The pitfalls of holiday car rentals

Car rental can be one of the most frustrating elements of any holiday. Complaints abound of unexpected credit card charges and difficulties in identifying what the final price will be.

For example, I recently booked a car in Spain and used a website that I am familiar with, doyouspain.com. The price for 10 days hire for a Nissan Juke was a surprising €33.92 including full insurance.

However, when I added in all the other items, in the Goldcar list of general conditions, here’s how it became €313.92: An additional driver would be €7.95 per day, a full tank of petrol was €116 including a refuelling service charge of €21.

Excess refund insurance was €59.50 if I did not take the full insurance, though full insurance as well as Collision Damage Waiver was included. Goldcar would block a €1,400 deposit on my credit card. To top it all taking a side trip into France would be another €25.

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Mileage was capped at 150km per day and excess kilometres would be charged at an additional 0.18c or 0.23c per kilometre. Though 1,500km would be unlikely, I would have to make sure to take the mileage reading. In the likelihood of getting a parking or speeding fine, there would be a €45 admin fee plus the fine.

Renting a car can be vital for holidays so persist in finding the terms and conditions; they can be surprising. If you have a complaint about car rental, in the first instance approach the hire company for an explanation. The European Consumer Centre will also take complaints, at (01) 8797620 and eccireland.ie.

Other items that are additional for rentals are child seats, GPSs, under age drivers i.e. between 21-25, some companies charge extra for having less than one year’s driving experience. Most companies will only take credit cards and it must have the driver’s name on it.

jscales@irishtimes.com