Economy Bookings Reviews

Economy Bookings
( 166 reviews )

Economy Bookings Review: Is it Legit?

Reviewopedia staff  -  Updated:  July 17, 2023

 

Economy Bookings is an online car rental platform that enables customers to find, compare, and book rental cars from various suppliers worldwide.

In this article, we'll take a look at Economy Bookings customer reviews, their services, and how they compare to similar companies.

How Does It Work?

Economy Bookings works with numerous car rental providers, including well-known brands such as Avis, Hertz, and Europcar, as well as smaller, local companies.

The company states that their service compares car rental offers in 20,000 airport and city locations in 180+ countries.

They go on to say that this wide range of options allows customers to choose the best car rental deal based on their preferences, budget, and travel requirements.

The booking process is relatively straightforward, as customers can filter their search results by factors such as car type, price range, and supplier.

Rental prices will be displayed up front before you choose to make your reservation.  

Economy Bookings also offers a mobile app for iOS and Android devices, making it convenient for customers to book and manage their car rentals on the go.

Refund Policy

When booking a car rental through EconomyBookings.com, it is essential to understand their refund and cancellation policies, as these can vary depending on the chosen car rental provider.

EconomyBookings.com's cancellation and refund policy can be summarized as follows:

For fully prepaid and partially prepaid bookings:

  • Cancel 48 hours or more before pick-up:  Refunded minus a €60 cancellation fee, unless prepayment is less than €60.
  • Cancel less than 48 hours before pick-up:  Refunded minus a €150 cancellation fee, unless prepayment is less than €150.
  • Cancel less than 24 hours before pick-up:  No refund provided.
  • No refunds provide for unused rental days.

Non-refundable cases include:

  • No prior cancellation notice.
  • Failure to pick up the car or provide necessary documentation.
  • Booking made less than 48 hours before rental starts.

Changes can be made at least 48 hours before rental starts and a fee of €18 applies, which can be waived with Cancel Protection.

Refund requests must be submitted in writing within 30 days from the drop-off date.

Cancellation requests should be emailed to [email protected] and refund requests must be submitted to [email protected].

In case of any doubts or queries, customers should contact Economy Bookings' customer support for clarification before confirming the reservation.

Customers can contact Economy Bookings by phone at (347) 897 9795 or by email at [email protected].

Customer Reviews & Complaints

On some ratings websites, Economy Bookings appears to have highly positive customer reviews.

However, a large portion of these reviews are often posted on a single day, which can indicate the company manages their reputation on these websites.

Elsewhere, Economy Bookings has mostly mixed customer reviews, with some very happy customers and other customers who have had negative experiences.

Some users have praised the platform for its user-friendly interface, affordable prices, and diverse selection of vehicles.

Others have had positive experiences with the company's customer service, citing their responsiveness and helpfulness in addressing concerns.

However, there have been some negative reviews and complaints as well.  These include:

  • Issues with hidden fees
  • Discrepancies between the price quoted during booking and the actual price charged
  • Difficulties obtaining refunds in certain situations
  • Reservations being subsequently canceled or no longer available after booking

According to the BBB, Booking Group Corporation Ltd. (the company behind EconomyBookings.com) has an 'F' rating and receives a rating of just 1.1/5 stars from 30 customer reviews.

The company has received 249 customer complaints in the last 3 years and 73 complaints in the last 12 months. 

However, these numbers should be considered in context with the very large number of customers that Economy Bookings serves.

Is Economy Bookings Legit?

Economy Bookings has been operating since 2008, and with millions of customers served, it can be considered a legitimate car rental platform.

The company operates in a very competitive industry where few competitors get high marks from customers.

Booking Group Corporation is headquartered in Latvia, but also has an office in New York.  Customers can find out more about the company at www.bookinggroup.com.

As with any online service, it's crucial to do your research, read reviews, and ensure that you understand the terms and conditions before making a booking.

Competitors and Alternatives?

Economy Bookings has an extensive network of car rental providers and offers competitive pricing, which allows customers to access a diverse range of options and potentially find lower prices than on other platforms.

Additionally, their mobile app can make the booking process convenient for users.

However, other car rental platforms like Expedia, Kayak, and Rentalcars.com also offer a wide selection of rental options and competitive pricing.

These platforms may have better-established reputations and more consistent customer reviews.

As such, it's essential to compare the options available on multiple platforms to find the best deal.

The Bottom Line

EconomyBookings.com offers a comprehensive car rental platform with an extensive range of options and competitive pricing.

While the service has received mixed reviews, it remains a legitimate option for those seeking to book a rental car.

