EconomyBookings is it a scam? Reviews and description

EconomyBookings - is a company that works in the field of online car reservations since 2008. It started with a partnership program in Spain, after which it decided to make its services available in other countries as well. Now EconomyBookings is the leader in Europe and offers car rentals in 150 countries.

Every day the company's analysts monitor the prices of rental organizations around the world, thanks to which they make a competitive price of their services. EconomyBookings cooperates with at least 3-4 suppliers of cars in each city, which ensures high service. But the reviews of the company are mixed. There are many complaints about the service and other points in the work. To find out for sure whether EconomyBookings is not a scam, it is worth studying this detailed review of the service.

 

Why EconomyBookings

EconomyBookings is a company that works as a car rental broker, combining offers from different organizations for drivers. Therefore, it offers a wide range of cars of all classes for rent. EconomyBookings cooperates with hundreds of rental companies, so it can offer the best deals for trips of any format. The organization has a multi-lingual call center in different countries, whose employees are ready to answer any question. When the country changes on the website, the local phone number will be listed on the home page. The company provides a guarantee of secure payments. All information provided to customers during booking is confidential and protected by SSL technology. Also the advantages of the service include:

• More than 20,000 rental locations in 150 countries in Europe, Asia and the United States;
• cooperation with 800+ rental companies;
• affordable prices;
• a large assortment of vehicles of different classes.

The company has developed a convenient website for its customers economybookings.com with detailed information about the rental conditions and contacts of all points. At the top of the main page there is a button to create your own account. You can also keep track of your bookings without registration. To do this, there is a button "My bookings", which opens a window in which you only need to enter your email and booking number to view the details of the order.

In addition, at the top of the main page you can choose the country of residence, language and currency. Below there is a search line for a rental car. In it you need to specify the place of receipt, the date of booking and return. You can also check the boxes "Return elsewhere" and "Driver's age". Also on the main page you can see popular travel destinations, find answers to questions (they are also in the "FAQ" section, reviews and links to applications).

Under "Contacts," you can see the call center phone numbers in different countries and addresses in Europe and the United States. It also specifies the call center office hours and has a feedback form. You have to enter your name, phone number, e-mail address, choose the subject and write a message.

In addition, on the website economybookings.com there are sections with reviews, rental items, privacy policy, and detailed terms and conditions. Separately, there is a page with an application for a full protection refund, where there is a form to be filled out if you need to get a refund.

EconomyBooking's fleet of vehicles

The choice of cars is very large, because they are presented by local rental organizations in the locality that the client needs. For the convenience of choosing from such a wide range of offers there is a filter by class, price, type of gearbox, etc. The administration warns that it is possible to serve another car. The driver will be given the selected vehicle only if it is available. If such a vehicle is not available, he will be offered a similar car of the same class or higher at no extra charge.

Rental stations

The list of rental locations can be found in the section of the same name on the company's website economybookings.com. To begin with, it is necessary to choose the continent in which you are interested in renting a car. There are Europe, America, Africa, Asia and Australia to choose from. Having opened the appropriate list, it is necessary to select the country where the trip is planned.

In the window that opens you will be able to see a list of cities for renting vehicles in the selected state. Below it will be possible to see the name of the capital city, language, currency and information about which side of the car is driven in this country. After selecting a suitable city, the client will see a list of all rental stations that operate in it.

Personal Cabinet

An EconoBookings account is needed so that the customer can manage his bookings. To do this, you can use the button "My bookings" at the top of the page by entering your e-mail and order number, if it has already been made. In this case, the service will redirect you to create an account. If the new customer has not yet had a reservation, he can use the registration form by clicking on the "Login to Account" button. Here it is necessary to enter an email, password, and if you want, mark your consent to receive exclusive offers from the company. After that a message confirming the registration will be sent to the email. After the client confirms his e-mail, he will be able to use the section "My bookings" on the website and in the application and receive exclusive offers from the company.

Mobile application

EconomiBookings has developed an application for Android and iOS devices for the convenience of its customers. It allows you to rent a car in any of 150 countries from your mobile gadget. In the application you only need to specify the points of receipt and return of the vehicle, choose a suitable car from the proposed options, add additional options and place an order. After its confirmation a voucher will be sent to your e-mail address. Also in the section "My bookings" information about the order and the possibility to make changes or cancel the reservation will appear.

The app is rated 4.3 on Google Market. But there are many complaints about the fact that the app does not allow you to select the type of engine, the fact that when you change the reservation the date is reset, and customers mistakenly book a car for the wrong time. Also, customers have noted that there is no way to open their own reservation without entering a request for a new rental, it is impossible to view previous orders, and there are no payment details (rent, insurance, etc.). The iOS app is rated 4.2. There, too, there are complaints about the inconvenience of use and hidden fees, which are automatically included in the bookings.

