Car Rental Almeria Airport

Having read horror stories about insurance rip offs, unreliable service, rude staff - the list goes on, I'm starting to dread having to choose a trustworthy car rental company from Almeria Airport. My preference would be to book an on-site provider at the airport or a car delivered. We are a family of five staying for 2 weeks from 18th August to 1st September and I intend to take out my own insurance (based on advice I've seen elsewhere). Any advice or recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Hi.

I use 'Do you Spain' to book my cars and have done for years and never once a problem......Many on here hate this booking company.

I use Alicante Airport and have just booked for two weeks in June at 30€ 5 door car.....Quick look on the Do you site for your Airport and most are upwarrds of start at 280€ ish.

I buy the rental company own insurance and never a problem with any car....Many on here consider that one big rip off.

I buy full to empty, never a problem.

I don't consider anything with the rental companies a rip off, never had bad or unreliable service, never had rude staff.

At the end of the day it's all a very personal choice, my last rental came to 293.93€ plus the 35€ for a car = 328.93€, (15 days) = 21.92€ a day approx. A friend came over to the UK for about the same time and paid almost £600.00 approx  £40.00 a day.

I think baz is correct. The problem really starts with the hire companies advertising their hire charges at ridiculously low rates ‘’1€’’ a day, then adding all the costs ‘’fuel & insurance’’ at pick up point. Of course some people really believe they can get a car at 1€ a day without reading the terms and conditions when booking and that leads to all the arguments at pick up.

I use hirecarsinspain, they do the usual cheap offers where you have to buy the extras on arrival, they also do all inclusive deals (not sure about Almeria), what you contract to in the UK is what you pay on arrival, including insurance and fuel.

Do you really need a car? There is a good shuttle service that is well priced and runs from Almeria to Vera.

Mark

Thanks for the comments. Cost is not the issue either, it's about trust and Baz you are very lucky not to have experienced any issues at all with car hire companies! The shuttle service is an interesting idea, but as there are five of us we do need transport for 2 weeks, as we're staying in a rental property up in the hills.

i will try the the recommended links though so thanks for the suggestions.

Albus, when it comes to being lucky to have had no problems I honestly mean that, just never had, I once was behind someone getting his car and he was giving them the riot act over insurance / fuel / etc.

It's only a rental car at the end of the day so don't let it spoil a holiday.

If you book it yourselves with the big operators you pay all the extras.

Small operators can be good for several trips then let you down.

Best use an agent Like 'Holiday Autos' who will get you a good price with one of the big operators and even change the booking if a better deal comes up.

Pay them with your credit card in the UK for best protection.

"Pay them with your credit card in the UK for best protection."

Doesn't matter where you pay them, you have the same rights under the conbsumer credit act as you do anywhere else. Saying that though, it will only be of use if over £100 (you can pay any amount on credit card, even £1 and the card company become jointly liable). The only thing you are likely to be protected over though is if a) the car isn't there or b) the company goes bust.