Car Rental with Smile Rent: All you need to know about the Smile Rent Experience

Smile Rent’s innovative style of self-service car hire marks a move away from the more traditional methods of renting a vehicle. To start with, you’ll need to download the Smile Rent app from the App Store (iPhone) and Google Play (Android) and then register your details to complete the booking process and pick up your car rental with Smile rent. This will require the driver to provide their ID or Passport and driving licence details in order for Smile Rent to conduct an online check.

Once registered, you’ll be able to link the reservation to your profile by searching for it via the Smile Rent app in the Find My Booking section.

Auto Europe is sure that you will fully appreciate this new and exciting car rental experience, which avoids long waits at car hire counters. When you arrive at your destination, the shuttle bus will take you straight to the car park in about ten minutes and once there, all you’ll need to do is open the car with the app and get going. It’s as simple as that!

Smile Rent Car Rental in Italy

Smile Rent represents a new concept of car hire in Italy. Part of the Avis Budget Group, this low-cost and entirely self-service operation is tailored to the demands of budget-conscious, tech-savvy travellers in Italy.

Initially available in Rome (Fiumicino Leonardo de Vinci Airport) and Milan (Malpensa Airport), Smile Rent will soon be available at all of Italy’s main airports and railway stations. Avoiding the need to wait in any car hire queues, which can take up to two or three hours in high season, Smile Rent customers can process rentals on their mobile devices, thus completely bypassing busy reception desks.

A regular shuttle bus will transport you speedily from the airport arrivals hall to the car park where vehicles are parked in dedicated spaces. The car is simply unlocked via the Smile Rent app and you’ll find the keys inside the vehicle.

Important information in order to pick up the car

The first thing to do is download the Smile Rent app from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android) & register in order to skip the queues and head straight to the car park, details of which will be sent once the booking is confirmed.

You’ll never have to stand in line to reach the counter because with the Smile Rent app you only need to open the car door and start driving! How could anything be easier than that?!

Whether you are renting a car for business or leisure, a car rental with Smile Rent is the ideal choice for all your independent travel requirements. It will certainly change the way you travel, because renting a car has never been so easy or affordable.

Self-service FAQs

What happens if I don’t manage to download the app?

Failure to do this prior to arrival will cause delays as the rental agreement will have to be processed manually. Its recommended that you pre-register at least 48 hours before you arrive.

Which documents will I need to have with me at the time of rental?

You’ll need to have your driving licence, ID card, payment card and a digital copy of your booking. If you do not reside in an EU country, you will also need to bring your passport in place of the ID card. Once your documents are all verified, Smile Rent will not be asking you to show them again in order to access their services.

Where will I find Smile Rent at the airport?

You’ll get to them via the airport shuttle service.

At Rome Fiumicino Airport, follow the airport shuttle signs and take the one for the P2 car park (zones 2-3 in the long-stay car park). At Milan Malpensa Airport: exit T1 and take the shuttle bus in the "Staff" Parking Area.

Where will I find my car?

Open the app and use the map for the location details of your Smile Rent car.

Where will I find the keys?

When you reach your car, tap the unlock button on the app. The doors will unlock and you’ll find the keys inside the glove compartment.

Which credit cards are accepted for the security deposit?

You need a credit or debit card to rent a car with Smile Rent. Prepaid or ATM cards are not accepted, only Mastercard, Visa or American Express.

How does the fuel policy work?

You must bring the vehicle back with the same amount of fuel that was in the vehicle at the time of pick-up. Please note that the Smile Rent app is synchronised with your vehicle and can measure the exact amount of fuel inside the tank at any given moment.

If you would like the Smile Rent team to refuel the vehicle for you, you can opt for our refuelling service. This costs 30 euros plus an additional charge for the fuel missing in the tank at the time of drop-off, which is measured against the fuel level at the time of pick-up. Please note that fuel prices are fixed in accordance with the EU fuel index.

Smile Rent will charge you for the amount of fuel missing in the tank when the vehicle is returned compared with the fuel tank level at the time of pick-up, with a tolerance of up to 1 litre.

Where should I leave the keys when dropping off the vehicle?

At the end of your rental, please remember to leave the keys inside the glove compartment (where you found them) and then lock the vehicle using the app to end the rental period.