Car hire in spain
Discussion
For the first time in nearly 20 years, I am going on holiday abroad! Yay!
Going to be flying into Malaga airport and will need to hire a car for the week. Reading some of the older threads on here it seems that there are a multitude of ways to be tripped-up with extra charges, unnecessary insurances or overpriced extras.
So what should i be looking out for? What is worth the money, and what is a waste of time? Is an excess waiver important?
Going to be flying into Malaga airport and will need to hire a car for the week. Reading some of the older threads on here it seems that there are a multitude of ways to be tripped-up with extra charges, unnecessary insurances or overpriced extras.
So what should i be looking out for? What is worth the money, and what is a waste of time? Is an excess waiver important?
In the past I always used Malagacar, they tend to have a pretty new fleet and a good range, although more expensive than some of the others.
Go for the full pack, absolutely everything is covered, no questions.
A couple of years ago someone hit the hirecar outside of our house, it was immediately exchanged, with just one signature on the document for the new car.
The only thing they sometimes check is that it's returned with roughly the same amount of fuel as when you collect, but it was never an issue.
Go for the full pack, absolutely everything is covered, no questions.
A couple of years ago someone hit the hirecar outside of our house, it was immediately exchanged, with just one signature on the document for the new car.
The only thing they sometimes check is that it's returned with roughly the same amount of fuel as when you collect, but it was never an issue.
It's a shame they don't operate like the ones in the Canaries which are quicker, cheaper and offer a quick pick up and drop off, zero cr*p.
Meanwhile, on the mainland, you get the talk, the upgraded insurance chat, the otherwise huge loading on your credit card etc etc and it's still expensive.
I just booked one through Booking com using their scheme that gives you a discount so it was £61 including their excess insurance for 3 days. I'll still have to have my credit card loaded and endure their upsell probably and get treated like a second class citizen when I decline. Check the reviews on Trustpilot for whoever you look at ( see below).
For the full fat no tricks but more to pay, Marbenjo and All In car Hire have been good in the past at Malaga.
I've booked Wiber for my trip in a week or so. Having previously used them in Mallorca and had a rubbish experience, the positive Trustpilot reviews have persuaded me to give them another go. I'll let you know.
Meanwhile, on the mainland, you get the talk, the upgraded insurance chat, the otherwise huge loading on your credit card etc etc and it's still expensive.
I just booked one through Booking com using their scheme that gives you a discount so it was £61 including their excess insurance for 3 days. I'll still have to have my credit card loaded and endure their upsell probably and get treated like a second class citizen when I decline. Check the reviews on Trustpilot for whoever you look at ( see below).
For the full fat no tricks but more to pay, Marbenjo and All In car Hire have been good in the past at Malaga.
I've booked Wiber for my trip in a week or so. Having previously used them in Mallorca and had a rubbish experience, the positive Trustpilot reviews have persuaded me to give them another go. I'll let you know.
Edited by LuS1fer on Thursday 27th April 17:54
Provided you have the space on your credit card it's much cheaper to take out a personal excess insurance policy rather than being talked in to the hire companies one. The hire desk will normally tell you how the excess for any damage, etc is ~€1,200/€1,500 but for 'only' €25/day you can drop that to zero... or for under £10/week you can get your own policy. Yes if the worst happens you need to pay the excess up front then claim it back - but a lot cheaper. As I said this only works if you have the space on your card as they will take a pre-auth for the excess amount which blocks that much on your card, normally for about a week after you return the car. See https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/cheap-car...
The other thing is to try and get a "full to full" contract - easy to start with a full tank/fill back up on the way to car hire returns than try to return it empty ("full to empty")/match the 2/3 tank or whatever ("same to same").
Personally I've found Skyscanner.net to be one of the best/most useful car hire search tools as you can drill down into the different seals and see both what is/isn't covered and the fuel policy. Most of the offers are actually from brokers but they also show you which company you'll actually be hiring from, so you can give them a google at your hire location and see what people have to say/stick with one of the big names.
The other thing is to try and get a "full to full" contract - easy to start with a full tank/fill back up on the way to car hire returns than try to return it empty ("full to empty")/match the 2/3 tank or whatever ("same to same").
Personally I've found Skyscanner.net to be one of the best/most useful car hire search tools as you can drill down into the different seals and see both what is/isn't covered and the fuel policy. Most of the offers are actually from brokers but they also show you which company you'll actually be hiring from, so you can give them a google at your hire location and see what people have to say/stick with one of the big names.
Edited by //j17 on Thursday 27th April 10:35
I use RecordGo usually or failing that GoldCar.
Book either online directly and create an account up front. If possible use their "just go" options so zero deposit and you get the keys from a vending machine in the airport carpark which is inside the airport. No need to talk to anyone that way for collection or dropoff.
