goldcar booking and deposit

[shelleps]

ive just booked a car through goldcar for a fortnight.

i have taken out a separate policy to cover the the excess etc on an annual basis rather than be ripped off by the carhire firm at the airport. just been emailed my voucher from goldcar and if i dont take out 'their' extra insurance i have to leave a 600 euro deposit. is that the norm?????????

[Lorenzo]

Fraid so with many car hire companies.

And it has to be done on a credit card - not a debit card as I discovered to my cost one time.

Fortunately, Hiper car rentals now put that charge on a paper credit card slip and just rip it up when you return the car and they have inspected it.

[shelleps]

im hoping the return of the 600 euro deposit is immediate???? and dont have to wait weeks

[Timberman]

I don't think they actually take the money rather they block it off on your credit card, so it's available if they need it.

Fairly sure that's how it works.

[shelleps]

oh ok. hope so. thanku

[smg]

yup Goldcar been doing that for a few years, they put the frighteners on you at the desk...

[Lorenzo]

Great article on Saturday 21st June 2014 in the Daily Telegraph by Gill Charlton on this very matter. It covers many of the issues mentioned on this forum about the pitfalls of various car hire companies and their hidden charges.