 

EconomyBookings rental terms and conditions

To rent a car, at the point where the car will be received, you must bring the voucher sent to the post, the driver's license, the requirements of which will be described in the voucher, credit card Visa or Mastercard. Maestro, Switch, cash deposits and debit cards are accepted infrequently. If you need one of these options, you will need to contact the administration to resolve the issue. When picking up the vehicle, you will need to make a deposit to the local service provider. This means that the deposit will be blocked on the card in the driver's name.

Before receiving the car, you need to show the necessary documents, making sure that the balance on your bank account is sufficient to pay. Then you should read the contract, get acquainted with all the details of the rental and make sure that the additional insurance is paid. You should also check if the car is undamaged, and inform the company representative about possible problems. Also, it is necessary to check if the requested optional equipment is provided. It must be paid for in the office.

When you return the car to the rental company, you need to verify the damage. If there are any problems, you must be sure to notify the supplier. If a refund is requested, the customer should ask for it in writing. Also, the driver should make sure that the supplier has processed the return correctly. The completion of the car rental must be signed by a representative of the company. If necessary, you can cancel the reservation. You can do this in the "My Reservations" section of the company's website. The following conditions are provided for this:

Once the rental has started, the reservation cannot be cancelled. Not later than one day before the start of the rental, the customer can change the reservation on the company's website. Any change, including the place of receiving or returning the car, class, duration of the trip, personal data can affect the rental price. Therefore, the total amount could be different from the one specified when booking. The prices are indicated based on the time and day of vehicle pick-up and return, which were selected during the booking. If the driver receives the car later or gives it back earlier, a refund for the unused time is impossible.

Standard rental car insurance includes accident and theft coverage. They may be included in the price or purchased directly from the rental company. These types of insurance may also be provided by the company that issued the driver's credit card. If it is necessary to travel outside of the country where the car is rented, you need to read the terms of the rental, as some companies prohibit this option. If travel is allowed under the terms of the rental company, you may need to pay extra for this service or purchase another type of insurance.

You should also familiarize yourself with the company's fuel policy. It establishes the order of payment for fuel, determines whether it is necessary to fill up the tank completely before returning the vehicle. These terms are spelled out on the company website, in the voucher and in the contract that will be signed upon receiving the car. In case of an accident or damage to the car, call the rental company immediately. The driver should keep copies of the documents he will sign. If there was an accident, you should also keep a copy of the report and the act of what happened. If the client will pick up the car at the airport, he should give the number of the flight and the time when his plane will arrive in advance. He can give it by phone or by letter to e-mail. If these details are not known at the time of booking, the driver must give them at least one week before departure.

 

Fees for the services of economybookings.com

The rates depend on the selected vehicle class, rental period, country, city and other factors. You can see the prices after choosing where to pick up the car in the table with the list of offers. A deposit is taken from the client's credit card, which consists of the deductible and fuel and tax costs. This amount is needed for the company to get a guarantee that the customer can partially cover the damage to the car, if any. The amount of the deposit depends on which car was chosen. The company will unlock this amount when the vehicle is returned if the condition of the vehicle does not change after the rental. Excess is the maximum the company deducts from the deposit if the car was damaged or stolen during the rental.

Depending on the conditions put forward by this or that rental company EconomyBookings accepts prepayment in part or in full. If the prepayment is partial, the amount that remains to be paid to the rental company upon receipt of the car will be indicated on the voucher in the line "Payment upon arrival". If this field shows "0", it means that the customer has paid the rental in full and will only have to provide documents and a credit card upon pick-up. When returning the car, additional fees may be charged. So, some rental companies may ask for additional payment if the fuel level at the time of returning the car did not comply with the rules of fuel policy. There may also be an additional charge for returning a car with a dirty interior or body, which can make it difficult to check the car for damage. Of course, additional hours or days of rental will need to be paid if the driver brought the car in later.

If the car is rented for several drivers, you should familiarize yourself with the conditions of the rental company in this regard. In some cases, the rental price may include more than one driver. Other companies ask to pay extra for each additional driver when receiving the car. All of them should be present at the rental agreement and have their passports and driving licenses. There may also be additional fees in the rental agreement, including airport fees, winter travel fees, one-way rental, after-hours service, or border-crossing service. EconomiBookings will not refund the amount that was paid at the time of booking and is not responsible if the rental organization refuses to issue the car, in such cases:

Also, you cannot get a refund of the prepayment in these cases:

Economy class

This class includes the most affordable options. Their price varies depending on the selected country, city and model of the vehicle. The minimum cost of such a car can start at 1.5 thousand rubles (in Russia) or 3.5 thousand rubles (in the U.S.). The maximum you can give for such a car is 8-9 thousand rubles. You can also choose a compact class, which is represented by popular models of this type. Their price varies within the same limits as for the economy class.

