Among the lowest headline prices on the market, present at almost every Spanish tourist airport. It is the best-known budget brand — and also one of the most complained-about on review sites, almost always for the same reason: counter charges the customer did not expect.
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What to know before you book
- High excess and deposit unless you take their coverage (card blocks of €900–1,400 are common)
- Active upselling of insurance and extras at the counter — a well-chosen booking lets you say "no thanks"
- Long queues at summer peak hours
- With full coverage added, the total sometimes matches a traditional company: compare the TOTAL, not the base rate
How to book with Goldcar without surprises
- Compare the TOTAL price (with the coverage and deposit you accept) against other companies — sometimes the budget brand stops being cheap.
- Bring a credit card in the driver’s name with enough limit for the deposit.
- Photos and video of the car inside and out, at pickup and return.
- Choose full-to-full and return with a full tank and the fuel receipt.
- Book cancellable rates: if you find better later, you switch for free.
Verdict: no company is absolutely "good" or "bad" — it depends on the branch, the season and how you set up the booking. The rule that never fails: compare the real total price for your dates and read the deposit terms before paying.
This analysis reflects patterns repeated across thousands of public customer reviews; individual experiences vary by branch and season. We have no direct commercial relationship with Goldcar.