Gold Car

On Sunday I returned a car to Goldcar tank half full after finding the petrol station at alicante airport has been demolished. Because I had a full / full agreement they have very kindly surcharged me 50 Euro for not returning the car full, +36 Euro for the fuel This is after I had enquired at the hire desk if the petrol station was open on Easter Sunday, which they assures me it was.

I think Goldcar have just lost a regular customer, normally 5 hires each year from me let alone my family.

Can anyone recommend an honest car hire company with a desk in Alicante Airport, if there is such a thing.

I WOULD have said Firefly, but on the last occasion I used them (end of February), they seem to have introduced a sneaky new "policy".

I have my own insurance (with insurance4carhire), and always just accept the €1000 credit card block. They normally never question this.

This time, they asked if I had my own insurance, and who it was with. I said I had, and gave them the company name. To that, the representative said that because I had my own excess insurance with a recognised company, they would only block £60 on my card, instead of the normal €1000.

I queried this twice, to ensure I had heard them correctly, and went with it. I walked away thinking that was very fair.

When I returned to the UK after having the vehicle checked and cleared at the airport, I found that the €60 had been taken from the card.

I contacted Firefly directly, who refused to answer as I had booked via DoYouSpain. I contacted DoYouSpain, who contacted Firefly on my behalf, but all to no avail. They said I had agreed to the €60 charge, and refused to refund it.

I had not agreed to this amount being taken at all.

Beware.

Its been my experience over the last 5 years that most of the car hire co. (not all of them ) try at some time to rip you off for something (they have to make some money from somewhere !)
Ive tried most of them and found Centauro to be ok ,up till now anyway .
Plenty of posters on here say the same,some terrible rip offs and a right job trying to get your money back (if your lucky !)

have used centauro over 6 years ,never a problem ,even when i have not noticed damage caused before i had the car ,rang to explain had not noticed and they logged it and have never tried to charge me

Hi we have recommended Magum cars to a few people who have been completely satisfied, you pick the car up at the airport where you are met pay for the hire no hidden charges, they have a website you can book from always reply promptly highly recommend. Web address magnumrentacar.com

Hi
We have used Aquacars they are based just outside of the airport and have a great pick up service. They do check the tank is full, sometimes, on the car's return but never check the bodywork. They are very laid back and we have never had any problem with them.

Aeroautos in Quesada are absolutely first class, no hidden extras. I have used them for 20 years without any problems.

Was the petrol station part of the Goldcar operation?

Firefly asked us the same question last week but explained it better. It was 49 euro one off payment to use our own insurance without the €1000. We declined but didnt seem to be any problem.
Also had the same issue with the demolished petrol station, we went back round to the next one on the Santa pola slip Road...5 minute detour didnt cause any issues.

Petrol Station was the one just before the airport roundabout when coming from N332