Scams at ALC OCU ranks Goldcar Spain's most-complained-about rental brand. Premium location surcharge, false fuel charges, the €600 excess deposit trap — a 7-step defensive checklist for ALC pickups. Welcome to the Costa Blanca. Alicante-Elche (ALC) airport is the gateway for millions of tourists each year and the starting point for a huge number of Spanish holidays. As the hub for 15% of all car rentals in Spain and where one in three UK rentals begin, it's a well-oiled machine. For the most part, picking up your hire car is a smooth, straightforward process. However, a quick search on TripAdvisor reveals a different story for some travellers. Budget operators at ALC have generated thousands of complaints about aggressive upselling, non-existent damage claims, and confusing fees. Spain's official consumer organisation (OCU) consistently identifies Goldcar as the most-complained-about rental brand in the country. While you shouldn't let this ruin your holiday plans, being prepared is your best defence when renting a car in Benidorm. Knowledge is power. Familiarise yourself with the common tactics used at some rental desks so you can spot them and stand your ground. Scam Type How It Works Brands Often Cited (TripAdvisor/OCU) Your Defence Mandatory Insurance Upsell The desk agent insists your booking doesn't include "basic Spanish cover" or that your third-party insurance is "not valid". They pressure you into buying their expensive Super Collision Damage Waiver (SCDW), often doubling the rental cost. Goldcar, Click&Rent, OK Mobility Firmly state: "I will use the basic CDW included and I have my own separate excess insurance policy. I decline all optional extras." They cannot legally refuse the rental. Hidden Location & Service Fees After you agree to the price, a list of extra fees appears on the final bill: "Premium Location Surcharge," "Airport Fee," "Environmental Tax," or "Carbon Fee." These can add €30–€80 to your bill. Goldcar/Oscar Before signing anything, ask for a full, itemised printout of all charges. Question every line item you didn't agree to during booking. Fuel Deposit Fraud You're forced into a "full-to-empty" policy. You pay for a full tank of fuel at an inflated price (e.g., €120 for a small car) and are told to return it empty. You never use a full tank, so they profit from the unused fuel. Various budget operators Always book with a company that offers a clear "full-to-full" policy. If forced into a different policy at the desk, photograph the fuel gauge at pickup and return. Pre-existing Damage Charges The car is given to you in a poorly lit area or is dirty, hiding existing scratches. Upon return, they "discover" this damage and charge your card €150–€500 for a minor scuff that was already there. Goldcar, Victoria Cars Use your phone's timestamped video function. Film a slow walk-around of the entire car, including the roof, wheels, and windscreen, before you leave the car park. Deposit Charged, Not Held Instead of pre-authorising (holding) the deposit on your credit card, the company actually “debits” the full amount. When they refund it weeks later, they do so in EUR, meaning you lose money on the GBP exchange rate. Victoria Cars Before handing over your card, explicitly ask: "Is this a pre-authorisation hold or a charge?" If it's a charge, consider walking away or using a fee-free travel card. Choosing the right company is half the battle. Based on OCU data, TripAdvisor consensus, and Which? reviews, here is a tiered guide to suppliers at Alicante Airport. Tier Suppliers & Justification Highly Recommended Centauro: Consistently high satisfaction (83% according to Which?). Their "Smart" cover is a verified no-deposit, no-excess package. What you see is what you pay. Lara Cars: A local favourite with a strict zero-upsell policy. Their quoted price is the final price, and they are known for their transparent, friendly service. El Punto Rent a Car: Offers all-inclusive rates from around €20/day with no deposit and a guaranteed full-to-full fuel policy. Recommended with Caution Europcar, Enterprise, Sixt: These global brands generally offer a more professional experience. However, upselling of their own excess insurance can still be persistent at airport desks. Always double-check your final invoice before signing. Avoid if Possible Goldcar/Oscar: The TripAdvisor forum consensus is blunt: you will likely face high-pressure sales for insurance you don't need and potential post-rental damage charges. OK Mobility: Frequently cited for erroneous charges (like a €70 "unauthorised driver" fee for a passenger with no licence, per a Reddit report) and unresponsive customer service. Click&Rent: Known for intense pressure to buy their insurance and a "non-refundable fuel deposit tax" that catches many travellers out. Lara Cars: A local favourite with a strict zero-upsell policy. Their quoted price is the final price, and they are known for their transparent, friendly service. El Punto Rent a Car: Offers all-inclusive rates from around \u20ac20/day with no deposit and a guaranteed full-to-full fuel