To ensure a positive experience, customers should thoroughly research and compare Economy Bookings with other similar services, read the terms and conditions carefully, and be prepared to communicate with customer service in case of any issues.

If you have any experience with Economy Bookings or their services, please leave your reviews below.

Economy Bookings Customer Reviews

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Take ALL your money NO 100% refund cancelation.
June 18, 2025

No refund by cancelation. First they take a commission and when you want to collect the rest of your money they delete your booking so you can't even take the money out of the wallet.

Criminal organisation and by mailing no answer.

Awful customer service
June 13, 2025

Terrible customer service. Cannot get in touch with anyone that can help. They refund your money to a “wallet” on their website. Then you have to go thru the whole process again to get another refund from the “wallet” back to your original payment source.

Finally got a refund after more than a week of trying. Website says 100% refund if done more than 48hrs before booking. I got a partial refund, not a full refund and the reservation is more than a week in advance. Never again.

i had bad experience with this company
June 2, 2025

Worst costumer service ever, SCAM.

Don't do it offering fake insurance that doesn't cover you and bad refund policy's
May 23, 2025
Scam artist search engine company. DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH THEM. They keep your money with no remorse. They offer full insurance which doesn't imply in most countries and also working with company's that insurance that are charging double the price for standard country insurance. No replys from economy bookings for refund pretty quick to bank the 500 aussie . Pretty quick to set you up to fail with poor business techniques

EconomyBookings.comEB June 02, 2025

Hello Josh,

My name is Alex and I'm part of the Community Relations team at EconomyBookings. We sincerely regret any confusion or inconvenience regarding relating to your experience. We strive to provide clear information regarding additional services, such as insurance, during the booking process. It's important to verify with the rental company about their specific insurance requirements. It sounds frustrating, especially with the unexpected charges and delays. I understand that this situation fell short of your expectations. If you would like to discuss this further or seek assistance, please consider reaching out to our Customer Service or Help Center on our website.

Kind regards,

From your team @ EconomyBookings

Insurance coverage not Valid in Mexico
May 9, 2025

I went to Mexico. Service level at the rental agency was good. My experience is that, when I rented the car, I purchased insurance because I was driving in another country. Come to find out, Economy Bookings insurance is not valid, so I had to purchase a second insurance from the rental company.

Nowhere does it state on their contract that their insurance is not valid outside of the United States. And of course, no refund!!!

EconomyBookings.comEB May 29, 2025

Hello Steve,

My name is Alex and I'm part of the Community Relations team at EconomyBookings. We sincerely regret any confusion or inconvenience regarding relating to your experience. We strive to provide clear information regarding additional services, such as insurance, during the booking process. It's important to verify with the rental company about their specific insurance requirements. It sounds frustrating, especially with the unexpected charges and delays. I understand that this situation fell short of your expectations. If you would like to discuss this further or seek assistance, please consider reaching out to our Customer Service or Help Center on our website.

Kind regards,

From your team @ EconomyBookings

Don't give your money to these crooks.
May 2, 2025

I wish I had looked at this review site before renting a car and buying insurance coverage from EconomyBookings.com. I will never use them again. I changed my travel plans and called them to cancel the car booking almost a month before I was scheduled to pick up the car.

Although they say a full refund is granted if cancellation occurs at least 48 hours in advance, they DO NOT FULLY REFUND; They charge a huge service fee. Additionally, they do not refund the money to your credit card. Instead, they put it into a "Wallet," which is only accessible on their site, and the funds can only be used to rent another car through them.

Moreover, when I tried to cancel and get a refund for the full coverage insurance I paid for, they refer me to their website and cannot assist you in getting the refund. The upshot is that thay do not refund your insurance payment.

THEY SEEM TO ENGAGE IN CRIMINALLY FRAUDULENT PRACTICES for which the customer has no recourse. DON'T GIVE YOUR MONEY TO THESE CROOKS

EconomyBookings.comEB May 29, 2025

Hello Thom,

My name is Alex and I'm part of the Community Relations team at EconomyBookings. We apologize for any inconvenience you have experienced with using your E-Wallet or withdrawing your funds. To provide the personalized assistance necessary to resolve this swiftly, please contact our Help Center directly, including your account and booking details. Our team is ready to help clarify and expedite the solution.

Kind regards,

From your team @ EconomyBookings

dishonest company/don't do business
April 24, 2025

I paid in full for a rental with the necessary insurance to drive in Panama. Be very careful of their 'no show' policy. It doesn't really matter whether you showed up or not. If for any reason that you don't pick up the care, you're considered a 'no show'.

