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The guide
and compare for Alicante (Airport)
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When searching for car hire in Spain make sure all of these potential extras are included in the car rental price you have been quoted:
Third party insurance.
Airport fees.
Breakdown cover.
All local surcharges.
Loss/collision damage waiver.
Unlimited mileage.
Car hire in Spain Tip 2 - Air conditioning
It may sound obvious but DO check that the cheap price you have
found for your car hire in Spain applies to car hire with
air-conditioning. Temperatures in the summer in Spain will mostly be
above 30 degrees celsuis, sometimes over 40 degrees celsuis (over
100 degrees Fahrenheit).
Car hire in Spain Tip
3 - Book
ahead
Don't just arrive at the airport
in Spain without a car hire reservation.
When you find the car hire desks they are invariably
busy and chaotic with long queues and stressed staff. It is far
better to already have reserved your car hire in Spain so you have a
car hire reservation with a reference number so at least you know
they will have a car ready and waiting.
At least if the Spanish car hire company doesn't have your requested
car hire they will have to upgrade you to a better model of car hire
for free. You also tend to get cheaper car hire in Spain if you have
booked your car hire in advance - not if you just turn up at the
last minute.
Car hire in Spain Tip
4 - Don't penny pinch.
Some of the models for car hire in Spain differ from those in
Northern Europe. We had an experience where the boot of the car was
far smaller than the same model of car we owned in England. Do
consider the large amounts of luggage you will have in Spain and
maybe go for the next size of car hire up and just treat yourself
rather than traveling round on your holiday in Spain like a sardine.
The price difference between different models of car hire in Spain
is usually surprisingly small.
Car hire in Spain Tip
5 - Child seats.
When you hire a car in Spain you can usually hire a car seat for
children for about an extra €3 a day. Not only can this add-up, it
can often happen that the message doesn't reach the local car hire
office in Spain. It can often be a no-hassle option to take your own
car seat rather than getting angry when all after a stressful flight
all you want is to get your car hire and go. You simply check-it in
at the airport with your luggage so it isn't really much trouble to
do this.
Car hire in Spain Tip
6 - Check everything!
When you get to your car hire pick-up point in Spain you must check
that everything matches your voucher. When you booked car hire in
Spain over over the internet or at a travel agent, you may have
requested certain car hire extras such as adding extra drivers and
maybe the message didn't get through. Even check you are getting the
right sort of car hire you asked for!
Do all of this before you sign all the car hire paperwork. Make sure
you take any print-outs you have so if there are any problems in
Spain at the car hire office you have it all in writing.
Car hire in Spain Tip
7 - Damage.
When you have got your car hire in Spain you naturally just want to
get going but make sure the car hire company in Spain acknowledge
any bumps and scrapes already on the car. If you don't you may find
that when you return your car hire the Spanish car hire company may
hold you responsible (and charge) you.
Car hire in Spain Tip
8 - Petrol.
When booking car hire in Spain make sure your car hire is a diesel
car as it will be much cheaper to run as diesel is far cheaper in
Spain.
Car hire in Spain Tip
9 - Excesses.
Most Spanish car hire insurance policies have an excess which means
you promise to pay a set amount (say it is €500) if you have an
accident and the car hire company cover the rest of the cost of
repair. Be aware of how much the car hire excess is because
sometimes they can be very high in Spain.
When you are at the car hire office in Spain you may want to
consider paying a small bit extra to make sure you are not liable
for anything or at least lower the excess, especially as when you
are driving in Spain you may not always fully understand the local
Spanish road rules.
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