Middle Class

This class is represented by popular passenger cars and parkettes, which are suitable for driving on light off-road. Such cars are more convenient than the economy class, but they also cost more. For example, in Moscow the cost of renting such a car can start from 2.5 thousand rubles.

Business class

There is no separate category for business class cars in the list. Comfortable cars of this type can be selected in the sections with standard, premium, special and luxury vehicles.

Image, Sports & Leisure

Every customer will be able to choose on the website economybookings.com cars to suit your needs. For this purpose, there are categories not only with economy and middle class cars, but also many other sections. So, there are groups of standard, premium, special, full-size, luxury, large-size. Each of them offers popular models of these classes. The most expensive cars are considered luxury and large-size cars, the price of which starts from 7-13 thousand rubles and reaches 35 thousand rubles.

 

How to rent a car on EconomyBookings

It is possible to rent a car on the company's website or through an application created for mobile gadgets. In both cases it will be easy to book a rental car, because the process of creating an application is very simple.

EconomyBooking's online rentals

By selecting the location of the car in the "Car rental" section, the client will be shown a list of the most popular cars offered for rent. By clicking on the button "Show more", you can go to a new page of searching for a suitable car. There will be such parameters as pick-up and return dates, rental company and car class. You can use the filter by price, pickup location, organization, rating, fuel policy, configuration, gearbox, and vehicle type. After that you can see the list of selected options. Each will include a photo of the car, name, class, number of seats, doors and size of luggage compartment, gearbox type, price per day, rental terms and fuel policy. In addition, there is a list of what is included in a particular bay rental. If free services will be offered, it will be mentioned.

After selecting a suitable car, the client should click on the "Book" button and follow further instructions. After the car is reserved, the operator of the company will contact the rental organization to confirm the request. When it will be received, EconomyBookings will send a voucher to the specified email within 1-48 hours. It will contain all necessary information prior to arrival at the rental location. When booking a vehicle less than 2 days before the rental, the voucher, which must be printed and presented when picking up the car, can be sent at the last minute, a maximum of 10 minutes before the car is picked up.

EconomyBookings does not guarantee a specific make and model of car. The car indicated on the voucher is the most common in the chosen class. It can be provided to the driver if it is available. In other cases, the customer will receive an equivalent replacement or a car of a higher class without extra charge. When picking up the car, the driver must present a valid passport ID, a credit card with the name and surname of the main driver, which are also on the voucher. It is possible to pay the rent through the site with a card in another name, but the card with the name of the main driver written on it is obligatory when receiving the car.

 

Additional services economybookings.com

There are several additional services on the site.

"Reservation Voucher."

The company offers the use of a "Reservation Voucher," which provides additional options for drivers who are unsure of their travel plans. This is a unique code applied to future bookings. It is equal to the amount deducted at the time of booking and is valid for 2 years. The voucher can be used for any rental location and car type. It can be used more than once if the amount exceeds the payment for the next booking.

"Full Protection."

Another additional service of the service is "Full Protection". It covers the deductible amount the driver must pay if the body, glass, tires, or other parts of the rental car are damaged. The rental price may include accident coverage provided by the rental company. It limits liability for the rental car to the deductible, the maximum the rental company charges if the vehicle has been damaged. The limit applies to windshields, locks, wheels, underbody, and keys. If the customer buys "Full Protection" along with the rental car, it will cover unforeseen expenses according to the local rental agreement. This option of insurance cannot cover damage that is sustained by the car due to drunk driving, fueling the wrong kind of fuel, traveling off-road, violations of laws or traffic laws, and other situations where the terms of the contract were not met. Also, damage to your car caused by a terrorist attack or natural disaster is not covered.

You can cancel the service no later than one day before the start of the rental in the "My Reservations" section. If the cancellation is made less than one day in advance, the cost of the service will not be refunded. Ordering "Full protection" does not cancel the security deposit. Upon receipt of the vehicle, the rental organization will still block the required amount on the credit card as a guarantee. To request a refund for this service, you must fill out a form in the appropriate section on the company's website. The request must be submitted within two weeks after the end of the rental. You must also attach these documents:

• rental agreement and a document that confirms the condition of the car at the time of its conclusion;
• confirmation of the withdrawal of funds from the credit card;
• A copy of your driver's license;
• Description of the insured event, including photos, if any;
• a document that confirms the duration of the trip;
• eyewitness testimony or a police report.

"Protection of Cancellation."

"Cancellation Protection" is a service that saves you from having to pay a penalty if you cancel your reservation before the rental begins. Penalties for cancellations are as follows:

If the cancellation is made before the start of the rental, the money will be refunded in full except for the price of the "Cancellation Protection" service. You can cancel the service itself within 24 hours of being added to the reservation.

