Renting a car in Spain - who to use? What to watch out for?

growse

growse

growse

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I need to rent a car in Almeira in April for 4 people, for 5 days. I thought I had everything figured out by just going on skyscanner and choosing from the options. However, a cursory glance over the internet reveals massive quantities of awful reviews for Avis, Europcar, Goldcar etc.

Can I just expect to be scammed when I get over there, or is this a massive internet overreaction? Are any of these companies actually worth avoiding, or choosing, or are they all much of a muchness?

Secondly, am I obligated to buy insurance from the hire company, or are there cheaper and better options I can buy beforehand?

Thirdly (sorry), does Spain have any weird laws about carrying stuff in the car, like France?

Never hired a car on my own dime before, so not exactly sure what to expect...
 
Watch out for being screwed with an overpriced tank of prepaid fuel you'll end giving back half full.

Personally I'd stick with an established rental brand - somebody like Hertz.
 
[TW]Fox;21432304 said:
Watch out for being screwed with an overpriced tank of prepaid fuel you'll end giving back half full.
Click to expand...

I used Centauro in Malaga and got stung with this. The car was very cheap, €90 for 7 days with super-cover for a Bluemotion Golf VI with low miles, but it did feel very sneaky.

I did manage to return the car with about 15 miles left on the computer, so didn't feel as screwed as I could have.


growse said:
Thirdly (sorry), does Spain have any weird laws about carrying stuff in the car, like France?
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My hire car had a high-vis vest in the glove box, and a triangle rolling around in the boot.
 
We're usually out once or twice a year and use this lot. Just booked a focus from them last week actually.

http://www.carjet.com/

They were recommended by friends who live there. As mentioned though you need to give the car back empty. For us that's not too much of a problem as we usually do quite a few miles when we're over.
 
[TW]Fox;21432304 said:
Watch out for being screwed with an overpriced tank of prepaid fuel you'll end giving back half full.
Click to expand...

That's exactly what I was going to say. I hired a car in Malaga, drove up to Granada and back (about 1/4 of a tank) so I lost about €90 worth of fuel to that scam.
 
eidolon said:
That's exactly what I was going to say. I hired a car in Malaga, drove up to Granada and back (about 1/4 of a tank) so I lost about €90 worth of fuel to that scam.
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You should have driven to the top of the Sierra Nevada like I did :) That wasted a good amount of fuel!

Granada.....absolutely loved it.
 
As for insurance, get excess insurance. That way you don't have to pay extra for insurance to rental company. Comes out cheaper that way.
 
Spain is annoying for having junk rental cars in stock.

Technically I guess more companys should use cars longer then the first service is due, but I like a shiny new car when renting.

This is based on renting from a few companies that are not multi-nationals so I don't know if Hertz use old stock there or not.
 
I have to say avoid GoldCar, they seem to be the worst for adding extra fees and are known for having offices away from airports. The last thing you need after a long flight is to wait for an old van which drives you away from the airport and then have to queue for another hour for a car.

Try to find out which companies have an office inside Almeira airport and do read the small print on fees.
 
Great advice, thanks all. Giving it back empty seems to be the internet consensus too.

I'll look into insurance and carjet. I would go with Hertz, but their desk at the airport closes at 9pm and my flight lands after that :(
 
[TW]Fox;21432304 said:
Watch out for being screwed with an overpriced tank of prepaid fuel you'll end giving back half full.

Personally I'd stick with an established rental brand - somebody like Hertz.
Click to expand...

A hertz rep told me I had paid for collision damage waiver insurance when I had a hire car in Barcelona. When a local smashed my parked car one night a good read of my docs revealed the rep to be wrong and a hefty bill coming my way.

Amongst other things, them listening to the phone conversation I had had when arranging the hire, got my massive excess back
 
Matt82 said:
A hertz rep told me I had paid for collision damage waiver insurance when I had a hire car in Barcelona. When a local smashed my parked car one night a good read of my docs revealed the rep to be wrong and a hefty bill coming my way.
Click to expand...

First rule of hire cars: NEVER SIGN THE DOCUMENTS WITHOUT READING THEM.
 
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