South Africa Car Rentals - Questions and Answers

Your South Africa Car Hire Questions Answered

Who is Cape Spirit?

Who is First Car Rental (formerly National Alamo South Africa)?

What Car Rental locations are on offer ?

You can book a Car through Cape Spirit from and to any of the following locations: (our service is NOT limited to the Cape)

Cape Provinces Car Rental: Cape Town Airport, Cape Town Central, Stellenbosch, East London, Port Elizabeth, George (Garden Route), Kimberley, Upington (Kalahari Park)
Gauteng Car Rental: Johannesburg OR Tambo Airport, Pretoria, Menlyn Pretoria, Sandton, Midrand, Boksburg, Braamfontein, Randburg, Kempton Park, Melrose Arch Lyndhurst, Vereeniging (Emerald Casino)
KZN Car Rental: Durban, Pietermaritzburg (Oribi Airport), Richards Bay, Umhlanga Rocks, Pinetown
Mpumalanga Car Rental: Nelspruit (Kruger Park)
Limpopo Car Rental: Phalaborwa (Kruger Park), Polokwane
Free State Car Rental: Bloemfontein

VIEW A DETAILED LIST OF FIRST CAR RENTAL BRANCHES HERE

Also view our offers from Europcar who offer many more South African locations!

What makes Cape Spirit and First Car Rental (formerly National Alamo South Africa) more likely to provide a superior Car Rental Reservation experience?

Our competitive unlimited KM rates, excellent quality cars, easy online bookings, instant email confirmation, friendly customer support, honest approach (we give you all the info to know exactly how much you will pay) and 24 hour free roadside assistance are just a few of the reasons why you should book your Car at Cape Spirit.

First Car Rental (formerly National Alamo South Africa) is part of the CHM Group with an annual revenue of R 4.4 billion. Cape Spirit is a proud Member of Cape Town tourism

What do your past Customers say about the Cape Spirit / First Car Rental (formerly National Alamo) Service?

View our Customer feedback

Is it safe to book a Car with Cape Spirit / First Car Rental and why should I trust your Company to fullfill your promises?

Yes ! Your personal details are secured by THAWTE, a Global Trusted 3rd Party. We do not request your Credit Card number when booking over the Internet, and you will be billed directly by First Car Rental (formerly National Alamo South Africa) on collection of your car.

You book directly onto First Car Rental's live and secure system. First Car Rental (formerly National Alamo South Africa) is owned by the Combined Motor Holdings Group (CMH) - a leading JSE-listed (since 1987) Public Retail Company with annual revenue of R4.4 billion rand.

Cape Spirit is a proud Member of Cape Town Tourism and is the largest car rental tour operator for First Car Rental Western Cape.

View our Customer feedback

I have never hired a Car from Cape Spirit / First Car Rental before. How do I Book a Car?

To book a Car please follow the following 3 easy steps:

1. Read through the important info at our Car Rental Page and on this Questions and Answers page to get a clear understanding of our service
2. Read and accept the First Car Rental Terms and Conditions as you will hire the Vehicle from First Car Rental (formerly National Alamo South Africa)
3. Book your car online at our Car Rental Booking Page or by calling our Toll Free Reservation Desk 0800 21 21 10 (If you live in the UK dial 0871 711 9756. If you live in the USA or Canada dial 1-888-860-7997 Toll Free. Rest of the World dial + 27 12 567 4888)

What are the requirements to hire a car from Cape Spirit / First Car Rental?

You will be asked to produce the following documents when collecting the Car:

1. Your ID / Passport
2. Your valid Credit Card - Visa, Mastercard, Diners or American Express (The Credit Card MUST be in the name of the Driver. No Debit Cars or Cash accepted!)
3. Valid Driver’s license (at least 2 years old)
4. Your Rental Voucher / Booking Confirmation (which you will receive into your email once you have booked your Car online)

The Driver MUST be present during the collection of the Car

The Driver must be 21 years or older and have obtained his/her license at least two years prior to renting a vehicle. Drivers younger than 21 years will be charged a Young Driver Surcharge of R100 per day, and must have obtained their license at least two years prior to renting a vehicle.

I am a foreign citizen visiting South Africa. Can I book a car on Cape Spirit and do I require any additional documents?

Yes, anyone from around the Globe can use our service. In fact, more than half of all our bookings are from Overseas Visitors. You will be required to apply for an International Drivers license if your Drivers License is not in English. If your drivers license is in English you do not have to apply for an International Drivers license.

Do you offer an easy-to-use, real time rate search and reservation system?

Yes, the live booking system is located at our Car Rental Booking Page

Do I need to do anything else after booking my car on Cape Spirit ?

