Thanks again roseweb, I did notice lots of "add ons" for Algarve car hire, it seems a bit like America

Robby

Hi Rob as Roseweb says travelautos are excellent,also try their sister company http://www.economycarhire.com they differ slightly in price even though they are under the same umbrella so to speak. No nasty excess charges on the hire like some companies, free 2nd driver & free exit into Spain. Roseweb & I always use these companies, well recommended. Regards Jayjan

Yes, thanks jayjan and Roseweb, checked them out and it comes out at around £75 all in for a 5 day hire, good deal. Strange how the prices are different, thanks for the tip.

Robby

Hi,
Try http://www.faroairportcarhire.com , low season 12€ per day with a low excess.No hidden extras, free extra drivers and free car seats. All economics with less than one yr old and plenty variety of brands.Just ask for your quote, each case is a diferente case.

I would like to tell you one I wouldn,t recommend which is as important as I one I would. Europcar charged me 30 euros plus IVA on returning my car to clean it. Unfortunately I didn,t realise until I was back in the terminal building queuing up to check in. I did make representations to the Europcar desk and to Simply Portugal reps who were gobsmacked but I was unable to do anything. I have e-mailed the head office in Lisbon but I,m not holding my breath.

A word or warning to all those of you who thinking of hiring a car in Portugal (or Spain). There is a newish law in both of this countries which says that you must carry reflective jackets / waistcoats for all the occupants ,and they must be in the main compartment of the car and not the boot. I hired a car from Faro this year and only discovered I needed them on the last day after reading an English language magazine. They were not supplied with the car. I am going to buy some here and take them with me next year. So either take your own or check that they are supplied with the car. You only want a traffic cop to stop you and you could be faced with a hefty fine.

Well after running Europcar down I can at least confirm that in the glove compartment was a flourescent yellow jacket. So 1 out of 10 for that.

Was there only one jacket? I thought they should supply them for the driver and all the passengers.

No just the one jacket. Should I take the 1 out of 10 away?

Thanks for the info on the vest/jackets i think I will take my own to be on the safe side

I found some more information about the law on the Travel Insights web-site:-

Another new item of European health and safety legislation is an increasing requirement for drivers to wear reflective jackets if they have to leave their car after it breaks down.

Laws were introduced in Italy and Spain in 2004 and similar ones have come into effect in Austria and Portugal this year. The rules vary slightly from country to country but generally speaking, drivers and passengers have to put on a fluorescent yellow or orange jacket if they get out of the car in poor light to attempt to fix it, set up a warning triangle or walk along a road to summon emergency assistance.

On-the-spot fines for failure to comply with the laws range from €29 in Austria to €143 in Italy. Car hire companies are equipping their rental vehicles with the appropriate jackets but business travellers planning to drive their own cars within any of the four countries that have introduced legislation need to remember to take jackets with them.

Hi Tris, Yes that is very true about the new laws they came into force at Easter (March 25th) of this year in Portugal, but as yet not many car hire companies seem to be abiding by this rule. They are widely for sale on the local markets for a few euros, so if you havnt got one in your hire car buy one just for peice of mind just in case the GNR or transit police want to be awkward.. I know this is the responsibility of the car hire firm to provide them & perhaps this should be mentioned when you pick your hire car up at Faro airport etc. Maybe you should also make sure there is more than one jacket also in the car as unforseen circumstances may require more than 1 person to get out of the car when you break down etc. Regards Jayjan

Hi Gerry, If you hire a car in Portugal in the future try INVALID URL well recommended, no excess on insurance, extra driver free and also exit into Spain free. They also have a sister company called http://www.travelautos.com they vary slightly in price but not much, have a look at the websites dont think you will be disappointed with their quotes.We use them regular and never had to complain yet. Regards Jayjan

I'll be trying em on the 11th October. BTW Jayjan what dates in October are you out there?

Hi Mick, we are out on Fri 30th Sept and go home on Sat 8th October. Regards Jayjan

Bloody typical we're out on the 11th. No worries we'll be out lots next year.
First time for 10 days in March.

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wizard

Just back from monte gordo,used economycar hire on the forum recomendation,no problem 100% and flouresant vest in pocket,these are sold around the Algarve at 3euro's

I can only warn as strongly as possible against using the 'agent' Auto Europe UK and their 'association' with AVIS.
We used Auto Europe to set up hire for an Algarve holiday and paid them an additional sum for CDW to avoid the swingeing penalties in Portugal when there is an accident. At Faro airport AVIS refused to reccognise this extra payment (yet they had the same contract copy sent to them by the agent). We were forced to pay CDW again since the choice was either no car or the risk of a £1200 excess.
I have complained to Auto Europe and have been fobbed off with some startling excuses including the assertion that they don't work so closely with Avis that either firm knows what the other does (?).
And Avis, what of them you say ? So far they have refused to respond - quelle surprise - or to become involved. In others words they have the money and they are not budging and hope we will go away.
Have you spotted the message yet guys ?
The holiday was scorchio but the car hire dire. (':shock:')