Had an internet booking (confirmed reservation guaranteed by credit card) for a full-size car (eg Holden Commodore, Toyota Aurion, Ford Falcon) with Europcar last month from Airlie Beach Queensland.

When we got there, guess what? No full-size car. "You can have a car two sizes smaller - a Hyundai Elantra". No offer of a larger one, which is what I would normally expect. The full-size was critical for us because we had 4 cases, plus carry-ons.

I guess you can't insist on being given a car if they don't actually have it, but what are the renter's rights to compensation/assistance in that situation?

In the end we cancelled the booking and went down the road to Avis, who fortunately did have a large enough car. In this case we got lucky, but I don't see it as fair to renters that they can guarantee a booking for a particular size car then renege.