Goldcar Car Rental Review: From Disappointment to a Positive Surprise
Goldcar has been one of the car rental companies I have avoided for a very long time, even though their prices are competitive. The reason goes back to a rental during one of our first visits to the island.
We waited over an hour to receive the car keys. There were discussions about rental terms that did not match the information we had been given. The staff strongly pressured us to take out full insurance. Finally, there was an excessively detailed inspection of the car at return, which I experienced as an attempt by Goldcar to generate extra income. The deposit was also not returned shortly after the car was handed back. All of this made me want to stay away.
However, this happened 10 years ago. As competition in the car rental industry increases, especially in Mallorca, I assume the focus on customers improves as well. Goldcar must have taken some steps in the right direction?
Therefore, after several searches at different times for a car rental in December 2025, the choice ended up being Goldcar. This was due to the almost unbelievable price of €14.37 for one week! Premium Location Fee and Environmental Contribution included. Sure, it’s low season, but this is still a price that is very hard to beat. For comparison, Hertz charged €95 and Record Go €75 for the same period.
A lot has also changed at Palma Airport over the past 10 years. Car rental companies now have larger offices in the arrivals hall after baggage claim. The area feels more spacious, with access to food outlets, seating, and the option to step outside while waiting for your turn. Goldcar’s office is no exception. It took barely 10 minutes to complete the contract, and the attempt to upsell full insurance felt more like information than pressure. Similar to Record Go, you then head to the parking garage opposite the terminal to collect the keys and the car.
About the car
The moment I saw the car, I understood the low price. Far away in a corner stood a Mitsubishi with the rather imposing model name “Space Star.” A strange model I didn’t even know existed.
Judging by the large number of visible scratches and marks, it was clear that this car had been through a lot. Renting it without full insurance meant that all existing damage had to be documented to avoid extra charges at return. To my great relief, the staff explained that they assess damage by zones. For example, if you return the car with a scratch in an area that already has damage, it is disregarded.
Goldcar may not have the largest fleet in Mallorca, but it certainly has a varied one. There are many different car types and models, ranging from small Fiat 500s to sedans, minivans, family cars, and SUVs. This is clearly aimed at appealing to a broad customer base. Both electric vehicles and cars with manual or automatic transmissions are available. However, the selection of premium cars is limited.
About the website
Despite the slightly annoying green color, the website feels clean, well thought out, and easy to navigate. All information is clearly presented without unnecessary advertising. Even the Terms and Conditions page (unlike many other car rental companies) is well structured and easy to read. In short, booking the car was very straightforward.
Pricing
As mentioned earlier, the price was the deciding factor this time. Goldcar often ranks high on low-price lists on various comparison websites, especially during the low season. In fact, renting a car for a week in January can cost as little as €1.35 per day. You can easily understand where the name “Crazy Full/Full Rate” comes from 🙂 Overall, Goldcar offers prices that are very competitive. However, it’s important to note that these prices apply to bookings without full insurance (Full Cover / zero excess).
When booking with Goldcar, you have three different options:
- Crazy Full/Full Rate: basic insurance, no cancellation, deposit of at least €1,100
- Full/Full Rate: basic insurance, free cancellation, deposit of at least €1,100
- Key’n Go Pack: full insurance, free cancellation, no deposit, time-saving (contract prepared and keys ready)
Returning the car
Returning the car was smooth and effortless. Once again, it was low season, with a calmer pace. Mileage check, fuel level, a quick walk-around of the car, and the process was done in just a few minutes. It’s also worth mentioning that the €1,100 deposit was already back in my account the evening before the car was returned. This experience was very far from my earlier one with Goldcar. It remains to be seen whether this also holds true during high season.
Summary
An unbeatable price for a tired and rather boring car to drive, but combined with clear information, smooth handling, and friendly staff, it turned out to be a positive surprise for me.
Good to know before renting from Goldcar
Important: Read this carefully to avoid unexpected charges.
- The minimum driver age is 21, and the driver must have held a license for at least 12 months. Drivers aged 21–24 are charged between €9.95 and €25 per day, depending on the car category.
- Accepted payment methods include debit cards and Visa or MasterCard credit cards.
- Deposit fees start at €1,100. With Relax Cover, the deposit is reduced to €300 for all car groups. With Super Relax, the deposit is €0.
- A fuel deposit starts from €132 and is refunded if the vehicle is returned with a full tank.
- A maximum of three additional drivers can be registered. Each additional driver costs from €10 per day.
- Hiring a baby seat costs €13 per day, with a maximum charge of €117 per rental.
- Cancellation is free up to 48 hours before pick-up. Later cancellations incur a €50 fee, unless a non-refundable rate was booked.
- Returning the vehicle more than 59 minutes after the contract end time results in a charge of €40 per day, plus additional rental days (minimum €40 and one day’s rental).
- If the vehicle receives a fine during the rental period, you are responsible for the full fine plus a €40 traffic fine management fee. Read more about paying a parking fine in Mallorca.
Frequently Asked Questions – Goldcar Mallorca
Goldcar can be a reliable choice if you understand that it is a budget-focused rental company. Prices are low, and the overall experience can vary depending on season and car category.
Goldcar focuses on high-volume, low-cost rentals. Low prices are usually linked to basic insurance options, a wide mix of car models and ages, and paid extras such as full insurance.
Full insurance is not mandatory. However, with basic insurance, a higher deposit is required and existing damage should be carefully checked and documented at pick-up.
The deposit usually starts at around €1,100 when booking with basic insurance. With full insurance packages, the deposit can be reduced or removed.
The condition of Goldcar vehicles varies. The fleet includes many newer cars from different brands and models, as well as some vehicles that are older or appear to have been used intensively.
Yes. In low season, Goldcar often offers some of the cheapest car rental prices in Mallorca, with faster pick-up and return due to lower demand. In high season, prices increase as demand rises, but Goldcar usually remains competitively priced, even though other rental companies may occasionally offer better deals.
