Car Hire Malaga?

[SHutchinson]

dave_s13 said:

I might be off to spain tomorrow at very short notice (alicante airport).
No helle hollis there, booo.......any other tips?

I used Dickman at Alicante. Booked through Holidayautos.com. I paid for the upgraded insurance through the website but the hire company themselves made a big song and dance about not recognising it so suggested I'd still have to pay for damage etc. then claim it back from my own insurance. They were trying to peddle their expensive fuel and insurance supplement. The car itself (4 door smart car) was brand new and spotless. Luckily the whole trip was fine so didn't have to test the insurance admin!

[murray]

I hire a car at Alicante airport ~8 times a year, have my own excess insurance policy, and tend to use Goldcar. Never had any issues when returning the car. Only downside is the queue for pickup can take a bit of time if busy. Used Drivalia in the past but last time got treated with total contempt by the English guy dealing with the booking when he realised I wasn't taking out their insurance. Also recently got to see the 'famous' Solmar undercar check on return of the vehicle. They do actually go out with a mirror on a pole and check.

[Adz The Rat]

We went in May and used Malagacar, never again. Very very rude staff, hard sell with the insurance, different price than on website, just an unpleasant experience.

We have just booked to go again in October so I will try a few of these recommended on here, thanks.

[dave_s13]

My 'rents have an apartment out that way and they tend to use Goldcar too and report no issues so may just use them I suppose.

Off on Tuesday now. Not been before and off to Catral, where the apartment is.

Me, the wife and 3 young kids. Are there any must see/do things out that way?

Gracias.

[Gareth1974]

LuS1fer said:

I researched Trip Advisor and this came up so have booked through them for a holiday near Malaga next week - seems to be an all-in, no rip off pacakage.
http://www.brunoscar.com/malaga-and-gibraltar-rent...

I used Brunos last year with no issues - no extra hidden costs such as charges for additional drivers or for child seats, I'd happily recommend them.

I'm hiring again from them again next week.

[LuS1fer]

As a general, Auto Europe are OK as you can choose who you rent with but please use Google to check out reviews before hiring. I think they also offer a reasonable UK excess policy to avoid being ripped off abroad.

[AMG01]

I need to hire a car at Alicante Airport in September for 3 adults. Using Holiday Autos, Goldcar, Dickmanns Rent a Car are less than £60 for 9 days, the more well known names (Eurocar etc) are £135 at least, so think I will go with the cheaper option. I had the pleasure of RecordGo last year, I had the usual threats as I refused to take the excess insurance, just wanted to check the process: -

1. Book Your Car
2. Obtain Excess Car Hire Insurance, potentially from here https://www.direct-carexcess.co.uk/
3. At airport car hire desk, refuse any additional insurances, above insurance covers it. Ignore all threats and if required put the additional charge they require you to take, because you aren't taken out their additional insurance, on a credit card.
4. Check car meticulously to ensure all damage is recorded
5. Enjoy holiday
6. Return car and ensure its signed off as being free of damage
7. Ensure your credit card has the charge removed

Is that about right?

[Chucklehead]

I've never heard of Dickmann's, but at that price you can expect to be bussed off site to a location far away from the airport and with a mandatory fuel charge and administration fee whacked on top, making it much nearer that Europcar rate you're avoiding. If you're travelling with family and feel the £60 saved is the best way to start your holiday then fair enough.

If Europcar is on sale then look for their Keddy brand. Same desk, same cars, same staff and near enough identical T&Cs on a regular rental.

Edited by Chucklehead on Sunday 14th August 22:22

[dave_s13]

I ended up using centaur via carhireinspain.com

They were the only ones with more positive reviews. Desk and cars are at the airport and there was no queue... The queue for recordgo was huge! Apart from my Mrs forgetting her ducking credit card pin number, which meant we had to use the debit card, which meant we had to use their insurance (an extra £155!),it was spot on.

Full to full fuel, brand new Fiat doblo. They didn't even check the car on return.

Assuming I don't get an invoice for damage/fuel then I'd use them again without hesitation.

