Gold Car

[loonytoon]

just got back from Portugal and used Goldcar - very slow service. car was fine but the full tank policy is a rip off - 82 euros for a Polo diesel (45 L tank) that you could fill for less than 65 euros anywhere. also, have you tried to arrive back with an empty tank? very difficult so you always end up letting them make even more out of you by leaving some gas in it.i rented it via Holiday Autos (you don't get to find out who the hire company is until you have finalised and paid for the rental) to whom i have complained about the fuel policy and they are investigating. also, they did not mention the tolls but there is a tatty bit of A4 paper with info printed on it in an even tattier plastic pocket floating about on the counter that you are supposed to read with no prompting.

jeff

[John1]

I prepaid for a full tank of fuel at 68.29 euros plus IVA (VAT) for a 1.6 diesel Focus hatchback. It is difficult to return it on empty but as its only 40ish km's from Carvoeiro to Faro you can more or less drive the whole way with the low fuel warning light on!

[EMM]

Have not used this particular company as we were warned off last year.

We have no problems picking up a car with the fuel light on, just put in enough to get us to CVO and then fill up at the discount station at the supermarket in Lagoa or do the big shop at Continente at the Portimao retail park and use the 5c ltr discount at their petrol station.
On the way back to the airport the fuel light usually comes on half way to Faro.

Why pay inflated prices for fuel when you do not have to ??

[alf1956]

the full tank rule is a complete rip off as you have to pay over the odds for the fuel in the first place&how do you use a full tank of fuel unless you want to spend all of your holiday driving round&round !!

[cumbria sue]

why don't you all go to algarve driver ?
no hassle and you don't have to worry about leaving a full tank of fuel

simples!!!

[laserblazer]

the full tank rule is a complete rip off as you have to pay over the odds for the fuel in the first place&how do you use a full tank of fuel unless you want to spend all of your holiday driving round&round !!

Surely, they just ask you to bring it back with a full tank? Algarvedriver ask you to bring it back with the same amount, usually around 1/4.

I agree with Cumbria Sue, use Algarvedriver, support the site and save the hassle. You'll also have Steen there to look into any problems you may have. He will aslo be able to relay the latest Toll information that applies to Algarvedriver.

[snaj1]

Use AlgarveDriver. You know it makes sense!

[alf1956]

no they have "the full tank policy" which means you take it away wit a full tank of fuel that they charge you at an inflated price for when you take the vehicle.it dosent matter if you take it back with the tank 3/4's full you do not get any refund.

[snaj1]

I've booked numerous times and its always been 'bring it back at with the same level of fuel as when you picked it up. '

[cumbria sue]

have just priced a car with Algarve Driver and under total price to pay
it clearly says "NO FORCED FULL TANK"

[EMM]

We must have used 5-6 different companies and have NEVER been charged for fuel but we have heard that ***** are not the only ones who try this.
As always read the small print before booking and ASK who is providing the car if you use one of " booking " companies.

[laserblazer]

no they have "the full tank policy" which means you take it away wit a full tank of fuel that they charge you at an inflated price for when you take the vehicle.it dosent matter if you take it back with the tank 3/4's full you do not get any refund.

Send them an email with a link to this thread. Tell them where they can stick their "Full tank policy". I always try and make sure I bring the Algarvedriver car back with the same amount of fuel and most times, there's probably a few litres more. I expect they only worry if it comes back with significantly less than it went out with, or so empty they have to push it to the filling station.

[logicbob]

no they have "the full tank policy" which means you take it away wit a full tank of fuel that they charge you at an inflated price for when you take the vehicle.it dosent matter if you take it back with the tank 3/4's full you do not get any refund.

What car hire company are you talking about here.?

[cereza]

When I was in Florida recently the big rental firms all supply the car with a full tank and charge you for it so you try to return it as near to empty as possible. Obviously a big difference is that a tank there only costs about £20

[Tony Knight]

Had bad experience with Gold Car last July from Faro Airport. Cars were in a very poor state. More importantly, although we had paid for the car hire in the UK we discovered on our return from holiday that they had actually debited by credit card instead of just holding the details for security purposes. The credit card statement was due for payment within 2 days of our return, and when an amount was finally put back into the account, it fell far short of correct amount. Took the matter up with our credit card company who eventually resolved the matter for us. Wouldn't use them again. Going for the cheaper option doesn't always pay.