Goldcar Portugal Reviews 

embrarrassing!!!
When we returned the car, after we asked to the operator if it was all ok and he said yes, they charged on my card a 150 euros bill for some sand in the car

Goldcar Portugal: hidden mandatory fees and an unsupported damage charge

I booked a Goldcar rental through Booking.com for collection at Porto Airport and return at Faro Airport.

Although Goldcar knew this was a one-way rental, the mandatory €150 one-way fee was excluded from the advertised rental price. Goldcar also charged an airport tax and €18 for renting a Via Verde device that was permanently attached to the car and could not be declined. These additional rental charges totalled €194.64 including VAT.

At collection, Goldcar also tried to sell me additional local insurance, although my Booking.com reservation already included Collision Damage Waiver, Theft Cover and Third-Party Liability.

After I returned the car without causing any damage, Goldcar charged another €319.85 for alleged damage to the front-left door. Goldcar provided no clear time-stamped before-and-after photographs, repair invoice or calculation supporting this charge.

I do not dispute the actual road tolls.

In my opinion, this does not look like an isolated mistake. The same pattern continued through booking, collection, vehicle inspection, billing and customer service. Goldcar’s final response did not even address my actual complaint.

Based on my documented experience, I recommend NOT TO USE Goldcar. It is a fradulent, deceptive, unfair and cheating company

I am writing this review, not because I expect any response whatsoever from this company, but just to add to long list of NEGATIVE reviews that they obviously count care less about. It is more of the usual - struggling to pick up the car because they don't accept this card for some reason and they don't accept that card for some reason. Fortunately I had 4 different cards in possession and they finally accepted the 4th one! Then, upon returning the car they found some completely innocuous rub on the car, close to the boot, which was probably made by lifting the suitcases in and out, and would more that likely come off with a bit of soap and water, but they play on the fact that you have a plane to catch and don't have the time to stand there and argue with you. They are well trained at presenting dead end arguments that get you nowhere. AVOID THIS COMPANY AT ALL COSTS OR LEARN AT YOUR PERIL!!

Worst experience ever. Really ruined the first day of our holiday and limited our tripbudget. We booked with goldcar through bookings.com trusting the later company not to suggest dodgy companies. Its a scam!! They forced us to take full insurance cover otherwise they did not give us the car when picking it up. We had already paid for the car online and we couldn't get our money back. Upon contacting the headoffice via the email provided there was no reply at all. I went back to the pick up office saying that I did not want any extras, and it cleary was listed as an extra on the bill, they said it was the only cover they can give. Horrible experience and 480 Euros extra for nothing! Of course at this state all other companies had no cheaper cars left. Stay well away from them!!

I hired a vehicle with Goldcar. The car was fine, pickup was okay, and the staff were amazing but when I returned the vehicle, it had a little stone chip on the rear bumper. It was there when I collected and I was told I didn't need to report it because it was too small. When I returned it they charged me €230 for the little tiny stone chip. And also I have sent emails communicating this problem and have heard nothing back to this date.

❌️❌️❌️BEWARE, DO NOT USE. Been using rental companies for 30 years in Fuerteventura and never had a issue until using Goldcar. After a late flight and arriving at 8pm tired, went and picked up car, after I already booking it (€189 to pay after I'd already paid deposit) to be told that I had no insurance and the price i had booked was just for the car. I was then told I had pay separate for insurance which was €389 extra. I questioned it but being late and having a 2 hr journey to hotel said I would pay and then check when I get to hotel. I checked the next day and did in fact have insurance. I phoned customer services (14th Aug) who said they would let them know and when i return the car it would be sorted. Surprise surprise, when i dropped the car off (24th Aug) they knew nothing about it, and spoke to member of staff who was very good tbf, but said no one there had the authority to do the refund being a Sunday and the manager would do it Monday when back, and suggested sending a email too, which I did. I emailed again on the 25th & 26th Aug for an update for my refund but no reply. I then spoke to customer services who said they cannot/ dont have access to contact the branch directly and that i have to wait for the report they had done and the response. I am absolutely disgusted by this service, but especially by the member of staff on my arrival to pick the car up as he has lied to upsell their insurance. I will disputing the charge to my credit card, and charging it back as ive done everything to get this rectified but had nothing from them. 100% AVOID THIS COMPANY

I was given a car that broke down during my trip due to engine failure. I was asked to park the car immediately and not to drive any further. They towed the car away and made me go back to the nearest car rental place to pick up a new one. This took half a day of my holiday. I received no courtesy whatsoever for losing part of my holiday due to a mistake that could have been avoided with proper car maintenance.

