Car hire firms told to end discrimination
Car hire firms have been warned they are breaking EU rules by charging drivers different prices depending on where they live.
The European Commission has found that prices vary enormously for motorists picking up the same model of vehicle from the same location and from the same car hire company.
It claimed that in some cases motorists could be charged double the price paid by motorists who booked from another country.
A spokesman for the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association told the BBC it was working with its members to ensure they complied with the European Commission.
The EC first raised concerns in 2011, and recently wrote to six international car rental companies, telling them to review their pricing policies.
It said that it had received an ‘unsatisfactory’ reply from three companies – Europcar, Hertz and Avis, said the BBC. Consequently, it has made the letter public this week and has requested these companies conduct a full review by the end of the month.
Hertz said it was ‘very surprised’ by the EU’s press statement after informing the Commission that it ‘fully complies with its obligation not to discriminate against customers’.
It added: "Hertz has since learnt that the Commission had only objected to the four to six week time it would take to make its voluntary improvements to its websites in order to further enhance the ability of customers to shop around for the best deal.
"Hertz is disappointed that the Commission has made an unjustified objection against it and will aim to meet with the Commission in early September to demonstrate its full compliance with its obligations."
Avis said it was, "to the very best of our knowledge… compliant with the relevant provisions of the Services Directive governing our industry.
"We have responded to all communications from the director general Internal Market and Services and twice invited him to discuss this further so that we can understand these allegations in greater detail. We are awaiting further information from the director general."
The Commission said that some companies were keeping to the non-discrimination principle, but it was not fully applied throughout the sector
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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