Car Hire In Spain
Discussion
I'm jetting off to Spain next week and taking our 17mth old and my brother and wife (4 adults, 1 not so adult) and have been Googling various searches but getting massive differences in price.
Can anyone reccomend a car hire firm near Palma airport that they have experience with, the 2 I chose from a comparison site had horrific reviews...
We are holidaying on a budget so not after Mercs or BMW's.
Only after something sensible, Renault Kangoo or similar ideally just for getting round the island.
Thanks in advance
Can anyone reccomend a car hire firm near Palma airport that they have experience with, the 2 I chose from a comparison site had horrific reviews...
We are holidaying on a budget so not after Mercs or BMW's.
Only after something sensible, Renault Kangoo or similar ideally just for getting round the island.
Thanks in advance
[quote=ChrisDT]I'm jetting off to Spain next week and taking our 17mth old and my brother and wife (4 adults, 1 not so adult) and have been Googling various searches but getting massive differences in price.
Can anyone reccomend a car hire firm near Palma airport that they have experience with, the 2 I chose from a comparison site had horrific reviews...
We used Goldcar last year. They were okay. Price was good but you have to buy a tank of fuel (wasn't a problem for us as we did a fair amount of driving).
Can anyone reccomend a car hire firm near Palma airport that they have experience with, the 2 I chose from a comparison site had horrific reviews...
We used Goldcar last year. They were okay. Price was good but you have to buy a tank of fuel (wasn't a problem for us as we did a fair amount of driving).
I've used Goldcar, Centauro, Amigo Autos and most recently Dickmans. All booked via UK based company 'Economy Car Hire' who have been great. Picked cars up from either Murcia or Alicante but the big ones should be at most major airports.
Interestingly, Amigo have been the only rental firm so far that don't charge you for a tank of fuel up front, you collect it full and take it back full so you only pay for what you use.
You would have to book direct if you wanted a specific rental firm as it's pot luck which one you'll get when booking via an agent.
Have a good holiday!
Interestingly, Amigo have been the only rental firm so far that don't charge you for a tank of fuel up front, you collect it full and take it back full so you only pay for what you use.
You would have to book direct if you wanted a specific rental firm as it's pot luck which one you'll get when booking via an agent.
Have a good holiday!
Any car hire agent is going to give you Hobson's Choice.
I have had varying results and not just with different companies but the same companies at different airports.
I have also booked this September using EconomyCarHire at Palma but again, who they allocate will depend on what you get as all they do is make the referral. I've booked them again for Spain in October as they are very much cheaper.
I have had good results from various companies including Solmar but equally bad dented crappers from good companies.
I have had varying results and not just with different companies but the same companies at different airports.
I have also booked this September using EconomyCarHire at Palma but again, who they allocate will depend on what you get as all they do is make the referral. I've booked them again for Spain in October as they are very much cheaper.
I have had good results from various companies including Solmar but equally bad dented crappers from good companies.
+1 for watching out for having to pay for a full tank.
The first time last year in Tenerife wasn't so much of an issue as we made good use of the car, but we visited Barcelona this year and I point blank refused to pay for a full tank when I was going to be doing less than 100kms. they changed their tune and took a deposit from me which was refunded when I returned the car with a full tank which was much more acceptable. They did try it on though, as they reckoned the tank wasn't full as the needle wasn't off the scale. I provided a receipt for the E10 worth of fuel I'd put in it not 30 minutes previously and they backed down.
I'll be doing the same when we visit Turkey next month.
The first time last year in Tenerife wasn't so much of an issue as we made good use of the car, but we visited Barcelona this year and I point blank refused to pay for a full tank when I was going to be doing less than 100kms. they changed their tune and took a deposit from me which was refunded when I returned the car with a full tank which was much more acceptable. They did try it on though, as they reckoned the tank wasn't full as the needle wasn't off the scale. I provided a receipt for the E10 worth of fuel I'd put in it not 30 minutes previously and they backed down.
I'll be doing the same when we visit Turkey next month.
European car hire is a lottery - even if you use a recommended agent found through a websearch with good reviews they just sub the hire out to a local firm and take a commission.
The local firm may or may not any good, may or may not charge for a full tank of fuel - at their prices too, not the forecourt ones - may stick on a charge for a young driver on collection which nobody told you about on booking or have a whole list of terms and conditions thay you'd rather found out before booking, or try to mug you for "damage" months after you're back in the UK. If you find any bodywork damage make sure it's recorded before you drive off.
It's all happened to us over the 20 years or so we've been hiring cars in Europe.
