her some lingerie. Having sex in front of the wardrobe mirror by the bed is awesome. After a day of fun in the city I fuck and lick her before she has a chance to shower. A big turn on for both of us. Sex in the morning, more sex before we go out, and a lot more at night is a bliss. Among other things we bought her some lingerie. I currently live in a dream.

However, back to the point: what could possibly go wrong in such otherwise ideal circumstances? This fucking Opel SUV. At low speed or when I stop it turns on a sound reminding a knife scratching on a plate. It does it at every stop in front of any red light signal. Front sensor radar has really long range, perhaps more than 7 meters. It turns on when the car is in neutral or slows down to a stop, or just starting to move at the speed lower than 10 km / HR.

I went through every damn option of Opel's fucked up computer and turned off all imaginable features. Doesn't help! The sound is always there. I have a wish to look at the face of the individual who made such horrific design and smack them. I am ready to go to a hardware store, pick up a hammer and smash this ridiculous radar to make it stop.

Another annoying thing about this ultra-modern SUV is that it has no CD player. I suggest nowadays you bring a USB thumb drive with your favorite music to play in the car.

[UltraHappy]

I view it as the opposite. Thieves often do not know how or are not smart enough to drive a stick and like you prefer automatics. If you do not want your car stolen, get a manual transmission. Thieves often give up and abandon the car when they realize they do not know how to shift the transmission. I know a Millenial or two who cannot learn to drive a stick. Can only drive automatics.

Or just rent the VW Polo. No thief will bother trying to steal that crappy little compact car.

[XXL]

Most cars in Europe are manual as the insurance is higher on automatics, manuals get a better mpg and drivers who get licensed to drive only automatics pay a lot more in insurance too. I don't see any pro or con security wise re the transmission.

If you muddle you gears at a crossing or while overtaking at high speed your vehicle will suddenly decelerate or even come to a standstill. Plus, shifting gear and declutching taps mental and physical resources that are better employed minding 1) the brakes 2) the wheel.

[Downandup]

I view it as the opposite. Thieves often do not know how or are not smart enough to drive a stick and like you prefer automatics.

Most cars in Europe are manual as the insurance is higher on automatics, manuals get a better mpg and drivers who get licensed to drive only automatics pay a lot more in insurance too. I don't see any pro or con security wise re the transmission.

[Travv]

I view it as the opposite. Thieves often do not know how or are not smart enough to drive a stick and like you prefer automatics. If you do not want your car stolen, get a manual transmission. Thieves often give up and abandon the car when they realize they do not know how to shift the transmission. I know a Millenial or two who cannot learn to drive a stick. Can only drive automatics.

My forthcoming booking is with SIXT. It's says "long term rate" for 43 days but the included mileage is onle 107 km / day. Extra mileage is 0. 23/ km.

I returned my previous rental car to Europcar last week. No issue raised upon return but of course I guess they don't hit you with the charge until weeks later so it's wait and see. In fact I scratched the wheel-rim so they would have grounds for charging me (or the insurance).

Sixt is a German company, Europcar a French one but still conducting everything in English.

What pisses me off is having to pay so much more just for automatic transmission.

Manual transmission should be outlawed worldwide. It constitutes a security risk.

[Wanking]

Great memories!

Yes good times. Do you still come to Germany for sex?

[XXL]

My forthcoming booking is with SIXT. It's says "long term rate" for 43 days but the included mileage is onle 107 km / day. Extra mileage is 0. 23/ km.

I returned my previous rental car to Europcar last week. No issue raised upon return but of course I guess they don't hit you with the charge until weeks later so it's wait and see. In fact I scratched the wheel-rim so they would have grounds for charging me (or the insurance).

Sixt is a German company, Europcar a French one but still conducting everything in English.

What pisses me off is having to pay so much more just for automatic transmission.

Manual transmission should be outlawed worldwide. It constitutes a security risk.

[Ggekko2009]

I booked the car with Alamo online as they showed an unlimited mileage. They told me to pick it up at the Enterprise Booth. I have absolutely no idea what spooked them other then she kept telling me the car I had picked on was a very powerful car. What the hell that has to do with Enterprise when I am supposedly renting from Alamo is still beyond me. All I can say is the woman was stuck on the SIM thing and not having one seems to have spooked her. What really pissed me off was the clear intent of the place to try to ban me from renting from the neighbors. I sent this review to Enterprise and Alamo to have them tell me WTF happened and it has now been over several months and after the initial "We are investigating" have not heard from them. Me and my Euros are going to SIXT as they have been the best and the fastest to get me on my way without any drama. The funny thing is SIXT never asked me for my SIM even though by now I had one. Personally I think I will be renting from FRA from now on as there staff seem to be a lot more professional and give unlimited mileage to boot instead of the 750 at DUS. Just as a side note after exhausting AVIS at DUS I skipped Europcar as I saw the ***** from Enterprise whispering and tried Hertz. Going to Hertz directly to the desk I was offered cars that were at least 50% higher then same ones online. I asked what gives and the agent tells me that the walk in traffic is much higher then the same vehicle online as the Agent has to make some money for her time. So I said how long would it take if I went over to the internet right now and booked it online. Shockingly she tells me it would take 5 to 7 hours! It was now 7:00 pm and I certainly was not interested in spending my precious time on this BS. So I went over back to my fav and asked the same question and SIXT tells me about 30 min. I am not kidding you when I say the second I hit enter on the Internet Terminal I was told by SIXT my car would be ready for pickup in 5 min. Now that is service!

