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Questions RE Rental Car From Seville?

We're first time travelers, taking train to Seville and after a few days picking up a rental car to make a loop around Southern Spain and returning to Seville for car return. Looking at Europcar, Dollar etc. thru autoeurop...

Pickup location? From Madrid, ... am planning to pickup a car at train station (other option being airport) - that sound good? Or other pickup location suggestions? Just looking to go from Hotel in morning to car rental, and head out - east of traveling out of town (and back in) is good for us.

Letter of Coverage options? I've read here it can be a good idea to have a physical copy of a 'Letter of Coverage' from your credit card company when picking up car to expedite things... I requested this from Visa - they sent me a simple text email stating I had coverage - kinda unofficial looking. I then found a PDF of a VISA Guide of Benefits that seems to more officially describe the coverage. What have others used for a 'Letter of Coverage' in this situation?

Credit Limit Requirement for Car Rental? If using credit card rental coverage benefit - I've read here that it can be good idea to use a separate card for the car rental reservation/payment because they might place a large hold (value of car?) on the card (and essentially max it out). However my card hardly has a credit limit comparable to the level of even the smallest car - does one need a large credit limit should this occur?

Secure rear trunk areas on smaller cars? Prefer a small compact or economy car. Everything is pretty much hatch back (vs separate sedan trunk). (Fiat 500, Hyundai I10, etc...) - do these rentals typically have some sort of hard 'cover' in the hatch area behind the rear seats that can keep things out of site and hopefully more secure?

Thanks!

Posted by
3279 posts

Pickup definitely get the car in town. Check prices for "city offices" vs. rail station. Sometimes rail stations, like airports, have a premium charge added for picking up there. A city office might be closer to your lodgings.

Letter I've rented in Spain, France, Portugal, Germany, Italy and Turkey and have never been asked for this or anything like it.

Credit Good idea using separate card for rental because you might be charged a deposit. Highest I was ever charged was $2,000 in Paris by Europecar (on an expensive Peugeot wagon that was an upgrade). When I rented from Avis in Madrid, I had no such charge or hold on the card. You might want to speak to a customer service rep at AutoEurope about this. They are very helpful and are available 24/7. The hatchbacks generally have a cover for the cargo area so what's stored cannot be seen. If using a credit card to cover collision, make certain that all transactions for the vehicle are on the same card otherwise you will not be covered.

Posted by
7 posts

Thanks Philip

Actually the 'Letter of Coverage' is not a requirement - it's a suggestions that Rick Steves had in his article on CDW coverage here:

Car Rental CDW

I requested this and Visa sent me an email with basically one sentence saying "you are covered". Doesn't seem like a very convincing 'letter of coverage' to me. I could probably make something up that looks more official than that.

Yep - using one credit card just for the car reservation and car rental and separate from other card for hotels, etc...