Only things I can suggest is take out an annual Full CDW policy which almost completely covers your arse and take photo's of the instrument panel showing the level in the tank and mileage when you drop the car off and the warning triangle and reflective vests put next to the numberplate - oh, and don't just give the keys back to any random but very helpfull bloke wandering around the hire return car park with a clipboard and briefcase.
The local firm may or may not any good, may or may not charge for a full tank of fuel - at their prices too, not the forecourt ones - may stick on a charge for a young driver on collection which nobody told you about on booking or have a whole list of terms and conditions thay you'd rather found out before booking, or try to mug you for "damage" months after you're back in the UK. If you find any bodywork damage make sure it's recorded before you drive off.
It's all happened to us over the 20 years or so we've been hiring cars in Europe.
Only things I can suggest is take out an annual Full CDW policy which almost completely covers your arse and take photo's of the instrument panel showing the level in the tank and mileage when you drop the car off and the warning triangle and reflective vests put next to the numberplate - oh, and don't just give the keys back to any random but very helpfull bloke wandering around the hire return car park with a clipboard and briefcase.
Leigh996tt said:
I've used Goldcar, Centauro, Amigo Autos and most recently Dickmans. All booked via UK based company 'Economy Car Hire' who have been great. Picked cars up from either Murcia or Alicante but the big ones should be at most major airports.
Same here, got Dickmans twice, both times a 1.2 petrol Clio (new model). They operate out the back of a Renault Trafic parked in the carpark. No problems at all.Big Rod said:
+1 for watching out for having to pay for a full tank.
The first time last year in Tenerife wasn't so much of an issue as we made good use of the car, but we visited Barcelona this year and I point blank refused to pay for a full tank when I was going to be doing less than 100kms. they changed their tune and took a deposit from me which was refunded when I returned the car with a full tank which was much more acceptable. They did try it on though, as they reckoned the tank wasn't full as the needle wasn't off the scale. I provided a receipt for the E10 worth of fuel I'd put in it not 30 minutes previously and they backed down.
I'll be doing the same when we visit Turkey next month.
The trouble is thats its in their T&Cs. They could just tell you to go elsewhere.The first time last year in Tenerife wasn't so much of an issue as we made good use of the car, but we visited Barcelona this year and I point blank refused to pay for a full tank when I was going to be doing less than 100kms. they changed their tune and took a deposit from me which was refunded when I returned the car with a full tank which was much more acceptable. They did try it on though, as they reckoned the tank wasn't full as the needle wasn't off the scale. I provided a receipt for the E10 worth of fuel I'd put in it not 30 minutes previously and they backed down.
I'll be doing the same when we visit Turkey next month.
Typically 3 or 4 days and its return it full , more than that and return it empty.
I suppose its what you get for getting a cheap daily rate.
We've just come back from 2 weeks in Palma & booked a car through Holiday Autos. The partner company was Record & collected the car at the airport.
The car itself was fine - Pug 207 1.4 with only 1,400kms on the clock. The main issue I had was the queues picking the car up - it took around 90 minutes for us to queue at the airport. We too had to pay for a full tank up front, which wasn't a problem as we had the car for 2 weeks & I made damn sure that it almost juddered its way into the car hire drop off yesterday morning.
In future, I'll be avoiding Holiday Autos, as their partner companies always seem to be the busiest - if there is a premium of £20 or so to book via a quieter hire company, I'll happily pay it, as I can't stand queueing for hire cars at airports.
The car itself was fine - Pug 207 1.4 with only 1,400kms on the clock. The main issue I had was the queues picking the car up - it took around 90 minutes for us to queue at the airport. We too had to pay for a full tank up front, which wasn't a problem as we had the car for 2 weeks & I made damn sure that it almost juddered its way into the car hire drop off yesterday morning.
In future, I'll be avoiding Holiday Autos, as their partner companies always seem to be the busiest - if there is a premium of £20 or so to book via a quieter hire company, I'll happily pay it, as I can't stand queueing for hire cars at airports.
schmalex said:
We've just come back from 2 weeks in Palma & booked a car through Holiday Autos. The partner company was Record & collected the car at the airport.
The car itself was fine - Pug 207 1.4 with only 1,400kms on the clock. The main issue I had was the queues picking the car up - it took around 90 minutes for us to queue at the airport. We too had to pay for a full tank up front, which wasn't a problem as we had the car for 2 weeks & I made damn sure that it almost juddered its way into the car hire drop off yesterday morning.
In future, I'll be avoiding Holiday Autos, as their partner companies always seem to be the busiest - if there is a premium of £20 or so to book via a quieter hire company, I'll happily pay it, as I can't stand queueing for hire cars at airports.