Been using both for years at Malaga
hth
Book either online directly and create an account up front. If possible use their "just go" options so zero deposit and you get the keys from a vending machine in the airport carpark which is inside the airport. No need to talk to anyone that way for collection or dropoff.
Been using both for years at Malaga
hth
I just booked one last night for Italy in June. I have done loads of research and even got to the point of nearly not bothering after hearing loads of horror stories with multiple rental firms. I went through stressfreecarrental.com as you can search and filter to how much you want to pay deposit wise on your card etc. I went for the full insurance cover which probably doubled the total cost in price but for piece of mind it will be worth it.
Best advice I have heard is take a full video on your phone all around the car making sure you cover each panel, window, tyre, wheel and even under the front bumper if you can.
Best advice I have heard is take a full video on your phone all around the car making sure you cover each panel, window, tyre, wheel and even under the front bumper if you can.
Edited by TO73074E on Thursday 27th April 11:01
I have used Marbesol since 2000. They offer a trick price and a genuine all-inclusive price. I always pay for the all-inclusive, and, as a Gold member, get priority service checking in and out. I even use them for parking. Last time 22-days @ €4:40 per day, for covered parking. On a full to full basis I top-up at the last Repsol on the AP-7 before the airport.
On the odd occasion that I have been tempted by a price, usually through an agent, I have had trouble. The worst experience being RecordGo - but through an agent who had clearly tied them in knots so they tied-up every conceivable loose-end with me. They made Ryanair T&Cs look customer friendly. It ended up with me in a slow queue at 5am at the BP garage next to the airport as they wanted a time-stamped pump receipt from there. Everyone else queuing was also with RecordGo.
However, I suspect that any of the bigger company all-inclusive deals, booked direct, are fair, if you just want to get a good price. You never actually know what car you will actually get, in any event.
On the odd occasion that I have been tempted by a price, usually through an agent, I have had trouble. The worst experience being RecordGo - but through an agent who had clearly tied them in knots so they tied-up every conceivable loose-end with me. They made Ryanair T&Cs look customer friendly. It ended up with me in a slow queue at 5am at the BP garage next to the airport as they wanted a time-stamped pump receipt from there. Everyone else queuing was also with RecordGo.
However, I suspect that any of the bigger company all-inclusive deals, booked direct, are fair, if you just want to get a good price. You never actually know what car you will actually get, in any event.
I can recommend Helle Hollis, I've been using them at Malaga for decades.
A good choice of manual and automatic cars of various sizes, pick the super cover insurance and you don't have to worry about anything.
They supply with a full tank of fuel and give you a refund for every 1/4 tank left when you return it.
Used to be based in the terminal, but it's just a very short bus ride to their office now which is only the other side of the terminal. You text them when you have your bags and they send the minibus for you.
A good choice of manual and automatic cars of various sizes, pick the super cover insurance and you don't have to worry about anything.
They supply with a full tank of fuel and give you a refund for every 1/4 tank left when you return it.
Used to be based in the terminal, but it's just a very short bus ride to their office now which is only the other side of the terminal. You text them when you have your bags and they send the minibus for you.
Helle hollis or malagarcar, reasonable price and hassle free.
If you go with another provider and don't take their comprehensive insurance and choose a standalone excess cover expect at the very least some hassle. Personally when on holiday I don't want the hassle so go with a good local firm.
Booked with malagarcar this year and when the price dropped on their website made a 2 min phone call and they changed my existing booking to the lower price!
If you go with another provider and don't take their comprehensive insurance and choose a standalone excess cover expect at the very least some hassle. Personally when on holiday I don't want the hassle so go with a good local firm.
Booked with malagarcar this year and when the price dropped on their website made a 2 min phone call and they changed my existing booking to the lower price!
//j17 said:
Provided you have the space on your credit card it's much cheaper to take out a personal excess insurance policy rather than being talked in to the hire companies one. The hire desk will normally tell you how the excess for any damage, etc is ~€1,200/€1,500 but for 'only' €25/day you can drop that to zero... or for under £10/week you can get your own policy. Yes if the worst happens you need to pay the excess up front then claim it back - but a lot cheaper. As I said this only works if you have the space on your card as they will take a pre-auth for the excess amount which blocks that much on your card, normally for about a week after you return the car. See https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/cheap-car...
The other thing is to try and get a "full to full" contract - easy to start with a full tank/fill back up on the way to car hire returns than try to return it empty ("full to empty")/match the 2/3 tank or whatever ("same to same").
Personally I've found Skyscanner.net to be one of the best/most useful car hire search tools as you can drill down into the different seals and see both what is/isn't covered and the fuel policy. Most of the offers are actually from brokers but they also show you which company you'll actually be hiring from, so you can give them a google at your hire location and see what people have to say/stick with one of the big names.
