Gran Alacant Forum

Gran Alacant Forum => General Discussions => Topic started by: John H on January 16, 2015, 14:13.

Title: Car Hire Bargains.
Post by: John H on January 16, 2015, 14:13.
We are flying out tomorow for a couple of weeks, I've just rechecked our car hire price as is now my custom and practise with great results.

We are hiring a Citroen Berlingo class vehicle, need a bit of space for a few jobs I'm doing, its costing me £41.20 plus the tank of fuel and "fueling costs". Bargain!!

One of the best bits of advice I picked up last year was to recheck the hire price, on one booking it saved us over €200

Regards all

John

Title: Re: Car Hire Bargains.
Post by: Joe1965 on January 16, 2015, 23:32.
Excellent John - enjoy.

But remember not to let them tempt you into an "up-grade" i.e. more petrol needed to fill it up and therefore more costly.

Regards


Joe
Title: Re: Car Hire Bargains.
Post by: John H on January 17, 2015, 09:04.
Cheers Joe

I haven't been offered an upgrade for at least 18 months, at one time I was always offered one........I must look hard up!!

Regards all

John
Title: Re: Car Hire Bargains.
Post by: llamedos on January 17, 2015, 16:04.
Which is the cheapest company at the moment, as I will be renting one for a few weeks at the end of. Feb?.


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Title: Re: Car Hire Bargains.
Post by: John H on January 17, 2015, 16:28.
I've gone with Record llamedos, best deal I found

Regards all

John
Title: Re: Car Hire Bargains.
Post by: Philndeb on January 17, 2015, 16:56.
I went with record back in October, they seem OK although I booked a focus and got a. Nissan Note, which as it happens was a really good car, with stop start tech and a good fuel consumption, so I didn't bother questioning it.


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Title: Re: Car Hire Bargains.
Post by: John H on January 18, 2015, 08:20.
Result!!

Landed at 8.30pm yesterday........no one in the queue at Record, of the three cars in the class I booked the best IMHO is the VW Caddy, which I got!!
Its only got 4500km on the clock and a first for Record, its clean as a whistle
The £41.20 is looking even better value :)

Have a great day

Regards all

John
Title: Re: Car Hire Bargains.
Post by: Joe1965 on January 18, 2015, 09:23.
Way to go John.


Enjoy !
Title: Re: Car Hire Bargains.
Post by: curly131 on January 18, 2015, 12:01.
Hi John
Did you pay the extra insurance, around 7 or 8 Euros a day? I seem to remember you had to either pay for the extra or leave a massive deposit, that was actually taken off your credit card to be refunded within 30 days if there were no problems with the the car on its return. I think there was also a cap on how much you had to pay for the extra insurance. Not out again until April so just looking for an update on Records latest T's & C's.
Regards
Ian
Title: Re: Car Hire Bargains.
Post by: John H on January 18, 2015, 13:23.
Hi Ian, on the advice of a few members of The Plaza I took out a policy with http://www.insurance4carhire.com/?refID=2047&subRefID=0&curID=GBP&langID=1&gclid=CP759PvDncMCFUr4wgod9g8AYQ, gives you the cover you need for £40 a year.
They get very good reviews.

Regards all

John
Title: Re: Car Hire Bargains.
Post by: Aficionado on January 18, 2015, 13:47.
Hi John,

I took out one of these policies last year and used it to good effect in October with Dickmans, avoiding what would otherwise have been a charge of approx. 70/75 euros. I did have to leave a security deposit of 400 euros, which was charged to the card and did make me a little apprehensive, however on returning the car I made sure that it was inspected and my copy of the agreement signed off as No Damage, approx. 2 weeks later the deposit was back on the card. Of course, being a sterling card, I suffered the usual exchange rate nonsense and lost about £15 but even so I saved money and have since used it again on a car hire in England, saving another £30 approx.

If you have enough car hires in a year, this policy will save you money, but I believe it is very important to have the car checked on return and signed off as ok, to avoid any risk of a company trying to hold onto the deposit, claiming damage to the car.

