Rental Cars?

Glaucus · 17-01-2010, 20:47

I've never rented a car before and certainly not oversees. We are planning to go to spain in the summer.

Anyone know any good cheap rental companies in malaga? is their any comparison type sites?

and how about putting more than one driver on it, does that change the price?
also whats a good car over there to sit 6 people comfortably. Something like a galaxy? Or are we looking at getting two cars?

Burble · 17-01-2010, 22:41

I've hired cars from several different companies all over the globe and they all work pretty much the same. 99% of the cars I book are for work trips so I don't pay too much attention to price but Sixt are usually quite well priced within Europe.

Have a look at getting a loyalty card before you book, they're free and get you a discount, maybe not much but it's worth a try.

Some places put a big price premium on larger vehicles so it may be cheaper to have 2 cars. Adding additional drivers will vary from rental company to rental company but with Sixt I don't pay any extra for additional drivers as long as they are over 25.

I've been hiring cars on a regular basis for over 10 years and have never been asked to produce the paper part of my driving license so I don't carry it when I'm travelling in Europe. Apparently colleagues have been asked for theirs when in the US so I do tend to take mine there but when I was in Canada in November I didn't need to show it.

Expect the rental car to be dented and don't worry if you add another couple to it. In Northern Europe they're normally very keen on charging for any damage but in Spain, Italy, Greece and so on they don't seem to give a toss.

Check the terms as some places charge a hefty premium if you take the car back without a full tank of fuel, others will include a tank of fuel in the rental price.

If when you turn up at the rental desk they try to sell you a discounted upgrade, refuse it. When they do that it means they don't have the class of car you've booked so if you refuse the discounted upgrade cost you'll end up getting it free.

A Place of Light · 18-01-2010, 00:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burble

If when you turn up at the rental desk they try to sell you a discounted upgrade, refuse it. When they do that it means they don't have the class of car you've booked so if you refuse the discounted upgrade cost you'll end up getting it free.

And you can use it as a springboard if you're looking for something even further up the upgrade ladder.

Glaucus · 18-01-2010, 16:58

Cheers Burble, those prices look good and its pretty much the same price for 2xVW Golf, Opel Astra as it is a galaxy. which would mean people could go different places and it wouldn't be so jammed. But would mean two drivers.

Is
Personal accident insurance or Tire and windscreen insurance worth it?

Wouldn't holiday insurance cover personal accident anyway? and the likely hood of tire/windscreen is low?

Burble · 18-01-2010, 17:04

I never bother with additional insurance and take the basic CDW (Crash Damage Waiver) that comes included with the rental agreement. I have had a couple of punctures but the cost of getting them repaired as negated by several times the cost of the additional insurance.

Glaucus · 22-01-2010, 15:12

Have you used hertz at all, there online quote is saying a mere £150 Just over 50% less Than nearly ever other quote.

Burble · 22-01-2010, 15:38

Yep, they're the company I usually use in North America. It has been ages since I've used them in Europe as they're usually very expensive even with my Hertz Gold Card.

Glaucus · 22-01-2010, 16:13

Ahh I see why they are cheaper additional drivers are 9 euros a day per additional driver. So once that's added on sixt is cheaper as additional drivers are included as standard.

17-01-2010, 20:47	#1
Glaucus Absinthe Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 1,855	Rental Cars? I've never rented a car before and certainly not oversees. We are planning to go to spain in the summer. Anyone know any good cheap rental companies in malaga? is their any comparison type sites? and how about putting more than one driver on it, does that change the price? also whats a good car over there to sit 6 people comfortably. Something like a galaxy? Or are we looking at getting two cars? __________________ Last edited by Glaucus; 17-01-2010 at 20:52.

18-01-2010, 16:58	#4
Glaucus Absinthe Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 1,855	Cheers Burble, those prices look good and its pretty much the same price for 2xVW Golf, Opel Astra as it is a galaxy. which would mean people could go different places and it wouldn't be so jammed. But would mean two drivers. Is Personal accident insurance or Tire and windscreen insurance worth it? Wouldn't holiday insurance cover personal accident anyway? and the likely hood of tire/windscreen is low? __________________

22-01-2010, 15:12	#6
Glaucus Absinthe Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 1,855	Have you used hertz at all, there online quote is saying a mere £150 Just over 50% less Than nearly ever other quote. __________________

22-01-2010, 16:13	#8
Glaucus Absinthe Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 1,855	Ahh I see why they are cheaper additional drivers are 9 euros a day per additional driver. So once that's added on sixt is cheaper as additional drivers are included as standard. __________________

17-01-2010, 22:41	#2
Burble Rocket Fuel Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 7,826	I've hired cars from several different companies all over the globe and they all work pretty much the same. 99% of the cars I book are for work trips so I don't pay too much attention to price but Sixt are usually quite well priced within Europe. Have a look at getting a loyalty card before you book, they're free and get you a discount, maybe not much but it's worth a try. Some places put a big price premium on larger vehicles so it may be cheaper to have 2 cars. Adding additional drivers will vary from rental company to rental company but with Sixt I don't pay any extra for additional drivers as long as they are over 25. I've been hiring cars on a regular basis for over 10 years and have never been asked to produce the paper part of my driving license so I don't carry it when I'm travelling in Europe. Apparently colleagues have been asked for theirs when in the US so I do tend to take mine there but when I was in Canada in November I didn't need to show it. Expect the rental car to be dented and don't worry if you add another couple to it. In Northern Europe they're normally very keen on charging for any damage but in Spain, Italy, Greece and so on they don't seem to give a toss. Check the terms as some places charge a hefty premium if you take the car back without a full tank of fuel, others will include a tank of fuel in the rental price. If when you turn up at the rental desk they try to sell you a discounted upgrade, refuse it. When they do that it means they don't have the class of car you've booked so if you refuse the discounted upgrade cost you'll end up getting it free.

18-01-2010, 17:04	#5
Burble Rocket Fuel Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 7,826	I never bother with additional insurance and take the basic CDW (Crash Damage Waiver) that comes included with the rental agreement. I have had a couple of punctures but the cost of getting them repaired as negated by several times the cost of the additional insurance.

22-01-2010, 15:38	#7
Burble Rocket Fuel Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 7,826	Yep, they're the company I usually use in North America. It has been ages since I've used them in Europe as they're usually very expensive even with my Hertz Gold Card.