Valle de Enix development in Almeria [ built by Grupo location]

Have just found a great website (www.practicalspain.com) that is a mine of information on a vast range of subjects.

 One thing I did pick up though, & have vaguely heard of before, is that we should all be carrying a luminous yellow jacket in the car (in case of breakdown?) & there is an automatic fine if we're found by police not to have one. Having never had a rental company provide me with one have obviously been breaking the law through ignorance for a while! What does everyone else do?

Have just booked car rental for next year - premiercarjet - anyone know any cheaper for future ref? - preferably without any insurance excess - came close to a prang in Dolores when the spanish chap in front decided to reverse at speed without looking in his mirrors - wasn't my life that flashed in front of my eyes but the insurance excess!

Helen

If you have always rented cars via Premier Carjet you will have had a Hi Viz Jacket somewhere in the car, I believe the Rental Company can be in trouble for not supplying one. PCJ have always been the cheapest for car rental, on the odd occasion we have had a cheaper quote via Do You Spain website but PCJ have aways matched their quote

Paul

Hi Paul

Can't have been very high viz as I've never found the darn thing - haven't always booked through Premiercarjet but always seem to end up with the same culprits when picking the car up ie, europa, auriga, solmar etc. Is it hidden somewhere in the car then or am I just as blind as a bat (comforting thought for the rest of you when I'm on the roads around Roda!)

Hi Helen,

Have been to Murcia a number of times over the past 3 years, and have found that www.allinclusivecarhire.com has usually been the cheapest. Prices quoted include insurances with no excesses. The only additional expense is an optional window and tyre insurance for approx. 15euros, which most car hire companies now offer. They only use companies with desks in the airport.

Malcolm 

Thanks for that Malcolm - clicked onto the site & am fairly sure that it is the carjet site renamed - gave me the same quote for next summer to the euro (5 weeks - could go back & forth to UK quite a few times for the price!)

Has anyone tried getting a discount for booking a load of car hire at once? Maybe pushing my luck with that one though!

Hi Helen

Just got back from Roda tonight and how topical. Try as I might driving round and round at Alicante I still ended up giving Europa Goldstar a quarter of a tank of diesel.

My point is that if we could identify those companies who allow you to return full to full, it might save you money overall...maybe dearer to hire but cheaper to fuel.

I've just worked out it isn't my sparkling repartit or devilish good looks when the girl behind the desk gives me an upgrade.....it's a bigger tank of fuel to get rid of!!!

John

Hi John

Think you're putting yourself down - a smooth talker like you would soon get an upgrade! (Have a vision of you driving round & round the airport to use up the fuel though!)

We haven't been to Alicante (just use Murcia prefering to travel at UK end rather than spanish side) so only know car hire companies there. Last 3 have been Auriga. Solmar & Centauro who all said at the start fuel tank is full - bring back empty. On asking though they all have agreed for us to bring the cars back with a full tank & have refunded to our credit card the cost of the initial fuel. From memory we paid 12 euros for topping up the tank in Oct which was a considerable saving (otherwise we would have been charged 65 euros for the full tank).

Brian has just pointed out to me an article in the Sunday Mirror re spanish traffic laws - according to the 'drivers champion - barrister Oilver Mishcon' all vehicles in Spain must carry a spare fan belt, a full set of spare bulbs & the tools to change them together with a red warning triangle (more on the spot fines for failure to do so). Have I missed them as well?

Sorry we missed you in October in Roda - looking forward to New Year!

Helen

Hi just returned from Roda we rented a car from Auriga, we were collected by mini bus and taken to their office up the road to do the necessary paperwork and collect the car. We had booked a citreon C2, on the plus side they upgraded us to a ford focus costing 6o euros in fuel. On the downside we asked could we return the car full instead of empty they declined and stated anyone renting over 3 days must return the vehicle empty. Like a lot of others we didn't really use that much and ended up returning it just over half a tank full which was a bit frustrating, will try Centauro or Solmar next visit I did find it easier picking up and dropping off  the car at the airport. 

Hi Amanda - have to admit that Auriga was the one company we didn't think we would get a refund on fuel from - took them a couple of months to recredit our credit card a/c & had all but given up on it. This was quite a while ago (18 months +?) so they have obviously had second thoughts on agreeing to bringing the car back full.

I don't like using Auriga either, solely due to the hassle of them not being on site at the airport, but when booking through PCJ don't know until the confirmation email which company I will be using by which time it's too late. Anyone know a way around this?

Hi everyone

We used Solmar in January & they definitely let you return the car with a full tank & refund the fuel to your credit card. Have just had our creit card statement with the refund showing.

We use Auriga every time we go over. They let you refill car up and credit your card. You actualy get a copy of the till roll.  Never had a problem. They are also one of the best priced.

Colette & Paul

Same story. I used Auriga last time and they actually did the refund at the counter when we returned the car and gave me a copy of the till roll. Bit of a hassle being ferried back and forward though, so might try Solmar next time if they also refund.

I have also been recommended Dirkmann down at Oasis who have the car ready for you to pick up at the airport and allow you to return it full. Need to investigate more.

John

Hi

Are you sure it's not Dickmans - or is that a different one?

DealerJm/Paulcollette

did you both rent for more than 3 days with Auriga?

We rented for 8 days and they refused to let us return the car with a full tank of petrol.

Did you have to push for it or did they just agree?

Amanda

Hi Helen and Annie

Yes we hired for 6 days and no problem with refund, given that we specified when we booked. In fact we booked through Economy Car hire and asked them for a company that offered this. We were told that Auriga were the only rental company that specified this in their terms and conditions. I checked and they did!

And yes, I did mean Dickmans, I was watching Celeb BB when I typed Dirkman, so I'm surprised I didn't type Cleomans!

Happy motoring

John

Sorry I meant Amanda and Annie, I think Helen started the thread

John

Yes, although it was only 4 days!   If there is an issue with a longer rental period please let us know. Our next rental will be for 7 days.

Colette & Paul

Colette & Paul

All our rentals have been for a longer period & have had no problem with a refund on fuel.

John says it's specified in Auriga's terms & condition that we can bring the car back full, so it might be worth taking a copy with you in case they decide differently.

Hi Annie21

Whereabouts did you find the T&C for Auriga?  I have just looked at some quotes of theirs on car-spain, and spanish car hire, both of which clearly stated full/empty, no refunds.

We are with auriga, this weekend, it is booked through premiercarjet, that also states full/empty  but does say that under 4 days you can request full/full. We are there for the week. Would be grateful if you can shed some light on this, as we will never use a full tank of diesel on a Kangoo in a week.

regards

yvonne

Hi Yvonne

It was John (dealerjm) in a post further down that mentioned it was in their T&C - haven't actually looked myself.

John - can you answer this?