Michael.
Title: Re: Car Hire Bargains.
Post by: Corporal Jones on January 18, 2015, 21:38.
Ive used insurance4car hire for several years,  last year i was stitched like a kipper by Drivalia who i have used several times, we picked up the car late at night in the dark did the paperwork with there usual efficiency,  i didnt think anything of it at the time when the girl asked what excess policy i was using. Anyway 3 weeks later i returned said car, the man was down on his knees meticulously looking at every panel and wheel, ive never seen anything like it in years of renting, on wheel 3 he found a scratch not on the rim but near the centre it measured 12mm or half an inch, he then said "that wasnt there when you took the car " mindful we were catching a plane in 130 minutes and we needed a lift we had a row. He wanted 100 euros for the damage. I knew i had been done when out of the blue he said whats the problem you've got an excess policy. What a shower  of **** , anyway insurance repaid me no issues. And Drivalia  can stick it where the sun doesnt shine.
Title: Re: Car Hire Bargains.
Post by: curly131 on January 19, 2015, 10:39.
Thanks for the info John
As I will only have the car for a week it wil be a toss up whether to take the policey or pay the extra or just leave the deposit and trust there will be no problems when i return it.
Ian
Title: Re: Car Hire Bargains.
Post by: puddy-woo on January 19, 2015, 12:02.
Without wishing to tempt fate I have never had an issue with leaving a deposit and I have been using email car hire (Record) for over 10 years, at least 3 times a year.  They have taken my card details but the deposit has never been debited from my account as I have never had any problems with the cars.
Title: Re: Car Hire Bargains.
Post by: Spurs on January 19, 2015, 22:40.
Hi all just joined the new forum after many years on the GA plaza

Glad to see you are still saving money on the car hire John did it again myself last week got it down from €80 to €29 in 2 Weeks

Another great result I always use centauro
Title: Re: Car Hire Bargains.
Post by: John H on January 19, 2015, 22:45.
Great to see you on here Spurs
We are coming to GA in early May for four and a half weeks, at the moment the prices are that high I haven't made a booking yet......looking at over €400.......I'm doing a weekly check!!

Regards all

John
Title: Re: Car Hire Bargains.
Post by: chris and jackie on January 21, 2015, 17:39.
I have just booked with e-mail car hire who always use Record and cost for 15 days from mid Feb for 5 door clio was only 45 euros, cheapest i have had in 10 years.
Title: Re: Car Hire Bargains.
Post by: Spurs on January 21, 2015, 20:15.
Keep checking they often get cheaper nearer the date I always do this then rebook at new price and cancel the old one

On the old plaza when I posted this some people saved several hundred pounds

Good luck
Title: Re: Car Hire Bargains.
Post by: Philndeb on January 21, 2015, 20:50.
How weird!, I went on doyouspain and 15 days was cheaper than 14 days by about 30%, a Clio was €37.96


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Title: Re: Car Hire Bargains.
Post by: DaveG on January 23, 2015, 13:25.
Hi Philndeb,

If you book via doyouspain make sure you save your Booking Voucher.

We were last out in December with a 3 day full / full with Centauro via doyouspain. When Centauro refunded the fuel deposit they deducted €25 for "logistics" i.e. refuelling the car after it's return. As it was full when returned there was no refuelling required and so I queried the deduction with them and they insist the terms were full / empty with partial refund but you still have to pay the logistics even when returning it full.

I always book full / full and set that filter on the DYS website - when I queried with DYS they want the original Booking Voucher which I haven't saved so I cannot prove the terms, DYS say they don't keep records  :( and you can't print a Booking Voucher retrospectively off the booking confirmation email which I always save.

After 12 years of hiring about 8 - 10 cars a year I thought I had all the rip-offs covered - sadly not.

Dave
Title: Re: Car Hire Bargains.
Post by: John H on January 23, 2015, 14:05.
When I picked up the car we currently have from Record last Saturday they explained the fuel refund policy, they pointed out that I would not get a refund on the "fuelling charge" even if I brought it back full.
Seems the companies are consistent in their approach

Regards all

John
Title: Re: Car Hire Bargains.
Post by: puddy-woo on January 23, 2015, 15:07.
Good afternoon all. We are here in a very sunny Santa Pola. Just a word of warning on the cheap car hire....the queues at Record and Gold Car were the worst I have ever seen. I don't think I am exaggerating when I say there must have been around 40 people in the Record queue. At least a 2 hr wait!!!  We chose not to bother and got a cab as we hadn't given over any credit card details. Wasn't worth the wait for a weekend break.