Trust me. That's anybody who isn't happy with their reservation. But I did show and I presented all necessary documentation to prove that I was a legal driver and that I was the person to rent a car that is fully paid. The agency then refused to rent me their car and I had to leave and go elsewhere.

And the reason that they refused to rent me their car is that they claimed the insurance package that Economy Bookings sell isn't honored by them. I rented for 26 days and Economy Bookings won't even take give me 24 days back after taking out the 48 hour cancellation notice penalty.

These people are crooked.

EconomyBookings.comEB May 29, 2025

Hello,

My name is Alex and I'm part of the Community Relations team at EconomyBookings. We deeply regret any misunderstanding or inconvenience caused by Terms and Conditions regarding cancellation policy. To ensure clarity and fully address your concerns, we kindly ask you to reach out directly our Customer Service or Help Center on our website with your booking reference. Our team will review your situation thoroughly and assist you accordingly.

Respectfully,

From your team @ EconomyBookings

Horrible
January 14, 2025

HORRIBLE

I booked a car in Milan. When I got there no answered the phone number I was given to get my car. After 2 hours of trying I gave up and rented from another company at 5 times the cost. Economy Booking has refused to be responsible for the increased cost, despite the fact that they failed to provide what I contracted with them for. They are very polite as they are stealing your money

SteveCarrasco May 09, 2025

Their insurance is not valid in Mexico, so don't buy it. Better to buy insurance in Mexico at rental office.

EconomyBookings.comEB May 29, 2025

Hello,

My name is Alex and I'm part of the Community Relations team at EconomyBookings. We sincerely regret any confusion or inconvenience regarding relating to your experience. We strive to provide clear information regarding additional services, such as insurance, during the booking process. It's important to verify with the rental company about their specific insurance requirements. It sounds frustrating, especially with the unexpected charges and delays. I understand that this situation fell short of your expectations. If you would like to discuss this further or seek assistance, please consider reaching out to our Customer Service or Help Center on our website.

Kind regards,

From your team @ EconomyBookings

Inflexible policies, Go book using sharing apps
December 22, 2024

Economy promises a lot and delivers little. They coerce with cheaper prices, and then hide behind T&C with 0 flexibility when extenuating circumstances arise.

I had a car rental completely prepaid in advance. Before the rental, my credit card used for this got stolen. The car rental company denied my rental, even though it was prepaid, and they told me to get the refund through Economy because it is a 3rd party rental. Economy had no sympathy for a stolen card, and simply brushed everything off as Legal under their T&C. Useless company, can't even help with anything else. Go use ride share apps for a better and more flexible experience.

EconomyBookings.comEB May 29, 2025

Hello,

My name is Alex and I'm part of the Community Relations team at EconomyBookings. I’m sorry to hear about the issue with the credit card at the rental desk—it’s understandable how inconvenient that must have been. Rental companies do require a physical credit card in the main driver’s name to be presented at the desk, and this information is typically shared during the booking process. We deeply regret any misunderstanding or inconvenience caused by incorrect information provided at the rental location regarding our policy. If there was any misunderstanding, we truly regret the confusion. To help us look into this further, please reach out to our Customer Service or Help Center on our website, making sure to include your booking number and a brief summary of what happened. We're committed to resolving this as swiftly as we can.

King Regards,

From your team @ EconomyBookings

full coverage scam
December 3, 2024

This company offers insurance called full coverage. This is a scam. When you submit a claim do not expect anything from this fraudulent company. They are located in Latvia out of our judicial boundary. I recommend buying insurance in civilized country instead of being scammed by Con artists.

RobertDunbar May 03, 2025

I'm having a similar bad experience. I filed a full coverage claim on March 7, 2025, with all supporting documentation, except for the final invoice for the car repair, which Snap Car Rentals provided a couple of weeks later.

I uploaded that and there's been no response. I've sent emails to every email address I can find on their web site, tried calling their phone number, which is an automated answering machine with circular menu trees, and no apparent way to speak to a representative.

I've decided to start a Small Claims Case against them, the first step being to send a "demand" letter. I sent it via certified mail to their Valley Cottage, NY address, shown under the Contacts page of their website. The letter was returned, the business is no longer at that address and there's no forwarding address.

Do NOT use EconomyBookings.com, and NEVER buy their Full Coverage insurance.

EconomyBookings.comEB May 29, 2025

Hello Robert,

My name is Alex and I'm part of the Community Relations team at EconomyBookings. We sincerely apologize for the delay and any frustration caused by the processing time of your claim. To expedite and clarify status of your complain, please contact us directly via Help Center on our platform, providing your booking details. We remain dedicated to resolving this promptly for you.