 

How to pay for services on the EconomyBooking site

The service accepts credit cards Visa, Mastercard and American Express. When picking up the car, you also need to bring a credit card with a balance of at least the security deposit. It will be blocked until the car is returned from the rental.

Payment for services in the personal cabinet

Full or partial prepayment will be deducted after booking the car and logging into the account.

Other ways to pay for services

Full or partial prepayment is possible. No other methods are offered.

 

EconomyBooking bonuses

As such, the company does not offer bonuses.

Discounts

The company offers discounts on some auto options, which can range from 1 to 16%. No other bonuses or privileges are available.

 

Complaints about EconomyBookings

The company's website has many positive reviews of its work. But in app stores and on third-party sites you can find many complaints about the service. Although some of them are related to the fact that customers do not carefully study the terms and conditions before booking a car rental. Such complaints about situations where inattentiveness of drivers is to blame can include stories:

• About non-return of money in case of booking cancellation. There is information about penalties in such cases on the website.
• About refusing to use a debit card, not a credit card. There is information on the website that the card must be a credit card.
• About the long term return of the deposit. In this case nothing depends on EconomyBookings.
• About having to pay extra for damage that was already on the car. Sometimes rental company managers tell you not to mark minor scratches when you get the car. They may tell you that you have to pay for that damage when you get the car back. Every driver should know that when he rents a car, he should carefully examine even minor scratches and take pictures if necessary.
• About having to pay for a full tank. Every organization has its own fuel policy. So you have to study it and pour in as much fuel as you need according to this document. The same applies to dirt and garbage. You have to hand over the car only in a clean condition.

In the Play Market store, there are complaints about the fact that in the app you can't see past reservations without entering a search date. There is no way to select the type of engine in the app, which leaves customers dissatisfied. There are also complaints about the fact that some services were paid for, but in the end other services were received.

There are even more complaints on third-party sites. Many customers say that they were offered cheap options, but then it turned out that they were not available and a few hours before the rental the price of the reservation increased. There are other problems related to money.

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Regulatory agencies and laws

EconomyBookings is headquartered in Latvia. The company is registered as a legal entity (number 40103168996) and operates in accordance with international financial law and the laws of Latvia.

Economybookings.com User Agreement

The text of the user agreement can be found in the "Terms and Conditions" on economybookings.com. This document spells out the general conditions of the rental, data protection, details about the reservation, its cancellation and modification, payment and prices. Also included are the requirements for drivers, the nuances of receiving and returning the vehicle, information about the full protection and cancellation protection, discounts and promotions.

In addition, you can read the other provisions:

Customer Service

You can contact support by phone. Call-center numbers in different countries are listed in the "Contacts" section of the company's site. There is also the EconomiBookings address in the USA and Europe and a feedback form which allows you to ask a question of the service administration.

Site security

The site is protected by a generic SSL security certificate. Therefore, its visitors can not worry about the safety of their personal data.

 

Is EconomyBookings a scam?

EconomyBookings is an intermediary between rental organizations around the world and drivers who need to rent a car. The company cooperates with many suppliers of such services and offers more than 175 thousand cars in 20 thousand rentals in many countries on all continents. Although there are many positive reviews about the service on the company's website, you can find complaints about Economibookings' work on third-party sites. However, some of these comments are due to inattention of the drivers themselves. The administration asks to study the conditions of services before making a reservation for car rental to avoid later problems and disputes.

But there are also complaints related to service. Some customers could not wait for their cars or did not receive the additional options for which they had paid. Also, many people do not like the fact that they do not get a refund if they cancel their reservation, and there are fines for this. There are also cases where more money is charged than what was agreed upon or the terms of the reservation are changed. Affordable prices, multi-lingual call center with representatives from different countries, and a large selection of cars speak in favor of the company. But one cannot ignore the many negative complaints. Since the company is part of the SIA booking group holding, it is difficult to imagine that it could be a fraudulent scheme. Most likely, EconomyBookings is not a scam, but a broker that sometimes has problems with customers. The latter should be more careful when placing orders, and the company should indicate more conditions on the main page of the site.

 

Conclusion

EconomyBookins has long offered its services for car rentals in different countries around the world. For booking a car the website with a search through all the rental companies with which the intermediary cooperates, as well as a mobile application is offered. It is possible to make a request quickly and without any problems.

Many customers consider it an experienced broker with affordable prices and often turn to it to find the right car. But there are also those who are dissatisfied with the service, surcharges and other problems. If you have used Economibookings services, leave your comments on this page. Since the situation with the company is ambiguous, each review can help to understand whether it is a fraud scheme.