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Title: Re: Car Hire Bargains.
Post by: DaveG on January 23, 2015, 18:49.
Hi Puddy-woo,
Our first and last experience with Firefly was the same - arrived on a very hot July day and joined the back of a long queue - I went round all the other desks trying to get a car on reasonable terms at short notice but nothing doing. Went back to Maureen and she hadn't moved and the same people were at the front arguing about the things they were getting hit for that they hadn't read in the small print. Gave up and got a taxi - must admit that I did enjoy the subsequent walking and bus trips - being the driver I managed to see things from a different perspective.
Dave
Title: Re: Car Hire Bargains.
Post by: David D on January 23, 2015, 22:17.
Hello all,
I use Centauro,I am a gold club member with them.i use them at least 5 times a year including July and August and never have to queue. There is a separate desk for gold club members so there is no hanging about.also when you book with them you accumulate points which you build up until you get a free car hire .i,ve just booked a car for 1 week in March no charge just the price of the fuel.
Regards Dave
Title: Re: Car Hire Bargains.
Post by: Corporal Jones on January 25, 2015, 00:24.
Weve got a clio booked for 3 weeks in july this was booked in December at 300 euro, we check most weeks and it  hasn't yet moved, watch this space.
Title: Re: Car Hire Bargains.
Post by: John H on February 24, 2015, 00:14.
Great to see you on here Spurs
We are coming to GA in early May for four and a half weeks, at the moment the prices are that high I haven't made a booking yet......looking at over €400.......I'm doing a weekly check!!

Regards all

John

The price has gone down by about €75 in the last couple of days with Record..........a Focus for 31 days now comes in at €336..........reckon it'll come down further yet.

On Do You Spain, same car, same dates and times with Record coming in at €288............just over £200 for four and a half weeks.........

Regards all

John

Title: Re: Car Hire Bargains.
Post by: Emma on February 26, 2015, 11:24.
We use several times a year Record go and always take the Comfort plus coverage insurance which was last january 76.98 euro for 2 weeks.  We now booked a car for 2 weeks in may and the Comfort plus would be 192 euro and is obligated from the age of 70 !!?


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Title: Re: Car Hire Bargains.
Post by: John H on February 26, 2015, 11:40.
I'm a few years away from 70 yet Emma, I use insurance4hirecar at £40 a year and let them hold a charge against my credit card.

Regards all

John


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Title: Re: Car Hire Bargains.
Post by: John H on March 27, 2015, 16:39.
Great to see you on here Spurs
We are coming to GA in early May for four and a half weeks, at the moment the prices are that high I haven't made a booking yet......looking at over €400.......I'm doing a weekly check!!

Regards all

John

The price has gone down by about €75 in the last couple of days with Record..........a Focus for 31 days now comes in at €336..........reckon it'll come down further yet.

On Do You Spain, same car, same dates and times with Record coming in at €288............just over £200 for four and a half weeks.........

Regards all

John

Just checked again.....with Record the price is now down to €225 and with Do You Spain its down to €192

I might be making a booking shortly!!

Regards all

John
Title: Re: Car Hire Bargains.
Post by: ian-steele on March 28, 2015, 10:52.
where can i hire a car for a few days in gran alacant ?
Title: Re: Car Hire Bargains.
Post by: John H on March 28, 2015, 12:50.
First booking made............Ford Fiesta for 31 days May/June €116 after my "members discount" which roughly works out at £84.........no complaints :)

If it gets any cheaper I will cancel and rebook............but I doubt it will.

Regards all

John
Title: Re: Car Hire Bargains.
Post by: Brandon on March 31, 2015, 15:22.
Hi All,

Thanks for the info re Hire cars with Do You Spain.
I made a reservation some weeks back.

It is with Solmar for a week for €55, which I think is a really good deal.
Does anybody have any experience of using Solmar? (as we have only used centaura, Goldcar, Record in the past)
Is getting to/from the Solmar office  fairly straightforward?