I don't really know why this happens but it happens no matter who you book with. I went to America once and the queue was humungous while every other hire outlet was dead!The car itself was fine - Pug 207 1.4 with only 1,400kms on the clock. The main issue I had was the queues picking the car up - it took around 90 minutes for us to queue at the airport. We too had to pay for a full tank up front, which wasn't a problem as we had the car for 2 weeks & I made damn sure that it almost juddered its way into the car hire drop off yesterday morning.
In future, I'll be avoiding Holiday Autos, as their partner companies always seem to be the busiest - if there is a premium of £20 or so to book via a quieter hire company, I'll happily pay it, as I can't stand queueing for hire cars at airports.
What I try and do is send the Mrs for the case(s) while I go straight to get the car. However, it's harder at Palma because it's so massive and finding each other after can be er...interesting.
I'm not even convinced that if you went for the most expensive hire cost you could find, you still wouldn't end up in the self-same queue. it's almost like they put everyone flying in on that day with the same hirer.
redstu said:
Dift said:
I Always use doyouspain.com (when I'm arriving at Alicante). By far the cheapest, and never had a problem.
Ive used this company 2 or 3 times. No problems for me either.I can recommend these guys www.hirecarsinspain.com they operate a full to full fuel policy which is better on the wallet as you only pay for what you use.
schmalex said:
We've just come back from 2 weeks in Palma & booked a car through Holiday Autos. The partner company was Record & collected the car at the airport.
The car itself was fine - Pug 207 1.4 with only 1,400kms on the clock. The main issue I had was the queues picking the car up - it took around 90 minutes for us to queue at the airport. We too had to pay for a full tank up front, which wasn't a problem as we had the car for 2 weeks & I made damn sure that it almost juddered its way into the car hire drop off yesterday morning.
In future, I'll be avoiding Holiday Autos, as their partner companies always seem to be the busiest - if there is a premium of £20 or so to book via a quieter hire company, I'll happily pay it, as I can't stand queueing for hire cars at airports.
Just got back from Marbella and we hired a car from Record at Malaga airport. There was quite a long wait to get the car. Had the usual attempts at 'upselling'for various extra cover, which we thought we already had. When we went through to get the car it was a very scruffy Micra (1.2?) with 80,000+ Kms on it. Had I known this I wouldn't have bothered paying an extra £55 or so to increase the cover. Couldn't go back in to speak to the desk as it was the other side of a restricted part of the airport. The car itself was fine - Pug 207 1.4 with only 1,400kms on the clock. The main issue I had was the queues picking the car up - it took around 90 minutes for us to queue at the airport. We too had to pay for a full tank up front, which wasn't a problem as we had the car for 2 weeks & I made damn sure that it almost juddered its way into the car hire drop off yesterday morning.
In future, I'll be avoiding Holiday Autos, as their partner companies always seem to be the busiest - if there is a premium of £20 or so to book via a quieter hire company, I'll happily pay it, as I can't stand queueing for hire cars at airports.
Anyway, thrashed the a
e off it for 10 days 
and had a lovely drive out to Ronda on the A397 one of the days...if you ever get chance to do that drive in a decent car it is a great road, nice and smooth too.I have a poor history with hire cars so it wasn't surprising: I've done panel repair on a Clio in Menorca after it was hit and run, attempted to fix the aircon on a Fiat in Turkey, successfully fixed a blocked air intake for the aircon on a Corsa in Corfu.
Next year I'd like to pay a bit more to try to avoid this sort of crap, but I don't hold much hope...OldSkoolRS said:
Just got back from Marbella and we hired a car from Record at Malaga airport. There was quite a long wait to get the car. Had the usual attempts at 'upselling'for various extra cover, which we thought we already had. When we went through to get the car it was a very scruffy Micra (1.2?) with 80,000+ Kms on it. Had I known this I wouldn't have bothered paying an extra £55 or so to increase the cover. Couldn't go back in to speak to the desk as it was the other side of a restricted part of the airport.
I've hired quite a few cars from these guys, normally the cars have been very good (although the 2000km Peugeot 307 that was keyed and reeked of sick wasn't the best!)
I'm out in Mallorca now 
as have posted previously use Hasso. Www. Hasso-rentacar.com theyre excellent, I've got a great little alfa mito for 100 euros for 5 days. They pick you up at the airport in a minibus and take you to their office a couple of miles away so no queueing at the airport desks. This is the fourth time I've used them now and cannot fault, also no collision waiver b/s with them either.
as have posted previously use Hasso. Www. Hasso-rentacar.com theyre excellent, I've got a great little alfa mito for 100 euros for 5 days. They pick you up at the airport in a minibus and take you to their office a couple of miles away so no queueing at the airport desks. This is the fourth time I've used them now and cannot fault, also no collision waiver b/s with them either.Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff