Reply to: Spain car rental really cheap?

[TimberWolf]

Make sure they don't charge you for a full tank (no refunds when you return) - most do, so check the small print veeeeery carefully.

After some research I've discovered that the fuel rip-off practise is ubiquitous in Spain, at least with the 'cheaper' hire operators. Fuel purchase off them is compulsory. A full tank. Their fuel prices are about double that in the petrol stations, so this can be a significant sum, perhaps approaching £100. Return with a full tank and there will be no refund (this will be hidden in small print). In fact the next customer will pay for the fuel again. All a bit academic for me anyway, as I don't have a credit card.

[TimberWolf]

I think you are correct in the UK, but it may be different abroad. I tried switching to a debit card and had problems with hotels because the technology didn't seem to be as reliable as credit cards for some reason. All else was fine except for when trying to rent a van for a house move. No joy at all there.

My reason for scrapping credit cards was more to do with avoiding currency fluctuations when I was earning local currency abroad. New country, no credit history, I didn't want to depend on a card in sterling, and I found I could get by without one nicely. I may be missing out on the occasional internet bargain, but given what they cost per year I can live with that.

The only time I've not been able to use my (visa) debit card over the last decade has been today in car hire. Never had a problem with hotels. Not that I've tried renting a car, I've been reading other customer woeful experiences. At best debit card holders get ripped off, but mostly they won't be able to hire a car at all.

[Sysman]

I think hiring a car is out for me though because of the need for a credit card. The irony there is that I don't have a credit card because of a bad credit history, but because I don't like to use or get into debt. Well, that an the fact that the card companies started charging for the cards and I never looked back after switching to a debit card.

I think you are correct in the UK, but it may be different abroad. I tried switching to a debit card and had problems with hotels because the technology didn't seem to be as reliable as credit cards for some reason. All else was fine except for when trying to rent a van for a house move. No joy at all there.

My reason for scrapping credit cards was more to do with avoiding currency fluctuations when I was earning local currency abroad. New country, no credit history, I didn't want to depend on a card in sterling, and I found I could get by without one nicely. I may be missing out on the occasional internet bargain, but given what they cost per year I can live with that.

[dude69]

I've been looking at car rental prices in Spain and am having trouble believing the quote I'm getting. £28 for 3 days for a Corsa or similar. What's the catch? Is car hire usually this cheap, specifically in Spain? Admitted I will also have to buy a £2.99 / day damage insurance excess waiver policy. Maybe some "extras" will appear when I hit 'book'? Has anyone had any experience/problems renting cars in Spain? I do realise taking out car rental on the spot with AVIS and the like is a more expensive proposition.

CHEAP CAR HIRE in the UK, Europe, USA and more - Holiday Autos Rentals

Make sure they don't charge you for a full tank (no refunds when you return) - most do, so check the small print veeeeery carefully.

[Clippy]

It is, at least for the time being, cheaper to fly to Spain from the UK than it is to catch a local train in the UK or even drive far in the UK. So it's a cheap place to fly for a holiday.

Don't forget though, aviation fuel is subsidised.

But I know what you mean, went on a stag trip a few years ago.

Flights to Vegas were cheaper than flights to Eastern Europe which was our first choice.

It was a no brainer to go to Vegas and turn the trip from a weekend into a week.

[PRC1964]

Malaga to Gib should be fine. Just don't show any signs of fear.

Oh, and yes, do not attempt to drive into Gib. It's much better to risk the La Linea gitanos than to get stuck in the border queue.

[TimberWolf]

Apparently car rental prices soared at the start of the recession in Spain, as rental companies pared their stock down to a minimum. They must now be expecting a return to mass tourism levels of yesteryear; fools!

It is, at least for the time being, cheaper to fly to Spain from the UK than it is to catch a local train in the UK or even drive far in the UK. So it's a cheap place to fly for a holiday.

[MrMark]

Apparently car rental prices soared at the start of the recession in Spain, as rental companies pared their stock down to a minimum. They must now be expecting a return to mass tourism levels of yesteryear; fools!

[TimberWolf]

We went in March and hired a 2010 Focus £45 for 3 days, we only paid for corsa/clio but it was out of season and they had 1000's of cars in the airport car park so got a free upgrade.

There's a massive seasonal difference in price, I'm sure the same car was at least 3x that in August.

Which car hire firm? I think hiring a car is out for me though because of the need for a credit card. The irony there is that I don't have a credit card because of a bad credit history, but because I don't like to use or get into debt. Well, that an the fact that the card companies started charging for the cards and I never looked back after switching to a debit card.

[gingerjedi]

We went in March and hired a 2010 Focus £45 for 3 days, we only paid for corsa/clio but it was out of season and they had 1000's of cars in the airport car park so got a free upgrade.

There's a massive seasonal difference in price, I'm sure the same car was at least 3x that in August.

[TimberWolf]

It looks as if the car rental company (Goldstar, the agent let slip which car rental company is would probably be) has a common word connecting customers reviews, and that is "avoid" Admittedly one might take in to account that more people take the time to write negative reviews than positive ones. They also appear to sting people with a 75 Euro petrol fill up for a Corsa, but will gladly accept a car returned with a full tank without reimbursement. Ye old petrol trick. That and my failed attempt at reaching their website which is hanging does not bode well. Now I remember why I rarely rent cars.

[TimberWolf]

Might be worth a read.

It was thanks. For one thing I (re)discovered from one of the gripes that paying by debit card is fraught with difficulties, or at minimum extra costs. I havn't owned a credit card since the banks started charging for them a decade or so ago. What a PITA. I've phoned the company I was considering using (a third party agent) and they say some of the companies they use will accept Visa Debits cards but will charge between 30 and 60 Euros to do it - which is more than the car rental cost. I suspect there may be a hefty deposit to pay too.

[Clippy]

Might be worth a read.

[AtW]

Did you meet with the MP

The Official Visit (tm) has been cancelled.

[TimberWolf]

I drove down to Spain in August & I salute your bravery in wanting to drive there.

With the many near misses - especially at roundabouts / junctions, I concluded that the Spanish driving test is meaningless

I'm doing a family duty run to Gibraltar. I can get a cheap flight to Malaga, but unfortunately that flight doesn't arrive there until 21:30, by which time the Spanish buses and trains will have stopped for the day. On my own I'd be happy hanging around in Malaga airport until morning, but I will have someone in toe and that's not a good option. I had been more concerned about driving in Gibraltar (where all the cars seem to have dents), and was considering mooring up in La Linea. Driving from Malaga airport to Gib would be easy enough?