No, once your booking has been confirmed you are not required to do anything else. Your booking will be confirmed into your email within 1 minute after you have booked online.

Just bring your required documents to the First Car Rental Office (exact location and contact details to be provided during booking or view detailed branch info here) and your car will be ready for you. You do not have to confirm your booking before arrival again - if it's booked and you have received your email confirmation, it is booked.

What is the availability of Cars and will my reservation be honoured ?

You can view live availability on our live booking system located at our Car Rental Booking Page Once you have received your booking confirmation into your email your reservation will be honoured.

Do you require my Credit Card number when making an online booking ?

No, we do not ask for your Credit Card number during the booking. Please note that although we do not request your Credit Card details during the reservation, it is still compulsory to have a valid credit card and present it to the Car rental office during the collection of your car, where First Car Rental (formerly National Alamo South Africa) will bill you. No cash or debit cards are accepted.

When will I be billed for the rental ?

Only when collecting the Car and not during time of booking. You will be billed directly by First Car Rental (formerly National Alamo South Africa). You will however receive instant booking confirmation that a car has been reserved for you.

Where do I collect my Car and what will happen when I arrive there ?

You will collect your Car at the First Car Rental at your selected location. You will receive directions and contact details for the specific First Car Rental Branch on your booking confirmation that will be emailed to you. You can also view detailed Branch info here.

When you arrive at the Branch your Car Rental Contract will be ready for signature and you will be assisted by the Professional and Friendly Staff. You will be asked to produce your Credit Card, Valid Drivers License, Rental Voucher / Booking Confirmation and ID / Passport. Your Excess amount (R 0 for Executive Cover, R5 500 for Standard Cover), Fuel Deposit and Rental amount will be authorised over your Credit Card, and the Excess amount and Fuel Deposit will be refunded back to you when returning the Car. (See info below for Excess and Fuel deposit details, as well as how to calculate your exact Rental Amount and Deposit)

You will inspect the Car together with a First Car Rental Staff Member before and after the rental.

What rates options are on offer?

Cape Spirit and First Car Rental offer the following rate option:

Unlimited KM Executive Waiver (Zero Excess Deposit) - RECOMMENDED OPTION
Unlimited KM Standard Cover (R 5500 Excess Deposit)

You will find the rates charged for our vehicles appropriate and competitive.

What is included and excluded in your Unlimited KM rates?

Our Unlimited KM rates with First Car Rental (formerly National Alamo South Africa) include the following:

Car with Executive Cover or Standard Cover (you choose)
Car not older than 1 year
14 % VAT
1 % Tourism Levy
9 % Airport Surcharge
Unlimited KM
Theft Lost Waiver
Collision Damage Waiver
24 Hour Roadside Assistance

Our Unlimited KM rates exclude the following items:

Refundable fuel and windscreen deposit of R 2000
R 39 contract fee (incl VAT)
Additional Driver R 148 (incl VAT)
Personal Accident Benefit (PAB): R27 per day (optional - please ask at car rental counter for PAB)
Windscreen Breakage, Water-, Undercarrage-, Tire-, Rim-, Hubcap Damage
One Way Fee - You can view the One Way fees here
Baby/Child Seat (provide Age & Weight upon reservation) R 160 (incl VAT)
Young Driver Surcharge (driver below 21 years of age) R 114 per day (incl VAT)
No Show Charge R 250
Fine Handling Fee R 342 (incl VAT)
Claim Handling Fee R 513 (incl VAT)
Cross Border Fee (Only allowed for Group L, A, AS, B & J) R 1000 (incl VAT). This is a once off payment, regardless of the number of countries you cross.

Is there an Excess and how does the Excess work with Car Rentals?

There is no excess with our Executive Cover Unlimited KM option. (recommended option)

If you choose the Standard Cover Option there is a R5500 Excess. This amount will be taken as a Deposit when collecting the Car, and refunded back to you when you return the car in the same condition.

Is there a Fuel & Windscreen Breakage deposit and how does it work ?

Yes, the fuel and windscreen breakage deposit is R 2000. The Fuel Deposit is authorised (reserved) over your credit card when collecting the Car and released (refunded) back to you when returning the Car with a full tank of petrol again (you receive a full tank when collecting the car) and with no windscreen breakage. If you do not return the Car with a full tank of petrol again, First Car Rental will fill up your Car and deduct the petrol charges off the Fuel deposit.

I’ve had bad car rental experiences with Companies who quoted me a different amount than what I finally paid for. How can I work out the exact amount and deposit that I will pay First Car Rental through Cape Spirit ?

You can work out exactly how much you will pay. No surprises!

