Please warn your readers about hire car companies in Spain overcharging for returning cars with no fuel.
I booked a hire car in Majorca in June though a broker paying in full in advance. The terms and conditions on the voucher (there are also terms and conditions on the broker’s web site so plenty to wade through) state, 'Fuel should be paid for on arrival and it is not necessary to refill the tank before returning. Refunds are given for unused fuel for rentals of 1 to 3 days.' I thought nothing of this until collecting the car.
The car hire company told me that I would need to bring the car back empty and the charge for the fuel was 95 Euros. This included an administration charge of 15 Euros to fill the car up, so 80 Euros to fill up a Ford Focus where fuel costs were 1.36 per litre. Not a bad mark up. I regularly hire cars throughout Europe and I have never come across a car hire company where you are required to bring the car back empty - it is clearly a very nice money making scheme.
I complained to the car hire company and the broker about the unreasonable terms and conditions. The former never responded, the brokers said that I needed to ask if I wanted a “return full” hire car.
The car hire company told me that I would need to bring the car back empty and the charge for the fuel was 95 Euros. This included an administration charge of 15 Euros to fill the car up, so 80 Euros to fill up a Ford Focus where fuel costs were 1.36 per litre. Not a bad mark up. I regularly hire cars throughout Europe and I have never come across a car hire company where you are required to bring the car back empty - it is clearly a very nice money making scheme.
I complained to the car hire company and the broker about the unreasonable terms and conditions. The former never responded, the brokers said that I needed to ask if I wanted a “return full” hire car.
Asked on 23 August 2011 by JG, West Horsley
Answered by
Honest John
You have to look at the whole deal. Pay a higher rental and insurance fee and you may not get this kind of clawback. But, if what you say is true, this particular company is in breach of contract. Though I don't know how you are going to enforce that over car hire in Spain.
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