help need to hire a car

[martin]

similar problem in spain

see here
http://www.surinenglish.com/20090714/ne ... 41223.html

[roy4eyes]

I think your problem is that you are dealing with agents for car hire.

If you go direct you will probably have no problem.

Try Sixt (we have always found them excellent),Auto Jardim, Guerin, Budget, Europcar, Avis, Hertz.
They all have offices at the airport and seem to keep cars for direct hire rather than paying commission to agents who merely sell off their excess stock.

[colin gregg]

I think my problem was good intentioned folks not understanding that i have a house in Porches and am a frequent visitor and there are" NO CARS!!!!! i have now got one by paying nearly double the normal price.

[roy4eyes]

Auto Guerin have cars available - Peugeot 107 with A/C - € 405 inclusive for 15 days is not bad for high season.

[Günni]

sixt, same car without A/C - 390 €

[colin gregg]

Had tried Guirin and sixt you only find out that there are no cars when you try and actually book it, not just do a search on availability.The sponser of this site had no cars.

[hel]

We have used a company called Masterkings on 5 occasions in the last 12 months. Good prices and reliable. We have 2 small cars in August at a cost of 239 euros for 16 days. We always take the 6 euro per day liability insurance just in case. Their telephone number is 00351 965 394 676, e mail info@masterkings.net. You meet them by the cafe/disabled assistance in the airport, give details and pay, and then drop the car off in the car park on the way back and leave the keys - really easy.

[EMM]

Does any know who are the companies who actually own cars and which are just agencies ( like MasterKing etc) as I am sure that this would save people a lot of time and frustration at times like this.

[roy4eyes]

EMM- please see my post of 21/7 at 5.48 p.m.

[carolyn]

Think Air Auto may own their own cars:
http://www.airauto.pt/
We haved used them many times in the past with no problem

[heini]

Try City Car http://www.citycar-portugal.com/citycar ... e=contacts

We have been renting through them for many years during our Winter stays, never a problem.

[EMM]

THe ability to provide cars during past peak seasons unfortunately has liitle relevence this year.
There is a combination of exceptional circumstances this year.

[colin gregg]

Well done Emm at last someone has got the message!!!!!

[EMM]

As you would expect some companies are taking advantage of the situation , we know a one couple who have been charged almost double the amount they paid last year , OK they left it to the last minute.
Fortunatley the compamy we use ( they do not have any cars at the moment ) looks after its regular customers who use them throughout the year.

[MALLYMAL]

Something very odd going on...
Just tried AUTO_EUROPE, who have been brilliant in 6 years of coming to the Algarve, and they haven't a small car for next tues for 5 days

Looks like it's the slow train for me (and probably many of you!)