22 Jan 2013 11:09:

We had the misfortune to use this company this month at Malaga. We booked via Holiday Autos which usually are OK but because they don't tell you the company until you've booked we didn't know who we had got. Would never use Advantage again.

Queued in the cold dark car park for nearly an hour and half, no-one showed you to the car, stung for nearly 600€ on the credit card. 500€ deposit against damage, despite having paid for Holiday Autos total comprehensive collision damage, the rest was for fuel on a Hyundai i30 which cost much less than that to fill. The receptionist was very chatty, I assume to deflect from the massive bill they are giving you.

On return we were given no directions by Advantage and of course couldn't remember where they were as we'd been so grateful just to get out of there on pickup day. Consequently we were driving around the car park, eventually asked at another company for directions. The woman accepting the cars didn't want to come and inspect ours and became very sarcastic when we insisted.

We stopped using Doyouspain because of the insurance charges on check in, even with Insurance4 Hire Cars (or whatever) and massive queues at check in. Next time we'll just bite the bullet and go to a recognised company which might charge a little more but saves the hassle. We got Atesa last year with Holiday Autos and very disappointed not to get again as they were excellent and no stupid full empty policy either.

The Hyundai was pretty knacked too - even small hills were hard work.

Thread: do you know advantage car hire

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22 Jan 2013 10:41:

Although a loyal Easyjet passenger who only takes hand baggage, sometimes, if wanting a hold bag a scheduled airline can be comparable in price and far less hassle. For example BA allow not only hold luggage but also a cabin bag plus either a handbag (manbag!) or laptop. Worth checking on a price comparison site before booking.

I'd be interested in where you can get a week's car hire for the same price as putting a case in the hold?  I always pay a lot more.

Thread: Which budget airlines has the most generous baggage aloowance ?

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07 Dec 2012 13:51:

I have been visiting Morocco for over 40 years and seen every town. Tangier (please note no 's') has become very run down, more so since the new international port has moved to the outskirts. There are some beautiful places to see but you need a local guide.  The old town is not even shabby chic, it's just shabby. If you have transport and go outside there are some very modern areas but don't hire a car and it's terribly expensive. Bite the bullet and use an organised guide, sometimes the Petit Taxi drivers will take you around for a few extra Euros.

If only going for a couple of days I would suggest going to Asilah which has been 'touristfied' so isn't so busy as Tangier, which is still a working town. Asilah is frequented by many international artists so is used to tourists and you will be welcomed and not hassled. You can either get a train, taxi or local bus.  The ferry company in Tarifa run organised over night tours which might be an option.

Cafes in Morocco are in the main for men.  Some of the younger people frequent the more modern ones and you can see men and women actually out together but this is not the traditional way of life for most people.

It's only a short stretch of water but it's hundreds of years away.  If you want the santised tourist scene that you get in Spain you need to go to Agadir or  Marrakech.  Unfortunately the North Atlantic coast of Morocco has suffered since the Spanish withdrew over the last 20 or so years. The main investment in the north has been along the Mediterrean coast with modern holiday complexes. Morocco might like to boast about its European links but it is still Africa.

Thread: Tarifa - Morocco and then?

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12 Oct 2012 14:31:

I had the misfortune to fly Monarch last month Gatwick to Malaga and felt like a sardine.  Being a larger lady I thought that their seat pitch wasn't as generous as Easyjet, my usual choice. Additionally it was a big twin aisled plane and packed which didn't add to the feeling of space.

Monarch also wanted £5.99 for the privilege of booking in on line and of course, the now manadatory, reserving my seat. Travelling alone I didn't both and although there was a large queue at the airport I was dealt with speedily. The actual boarding process seemed to take forever and, despite seat allocation, people were still jostling for position in queues. Why?

I returned via Easyjet and didn't pay for a seat and although the plane was full it didn't feel squashed. I should add that I had an aisle seat both journeys.

I haven't flown Ryanair air for about 10 years and we swore never to do so ever again as it was so horrendous so can't really comment how they are now. 

Thread: let's slate Monarch too!

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21 Jun 2012 15:07:

Not heard of this company but would be cautious if very cheap.  After booking the cheap deals we got fed up with the extra charges levied at the airport, plus the long queues at these companies.  Even having the Insurance4Car Hire didn't help as they insisted on taking a deposit just in case.  Not booked a car since January but we used National Atesa (Malaga).  

Not the cheapest company but couldn't fault their service.  We paid up front for all the insurance extras in sterling and were pleasantly surprised that they didn't try and sell us anything else at the airport.  There were only a couple of people in front of us but the guy in charge said we'd been waiting a long time because they were short staffed - it was actually less than 30 minutes - and gave us an upgrade.  Fuel policy was return as given out and no charges. 

Don't hire that often but will be using them again.

Thread: CAR HIRE COMPANY bSAFECARHIRE ANYONE ??

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