All of the above TBH, though I've never used skyscanner for the car.The other thing is to try and get a "full to full" contract - easy to start with a full tank/fill back up on the way to car hire returns than try to return it empty ("full to empty")/match the 2/3 tank or whatever ("same to same").
Personally I've found Skyscanner.net to be one of the best/most useful car hire search tools as you can drill down into the different seals and see both what is/isn't covered and the fuel policy. Most of the offers are actually from brokers but they also show you which company you'll actually be hiring from, so you can give them a google at your hire location and see what people have to say/stick with one of the big names.
Edited by //j17 on Thursday 27th April 10:35
RecordGo are reliable - used them several times in Malaga airport.
Take out car hire insurance/excess insurance here.
Hire car cheapo.
Arrive, decline their insurance - enjoy having a laminated excess damage sheet thrust in your face. Say no again.
Let them put a hold of £800 ish on your CC.
Take loads of photos when you collect. Same when you return.
Or, if you are a pussy, say yes to everything they ask, or use Avis.
:-)
I used to use Malagacar when flying in to Malaga airport.
Probably used them 5/6 times
They were always very good and no quibble, the main downside being having to queue to get the car after the hoard of people from the minibus arrived at the depot.
Last time we went was May 2022, and with lock downs etc car rental prices were astronomical.
I used to be able to get a decent 5 door Golf sized car for around 8-10 euro per day! But alas those times are long gone and Malagacar were up nearer to 30-40 euro per day
So I tried a company called Dragon Cars
https://www.dragoncars.com/
I have no affiliation to them
They don't quote instantly online, you have to fill in the form but I got a decent sized estate car for 200 euro for 10 days
Also they pick you up from the airport car park and you drop car back into the airport car park.
Run by a lovely Welsh lady!
No quibbles, pick up & return with same amount of fuel, no fuel surcharges
Would recommend (also 5 stars on Google reviews)
Probably used them 5/6 times
They were always very good and no quibble, the main downside being having to queue to get the car after the hoard of people from the minibus arrived at the depot.
Last time we went was May 2022, and with lock downs etc car rental prices were astronomical.
I used to be able to get a decent 5 door Golf sized car for around 8-10 euro per day! But alas those times are long gone and Malagacar were up nearer to 30-40 euro per day
So I tried a company called Dragon Cars
https://www.dragoncars.com/
I have no affiliation to them
They don't quote instantly online, you have to fill in the form but I got a decent sized estate car for 200 euro for 10 days
Also they pick you up from the airport car park and you drop car back into the airport car park.
Run by a lovely Welsh lady!
No quibbles, pick up & return with same amount of fuel, no fuel surcharges
Would recommend (also 5 stars on Google reviews)
Do you want the hassle of checking the car for pre-existing damage when you collect it; worrying about it getting damaged while you’ve got it; having to get it checked when you hand it back; having to pay a claim and then claim it back from your insurance if it is damaged while you’ve got it?
Or do you want to just pick it up, drive it, hand it back and walk away?
First one, don’t take out their zero excess cover; second one do take out their cover.
Or do you want to just pick it up, drive it, hand it back and walk away?
First one, don’t take out their zero excess cover; second one do take out their cover.
Jader1973 said:
Do you want the hassle of checking the car for pre-existing damage when you collect it; worrying about it getting damaged while you’ve got it; having to get it checked when you hand it back; having to pay a claim and then claim it back from your insurance if it is damaged while you’ve got it?
Or do you want to just pick it up, drive it, hand it back and walk away?
First one, don’t take out their zero excess cover; second one do take out their cover.
With RecordGo and Goldcar there is no need to take out cover nor pay a deposit if you go for their slightly higher priced "just go" deals .. never had an issue using them and no need to even speak to anyone now as the keys come out of a vending machineOr do you want to just pick it up, drive it, hand it back and walk away?
First one, don’t take out their zero excess cover; second one do take out their cover.
Whataguy said:
I can recommend Helle Hollis...They supply with a full tank of fuel and give you a refund for every 1/4 tank left when you return it.
Better than "Return empty" but I bet their refund rate or the fuel left in the tank is significantly different from the pump price they are paying to put it in there in the first place!//j17 said:
Better than "Return empty" but I bet their refund rate or the fuel left in the tank is significantly different from the pump price they are paying to put it in there in the first place!
Hertz were awful for this when I used to use them, charging a fortune but Helle Hollis is actually ok.Last rental this year Helle Hollis charged me 90 Euro for a full tank on a VW T-Roc. It's 50/55 litres, so works out at 1.80 Euro per litre - signs at the petrol stations were about the same when I was there.
I'd brought a car back and the gauge was right on the lower edge of the 1/4 mark and they refunded me the fuel.
The charge shown on the booking is a combination of small deposit and fuel. On mine it was 50 Euro deposit and 90 Euro fuel so 140 Euro total. Refunded 72 Euro on return.
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