Edited by dave_s13 on Monday 15th August 20:42

[SHutchinson]

AMG01 said:

I need to hire a car at Alicante Airport in September for 3 adults. Using Holiday Autos, Goldcar, Dickmanns Rent a Car are less than £60 for 9 days, the more well known names (Eurocar etc) are £135 at least, so think I will go with the cheaper option. I had the pleasure of RecordGo last year, I had the usual threats as I refused to take the excess insurance, just wanted to check the process: -

1. Book Your Car
2. Obtain Excess Car Hire Insurance, potentially from here https://www.direct-carexcess.co.uk/
3. At airport car hire desk, refuse any additional insurances, above insurance covers it. Ignore all threats and if required put the additional charge they require you to take, because you aren't taken out their additional insurance, on a credit card.
4. Check car meticulously to ensure all damage is recorded
5. Enjoy holiday
6. Return car and ensure its signed off as being free of damage
7. Ensure your credit card has the charge removed

Is that about right?

That's exactly it. Apart from you missed a minibus journey out.

[Chucklehead]

Not quite, as I said above you will have a mandatory fuel administration fee payable on arrival and not in any way avoidable or refundable. Usually €20-35.

[clio007]

I have recently returned from Malaga and I used Marbenjo. Very good company, no hard sale on the insurance, free additional driver included and a pretty good deal on the car.

They have great reviews online so check them out. I would use them again

[dave_s13]

Chucklehead said:

Not quite, as I said above you will have a mandatory fuel administration fee payable on arrival and not in any way avoidable or refundable. Usually €20-35.

Centaur office is in the airport (alicante). The car are in the multi storey next to said Airport (5 min walk).

I specified full to full on booking so you only pay for the fuel you use and nothing else. Obviously it has to show full again when you leave it. You can drive 50+km until the needle moves on a Fiat doblo BTW.

You can get your own insurance for about 15 quid but you have to leave a refundable deposit on your cc. Check moneysaving expert.com.

[Chucklehead]

My reply was with reference to Dickmann's who do not appear to offer full to full, and so will have a mandatory charge. Centauro do offer full to full and so will not.

[Mattt]

Ive used Goldcar a lot, but dislike them due to the queues and high pressure sales tactics on insurance even with third party cover, also add random fees for diesel cars etc.

If the brand names aren't a lot more then use them for piece of mind.

[LuS1fer]

I have just returned from Malaga and used Bruno's Car Hire.
It was zero excess, free car booster seats, free extra drivers.
The car was a clean Kangoo diesel with 8000km on it. USB, no CD, basic rear speakers, as you might expect.
Supplied with a quarter tank and told to return it likewise.

It was very easy too, you go straight to the public car park (P1) which is a 5-10 minute walk and meet the guy there, he gives you the keys and an exit ticket and off you jolly well go. Small wait while he dealt with a return but no more than 10-15 minutes.
Return the car to the car park and take a ticket and, if he's not there, leave the keys and ticket in the boot (he was on this occasion).

[Downward]

Im going with Record Go from Majorca airport this week.

Am I going to regret this ?

Is there a long wait to pick up cars ?

[jonamv8]

Paris autos - Jose - never had one problem. Helped me with a bump when I had no excess waiver too. They r decent my whole family use them. Not expensive either

[Gareth1974]

LuS1fer said:

I have just returned from Malaga and used Bruno's Car Hire.
It was zero excess, free car booster seats, free extra drivers.
The car was a clean Kangoo diesel with 8000km on it. USB, no CD, basic rear speakers, as you might expect.
Supplied with a quarter tank and told to return it likewise.

It was very easy too, you go straight to the public car park (P1) which is a 5-10 minute walk and meet the guy there, he gives you the keys and an exit ticket and off you jolly well go. Small wait while he dealt with a return but no more than 10-15 minutes.
Return the car to the car park and take a ticket and, if he's not there, leave the keys and ticket in the boot (he was on this occasion).

Hired a car from Bruno's in Duquesa last week, for 5 days in the middle of a 2 week holiday, got a high spec (sat nav was useful) nearly new Captur (had booked a Clio), very good experience, they even called me to say I could collect the car a day early for no extra cost. No hidden fees etc.

[AMG01]

Thanks for all the help, booked Centaur for £88 for 9 days, full to full, which is reasonable for the use we will get out of it. Will organise excess insurance, be ready for the hard sell, check the car thoroughly before and after and obviously enjoy my holiday. Will feedback my experience after my holiday