Alamo and Enterprise are the same company, except they cater to different customers in the US market. I would avoid walking up to them to rent a car without reservation online. They seriously upcharge you if you do even with a corporate rate. One time I had no choice but to do so given my flight was canceled due to a snowstorm, and they also forced you to buy insurance with no option to opt out. At least when booking online, I have the option to refuse these insurance. I don't think SIXT has any US presence, but might give them a try the next time I am over there.

Also, these Sim card argument is complete BS. If I experienced what you had experienced, I would be sure to use all the German swear words that I have picked up on them. The Germans had no qualms in expressing their feelings, why shouldn't I not do the same, LOL. Anyway, I would usually just give them my US number whenever they ask. Besides they already have all my data profile in their system.

[Voyager1]

This is the first time I read about such experience and I think this is seriously f#cked up. I usually rent my car either with Enterprise or Avis all the time from Dsseldorf Airport, and it has always been a smooth process for me. The only thing Enterprise would ask me if I plan to drive anywhere outside Germany, since they do add 5 euros per day surcharge for what I think is additional insurance.

Did you reserve your car online via their website or third party? I would be curious to know the actual reason for denying you a car.

I booked the car with Alamo online as they showed an unlimited mileage. They told me to pick it up at the Enterprise Booth. I have absolutely no idea what spooked them other then she kept telling me the car I had picked on was a very powerful car. What the hell that has to do with Enterprise when I am supposedly renting from Alamo is still beyond me. All I can say is the woman was stuck on the SIM thing and not having one seems to have spooked her. What really pissed me off was the clear intent of the place to try to ban me from renting from the neighbors. I sent this review to Enterprise and Alamo to have them tell me WTF happened and it has now been over several months and after the initial "We are investigating" have not heard from them. Me and my Euros are going to SIXT as they have been the best and the fastest to get me on my way without any drama. The funny thing is SIXT never asked me for my SIM even though by now I had one. Personally I think I will be renting from FRA from now on as there staff seem to be a lot more professional and give unlimited mileage to boot instead of the 750 at DUS. Just as a side note after exhausting AVIS at DUS I skipped Europcar as I saw the ***** from Enterprise whispering and tried Hertz. Going to Hertz directly to the desk I was offered cars that were at least 50% higher then same ones online. I asked what gives and the agent tells me that the walk in traffic is much higher then the same vehicle online as the Agent has to make some money for her time. So I said how long would it take if I went over to the internet right now and booked it online. Shockingly she tells me it would take 5 to 7 hours! It was now 7:00 pm and I certainly was not interested in spending my precious time on this BS. So I went over back to my fav and asked the same question and SIXT tells me about 30 min. I am not kidding you when I say the second I hit enter on the Internet Terminal I was told by SIXT my car would be ready for pickup in 5 min. Now that is service!

[Ggekko2009]

I have been renting cars for over 20 years in Germany and this location has to be the worst experience I have ever had.

This station would not rent me the car because I had not purchased a local SIM for my cell phone. At least that was the official line I was given. To begin with I stood in line for over 30 min to get service. During the interrogation I was informed that even the booking agents grandmother has a phone number in Germany and that me not having one was not acceptable. I replied I had not needed one here since I was only here for the weekend. That was enough to further escalate the matter to the upper management who then proceeded to cancel my reservation. Frustrated I went to a SIM shop and purchased a $35.00 Euro SIM to try and book with Alamo or Enterprise Car Rental. I stood in line once again for 40 min listening to the overworked agent blab on with the customer in front of me. When my turn came up I presented my new phone number to the agent and she then called the upper management again and told me to step aside and wait while the upper manager calls even higher up. What the hell is going on now. , was my first response.

Finally 20 min later the agent informs me that they have decided to not rent any cars to me. I really did not know what to say. Clearly the SIM thing was a stall tactic. The absolutely only reason I came here is because I was offered unlimited mileage. . No one else was refused service while I was in line. What I did not understand is why they do not have the courtesy to come out and say that we do not cater to your kind rather then jerk me around. All I can say is there seems to be some kind of phobia in play here. Very strange to experience this at an International airport, especially in Germany.

To make matter worst, the manager at this office started contacting the neighbour rental agency after the refusal and had them reject me. She got as far as AVIS and Europcar. I stood in line at Avis watching this manager talking to the Avis agents while keeping her back to me. Clearly they were talking about me as the agents were sneaking glances at me during the conversation. Sure enough when I approached the Avis desk I hardly had my request for a car made when the Avis agent immediately cut me off and stated no cars were available. I pointed to the sign behind him that stated otherwise. But he said no and that I should have booked weeks ago. What I think he meant, after his paranoid conversation with Enterprise, is that he too do not wish to cater to my kind. I started this process at 3:30 and it was now 8:00 pm All this precious vacation time wasted due to the misplaced paranoid of this office manager. Disgusted and frustrated I left and went to my first choice SIXT. They had absolutely no problem renting the exact vehicle I wanted all within 5 min from start to finish. I was in the vehicle within 15 min. Now that is service!

Needless to say this is my first and last time I rent from Enterprise or Alamo Dusseldorf. Life and vacation time are just too precious for this kind of garbage. What is more weird is that I have rented from Enterprise before and the agent had all of my data on file. Enterprise wasted my precious vacation time and for that I will never forget it.

This is the first time I read about such experience and I think this is seriously f#cked up. I usually rent my car either with Enterprise or Avis all the time from Düsseldorf Airport, and it has always been a smooth process for me. The only thing Enterprise would ask me if I plan to drive anywhere outside Germany, since they do add 5 euros per day surcharge for what I think is additional insurance.

Did you reserve your car online via their website or third party? I would be curious to know the actual reason for denying you a car.