Alternatives to the Malaga/Marbella area for a golf holiday

[Billysboots]

I rented a car for a week in Florida last year, was about £100.

When I returned the car they added on all the taxes, fees and surcharges... came to USD900.

That's America

What taxes, fees and surcharges were you hit with, out of curiosity?

I’ve had rentals in Florida many times and never been landed with any surprises when I’ve returned the car.

 

[hors limite]

Stayed in L'Escala. It's relatively small with a distinctly Spanish rather than international vibe. Plenty of places to eat and drink and the natives are really friendly. A much bigger place is Platja D'Aro.

 

[Billysboots]

Stayed in L'Escala. It's relatively small with a distinctly Spanish rather than international vibe. Plenty of places to eat and drink and the natives are really friendly. A much bigger place is Platja D'Aro.

Lovely part of Spain - stayed down the coast at Begur a couple of times.

 

[sunshine]

What taxes, fees and surcharges were you hit with, out of curiosity?

I’ve had rentals in Florida many times and never been landed with any surprises when I’ve returned the car.

It was business rental so to be honest I didn’t pay too much attention

 

[Tarkus1212]

Hi,

Just starting to think about a golf trip for 2027. We’ve been to Vilamoura, La Cala and Puerto Banus a few times. We’re also off to Belek for an all inclusive next year. So we fancy going somewhere else in 2027.

What other regions in Spain are worth looking into? Malaga seems to be golf paradise, is anywhere else similar, with places to go for food and drink nearby? Is there a golf complex similar to La Cala elsewhere?

And then any suggestions for alternative countries in Europe, somewhere warm, again, not too far from bars/restaurants?

4 of us went to Marrakech in May last year. Great fun and very good value for money.

 

[sunshine]

What taxes, fees and surcharges were you hit with, out of curiosity?

I’ve had rentals in Florida many times and never been landed with any surprises when I’ve returned the car.

Just had to revisit this as a colleague is travelling to the US.

I booked the hire car in the UK for $230 (about £160) before I travelled. The other charges were all added on at the end of the trip when I returned the car. This is how America works, everything is like Ryanair

 

[Billysboots]

Just had to revisit this as a colleague is travelling to the US.

I booked the hire car in the UK for $230 (about £160) before I travelled. The other charges were all added on at the end of the trip when I returned the car. This is how America works, everything is like Ryanair

View attachment 60843

I can only speak from experience - I’ve never had anything added on when I returned a rental. I knew what all the charges were up front.

 

[D-S]

Just had to revisit this as a colleague is travelling to the US.

I booked the hire car in the UK for $230 (about £160) before I travelled. The other charges were all added on at the end of the trip when I returned the car. This is how America works, everything is like Ryanair

View attachment 60843

We hired a car last November for 8 days picking up and returning to San Diego, California. Mid size SUV.

Just checked the receipt from Hertz, we paid Expedia £185 in advance (this included CDW etc, and zero excess), Hertz credited us the $248 (£185 paid to Expedia in full).
On the receipt there is $8.70 California Tourism Asessment, but no other charges.

This is the same as all other rentals we have had in the US over the years.

The only change we have noticed in the past couple of trips booked via Expedia for the US is that zero excess is now included in all rental charges so we no longer need to take out excess insurance for the US - however we do take it out annually for Europe at around £50 which is significantly cheaper attain doing it via the rental company at the airport. It also saves all that minor scratch checking malarkey.

 

[sunshine]

We hired a car last November for 8 days picking up and returning to San Diego, California. Mid size SUV.

Just checked the receipt from Hertz, we paid Expedia £185 in advance (this included CDW etc, and zero excess), Hertz credited us the $248 (£185 paid to Expedia in full).
On the receipt there is $8.70 California Tourism Asessment, but no other charges.

This is the same as all other rentals we have had in the US over the years.

The only change we have noticed in the past couple of trips booked via Expedia for the US is that zero excess is now included in all rental charges so we no longer need to take out excess insurance for the US - however we do take it out annually for Europe at around £50 which is significantly cheaper attain doing it via the rental company at the airport. It also saves all that minor scratch checking malarkey.

Yes I always buy separate insurance when hiring a holiday car, instead of being ripped off locally.

This was a work trip, so maybe a different charging protocol to follow. I let my secretary and work travel team sort out this stuff.

 

[D-S]

Yes I always buy separate insurance when hiring a holiday car, instead of being ripped off locally.

This was a work trip, so maybe a different charging protocol to follow. I let my secretary and work travel team sort out this stuff.

I would therefore suggest that your secretary tries Expedia next time, it looks as if this would have saved over $600.

 

[sunshine]

I would therefore suggest that your secretary tries Expedia next time, it looks as if this would have saved over $600.

I work for a very large global business, so secretaries are not paid to use their initiative and save money but rather follow policies .

In reality, we probably spend millions with the car hire company every year and there is a large rebate, but I wouldn't be surprised if this is not the case.

 

[sunshine]

Sorry for taking this thread off on a tangent.

Pendodave suggestion of Madrid is a cracker. I've been to Madrid loads of times but never to play golf. We're now planning to go there later this year when the Spanish Open is on.