Beware the Great Goldcar Fuel Rip off,

We rented a Berlingo from Goldcar during the summer and I was charged 110 euros for a full tank of fuel. While we were in Spain I saw fuel prices between 1.24 and 1.27 euros per litre. On returning home I checked the capacity of a Berlingo tank and it's 60 litres so I was charged 1.83 euros per litre! Buyer beware!

Same with Atlas Choice.  on a ford KA we where charged 65 euro.

I filled it up for €30 while over in sept

they all do it now.  Check the T's & C's for the hire company

All the major car hire companies seem to do this now. Back in May we used doyouspain and I think we were charged about 95 euros for a full tank. The best company now seems to be www.cheapholidaycar.co.uk run by Gregori who is based at Condado. There are no hidden extras. We didn't have to pay for extra drivers which in most instances is at least 3 euros a day, and you fill up the car yourself. Also, he picks up from the airport, at the moment Alicante or Murcia which saves a lot of time queuing at the car hire desk. When we came over recently the queue at Murica was huge! Also it meant both hubby and I could have a drink on the plane and not argue as to who was driving to Condado! We would highly recommend him.

Lynn & John

We also used Gregori a few weeks ago while out there and he is a very pleasant and obliging person always available to help.  His prices are very very good and although not new cars, they are just fine and he has no hidden extras.  Would recommend using him.

Similar with Avis on our visit last week, new Astra 1.6 petrol (56 litre tank)  89.66 euro i.e 1.60euro per litre. Their conversion rate to GBP not great either, 1.084 to pound. Nice virtually brand new car though! Most of the hire companies are doing it.

Regards,

David

Do Goldcar have a full-full policy on fuel for bookings of 3 days or less ?

This happened to us in May & July, (we booked with Centauro) however when I pre-paid it, they agreed that they would refund the pre-payment if I returned it with a full tank.   it may be worth checking this when you hire, but we did it and had no probs with the refund. 

RecordGo are exactly the same on fuel - I actually challenged them on fuel cost when I picked up my car last time - and they confirmed price was E1.80 per litre - when I said "well let me refill it cheaper before i return" they refused - of course!

I am using Greg for my next visit, a little more expensive than the advertised price on doyouspain, but with him picking us up from Alicante, and no fuel policy (50c on 60 litres is an extra E30 on top the quoted price!) - I think it won't only be more convenient, but also cheaper overall.  I will report back in November on the service, but from what I see below sounds good. - and great point Lynn - a drink or two on the way over :-)

My Advice is use gregori. The more people that use him the better the cars will become as he can afford to replace them with newer models.  Gregori's customer service is second to none and you pay only for the fuel you use and you fill up yourself, no charge for booster seats, no charge for extra drivers, I will be booking my car with him for next summer availabilty permitting. The only thing you get with these big car agencies is ripped off.

Ali

I totally agree. Gregory is a lovely genuine guy, as well as offering great customer service and being much cheaper than all the other rental firms. He is also a resident of Condado and I like to support owners who are trying to improve the resort.

Bee

We used sixt (alicante airport) at easter and was very impressed with the price, service, the car (brand new), and they had a full/full policy.  So we filled up at the closest service station on the way to the airport from CdA.  The girl had a quick look inside and said fine.  And they answered my email queries unlike doyouspain.

In saying that I would definitely be looking at comparing Gregory's offers next time out. 

Hi.

I'm just back today and used Drivalia which are situated off-site and needed a shuttle bus which when arriving is a slight pain.

It was their fuel policy which annoyed me though.

The girl told me there was a charge of 100e(yes,100) for a full tank of petrol for a Peugeot 308 and then bring it back empty,or for a charge of 33e I could bring it back with a full tank!!Neither really appealed but I thought it made more sense to bring back full.

I filled up 7/8ths of a tank and it cost me 59e,so I take it a full tank costs 67e,which is where the 33e comes in!

You could fill up the QE2 for 100e!

A flagrant rip-off and in future I will try this guy on-site,and good luck to him.

John 

This is why I always use Dickmans for car hire as when you book over the internet they always show the cost of the fuel, so that is included in the price you pay. you never get any of those nasty surprise fuel charges, also they never hassle you for the extra insurance.