 Poster: A snowHead
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Hello, me and my son are driving up to Vatournenche from Milan Malpensa MXP on Friday 27 March. I've never had a problem getting a car rental with winter tyres on in the past, have usually used Sicily by Car and done just fine, bit more but not mad prices.
However, this time.... it is coming in at something ridiculous like 600 euro for a week, for a Jeep renegade or similar. A) that's mad and B) renegades are notoriously unreliable. Hertz and the like are even higher.
So does anyone have any recent (this season) experience of renting a vehicle with snow tyres from MXP, and not having to sell a child to pay for it?
I am risk averse/ ultra-sensible, having been caught out having to put chains on fwhile 6 months pregnant before... Not fun. I would want chains as well, although I know many hire companies just cannot see why you would need both tyres and chains, and will treat you like you're an idiot for even suggesting such a thing.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Sicily By Car for this weekend, Seat Leon Estate for 200 quid, think through Zest car rental (I didn't book it). Yet to see what add ons they try blagging
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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| robertsnerys wrote: |
| it is coming in at something ridiculous like 600 euro for a week, for a Jeep renegade or similar. |
I'm finding that's not so ridiculous any more, it's becoming the norm especially if you go fully insured. How much is taxi transfer there & back. Might not be much in it.
Whoever you go with at MXP, NEVER use Firefly.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Oh I would never use Firefly ever again, after a terrible experience in Barcelona. Bald tyres, sheer rudeness and a three hour wait to collect.
Guess we might be battling with chains in that case. Least I'm not pregnant this time!
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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| robertsnerys wrote: |
| Bald tyres, sheer rudeness |
Snap. Luckily it was height of summer and simply didn't notice the front tyres had about 1mm of tread and total baldness down to the metal in places on the insides. When I returned the car it was like it was my fault or something. Absolute cowboys, with apologies to cowboys everywhere.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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They were honestly so awful - probably the worst customer service I have ever experienced.
For anyone else reading this - Locauto at T2 has cars with snow tyres, and they are much cheaper than elsewhere. So I've booked with them. Better safe than sorry, eh?
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I was looking for rental cars from both MXP & LIN these last two seasons and usually found that chains were included, but winter tyres were an add on extra, so will put the price up. But are you likely to need them so late, wont chains do as the need for either might be remote?
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@robertsnerys, try next week, i've just hired with Sicily by car from Turin for 4 days, was quoting €350 until about 4 weeks before and then it dropped to €170 as above - Cupra leon estate with winter tyres. although that said you are now only 3 weeks away.....
turin and milan rates are normally similar. Para-olympics will be over by then I assume?
ahh its running into Easter, that your problem, demand will be higher
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Yea, that's it, running into easter but no other way. We are staying in a small village about 15 minutes from Valtournenche but are likely to be doing a lot of driving to and fro cervinia and valtournenche, and down aosta valley too, and the last time we went they had SO MUCH snow on the roads, and I was very glad of the tyres. If it's looking dry nearer the time I can cancel.
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@t44tomo, that's also a good idea. Will keep a watchful eye.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| Phantom Phil wrote: |
| How much is taxi transfer there & back. Might not be much in it. |
As a guide, I just booked an eight seater private transfer one way Malpensa to Cervinia for early April at a price of €360. A smaller car would therefore perhaps be around €300. But no good for the OP if they need daily local transport.
If I were hiring a car, I would definitely want winter tyres even in early April. I have done the trip at least half a dozen times at that time of year and at least twice the driver had to get out and fit snow chains, lying in the snow. I was very pleased to be sat inside in the warm. You would think they would have enough incentive to fit winter tyres, if only because of the time it would save them on journeys.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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I've always been astounded at the cost of transfers! Yeah, I like having a car to get around and am too lazy to plan and get ski buses.
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@robertsnerys, if you start adding up what's involved then I think it makes sense. Say you've got a 2hr transfer, that probably needs 5-6hrs of time for a driver (get to an airport, wait for arrival, drive the 2 hours and then drive back). Add in insurance, fuel, contribution to purchase/lease of the vehicle, cleaning, any tolls, general wear and tear/maintenance, possibly tax and then a margin as well.
Obviously a lot of that is spread to every booking and there's a chance that not all return journeys are empty, but you can't base your prices on that assumption.
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You know it makes sense.
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For anyone checking past threads for info on this issue… do not, repeat, do not book with Centauro at Malpensa. Not only did the promised winterised car not have winter tyres, it also did not have snow chains and the company had completely run out. I had to buy a pair for €70 with a promise of them paying me back (I’m not holding my breath). Totally unlawful renting them without chains or socks. Lesson learned, next time book far in advance and book winter tyres.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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| robertsnerys wrote: |
| For anyone checking past threads for info on this issue… do not, repeat, do not book with Centauro at Malpensa. Not only did the promised winterised car not have winter tyres, it also did not have snow chains and the company had completely run out. I had to buy a pair for €70 with a promise of them paying me back (I’m not holding my breath). Totally unlawful renting them without chains or socks. Lesson learned, next time book far in advance and book winter tyres. |
As mention upthread and elsewhere, I've always used Siciliy by Car for Italy rentals, usually very close to being the cheapest and they are reliable and "touch wood" never had an issue at pick up or drop off.
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Poster: A snowHead
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| t44tomo wrote: |
| As mention upthread and elsewhere, I've always used Sicily by Car for Italy rentals, usually very close to being the cheapest and they are reliable and "touch wood" never had an issue at pick up or drop off. |
Yes I've used Sicily by Car for a previous car rental (from Venice), very good price and service. "They're going to make you an offer you can't refuse". 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@robertsnerys, never considered the reliability of a hire car when booking. You never know what you will get anyway, just the category. I don't recall ever getting the car listed on booking when I get to car hire.
Last edited by Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person on Wed 8-04-26 16:31; edited 1 time in total
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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I have previously used SicilybyCar through auto-europe.co.uk from Venice. Twice in a row for early February.
Was cheaper than booking direct and always delivered quality vehicles. And winter tyres
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FAQ
