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GC (or anywhere really) CAR HIRE
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Just a word of caution.
I have an annual damage excess insurance policy, which covers me for any excess which I may have to pay in the event of damage to, theft of, etc a hire car, but am still required to leave my credit card details at the time of picking the Hire car up. No problem with that. Some companies merely put a pre authorisation on your card for the deposit and don`t actually debit it. However, others actually debit your card the amount of the deposit, straight away. This means that, probably unknown to most people, your credit card is down 500 Euros, or whatever, straight away. On top of this, your card provider will also charge you the Foreign Exchange Fee, in my case, 2.75% = £12. When the deposit is refunded, due to the difference in exchange rates (ie buying and selling), you will get back less than you originally deposited.
It is, therefore, worth checking with the rental company/broker, before you go ahead and book, as to which system they use, which is what I have done this time.
Lesson learnt.
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By *our LamourCouple
over a year ago
'near that London' |
"Just a word of caution.
I have an annual damage excess insurance policy, which covers me for any excess which I may have to pay in the event of damage to, theft of, etc a hire car, but am still required to leave my credit card details at the time of picking the Hire car up. No problem with that. Some companies merely put a pre authorisation on your card for the deposit and don`t actually debit it. However, others actually debit your card the amount of the deposit, straight away. This means that, probably unknown to most people, your credit card is down 500 Euros, or whatever, straight away. On top of this, your card provider will also charge you the Foreign Exchange Fee, in my case, 2.75% = £12. When the deposit is refunded, due to the difference in exchange rates (ie buying and selling), you will get back less than you originally deposited.
It is, therefore, worth checking with the rental company/broker, before you go ahead and book, as to which system they use, which is what I have done this time.
Lesson learnt.
"
Good post. When in the Canaries we have always used Auto Reisen ( not Top Car Auto R !) . Straight forward honest company. Never a problem with them |
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Oh I`m not suggesting that there was anything underhand about it. Just hadn`t come across this before. It was only after getting my credit card bill and doing some research, that I found out that some companies DO debit your card straight away. |
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"Actually booked with Avis for next year."
Actually they did charge 24eur OR 29eur non refundable of some lame fuel charge.
In Portugal last week, rented with Centauro, cheap and good service but they do debit and refund 1500eur plus debit 90eur which they refund if you bring the tank filled, they take out the tolls (via verde) off of these 90eur.
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By *ty31Man
over a year ago
NW London |
I used Top Car this year and had no problems. They did debit my card €500 plus a transaction fee but both of these were returned within 3 days of returning the car. I think this only happens if you use a debit card, using a credit card is preferable to Spanish rental places.
I think the two companies to avoid are Gold Car and Inter Rent |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Just a word of caution.
I have an annual damage excess insurance policy, which covers me for any excess which I may have to pay in the event of damage to, theft of, etc a hire car, but am still required to leave my credit card details at the time of picking the Hire car up. No problem with that. Some companies merely put a pre authorisation on your card for the deposit and don`t actually debit it. However, others actually debit your card the amount of the deposit, straight away. This means that, probably unknown to most people, your credit card is down 500 Euros, or whatever, straight away. On top of this, your card provider will also charge you the Foreign Exchange Fee, in my case, 2.75% = £12. When the deposit is refunded, due to the difference in exchange rates (ie buying and selling), you will get back less than you originally deposited.
It is, therefore, worth checking with the rental company/broker, before you go ahead and book, as to which system they use, which is what I have done this time.
Lesson learnt.
Good post. When in the Canaries we have always used Auto Reisen ( not Top Car Auto R !) . Straight forward honest company. Never a problem with them "
15years plus Car Hire in the Canaroes and Auto Reisen best hire car company by far....  |
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"Get a card that doesn't charge a foreign exchange charge. We use Nationwide one.
Even without the Fee, you will still get back less than you paid. I was debited £446 and refunded £431"
I would blame it on Brexit and political instability in UK, it's driving GBP nuts. Kick Boris out  |
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"Just a word of caution.
I have an annual damage excess insurance policy, which covers me for any excess which I may have to pay in the event of damage to, theft of, etc a hire car, but am still required to leave my credit card details at the time of picking the Hire car up. No problem with that. Some companies merely put a pre authorisation on your card for the deposit and don`t actually debit it. However, others actually debit your card the amount of the deposit, straight away. This means that, probably unknown to most people, your credit card is down 500 Euros, or whatever, straight away. On top of this, your card provider will also charge you the Foreign Exchange Fee, in my case, 2.75% = £12. When the deposit is refunded, due to the difference in exchange rates (ie buying and selling), you will get back less than you originally deposited.
It is, therefore, worth checking with the rental company/broker, before you go ahead and book, as to which system they use, which is what I have done this time.
Lesson learnt.
Good post. When in the Canaries we have always used Auto Reisen ( not Top Car Auto R !) . Straight forward honest company. Never a problem with them
15years plus Car Hire in the Canaroes and Auto Reisen best hire car company by far.... "
Agree, Plus Car is a no drama, does what it says on the tin, car hire.
Totally recommend. |
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By *un4tooCouple
over a year ago
north cork |
So let's say you budget for €1500 for a week while there, you would straight away be minus the secure deposit a rental company might take.
So your budget of 1500 could now be minus 500 already without stepping foot out of the airport.
Happened to us in Barcelona.
Definitely one to be aware of if not familiar with car rentals. |
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"Get a card that doesn't charge a foreign exchange charge. We use Nationwide one.
Even without the Fee, you will still get back less than you paid. I was debited £446 and refunded £431"
But then if the pound rises you would get more back (ok not going to happen in the current mess we are in) |
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