United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
Car hire sector comes under fire from Which? Travel
Which? Travel has targeted the car hire sector in its latest investigation, claiming hidden fuel charges are bumping up the cost of overseas car rental by up to three times.
It sent undercover researchers to Spain to investigate car hire companies after receiving complaints from Which? members about being hit by large charges for fuel that were not made clear at the time of booking.
According to the consumer magazine, a researcher in Malaga was told the cheapest initial car-hire price including basic insurance was from Goldcar at €30.25. But when fuel was added on arrival, the price rose to €94.25.
In Alicante the researcher rented from UK broker Holiday Autos, locally-based company Centauro and direct from Hertz.
"At the time of the booking, Holiday Autos was the cheapest at €28, compared to €52.70 for Centauro and €65.58 for Hertz. However, once we picked up the car and fuel was added on, the Holiday Autos price rose to a huge €144.77 including enhanced insurance and fuel," said Which?.
"Companies used a ‘full-empty’ policy, in which consumers are charged for a full tank of petrol when they pick up the car and given no refunds for any fuel they do not use. The impact of these charges on the total price is not made clear when customers made the booking."
Which? Travel expert Rochelle Turner said: "All charges should be shown up-front at the time the booking is made so consumers can make the right choice and compare prices easily."
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
Kittipong Prapattong’s Plan for Thailand’s Tourism Growth: Taxes, Visas, and Campaigns
James Jin: Didatravel’s Journey from China to Global Reach and the Impact of AI on Travel
Darien Schaefer on Pensacola’s Evolution: From Small Town to Global Destination
Florida Tourism’s Next Frontier: Dana Young on Expanding Beyond the Classics
Patrick Harrison on Tampa Bay Tourism’s Resilience and Marketing Strategy
Bubba O’Keefe on Clarksdale’s Vibrant Music Scene
Commemorating Elvis and Embracing Tupelo’s Culture with Jennie Bradford Curlee
Craig Ray and the Expansion of the Blues Trail
Presenting Mississippi’s Cultural Trails with Katie Coats
Robert Terrell: A Journey Through BB King’s Influence
Rochelle Hicks: Celebrating Mississippi’s Musical Legacy
Exploring Jacksonville with Katie Mitura: The Flip Side of Florida
Dozens fall ill in P&O Cruises ship outbreak
Boy falls to death on cruise ship
Turkish Airlines flight in emergency landing after pilot dies
Unexpected wave rocks cruise ship
Woman dies after going overboard in English Channel