policy.", "Recommended with Caution", "Europcar, Enterprise, Sixt: These global brands generally offer a more professional experience. However, upselling of their own excess insurance can still be persistent at airport desks. Always double-check your final invoice before signing.", "Avoid if Possible", "Goldcar/Oscar: The TripAdvisor forum consensus is blunt: you will likely face high-pressure sales for insurance you don't need and potential post-rental damage charges. OK Mobility: Frequently cited for erroneous charges (like a \u20ac70 \"unauthorised driver\" fee for a passenger with no licence, per a Reddit report) and unresponsive customer service. For a full breakdown of what to expect at the airport terminal, see our detailed Alicante Airport pickup guide. Follow this checklist from booking to return to protect yourself from unexpected charges. Book Smartly: Never book based on the lowest headline price alone. Use a transparent broker like Zest Car Rental or book directly with a highly recommended supplier like Centauro or Lara Cars. Buy Annual UK Excess Insurance BEFORE You Fly: This is the single most important step. A policy from iCarHireInsurance or Worldwide Carexcess costs around £45-£60 per year and covers the huge €1,000–€3,000 excess on any rental worldwide. Tip: Save Over £100 on a Single Trip The rental desk will try to sell you their daily excess waiver (SCDW) for €20–€30 per day, costing up to €210 for a week. An annual policy you buy at home for £45 covers you for the whole year, saving you a fortune. Decline ALL Optional Insurance at the Desk: If you have your own annual policy, you do not need theirs. When they push, simply say, "I have my own comprehensive cover, I am happy to leave the standard deposit, and I decline all optional extras." Photograph and Video Everything: Before leaving the parking bay, take a timestamped video of every single panel, wheel, bumper, the windscreen, and the interior. Do the same when you drop the car off. Demand a Signed Damage Sheet: Do not accept a verbal "don't worry, it's in the system." Insist the agent comes to the car with you, notes every existing scratch on the rental agreement diagram, and signs it. Insist on a Full-to-Full Fuel Policy: Confirm this at the desk. Refuse any "full-to-empty" or "pre-paid fuel" options. When you return the car, get a receipt from a petrol station close to the airport as proof of refuelling. Check for Safety Equipment: Before driving off, confirm the mandatory V16 emergency beacon, spare tyre, and jack are in the boot. Missing equipment can result in a charge on your return. Familiarise yourself with local driving rules before you set off. If the worst happens and you find an unfair charge on your card, don't panic. Follow this process. Gather Your Evidence: Collate your rental agreement, booking confirmation, fuel receipts, credit card statements, and the timestamped photos/videos you took. Contact the Company's Head Office: Email the formal complaints department of the rental company, not the local ALC desk. Clearly state the issue and provide your evidence. Initiate a Chargeback: If you receive no satisfactory response within 30 days, contact your credit card provider. If the transaction was over £100, you are protected under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act (for UK cardholders). Explain the situation and request to dispute the charge. File an Official Complaint: Report the company to Spain's consumer body, OCU (helpline: 900 055 102), or file a formal complaint through the Generalitat Valenciana consumer portal at cdgaip.gva.es. Appeal Fines Correctly: If you receive a traffic or ZBE (Low Emission Zone) fine notice weeks later, you have 20 days to file a “recurso de alzada” (an appeal). Do not ignore it. Warning: The Admin Fee Sting Rental companies will charge you a separate "administration fee" of €40–€50 simply for identifying you to the traffic authorities when you get a fine. This fee is non-refundable and is in addition to the fine itself. This is the key to defusing the most common scam. The basic Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) included in your rental comes with a massive "excess" – the first portion of any claim, which can be up to €3,000. Rental desks make huge profits selling their own Super CDW (SCDW) to reduce this excess to zero, charging €20-€30 per day. An annual policy bought in the UK from a specialist like iCarHireInsurance or Worldwide Carexcess costs as little as £45 for a full year of cover. The process is simple: if you damage the car, the rental company charges your credit card for the excess amount. You then submit a claim to your UK insurer, who reimburses you in full. The desk agent may lie and say, "we don't accept that insurance." This is irrelevant. The policy is an agreement to repay “you”, not them. Alternatively, booking through a broker like Zest Car Rental (a Which? Recommended Provider since 2017) often includes full excess insurance as part of their package, giving you total peace of mind and reducing the total car rental prices in Benidorm.