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While major rental agencies like National, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Avis Rent A Car, and Hertz say that they'll locate a car or upgrade you at no charge if the model you reserved isn't available, no contract binds them to it. If they run out, you could be on your own. Exceptions: Hertz, who now issues a special guarantee that your car will be there ($100 hold placed on your credit card); and Travelocity.
Reserve as far in advance as possible. Car rentals, much like airline ticket prices, work on a yield-management model, where decreas–ing availability increases prices. Walk-up prices can be as much as 30 percent higher than reserved prices.
Avis renters can order a complimentary 32-page driving guide to Europe (800/698-5674; order 21 days prior to departure).
For around $13, you can subscribe to the European Speed Camera Database (scdb.info), which provides plug-ins to navigation systems (like TomTom and Magellan). It will warn you of speed traps.
Worried about the environment, and spending extra money on fuel? Compare the miles per gallon and carbon emissions for cars at Fueleconomy.gov
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