I have always recommended people use Sixt - their website is easy to follow, prices not too bad (and if you can show them a cheaper price they match it), cars in excellent condition, next to arrivals and rarely any queues (never more than 2 in front of me usually).

However, my ex has just come back from Cvo. His car had a chip on the windscreen when he returned it (he hadn't noticed and it could have been there when he picked it up). They have told him that he will have to pay 480 euros He is insured separately for excess, so will not personally have to pay, but is furious that they are charging this much for a chip that would cost £10 to repair in this country.

The manager made some comment about how my ex should have taken out the Sixt insurance and it would not have been a problem then.

So - bearing in mind that between us we had been using Sixt for approx 70 car hire days each year, we are now looking for an alternative company for car hire.

My requirements are ideally:
No long queues (so not the one recommended by Easyjet!)
No hanging around the airport waiting for someone to deliver it - just walk out, fill in the forms and go
Good quality, reliable vehicles even at the base range
And, of course, not too expensive.

So - please can I have your recommendations - thanks in advance for your help.

We have always used Travelrent. They are at the airport down on the left where the smaller non national companies operate, and you just walk across to carpark 4 to pick up your car.

Try googling them.

We us Autorent, also pick up and drop off at airport, no queues etc.

We have avoided these " annual " policies for this very reason.

What would be a minor issue if you take out the hire co insurance grows when you use another.
E480 euros may not sound a lot but you still have to pay the hire car company and then claim it back from your insurer.

If the extra cost was more reasonable, then fair enough, EMM. But another 5 euros a day over 70 days adds up to 350 euros which is a lot of money!

Thank for the car rental recommendations

Why not use Algarvedriver which is Steens company, they meet and greet you with car at the airport and no more than one or two people in front of you. Usually None.

You will find them good value for money and if you find it cheaper else where then they will match it.

You could always use AutoJardim. Car at the airport and a really easy drop off just outside the main terminal, with an on demand shuttle to the departures section.

We either use travelrent of drive4fun, these can be booked through economy car hire website. The amount includes insurance and 2nd driver.

We used to use travelrent but now use drive4fun. Similar prices, but better service.

Drive4fun via economy car hire are tops in my 5 years experience !

Zit Auto every time, have used them for 8 years and always have first class service at low cost. Liz

This will be a test for Algarvedriver. When we booked our next flight with EL, they had a special deal with Europcar. It was a basic Group A car (106 or similar) but with A/C.

Steen emailed me to say if I booked a YOR Group A car but stipulated that it must have A/C then they would sort something out.

The last time I had a price match car from YOR it was a "Heap" that broke down and had to be carted away. They did get me a nice replacement fairly quickly but that could have been because they had one in CVO at the time that had to be got back to Faro.

So, providing YOR come up with the goods, then I'm still a loyal customer but if not, I think we will try somewhere else.

I've shied away from YOR.......they may be advertised on here, and do pricematch, but I have heard of one or 2 complaints about them recently.

I had a similar experience. Price match yes but then they supply a car with 60,000 kms on the clock! Also Economy have very clear terms and conditions regarding drivers and insurance - what's included and what isn't.

Yorcar get's my vote, however we've used Economy a few times and no complaints there either. Sixt... too expensive. Yorcar also try to provide a particular model of car that you ask for.

LB, I have never had a problem with Algarvedriver/Yor, I guess that if I did I would be a bit like you apprehensive.