I have received the following instruction:
On arrival at the airport, please proceed to the bus station located on floor -2 of arrivals. You will be met by a representative of SOLMAR RENT A CAR located at bus stops 27-29. You will be taken to the SOLMAR RENT A CAR office located a short distance from the airport.

Thanks,
Brandon
Title: Re: Car Hire Bargains.
Post by: Aficionado on March 31, 2015, 22:19.
Same procedure as Dickmans, Drivalia and some others, you may have up to 10 mins to wait at the bus stop while the minibus does the circuit, otherwise straightforward enough.
Title: Re: Car Hire Bargains.
Post by: Brandon on April 02, 2015, 09:50.
Thanks
Title: Re: Car Hire Bargains.
Post by: Aficionado on April 03, 2015, 13:15.
First booking made............Ford Fiesta for 31 days May/June €116 after my "members discount" which roughly works out at £84.........no complaints :)

If it gets any cheaper I will cancel and rebook............but I doubt it will.

Regards all

John

John, worth another look, my group BC was 143 euros on 22.2.15, now 51 euros today  :) - for 20 days - changes made, needless to say.

Michael.
Title: Re: Car Hire Bargains.
Post by: John H on April 03, 2015, 13:41.
Cheers Michael...............31 days group C1 now €73.53  c.£54.00...........so glad I didnt buy another car!!

Regards all

John
Title: Re: Car Hire Bargains.
Post by: Spurs on April 03, 2015, 14:24.
Glad to see you are still saving the money John I can't believe they havent stopped it yet

Must be up to three pints you owe me now
Title: Re: Car Hire Bargains.
Post by: puddy-woo on April 03, 2015, 15:36.
Where r you guys looking. I cant find anything that cheap???


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Title: Car Hire Bargains.
Post by: John H on April 03, 2015, 16:26.
Hi puddy-woo I'm still using Record, the last few cars I've had off them have been very good.
If you join their "club" you accumulate points which knock money off future bookings.
Do You Spain have some excellent prices for early May bookings at the moment

Spurs, following your advice must have saved me about £350 in the last twelve months, it's more than three pints I owe you
Regards all

John


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Title: Re: Car Hire Bargains.
Post by: Aficionado on April 03, 2015, 16:45.
Where r you guys looking. I cant find anything that cheap???


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http://www.hirecarsinspain.com

Been using them for a while now.

Michael.
Title: Re: Car Hire Bargains.
Post by: puddy-woo on April 03, 2015, 17:09.
I need to have a word with Record. Have been booking through emailcarhire.com for around 12 years.  I dont get any bargains


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Title: Re: Car Hire Bargains.
Post by: mushte on April 05, 2015, 17:41.
 
   Hi John
       I see you take out the insurance with  insurance4hirecar,
       on Record they recommend questor ,as I was thinking of
      taking one of these policy out I was wondering which one
    is the best bet or are they all the same.
     Thank you for any input
       
Title: Re: Car Hire Bargains.
Post by: John H on April 05, 2015, 21:20.
Hi mushte, a few of the posters on The Plaza recommended insurance4carhire, I did a quick check on them on the Internet and the reviews were very good......hence I bought a policy
I haven't had to make a claim yet, I hope I never do!!

Regards all

John


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Title: Re: Car Hire Bargains.
Post by: Corporal Jones on April 05, 2015, 22:14.
I made a claim last year with insurance 4 car hire and found them very good, they need copies of all documents including receipts for any money paid. Just to add the claim was for a 1 inch scratch on an alloy wheel,not on the rim but near the hub centre im still convinced it was already there but who checks there car in such detail on collection Drivalia knew i had the excess policy and rightly stated to claim the 100 euro charge back, 7 months on im still waiting for the promised copy of the bill from Drivalia to repair the scratch.
Title: Re: Car Hire Bargains.
Post by: Philndeb on April 06, 2015, 11:34.
I always go round the car and take lots of photos of the wheels and any marks visible at the time of booking, I make sure they see me doing it too.


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Title: Re: Car Hire Bargains.
Post by: mushte on April 06, 2015, 21:17.
  Thank you John and Victor for reply
   guess its  insurance4hirecar  :)