Unlimited KM Executive Cover calculation: (we recommend that you choose Executive Cover when booking your Car online)

Rental amount for UNLIMITED KM Executive Cover:

The rental amount (that you see just before your finalise your booking)
PLUS
R 39 contact fee

Deposit for UNLIMITED KM Executive Cover:

The following total amount will be authorised over your Credit Card when collecting your Car:
R 2000 Fuel & Windscreen Damage deposit (refundable) PLUS the Rental Amount
When returning the Car the R 2000 Fuel & Windscreen deposit will be refunded back onto your Credit Card, and you end up paying the Rental Amount.

If you will be travelling cross border or one way please contact us for more details.

Unlimited KM Standard Cover calculation:

Rental amount for UNLIMITED KM Standard Cover:

The rental amount (that you see just before your finalise your booking)
PLUS
R 39 contact fee

Deposit for UNLIMITED KM Standard Cover:

The following total amount will be authorised over your Credit Card when collecting your Car:
R 2000 Fuel & Windscreen Damage deposit (refundable) PLUS the Rental Amount PLUS
R 5500 Excess Deposit (refundable)
When returning the Car in the same condition the R 2000 Fuel & Windscreen deposit and R 5500 Excess Deposit will be refunded back onto your Credit Card, and you end up paying the Rental Amount.

If you will be travelling cross border or one way please contact us for more details on how to calculate your rental cost.

I am planning to collect and return the Vehicle at different locations. Is there a One Way fee and how much is this?

Yes, if you collect and return the Vehicle at different locations you will need to pay a One Way fee. You can view the One Way fees here

The One Way fee will form part of the deposit authorisation.

One way rentals to Namibia, Botswana, Swaziland, Lesotho, Mozambique and Zimbabwe are not permitted

Where can I view the contract that I need to sign with First Car Rental (formerly National Alamo South Africa) when collecting the car?

Cape Spirit purely acts as an Agent for First Car Rental (formerly National Alamo South Africa) and you will have to read, understand and accept First Car Rental's (formerly National Alamo South Africa) Booking Terms & Conditions before booking. You can view the Terms & Conditions here (especially note points II, VII, and XXII)

How do I amend or cancel a booking, and is there an amendment or cancellation charge?

Please remember to amend or cancel your booking if your travel arrangements have changed! If you do not show up without cancelling your booking, you will be liable for a R 250 no show charge.

More than 24 hours before collection of the Car:

Click on “Amend this booking” / “Cancel this booking” in your booking confirmation that was emailed to you just after you made the booking.

Or contact Cape Spirit to amend or cancel the booking on your behalf.

No amendment or cancellation charges are payable.

Less than 24 hours before collection of the Car:

Contact Cape Spirit to amend or cancel the booking on your behalf.

No amendment or cancellation charges are payable.

What type of Cars are available in each Car Group ?

Please note that you book a specific car group and not a specific car. You can receive any of the vehicles within the group for the specific group that you have booked.

Group L Car Rental
Fiat Palio Manual 1.2, Hatchback, Radio CD
Opel Corsa Lite Manual 1.4, Hatchback, Radio CD

Group A Car Rental
Toyota Tazz Manual 1300 Hatchback, Radio CD
VW Citi Golf Manual 1.4 Hatchback, Radio CD

Group AS Car Rental
Nissa Micra Manual 1.4, Radio CD, Aircon
Fiat Palio Manual 1.4, Hatchback, Aircon, Radio CD
Ford Fiesta Manual 1.4, Radio CD, Aircon
VW Polo Manual 1.4 Hatchback, Radio CD, Aircon

Group R Car Rental (No cross borders are allowed for this group - Except Swaziland and Lesotho)
View Europcar if you plan to travel cross border with this group
Volo C30 Manual, 1.8, Airconditioned, Radio/CD, power steering

Group B Car Rental
Nissan Almera Manual 1.6, Radio CD, Aircon, Power Steering
Nissan TIIDA Manual 1.6, Radio CD, Aircon, Power Steering
Ford Focus Manual 1.6, Radio CD, Aircon , Power Steering
Toyota Corolla Manual 1.4 Radio CD, Aircon, Power Steering
Renault Megane Manual 1.6, Radio CD, Aircon, Power Steering
VW Polo Manual 1.6, Radio CD, Aircon, Power Steering
Mazda 3 Sedan Manual 1.6, Radio CD, Aircon, Power Steering

Group C Car Rental
Nissan Almera Automatic 1.6, Radio CD, Aircon, Power Steering
Nissan TIIDA Automatic 1.6, Radio CD, Aircon, Power Steering

Group D Car Rental
Ford Focus Automatic 2.0, Radio CD, Aircon , Power Steering
Honda Civic Automatic 1.8, Radio CD, Aircon , Power Steering

