Car Rental in Spain
Jan 21st, 2009, 04:12 AM
#1
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Car Rental in Spain
We are going to the Costa del Sol in two weeks. I contacted a car rental company recommended on this board. The information they give states they will give you a full tank of gas and you are to bring the car back empty. They charge you up front for a full tank of gas. Is this normal? I have never heard of that before. I emailed them and asked about how much they would charge for the gas, but it has been 3 days and I have not heard back from them. I want to know if this is a normal charge in Spain, or should I look for another company?
Thanks, Anita
Thanks, Anita
Jan 21st, 2009, 04:17 AM
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I recently rented a car from the Madrid airport, using Carjet.co.uk I have used them five or six times and always get good deals. They are brokers, not an actual car rental company, and this time our company was National. When I rent cars in Portugal, the company has always been Budget. I have never encountered that policy, always brought the car back full.
I know that some other people on this board have had a similar problem to the one you have described, but it's never happened to me. Maybe you should look at carjet. Laurie
I know that some other people on this board have had a similar problem to the one you have described, but it's never happened to me. Maybe you should look at carjet. Laurie
Jan 21st, 2009, 04:38 AM
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Many brokers seem to have that policy now with rentals in Spain.
For a compact, you can expect to pay around €50 for that tank of gas.
I brought back the car almost empty, so it was no big loss (except that they seem to charge more for a liter than the gas station).
I accepted that disadvantage when I rented in Spain last month, because from an overall perspective I still saved a huge deal (like 50 pct) when compared with quotes directly from Avis or Europcar or other brokers.
For a compact, you can expect to pay around €50 for that tank of gas.
I brought back the car almost empty, so it was no big loss (except that they seem to charge more for a liter than the gas station).
I accepted that disadvantage when I rented in Spain last month, because from an overall perspective I still saved a huge deal (like 50 pct) when compared with quotes directly from Avis or Europcar or other brokers.
Jan 21st, 2009, 04:55 AM
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OK, here is what I have found. I am looking for a station wagon type vehicle because there are 4 of us with luggage. All quotes are in Euros: Carjet 89.50, Malagacar.com is 115.00 and the one that wants me to pay for a full tank is Malaga Car Hire through a web site called doyouspain dot com at 75.00. Will I save enough between 75 and 89.5 to purchase the gas at their rates or should I go with Carjet? Your opinions are appreciated.
Jan 21st, 2009, 06:18 AM
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Browsing thru carjet's website, I found the following on their policy re. gas. I chose the Malaga airport location since you mentioned Costa del Sol.
Fuel is not included at Malaga Airport!
The fuel that you consume during your car hire is obviously not included in our our published car hire rates! On arrival at Malaga Airport, you will be asked to prepay a full tank of fuel. At the end of the hire, simply return the car hire vehicle back to the car hire station at Malaga Airport as empty as possible.
On short hires (3 days or less), we may be able to arrange "full/full" fuelling for your car hire at Malaga Airport against a credit card deposit. Please ask your reservations agent for further details.
Fuel is not included at Malaga Airport!
The fuel that you consume during your car hire is obviously not included in our our published car hire rates! On arrival at Malaga Airport, you will be asked to prepay a full tank of fuel. At the end of the hire, simply return the car hire vehicle back to the car hire station at Malaga Airport as empty as possible.
On short hires (3 days or less), we may be able to arrange "full/full" fuelling for your car hire at Malaga Airport against a credit card deposit. Please ask your reservations agent for further details.
Jan 21st, 2009, 06:34 AM
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Maybe a sample calculation helps to decide which option is cheaper.
My last rental was a Opel Corsa Diesel for €65 per week, all insurances included.
Had to pay €50 for full tank of diesel.
That car has a 45 liter tank, and diesel costs 90c/liter.
So, at a gas station, I would have paid €40 for a full tank.
Mark-up of rental car company on gas: 25%
Total costs of car: 65+50 = 115 Euros.
Costs don't change no matter if you drive only 100km in one week or use full tank of gas.
Other companies like Sixt charge per week for the same category of car I had: €160
You don't have to purchase a full tank.
Option 1: I use one full tank of gas.
Buy gas myself after one week when returning the car: €40.
Total costs of car (Sixt): 160+40= 200 Euros.
Option 2: I only drive 100km in one week. Fill up myself for €5 (or bit less)
Total costs of car (Sixt): 160+5= 165 Euros.
Even if the mandatory payment for gas/diesel kinda rubs me the wrong way, I had not found any cheaper alternative.
My last rental was a Opel Corsa Diesel for €65 per week, all insurances included.
Had to pay €50 for full tank of diesel.
That car has a 45 liter tank, and diesel costs 90c/liter.
So, at a gas station, I would have paid €40 for a full tank.
Mark-up of rental car company on gas: 25%
Total costs of car: 65+50 = 115 Euros.
Costs don't change no matter if you drive only 100km in one week or use full tank of gas.
Other companies like Sixt charge per week for the same category of car I had: €160
You don't have to purchase a full tank.
Option 1: I use one full tank of gas.
Buy gas myself after one week when returning the car: €40.
Total costs of car (Sixt): 160+40= 200 Euros.
Option 2: I only drive 100km in one week. Fill up myself for €5 (or bit less)
Total costs of car (Sixt): 160+5= 165 Euros.
Even if the mandatory payment for gas/diesel kinda rubs me the wrong way, I had not found any cheaper alternative.
Jan 21st, 2009, 10:18 AM
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Have you checked with Auto Europe, Hertz or Avis? It might be well worth your time.
This type of fuel charge is used by a few companies. Some offer a pre-pay service so you don't have to find a fueling station before dropping the car off. Or as you've discovered, some require you to pay for a full tank in advance.
Regardless of the offer, neither is well suited for most people on holiday. They were designed for the business traveler.
This type of fuel charge is used by a few companies. Some offer a pre-pay service so you don't have to find a fueling station before dropping the car off. Or as you've discovered, some require you to pay for a full tank in advance.
Regardless of the offer, neither is well suited for most people on holiday. They were designed for the business traveler.
Jan 21st, 2009, 10:32 AM
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I see on doyouspain that they use Atesa and National, thase company exist in Malaga, I suggest you check them too.
About the fuel, decide what's better for you and make a deal with the company, and if they do not agree, tell them you'll use another. I always prefer filling the tank before drop-off.
About the fuel, decide what's better for you and make a deal with the company, and if they do not agree, tell them you'll use another. I always prefer filling the tank before drop-off.