Warm regards,

From your team @ EconomyBookings

Pretty much a shady company with no refunds
November 3, 2024
I would say this company is pretty much a scam. If you make a reservation and cancel it turns out you don't get your money back. THat's unheard with legitimate rental car companies. They have a shady policy of giving you an E-Wallet credit towards a car rental in the future. The whole scheme is complex and is run by a Russian guy out of Riga, Latvia. That's enough to clue you in to run away from this company. My advice- stick to Expedia, Priceline and Orbitz if you want to rent a car.

EconomyBookings.comEB May 29, 2025

Hello Dave,

My name is Alex and I'm part of the Community Relations team at EconomyBookings. We apologize for any inconvenience you have experienced with using your E-Wallet or withdrawing your funds. To provide the personalized assistance necessary to resolve this swiftly, please contact our Help Center directly, including your account and booking details. Our team is ready to help clarify and expedite the solution.

Kind regards,

From your team @ EconomyBookings

Not to be trusted and dont bother with insurance.
October 22, 2024

My au pair used them and they looked for reasons to not repay her auto claim. (she hit a deer)

So she paid a ton for insurance that isnt useable. Also they make you repay it first and you have to hope they repay you.

EconomyBookings.comEB May 29, 2025

Hello Jeremiah,

My name is Alex and I'm part of the Community Relations team at EconomyBookings. We sincerely regret any confusion or inconvenience regarding relating to your experience. We strive to provide clear information regarding additional services, such as insurance, during the booking process. It's important to verify with the rental company about their specific insurance requirements. It sounds frustrating, especially with the unexpected charges and delays. I understand that this situation fell short of your expectations. If you would like to discuss this further or seek assistance, please consider reaching out to our Customer Service or Help Center on our website.

Kind regards,

From your team @ EconomyBookings

Do not rent a car with this company
October 14, 2024
I made a reservation for a rental car through Economy Bookings and paid for the insurance cover. The voucher assured me that there would be no additional charges upon arrival for the rental. However, upon reaching the rental location, a representative from Renta Florida Cars informed me that I needed to pay a nonrefundable $1009 for car insurance along with a $300 deposit. The representative also mistakenly assumed I was a tourist and attempted to sell me tours. Feeling deceived, I decided to leave. Upon contacting Economy Booking to address the situation, I encountered a very rude and unprofessional woman who placed the blame on me for not calling the rental car company in advance. When I requested to speak with a superior, she abruptly ended the call. I strongly caution against using Economy Booking and Renta Florida Cars.

EconomyBookings.comEB May 29, 2025

Hello Ninoska,

My name is Alex and I'm part of the Community Relations team at EconomyBookings. We sincerely regret any confusion or inconvenience regarding relating to your experience. We strive to provide clear information regarding additional services, such as insurance, during the booking process. It's important to verify with the rental company about their specific insurance requirements. It sounds frustrating, especially with the unexpected charges and delays. I understand that this situation fell short of your expectations. If you would like to discuss this further or seek assistance, please consider reaching out to our Customer Service or Help Center on our website.

Kind regards,

From your team @ EconomyBookings

Economy Bookings scammed me out of more than 560 GB pounds
October 4, 2024
Economy Bookings confirmed up to the day before my flight to Stansted Airport that my pre-paid car rental booking was valid and confirmed. Arriving at the Europcar desk at the correct time and date to pick up my vehicle, I was told that Economy Bookings had tried to put three different bookings into the Europcar system, whereby none of them used a correct Europcar voucher number. Together with a Europcar representative, we called the Economy Bookings helpline, who basically said they could not correct their mistake and I would have to apply for a refund . On top of having to book a new car with Europcar at considerably more cost, Economy Bookings reviewed my refund claim and decided that I was a no show, for which there is no reimbursement. This, in spite of an email kindly written and sent to me by a Europcar representative at the time and date that I was at their desk, confirming in writing what had happened. As such I am seriously out of pocket. This company may be legally legitimate, which will be of help in reclaiming my money through other means, however it is obviously operating a SCAM on its customers. As such I can only recommend to stay well clear from booking anything through Economy Bookings.

EconomyBookings.comEB May 29, 2025

Hello Martin,

My name is Alex and I'm part of the Community Relations team at EconomyBookings. Unfortunately, we could not locate your booking or complaint based on the information provided. To ensure we can assist you accurately, please reach out to us directly via Help Center on our website with your booking reference or further identification details, so our Support Department will get with you in touch. We are committed to addressing legitimate concerns promptly.

