Car Hire Options in Spain

srisport

Moto2 wrote: »

Have you looked at (reviews etc.) of Costa Blanca Transfers yet?

or am I merely talking to myself?

Sorry, i am in the process of filling in their application for a car hire.

I am yet to read any reviews apart from the few which they list on their website.

thank you for your suggestion though

snowcat75

srisport wrote: »

You pretty much sum up everything that i have found since starting this thread, thank you for you input - much appreciated



Thanks for your help, I've decided that in the long run - going for a full-full will be hassle free



I think your advise is sensible and on this occasion will follow it until i feel comfortable taking a risk with cheaper options.


Do the likes of Hertz still put a hefty charge for damage excess on my credit card?

Are they as high as these cheaper hire companies? (€950.00 - €1200 euros)

Iv always had hire company's take a charge against a card, If your limited Credit its always best to do this on a separate card often the "fenced" funds will take a couple of weeks to go.

srisport

snowcat75 wrote: »

Iv always had hire company's take a charge against a card, If your limited Credit its always best to do this on a separate card often the "fenced" funds will take a couple of weeks to go.

yeah thought so, I've just spoke with halifax to increase my limit so i can ensure i have enough credit available if i need it, but i certainly don't plan to use unless i have too.

my hunt for a hire car continues but thanks to everyone who have posted their suggestions, has certainly confirmed most things i had already read and in some cases stopped me from making some mistakes.


Kind Regards.

zagfles

A couple of things to watch out for hiring cars in Spain:

Check the policy to see if there are exclusions for "negligence". Most accidents are the result of someone's "negligence", see http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/730979/On-the-case-Car-insurance-claims-Athens-taxi-scams-and-Calais-restaurants.html (this was in Portugal but Spain has similar rules I think).

Watch out for hire companies which advertise "zero excess", but then exclude claims for damage to half the car in the small print, eg the tyres, windscreen, roof, underside, keys, interior etc.

ic

I always book through Holiday Autos. They allow free cancellation up to 24 hrs before the holiday. Prices sometimes only go up, but sometimes they will drop three weeks before or even just days before the time I want to hire - I guess its all about availability and how busy they are.

Recently I hired a 500L for £70 from Alicante on full-to-full for a week from FireFly at Alicante. I have an annual policy for excess insurance.

I have gone with the partial refund fuel before - they might charge £70, but only refund £50, allowing £20 for their "fee for the service".

Goldcar at Alicante always have enormous queues and I avoid like the plague - you might be waiting 60 to 90 minutes to be served. Firefly had me waiting no more than ten minutes last time.

Lastly, when at the desk, make sure you pay for any additional fees you opt into in Euros assuming your card is good for foreign transactions. All the companies are good at hiding the fact they're charging you in GBP, even though most entries show euros.

anne0411

So I just had a quote for Costa brava cars 3 mths in advance for sept 16 - over 400€!

srisport

ic wrote: »

I always book through Holiday Autos. They allow free cancellation up to 24 hrs before the holiday. .....

Recently I hired a 500L for £70 from Alicante on full-to-full for a week from FireFly at Alicante. I have an annual policy for excess insurance.

I have gone with the partial refund fuel before - they might charge £70, but only refund £50, allowing £20 for their "fee for the service".

Goldcar at Alicante always have enormous queues and I avoid like the plague - you might be waiting 60 to 90 minutes to be served. Firefly had me waiting no more than ten minutes last time.

Lastly, when at the desk, make sure you pay for any additional fees you opt into in Euros assuming your card is good for foreign transactions. All the companies are good at hiding the fact they're charging you in GBP, even though most entries show euros.

thank you for your reply,

so you recommend full-full fuel policy?

I am aware of gold car now so will be sure to avoid them at all costs.
I have always paid in euros with my halifax clarity credit card.

srisport

zagfles wrote: »

A couple of things to watch out for hiring cars in Spain:

Check the policy to see if there are exclusions for "negligence". Most accidents are the result of someone's "negligence", see http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/730979/On-the-case-Car-insurance-claims-Athens-taxi-scams-and-Calais-restaurants.html (this was in Portugal but Spain has similar rules I think).

Watch out for hire companies which advertise "zero excess", but then exclude claims for damage to half the car in the small print, eg the tyres, windscreen, roof, underside, keys, interior etc.

thank you for your advice, i will keep an eye out for these scams. i am a big believe of the phrase " if it sounds to good to be true, then it is" so always ask questions when things do indeed sound to good to be true.

So I just had a quote for Costa brava cars 3 mths in advance for sept 16 - over 400€!

Yeah my quote wasn't far off what you received for a week at the beginning of August on a small economy car.

srisport

ic wrote: »

Recently I hired a 500L for £70 from Alicante on full-to-full for a week from FireFly at Alicante. I have an annual policy for excess insurance.

can you remember the insurance excess total cost they reserved on your credit card?

Ive read in the T&C that it could be as much as £2500 :shocked:

benjus

My usual approach is to book with a site that allows free cancellation, then look for cheaper prices from time to time until the booking.

If the airline you're flying with has car hire deals it's work having a look - this was the cheapest option last time I hired a car.