Airport Rental Cars and Tips
Airport Car Rentals
Airport Car Hire
Car rentals options and our 30 years of experience to help you have the best start to your Holiday
Good to Know
Airport Car Hire
Menorca can sometimes do things a little differently ... so it's wise to stop and do your diligence when choosing hire car companies.
Good to Know
Menorca has a lot of unsurfaced/potholed roads, narrow passing places leading to 'want to visit' places - So check Insurance TCs fine print and excesses!
The media/forums/social seems to be noisy with bad rentals experiences and Scam warnings - most of which can be avoided before booking and by following a few habitual rulesbefore, and at the Hire Car company desk.
We live in a world of attractive headline prices, some genuine some less so....
Your choice, your responsibility : with so many ways now to search for and reserve cars online be 100% clear who your car rental contract is with ( the end Hire Car supplier ) and familiarise yourself with end supplier's specific terms and potential additional charges before committing. Any issues / financial disputes will be with the end Hire Car supplier not the Agency/Broker you booked through ( eg a Tour Operator ).
Just our opinion but it occurs to us that the larger the hire car fleet and the newer the vehicles the more insurance fine print exceptions and large excesses become more frequent - as cars have to be returned more frequently to a supplier in a pristine condition to preserve strict leasing conditions ?
Airport Hire Car options
Car Rental Companies Overview
Basically there are three groupings of Car Hire Companies on Menorca: familiar International brands, Local Companies and Regional brands.
TIPÂ Offsite Hire Car Shuttles: There is a single pickup point for every shuttle/rental company - located at the left hand end of P1 car park
| International Brands | Local Companies | Regional Brands | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Autos Amigos,AutosVictoria,Autos Xoroi,Binicars,Don Cars,Island cars,Autos Pons,Menorca on Wheels, Miramar,Momple, Nuracar,Rent a Car S'Algar,SolCars Delivery/return to Airport - P1 car park |
Ok Mobility, Click-Rent,Hiper, Gold Car,Owners Cars,Record Go Shuttle to offsite Offices |
||||||||||
| Fuel Policy -see TCs | Fuel Policy - Return Full / Same level -see TCs | Fuel Policy - see TCs | ||||||||||
| Excesses - see TCs | Excesses - None (some exceptions) -see TCs | Excesses - see TCs | ||||||||||
| Additional Driver Charges - see TCs | Additional Driver Charges - None | Additional Driver Charges - see TCs |
International Brands :
Car Hire offices inside the Terminal are located in the centre of the single Airport baggage hall rear wall ( exits ). Cars are parked 10mins., walk to the right of Terminal exit ( clearly signed )
Local Companies :
The smaller local Car Hire companies all operate the same friendly ,but professional, no fuss way : Car is delivered to the main car park P1 just yards away ( or by arrangement your resort ). Individual Meet and greet directly outside baggage hall for handovers ( personel with logo boards ) . Procedure : walk you to your car, explain returns procedure, you check the car/sign off , receive the keys done! .You will need to pay a small < 1 Eur car parking ticket to exit. Quotes price you see is what you will pay. No deposits, pre-paid or on collection ( including cash ) , No CC card pre-charging,Comprehensive Insurance no Excess . Various free of charge services like seats , additional drivers. Many are family companies and have been operational for decades on Menorca.
Always check current conditions
Regional Brands
Wide range of often new vehicles but our advice is be very diligent and look before you book!
Look before you Book!
Car Rental comparison sites : you maybe a big fan or testing the water - check out our a comparison websites guide to see how well they work for Menorca.
Avoiding Stress and some common unexpected charges
Pressure selling, 'Scams' work better when customers are under time pressure - be calm, don't leave it late at offsite Rentals.
Most 'Scams' / Pressure selling are generally as a result of not paying enough attention to Terms and Conditions and falling for the low eye grabbing headline price.
Hire Car 'hidden charges' you need to watch out for before booking
| Airport Charges | An extra charge payable at the airport |
| Unsociable Hours | If you arrive/depart outside 9am-5pm you could be asked to pay extra |
| Insurance Upgrades | You will be asked on arrival to upgrade (no choice/pressure sell) to a higher priced insurance or excess with possible sums taken on a credit card |
| Return fuel empty | You might be charged for a full tank ( at inflated market price + service charges ) which you must return empty. Believe us returning empty is not easy as the island is small! Go for a return full or at same level policy |
| Undercar Damages | Be very vigilent of checking and recording with rental company any 'out of sight' damage to avoid damage charges on credit card ( blocked sums not refunded )Â |
| Credit Card - pre charged | Charges made to card ( Damage, Excess deposits , Fuel , potential Service Charges) that are slow to get refunded-incuring costs/leaving you short of funds |
Separate 3rd party excess policies (ERI) are a good idea but they do not stop you paying the excess (which must be RECLAIMED !) You will still have to prove the claim and cover the costs while claiming ( you will also need full co-operation of end car hire supplier )
Rentals Pickup : Digital Fuel gauges - make sure the two copies of the Rental contact record how many 'bars' are lit
Returning a Hire car
Good Practices : If the company blocked amounts on a credit card ensure there is a written dated protocol signed by you and company representative that states fuel level and car has been returned in accordance with the terms and that the card amount will be returned within a confirmed period.
Airport Address : ME-12 onto Carrer San Clemente ( ME-14 ) , 07712 Mahon GPS 39.8648124,4.2170877
Petrol Stations closest to Airport
A good Hire Car fuel policy means you will need to visit a petrol station as close as possible to Menorca Airport/ Offsite Rental returns station ( usually Mahon trading Estate -Poligno ) . Check out our maps for the direction you will be returning from.
Good Tip Keep receipt as proof of full tanking- the amount will be strong clue and if possible camera phone photo the fuel gauge with receipt visible.
Airport Parking
Large car park ( P1 ) directly in front of Terminal ( initial charge ~45 cents , then charged at ~1.5 cents per minute of your stay for next 30 mins).
Some Tips
Best Refuelling Policy? Menorca is very small so always opt for return full or same amount - never empty.
Once you have that Hire Car you can enjoy a better meal and drinks at nearby San Climent ( Cafe des Pla,Cafeterias) 5min drive from the Airport.
Larger Supermarkets for a first Big Shop and Hipermarkets to buy those holiday items you forgot to pack are less than 5min drive from Airport -
Get to know your Resort's local Petrol station location - might be further than you think and you've used up tank travelling back to Hotel etc !
Drivers normally must be at least 23 years of age and have held a full licence for 3+ years for basic insurance to apply. Drivers between 21 and 24 can sometimes pay an excess - See individual hire firms policies.
Airport vs Local Pickup
Many of the hire car companies store there cars near the airport so they may request a fee for pickup/drop off where you are staying. Confirm charges in advance!