Four months later, I was charged more than 100 euros without any explanation. When I asked about it, they informed me that this was due to them having to refuel the damaged car themselves (which I would obviously have done myself if I had been able to). The tank was approximately half empty (so about 20-25l). I don't know which gasoline company is charging more than 100 euros for around 25l of gas (that's 4 euros per liter...).

When I contacted customer support, they stuck to their rule book.

We’ve used Goldcar a few times and every time you return the car there’s some issue they claim you’ve caused. This one was the final straw. Damage to the underside of the front bumper - damage I spotted and raised to the man when collecting the car. He apparently didn’t note it on the document and now we’re being charged DOUBLE the rental price (on top of the rental price) to fix after returning. We used the car twice (to and from airport only) and are adamant we didn’t cause the damage… but because I didn’t get down on my hands and knees to take images UNDER THE CAR when collecting and because the man didn’t record the damage on both parts of the document (it was in the notes but not on the diagram) apparently we are liable and the cause. Disgusted by this. Not to mention all the hidden costs and faff when collecting the car initially to. Do not use. Yes it’s cheap, but they make their money afterwards.

arrived at 9pm to pick up my car with my 2-year-old child, exhausted after travelling. They REFUSED to give me the car simply because my bank card shows my last names - exactly the same names that appear on my driving licence and booking - but NOT my first name. This is ridiculous! In Portugal and across Europe, cards often show family names first — this is completely normal.
I had no other cards, no way to pay, and they just turned us away. Stranded at night with a small child is
UNACCEPTABLE. Their policy is rigid, unfair, and shows zero common sense or compassion. I lost my money, my booking, and spent hours stressed with a tired toddler. Avoid at all costs — especially if you're ~ family!

The person who rented the car to me lied to my face about the length of time the deposit would take. She directly told me it should take around two days for the deposit to return and then I get told after I give it back that it takes 10 business days!! I wouldn’t have rented the car if I was told that as I needed that money for the rest of my holiday and now it has ruined the last part of my holiday!! I will definitely never use this company again.

Con artists. I experienced most of the things everyone else is writing in their review below. Avoid at all costs. Advice: Pay a little more for a reputable rental company.

I hired a car via DoYouSpain and was advised that I needed at least 1 month before the expiry date on my credit card. When I got to the Goldcar desk, I was told that I could not use my credit card as it had less than 6 months before the expiry date. I was quite happy to pay the €950 euro deposit but they the card was not valid. However the same card was valid for their excess insurance, which was 3 times more than the actual car hire, and which I had already purchased! I have only given them one star because the car was okay, although nothing like the requested model. I would never use this company again.

One-Star Review

⭐ 1 STAR – AVOID GOLDCAR FARO AIRPORT

My first experience with Goldcar was also my last. I have hired cars many times over the years and have never previously had a bad experience with any other car hire company. Goldcar was a completely different story.

This was an expensive hire, and I paid for virtually every option, including Key & Go, expecting a smooth, hassle-free experience. Instead, I was given a filthy, unwashed car at Faro Airport.

The car itself was extremely disappointing. Despite having only around 10,000 km, it felt tired and poorly maintained. The multimedia system was faulty, meaning the phone connection and Apple CarPlay did not work properly. I reported the problems, but despite emailing Goldcar, I received no response whatsoever while the rental was running.

When I returned the car, I showed the problems to the member of staff inspecting it. He agreed with me about the condition and issues, but said there was nothing he could do. I also spoke to Tiago at the desk, who was sympathetic but offered no compensation or meaningful resolution.

Then there is the money. I paid a €296 fuel and toll deposit. I returned the car with a full tank of fuel, yet a week later I am still waiting for my deposit to be returned.

Frankly, the whole experience left me feeling that the business model is designed to take as much money from the customer as possible while providing as little service as possible. To me, it felt like a scam, particularly given the amount I paid for the hire and additional options, followed by the condition of the vehicle and complete lack of customer service when I complained.

📸 I have photographs of the condition of the car when I collected it.

My advice: think very carefully before booking with Goldcar. Paying extra for Key & Go and other options certainly did not result in the premium, hassle-free experience I expected.

I have never had a bad car hire experience before. Goldcar Faro Airport has changed that.

First time using Goldcar. Last time using Goldcar.

⭐ 1/5 – Avoid.

On arrival at the Goldcar desk at Faro Airport I was experienced disappointment as the car I booked ( A Intermediate SUV) wasn't available. Instead I was given a Medium Kia Xceed. Not ideal for 4 passengers and 4 suitcases. They could have upgraded, instead tried to extract more money for the next size up. Avoid.

Goldcar is the worst company you can go with to rent a car they are expensive they are liars they will blame others for their mistakes they will scam you if your flight is been changed or is late they don’t reply to emails, when you call them they say it’s nothing to do with them that you have to contact another company to even change the booking even when it was done with them and when you get to them in person they don’t care about your booking, they all playing about talking to each others and then they trying to sell you a another booking for 3 times the price of what you already paid I don’t recommend this company to nobody and I hope they close doors soon, so that they can’t scam people anymore.

Terrible experience with Goldcar at Maderia airport. Hard selling of expensive car upgrade and extremely expensive additional insurance at pick up point. Car had additional damage to it that was not highlighted on the collection contract, which was pointed out to the staff. On returning car I was told everything was fine. Then ten days later charge for £200 was made on my card with no explanation. After making enquiries i was told that it was for a minor scrape to a wheel hub that was already there on collection. Tried to rectify this with customer services, which was a waste of time. Very unpleasant staff.

A very frustrating experience with Goldcar at Lisbon Airport.

I booked a Peugeot 2008 via Carla with "Full Protection" insurance already paid for. However, upon arrival at the counter, the staff used aggressive high-pressure tactics to force me into buying their own internal insurance. They demanded a massive security deposit, claiming that if it didn't go through, I would have to pay an extra €300.

It feels like the system is intentionally designed to trigger debit card limits with an oversized deposit to force customers into paying for their unnecessary "local" insurance. My existing "Full Protection" from Carla was essentially dismissed at the desk.

Be extremely careful: they are not transparent about the deposit, the deductible (excess), or the additional fees. Do not let them pressure you into paying twice for insurance. Make sure to film the entire car (every single scratch) at pick-up and drop-off, as they are known for being difficult with damages. 1/5 stars.

So many things were poor and simply horrible about this experience.

They didn’t want to take my credit card in my name. It was through my company which I own, I asked what can be done; they proposed to do a full insurance and the card could then be used at a 2.5x the original cost. Or with a some £2300 deposit they would now let me use my credit card.

They also wouldn’t let me use monzo or and also said that the card had to be tangible

I got the car with 680km and full bars of fuel in the tank and lucky took a photo. When I returned it the guy who only spoke Portuguese said it was all ok. And did a thumbs up. Minutes later got an email which said that there was a €12 + €50 full to full charge. It was literally left back exactly as I got it.

I have raised a charge back with my card provided and shown them the emails and photos I have. Really truely a terrible experience. Next time I will be paying slightly more and going with a more reputable company. Terrible terrible experience and entirely decietful.

Scam. I dismissed all additional services and insurances when booking online. When checking in (a painfully slow experience), they added extras worth more than the value of the rental without asking or informing me. I did not give permission for these extra charges.

We then waited outside for 45 minutes for our car to arrive, while there were many other cars available.

At drop-off, no one was present to address the unsolicited payments. So far, the fuel deposit (another thing they invented to get extra money out of your pocket) hasn't been refunded.

Goldcar sends all its emails from a noreply address. I contacted them at an email address I found on their website, but got no response.

Avoid Goldcar at all costs.

An absolute rip-off! Be aware of the insurance you pay ,and the deposit that never get back to your account “DON’T USE GOLDCAR”