Best regards,

From your team @ EconomyBookings

Renters Beware
September 22, 2024

On Sunday, September 8, 2024, I arrived at Orlando International Airport and caught the shuttle to the rent a car site. The site is an out of the way rental office and I didn't see any cars on the lot to rent.

When I arrived to pick up my reserved rental car, I had all the required documentation. The representative stated that he could not rent me the car because he could not accept my renewed Virginia driver's license paperwork, along with my pictured driver's license.

He refused to rent me a car or refund me my deposit. I contacted Economy Booking and the company states they have the right not to refund the deposit or rent the car for a "No Show" if the documentation doesn't meet their requirement.

I requested an explanation for why the company would not accept my driver's license and they refuse to give me an answer or my refund. I had to file a disputed charge with my credit card company to receive my deposit.

Also, beware that the company charges you $10 dollars a day if you use your own insurance and there are a host of other charges, they will hit you with when you arrive at the rent a car site. In my opinion, this is not a credible rent a car company and I will never book another reservation with them.

I gave it one star because I had to give it a star rating in order to have it posted. The company doesn't deserve any stars.

EconomyBookings.comEB May 29, 2025

Hello,

My name is Alex and I am part of the Community Relations team at EconomyBookings. After reviewing the case, a resolution has already been provided. Unfortunately, based on the Terms and Conditions accepted at the time of booking, a refund cannot be issued in this situation as it was stated ''Only physical driving license accepted, Driving experience of at least 1 year, If using an international license/permit, a full driving license in the principal drivers name will still be mandatory in order to rent the vehicle.'' Temporary, paper license, photo of the license is not accepted, only mandatory, physical one and should be translated to English.

For any further questions or if you wish to clarify your case in more detail, we kindly encourage you to contact our Customer Support Team directly at our website.

Kind regards,

From your team @ EconomyBookings

SCAM, Fraud!
September 9, 2024

SCAM, Fraud! Beware!

EconomyBookings.comEB May 29, 2025

Hello,

My name is Alex and I'm part of the Community Relations team at EconomyBookings. We are genuinely sorry to hear about your experience and would like to investigate your concerns immediately. We take feedback seriously and aim to resolve such issues with transparency and urgency. To allow us to thoroughly assist you and address your specific concerns, please contact our Customer Service directly through Help Center at our website, referencing your booking details.

Respectfully,

From your team @ EconomyBookings

Scam Scam Scam
August 30, 2024

Just TRY and get your refund when you’re completely 100% eligible. just look at the ridiculous number of maneuvers they hv created!! . They want you to trip up because their system will lock you out with “too many Attempts” and Even worse, they purposely make your registration fail via email link .. when you call for an over the phone desperate help with the refund, they have the script memorized!! “ We cannot issue a refund over the phone . You have to do that on our website.”…Again, their website “crashes you” on purpose.

Cancelations are not free
August 25, 2024

Every page declares that cancelations up to 1 hour before pick-up are free. THEY ARE NOT. Economy Bookings charged me approx. $80 to cancel.

To add insult to injury, the customer service rep repeatedly asked me why I didn't read the fine print!

Stay away from Economy Bookings
August 22, 2024
Rented a car on Economy Booking for Costa Rica for May 2024 and then cancelled as our plans/dates changed. Despite advertising as free cancellation they don't refund your money but instead give you a credit - you are now locked in. Because of this we rented a second vehicle with new dates to use the credit. We arrived in Costa Rica and the rental was not at the airport as advertised but a 15 minute drive away. A shuttle was provided after about a 45 minute wait - not particularly happy about that. Arrived at car rental location to find out that the rental through Nu Car Rentals had been subcontracted to a local company - not particularly happy with that. Despite paying for "Full coverage" through Economy Booking I was told that Costa Rica insurance laws are different resulting in additional charges otherwise we have no rental car and are stranded in Cost Rica. Car rental and return was fine and I kind of wish I had just booked through the local company in the first place. If the price is too good to be true, it is LOL. Will never use Economy Booking again due to deceptive advertising and practices.

They took 1000 EUR from me and I did not get a car
August 20, 2024
Avoid Ecoonomy Bookings they are useless and made me loose 1000 Eur because the name on my credit card was not the name of the driver. Avoid this kind of agents, go direct to the rental car companies, these are just stealing your money and provide no service, except false claims that you get the car cheaper. The only reason to use an intermediary is when they facilitate the deal or when you get a better price, but Economy Bookings make things complicated so that they have a chance to keep your money and give nothing in exchange