Atlas and Insurance Question

Hi Eef. You will get different opinions on using credit card for insurance. We have rented at least seven times in Europe, including Spain, using free credit card insurance and declining the extra paid CDW. We have probably saved $1000 - $2000, and it has worked fine. I see talk about rental company putting a big 'hold' on your card, but that has never happened to us; we used that same credit card throughout trip with no problem. We always rent with well known companies; i.e. Hertz, Avis, National, Sixt and have had good experience with all. On the other hand, I have never had to file a claim, so I can't provide any first hand report on that. If you plan to use credit card insurance, suggest you read the fine print provided by your credit card to make sure you understand rules. Enjoy your trip!

After an ETB Basque tour ended a few years back, I rented a car in San Sebastian, drove west to Santiago de Compestela and meandered back to Madrid. As I was loading some destinations into my GPS in SanSeb, I dropped it on the floor, the screen broke and it was useless. I purchased a Michelin map of Spain and it was great for all my needs. I know that Michelin has a Spain/Portugal atlas and if you want to go the paper route, that's the one I'd buy. It's printed in both English and Spanish versions so I'd opt for the English one though you'd most likely have to buy it here rather than in Madrid. Even though I was a solo traveler, I had no problems using the map to get to my various destinations. The only drawback seemed when arriving in a city where locating a hotel or parking was sometimes difficult. I much prefer using a GPS or, now, using my smartphone for turn by turn guidance.

With the exception of one auto rental in Sardinia last year, I have always depended on the insurance coverage provided by my credit cards. I had claims for buildings on narrow roadways in Cefalu, Sicily and Arles, France suddenly attacking my car. Though the process was lengthy - 2-3 months - and loaded with stumbling blocks - US credit card companies waiting for paperwork from Europe and then trying to get translations - I was reimbursed for almost all the charges for my mishaps. Some administrative fees aren't covered but it was still much cheaper than buying CDW. Make certain that all the charges for the vehicle are on the same credit card and that the card you'll be using covers the country that you'll be visiting. Since the accident in Sicily, that card no longer covers Italian rentals. And some rental companies will put either a hold or temporary charge on your card.

One of the websites highly recommended for rentals is AutoEurope.com. They are a consolidator headquartered in Portland, Maine. Great prices and great selection. I've rented through them on more than 10 occasions and have already reserved a vehicle for next Italian trip in December.

....Anyone successfully navigate Spain with maps?...... Sure, years ago. But given the quality and convenience of GPS, why now?? One area you need to carefully check with your credit card is coverage for "Loss of Business." In other words, if the car repair takes times, you can be charge for the income lost that the car is out of service. That can be expensive.

GPS is to bring you from A to B. A map shows you where you're driving.
I love the Michelin maps. They also have an atlas for Spain (combined with Portugal). At a tax-avoiding internet retailer I saw them for less than GBP 10.

GPS is to bring you from A to B. A map shows you where you're driving.

Love the response, I totally agree.

One very popular (paper) atlas for travelling in Spain is Guia Repsol: https://www.guiarepsol.com/es/la-guia/ which includes a restaurant guide -sort of "local" Michelin guide for Spain. It's published by Repsol, the Spanish oil giant.

Thank you very much! This is all very helpful. And amusing too! Those darned buildings!!!

And I do love seeing where I am on a map. Maybe that's why I'm still a map person.