Know what to check before you reach the rental desk
Use our airport guides to check where to collect the car, what card you need, how the deposit and excess work, and which fuel policy applies.
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Read the booking terms first
- Collection point and shuttle instructions
- Accepted card and deposit
- Damage excess and exclusions
- Fuel level at collection and return
Airport car hire guides
Pick your arrival airport for practical collection and rental checks.
Málaga Airport
In-terminal or shuttle collection, the AP-7 toll and the low emission zone.
Read the guide ALCAlicante Airport
Collection, deposit, excess, fuel and checks before driving away.
Read the guide FAOFaro Airport
What to check when collecting a hire car for the Algarve.
Read the guide ACELanzarote Airport
Rental desk, collection and contract checks for your island trip.
Read the guide TFSTenerife South Airport
Where to start and what to read before accepting the vehicle.
Read the guide PMIMallorca Airport
Collection details, card requirements and return checks.
Read the guide FUEFuerteventura Airport
Prepare for collection and check the rental conditions.
Read the guide OPOPorto Airport
What to confirm in your voucher and at the rental desk.
Read the guideA low headline price does not show every condition
Compare the whole rental, not just the first figure. The booking terms should tell you where collection happens, which payment card the supplier accepts, how much it may hold as a deposit and what you could owe if the car is damaged.
The rental voucher and contract are the final reference for your booking. Read both before signing or paying for an extra at the desk.
Understand excess, deposit and fuelYour four point check
- Find the collection pointCheck whether it is in the terminal, in a car park or reached by shuttle.
- Read the card rulesConfirm the accepted card type, required cardholder and available credit for the deposit.
- Check the excessRead the amount, the cover included and any excluded parts of the car.
- Confirm the fuel policyRecord the fuel level at collection and keep the final filling receipt if required.
At collection and return
A few minutes of checking can give you a clear record of the vehicle and contract.
Photograph the car
Record every side, the wheels, glass, interior, mileage and fuel gauge before leaving.
Match the contract
Check that existing damage, fuel level, vehicle category and paid extras are recorded correctly.
Keep the return record
Photograph the parked car, mileage and fuel gauge, then retain the return paperwork and receipts.
Search for a car after checking the basics
Compare cars for your airport and dates. Open the rental conditions for each option before booking, especially the collection point, deposit, accepted cards, excess and fuel policy.
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What Car Hire 24 does: we publish practical airport guides. DiscoverCars handles the comparison and booking. The supplier's terms shown for the selected vehicle govern the rental.