Originally Posted by giblet

I need to rent a minivan or 7-seating (to seat six people) in Milan in May, and I'm feeling totally overwhelmed by the options (and lack thereof). The international companies I am familiar with are twice the price of the Italian companies but I don't know if the Italian companies are "safe". I've read so many horror stories about people getting huge bills after returning their car. I'm also concerned that I will pay for a minivan and then they will not have one when I arrive.

My flight arrives at 11:15 p.m. on April 30th, which I assume is too late to rent at MXP. So I'm thinking of overnighting near MXP or in Milan, and picking up a car on May 1st and returning on May 5th or 6th (I fly out of MXP on the 6th but will stay in Milan on the 5th so could rent and return in either location).

I've found rentals of Peugeot 5008 (5+2 seats) at both the Avis and Budget near the Central Train Station for around $900, but the reviews on Google of both of these places are really bad.

If anyone has any suggestions or hand-holding, I'd appreciate it. I'm trying to keep the cost under $1000 and am planning on renting without additional insurance using the Chase Sapphire Reserve coverage and Italy includes basic coverage by default. Is this stupid? Any other tips for finding a people carrier/minivan?

Also, could an 11:15 p.m. arrival conceivably rent a car at MXP? I think I'm Terminal 2 (easyjet) so it seems unlikely they will both have a minivan and be open).