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HI EVERYONE, I'VE BEEN BOOKING CARHIRE AT ALICANTE AIRPORT 4 TIMES A YEAR FOR 24YEARS, I USE 'DO-YOU-SPAIN.COM' THEY ALWAYS HAVE A GREAT RANGE OF COMPANIES OFFERING CARHIRE, I HAVE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH ANY OF THE CARHIRE COMPANIES I HAVE CHOSEN, I ALWAYS BOOK THE CHEAPEST CAR AS I ONLY USE TO GO TO MY HOLIDAY HOME & USE TO GO TO LOCAL SHOPS, IN DECEMBER 2025 CHEAPEST WAS 'DRIVALIA' AS I WAS STAYING 30DAYS, I HAD TO SPLIT,,BOOKING 2CARS, THE FIRST CAR I GOT HAD 24 DAMAGES LISTED,, I TOOK PHOTOS! BUT WHEN I RETURNED CAR I WAS CHARGED 517euro FOR SCRATCHES,, I WAS SO UPSET,, THEY GAVE ME MY NEXT CAR FOR THE REMAINING OF MY HOLIDAY, ONLY WHEN I RETURNED IT, AGAIN I WAS CHARGED 204euro FOR SCRATCHES, 3 OTHER PEOPLE WERE ALSO CHARGED,, IT TURNS OUT THAT IF YOU DON'T TAKE OUT ''THEIR EXTRA INSURANCE'' 'DRIVALIA' WILL FIND A WAY TO GET MORE MONEY FROM YOU!! IN 24YEARS I'VE NEVER USED SUCH A DISHONEST, DESPICABLE CARHIRE COMPANY, I'M A 68YR OLD DISABLED LADY, I JUST HOPE THIS SAVES SOMEONE ELSE GOING THROUGH WHAT I DID. THANK-YOU.
Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2026 9:56pm
Helpful member
Have you contested it?
I returned a car to the same place on New years day after doing the same as you, in splitting a hire over 5 weeksand was charged 204 Euro for the tiniest scratch, that I knew I hadn't done.
Fortunately, the missus had taken a video of the whole car in slow motion and I was able to prove that it was already there, so they refunded me.
Exactly the same, there were another 3 or 4 people who also got charged while I was there.
Bunch of fraudsters who will rely on most people not having any proof and it's a disgusting way of doing business.
The annoying thing is I've used them a few times previously and never had a problem.
No more though. We'll be back over in a month or so and I've decided I'm going to buy an old banger and park it in one of the parking places by the airport when we're not there.
Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2026 12:51am
Helpful member
AUGGIRL57 wrote on Wed Jan 28, 2026 9:17pm:
HI EVERYONE, I'VE BEEN BOOKING CARHIRE AT ALICANTE AIRPORT 4 TIMES A YEAR FOR 24YEARS, I USE 'DO-YOU-SPAIN.COM' THEY ALWAYS HAVE A GREAT RANGE OF COMPANIES OFFERING CARHIRE, I HAVE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH ANY OF THE CARHIRE COMPANIES I HAVE CHOSEN, I ALWAYS BOOK TH...
Read more...
...E CHEAPEST CAR AS I ONLY USE TO GO TO MY HOLIDAY HOME & USE TO GO TO LOCAL SHOPS, IN DECEMBER 2025 CHEAPEST WAS 'DRIVALIA' AS I WAS STAYING 30DAYS, I HAD TO SPLIT,,BOOKING 2CARS, THE FIRST CAR I GOT HAD 24 DAMAGES LISTED,, I TOOK PHOTOS! BUT WHEN I RETURNED CAR I WAS CHARGED 517euro FOR SCRATCHES,, I WAS SO UPSET,, THEY GAVE ME MY NEXT CAR FOR THE REMAINING OF MY HOLIDAY, ONLY WHEN I RETURNED IT, AGAIN I WAS CHARGED 204euro FOR SCRATCHES, 3 OTHER PEOPLE WERE ALSO CHARGED,, IT TURNS OUT THAT IF YOU DON'T TAKE OUT ''THEIR EXTRA INSURANCE'' 'DRIVALIA' WILL FIND A WAY TO GET MORE MONEY FROM YOU!! IN 24YEARS I'VE NEVER USED SUCH A DISHONEST, DESPICABLE CARHIRE COMPANY, I'M A 68YR OLD DISABLED LADY, I JUST HOPE THIS SAVES SOMEONE ELSE GOING THROUGH WHAT I DID. THANK-YOU.
