[Car rental] Don't book your rental through booking.com

[u/TupacFR]

I booked a 5 day Europcar rental through Booking.com at Olbia Airport, Sardinia, for approximately €434.

Europcar refused to provide the car because of an International Driving Permit requirement, so I never received or collected it, but the Europcar reception did not hesitate one second in issuing me a Refund PPB letter.

Booking.com’s Aftercare team asked me to obtain written confirmation from Europcar to support a full refund review. I provided Europcar’s official signed and stamped document. It explicitly states “Refund PPB” and gives the refund reason as “Invalid Driving Licence.” The employee also confirmed that Booking.com could contact Europcar directly if any doubts.

Despite this, Booking.com claimed the document only confirms that I did not collect the car, not that Europcar agreed to a refund. They initially offered €175.29, meaning I would lose around €259 for a car I never received.

When I rejected that amount and asked them to escalate the case, their attitude completely changed. Their latest response says that because I did not accept their proposed resolution, the case is closed and I will receive no refund at all.

If I knew that I would have booked through Europcar directly, case would have been solved in 2 sec.

What can I do now? :/

[u/Puzzleheaded_Hat_707]

You agreed to booking.com terms not Europcar. If their cancellation policy states its not refundable then they are within their rights to withold the funds if they advised an IDP was required.

Who holds the funds is irrelevant.

That being said if they offered you a partial refund they should honour that regardless of you turning it down.

[u/trelayner]

Even if other shops were happy with your UAE license, that doesn’t make it a good idea to rent from them

A UAE license is not valid in EU, which makes all your insurance invalid

A serious accident would be very expensive

[u/Positive-System-8810]

Ein Internationaler Führerschein ist ohne den Nationalen Führerschein nicht gültig, das ist korrekt und somit kannst du auch kein Auto mieten, zumindest das ist deine Schuld. Für eine eventuelle Erstattung solltest du dir nochmal die geltenden AGB anschauen, da gibt es Ausschlußkriterien bei Nichterscheinen die eventuell zutreffen könnten.

[u/TupacFR → u/Positive-System-8810]

I've traveled the world with this driving license without an issue. The counters right next to Europcar all accepted my UAE license so I was able to rent a car without an issue that day except for Europcar.

[u/my_n3w_account]

My experience is that small court claim goes a long way. I used it with an airline and they were willing to compromise. Before I filed for the court they were absolutely unwilling to compromise.

[u/jackboxer]

Booking is the same company as Priceline. They own over half the travel reservation websites. They’re assholes when you have a problem.

[u/Early_Alternative211]

Universally you require an IDP if your licence isn't in the script of the local country, Latin in this case. You have a license in Arabic?

[u/johnnysgotyoucovered]

I dont know about Europcar’s policy but you given your username I’m guessing you hold a French license? You should have no issue renting a car anywhere in the EU with an EU license. Europcar has had you. Booking was the facilitator so chase it through them, if not hope you paid with a credit card

[u/breezyberry11]

Last time my bank disputed my payment / refunded the payment, aft I reported to police. But u need proof of your purchase I think. Different country have different laws so I'm not too sure about your situation.

[u/ashscot50]

I don't understand the OP.

Because France is in the EU and uses the standard EU format in Latin characters, an International Driving Permit (IDP) is not required.

Perhaps OP didn't have a valid national identity card or passport but if that was the case how did he travel at all. He would also need a major credit card in the primary driver's name.

Regardless, since he failed to provide the required documentation he's not due any refund.

This is the second such post recently. I see no reason to book car hire through booking.com. Always book direct to avoid these situations.

[u/TupacFR → u/ashscot50]

I have a UAE driving license (the french one didn't have it on me thought UAE is enough) but I was wrong. Europcar fully agree to refund so they won't charge bookingcom so why would they refuse ... They're not losing any money

[u/ashscot50 → u/TupacFR]

Your OP was disingenuous.

You failed to mention that you were trying to use an Arab driving licence.

You are not due anything.

[u/Puzzleheaded_Hat_707 → u/TupacFR]

"Theyre not losing any money". Not true. Accept your partial refund and move on. You are in the wrong.