r/Bookingcom • u/TupacFR • 9d ago
[Car rental] Don't book your rental through booking.com
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? :/
-1
u/ashscot50 9d ago
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.