Used them a few times successfully but have steered clear in recent times as they did a similar thing to a couple we know. They were not too bad once but seem to have followed suit with other unscrupulous firms who view your deposit as their own & can’t bear to hand it back. I wonder if you’ve challenged them on it or have contacted your credit card company who may refund you ?
Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2026 12:03pm
Very helpful member
8102Mko wrote on Thu Jan 29, 2026 12:51am:
Used them a few times successfully but have steered clear in recent times as they did a similar thing to a couple we know. They were not too bad once but seem to have followed suit with other unscrupulous firms who view your deposit as their own & can’t bear to hand it back. I wonder if you...
Read more...
...’ve challenged them on it or have contacted your credit card company who may refund you ?
The credit card company will not help under section 75 because it was booked via a 3rd party. If you want this protection you must book direct with the hire car company.
If you have a separate annual insurance for these risks, approach them instead, they are used to such tricks and will deal with the hire car company on your behalf. If you haven't I'm afraid you don't have much comeback except the primary body for handling unresolved car hire complaints in Europe is the European Car Rental Conciliation Service (ECRCS). It is a free, independent service that mediates cross-border disputes (e.g., renting in a different EU country than your residence) within the EU/EEA and UK.
Badger1234 wrote on Wed Jan 28, 2026 9:56pm:
Have you contested it?
I returned a car to the same place on New years day after doing the same as you, in splitting a hire over 5 weeksand was charged 204 Euro for the tiniest scratch, that I knew I hadn't done.
Read more...
Fortunately, the missus had taken a video of the whole car in slow motion and I was able to prove that it was already there, so they refunded me.
Exactly the same, there were another 3 or 4 people who also got charged while I was there.
Bunch of fraudsters who will rely on most people not having any proof and it's a disgusting way of doing business.
The annoying thing is I've used them a few times previously and never had a problem.
No more though. We'll be back over in a month or so and I've decided I'm going to buy an old banger and park it in one of the parking places by the airport when we're not there.
Hi, yes it was New years day for my first charge too, guys name JOAN, he was out to get as much he could to boost his wages!! never use them again, I'm thinking of looking for an old car too, that experience really hurt..xx
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Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2026 8:27pm
Helpful member
AUGGIRL57 wrote on Thu Jan 29, 2026 7:36pm:
Hi, yes it was New years day for my first charge too, guys name JOAN, he was out to get as much he could to boost his wages!! never use them again, I'm thinking of looking for an old car too, that experience really hurt..xx
It wouldn't surprise me if we were there at the same time!
I know the bloke you mean. I suspect he was the manager and was looking to boost the Overtime rate, although I'm not sure if New year's is a holiday for the Spanish???
Whatever, it was a deliberate ploy.
To be fair, this isn't the first time it's happened to me. I also had it with Clickrent Go, I think it was.
It's becoming quite common.
Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2026 12:33pm
Legendary helpful member
Flyingduck81 wrote on Thu Jan 29, 2026 12:03pm:
The credit card company will not help under section 75 because it was booked via a 3rd party. If you want this protection you must book direct with the hire car company.
If you have a separate annual insurance for these risks, approach them instead, they are used to such tricks and will ...Read more...
...deal with the hire car company on your behalf. If you haven't I'm afraid you don't have much comeback except the primary body for handling unresolved car hire complaints in Europe is the European Car Rental Conciliation Service (ECRCS). It is a free, independent service that mediates cross-border disputes (e.g., renting in a different EU country than your residence) within the EU/EEA and UK.
Where did you get the information that the credit card company will not help you? I got the opposite when I googled booking via a 3rd party?
from google AI:
Yes, you can generally seek recompense from your credit card provider for overcharging by a hire car company, even if booked through a third-party agent, by usingchargeback or Section 75 protection. Immediately dispute the charges with the rental firm in writing and keep all documentation (rental agreement, photos, receipts) to support your claim#
Rgds,
Aitch.
Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2026 12:57pm
Very helpful member
aitchc1401 wrote on Fri Jan 30, 2026 12:33pm:
Where did you get the information that the credit card company will not help you? I got the opposite when I googled booking via a 3rd party?
from google AI:
Read more...
Yes, you can generally seek recompense from your credit card provider for overcharging by a hire car company, even if booked through a third-party agent, by usingchargeback or Section 75 protection. Immediately dispute the charges with the rental firm in writing and keep all documentation (rental agreement, photos, receipts) to support your claim#
Rgds,
Aitch.
From Google:
Whether Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act covers a car hire booked through a third party (such as a broker or travel agent) is a "grey area" because it often breaks the "direct link" required between you, the supplier, and the card provider.
Key Points on Section 75 & Third-Party Bookings:
- Broken Chain of Liability: Section 75 generally requires a direct relationship between the creditor (bank) and the supplier (hire car company). Using a third-party agent (e.g., Booking.com, Expedia, a price comparison site) to book your car can break this link.
- "Agent" Exception: If the third party is acting as an agent for the actual car hire supplier, you might be covered. However, if the third party is considered an independent retailer, your claim is more likely to fail.
- Payment Recipient Matters: If you pay the third party (e.g., broker) directly, they are the vendor, not the car hire company itself, making a Section 75 claim difficult.
- Alternative Protection (Chargeback): If Section 75 is denied because of the third-party intermediary, you can often use the Chargeback scheme instead, which applies to debit/credit card transactions where you do not receive what you paid for.
Recommendations:
- Book Direct: To guarantee Section 75 protection, book directly with the car hire supplier (e.g., Avis, Hertz, Sixt).
- Check the Invoice: Look at who took your payment. If it was the car hire company, you are more likely to be covered.
- Use Chargeback: If you have already booked through a third party and have an issue, initiate a Chargeback claim through your bank if Section 75 fails.
Disclaimer: Section 75 only applies to credit card purchases where the total value of the service is between £100 and £30,000.
Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2026 1:05pm
Legendary helpful member
Flyingduck81 wrote on Fri Jan 30, 2026 12:57pm:
From Google:
Whether Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act covers a car hire booked through a third party (such as a broker or travel agent) is a "grey area" because it often breaks the "direct link" required between you, the supplier, and the card provider.
Key Points on Section 75 & Third-Party Bookings:...
Read more...
...
Broken Chain of Liability: Section 75 generally requires a direct relationship between the creditor (bank) and the supplier (hire car company). Using a third-party agent (e.g., Booking.com, Expedia, a price comparison site) to book your car can break this link."Agent" Exception: If the third party is acting as an agent for the actual car hire supplier, you might be covered. However, if the third party is considered an independent retailer, your claim is more likely to fail.Payment Recipient Matters: If you pay the third party (e.g., broker) directly, they are the vendor, not the car hire company itself, making a Section 75 claim difficult.Alternative Protection (Chargeback): If Section 75 is denied because of the third-party intermediary, you can often use the Chargeback scheme instead, which applies to debit/credit card transactions where you do not receive what you paid for.Recommendations:
Book Direct: To guarantee Section 75 protection, book directly with the car hire supplier (e.g., Avis, Hertz, Sixt).Check the Invoice: Look at who took your payment. If it was the car hire company, you are more likely to be covered.Use Chargeback: If you have already booked through a third party and have an issue, initiate a Chargeback claim through your bank if Section 75 fails.Disclaimer: Section 75 only applies to credit card purchases where the total value of the service is between £100 and £30,000.
Different from the google response I see, not unusual. I would definitely recommend the OP to take this up with her credit car company and pressure them to assist.
Aitch.
Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2026 1:49pm
Very helpful member
aitchc1401 wrote on Fri Jan 30, 2026 1:05pm:
Different from the google response I see, not unusual. I would definitely recommend the OP to take this up with her credit car company and pressure them to assist.
Aitch.
Agreed. Always worth a try.
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