UK tourists who drive cars in Spain and Portugal warned 'avoid'

UK tourists have been warned over car hire companies pushing costs on drivers. Holiday car hire firms to AVOID ahead of summer holidays have been revealed as the big summer getaway begins for motorists and road users nationwide.

Goldcar ranked last in a customer satisfaction survey and achieved an overall score of 52 per cent in a Which? Report. The company, which offers drivers cars in Spain and Portugal, was rated two out of a five stars in a customer report.

Car hire companies which also ranked low included Dollar (56 per cent), followed by Record Go (57 per cent), Budget (61 per cent) and Sixt (64 per cent). Which? travel editor Rory Boland urged Britons to steer clear of the company.

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He said: “Our advice is don’t fall for headline prices, vet your hire firm and, whatever you do, avoid Goldcar – it could end up not being a bargain and leave you wishing you’d stayed at home. One wrong turn at airport arrivals could make or break your holiday.

"In an industry dogged by unscrupulous ­practices and interminable add-ons, making the right choice is paramount.” Goldcar, one of Europe’s biggest budget operators with offices in 17 countries, is owned by rental giant Europcar.

Mr Boland said: “Booking car hire should be straightforward, but all too often it feels like the wild west, with travellers lamenting fraught experiences, poor customer service and spurious fees. Goldcar in particular is best avoided, with customers repeatedly reporting serious issues from pressure selling to poor customer service.

“To ensure you have the best possible experience this summer, make sure you book with a reputable firm.” In a statement Goldcar said: “The company takes customer care very seriously with a code of ethics for counter sales and a guide of good sales practices, both of which are reviewed annually based on customer feedback.

“We offer very attractive prices, making travel affordable while giving our customers the freedom to choose additional options including premium insurance cover for a seamless process should damage occur during their rental. We are committed to investigating any incidents where a customer believes they have received a service that does not match expectations for a low-cost brand and continue to invest in staff training and best practices.”