Group E Car Rental (No cross borders are allowed for this group - Except Swaziland and Lesotho)
View Europcar if you plan to travel cross border with this group
BMW 3.20i Automatic 2.0, Radio CD, Aircon, Power Steering

Group F Car Rental (No cross borders are allowed for this group - Except Swaziland and Lesotho)
View Europcar if you plan to travel cross border with this group
Nissan X-Trail Automatic 2.0, Radio CD, Aircon, Power Steering
Honda CRV Automatic 2.0, Radio CD, Aircon, Power Steering

Group K Car Rental (No cross borders are allowed for this group - Except Swaziland and Lesotho)
View Europcar if you plan to travel cross border with this group
Mercedes C-Class Automatic 1.8, Radio CD, Aircon, Power Steering

Group I Car Rental (No cross borders are allowed for this group - Except Swaziland and Lesotho)
View Europcar if you plan to travel cross border with this group
Opel Zafira Manual 1.8, CD, Aircon, Power Steering
Honda FRV Manual 2.0, CD, Aircon, Power Steering
Fiat Multipla Manual 1.6, CD Aircon, Power Steering
Mazda 5 Manual 2.0, CD Aircon, Power Steering

Group Y Car Rental (No cross borders are allowed for this group - Except Swaziland and Lesotho)
View Europcar if you plan to travel cross border with this group
VW Kombi TDI Manual 2.5, Radio CD, Aircon, Power Steering
Mercedes Vito Manual 2.0, Diesel Radio CD, Aircon, Power Steering
Nissan Primastar DCI 100 Manual 1.9, Diesel Radio CD, Aircon, ABS, Power Steering

Group J
Nissan Double Cab 4x4 Double Cab with or without canopy, Radio Tape, Aircon, Power Steering, ABS Brakes

Group Z (No cross borders are allowed for this group - Except Swaziland and Lesotho)
View Europcar if you plan to travel cross border with this group
Honda Accord 2.4l Automatic

Can I request a specific Car within a Group ?

You can type your preference in the “Other Info” box when making a booking, however First Car Rental cannot guarantee that you will receive your preferred car and it can be any car within your selected group (see Car groups above)

We have a baby / babies. Can we request a baby/child seat and how much does this cost?

Yes, you can request a baby/child seat at the “Optional info” box when booking your Car online. Please advise the age and weight open reservation. A baby seat costs R160 (incl VAT) for the total rental period.

The Baby seat fee will form part of the deposit authorisation.

I require a tow bar / trailer. Can you assist ?

This is only available on certain car groups. If you require this, please contact Cape Spirit before making your booking.

I require the Car to be delivered to me and/or collected. Can you assist ?

Yes, First Car Rental can deliver or collect a Car. Delivery and Collection Fees:
Office Hours(within 25km)=R 160 If 26 KM or more, applicable fee plus R5.50 per KM
After Hours(within 25km)=R 319 If 26 KM or more, applicable fee plus R5.50 per KM

Please contact Cape Spirit if you require a Delivery and/or Collection.

Can I take the Car into another country ?

PLEASE CONTACT US BEFORE MAKING YOUR BOOKING IF YOU PLAN TO TRAVEL OUTSIDE OF SOUTH AFRICA!

The following vehicles are not permitted to cross any borders: E, Z , K , F , I , Y & R
(Except Swaziland and Lesotho)
Also view Europcar if you plan to travel cross border as they allow more Car types to cross the border

A Refundable Cross Border Excess Deposit of R 5 500 will apply on Executive Cover, a R 11 000 Cross Border Excess will apply on Standard Cover

Please note the following terms and conditions for Cross Border traveling:

i) A letter of authorisation must be requested at the time of reservation for all cross border traveling.
4 Days advance notification is required for Zimbabwe as Authorities now require the original registration documents for all vehicles crossing the border
ii) First Car Rental will not be held responsible if a renter is refused entry into another country.
iii) Vehicles are permitted into Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Mozambique.
iv) Vehicles are NOT permitted into Angola and Zambia (Zambia is in review but T&C will only be updated once decision is reached)
v) A non-refundable fee of ZAR1000 (incl VAT) will be levied for vehicles crossing any of the above mentioned permitted borders and is payable directly by the renter. This is a once off payment, regardless of the number of countries you cross.
vi) A penalty fee of up to ZAR5000 may be levied if the documentation is not produced.
vii) The following vehicles are not permitted to cross any borders: E, Z, K , F , I , Y & R (Except Swaziland and Lesotho)

REFUNDABLE CROSS BORDER EXCESS DEPOSIT (IF YOU WILL BE TRAVELLING OVER SA BORDERS)

i) Executive Waiver - R 5 500 Cross Border Excess
ii) Standard Cover - R 11 000 Cross Border Excess

Any other questions ?

Please contact Cape Spirit

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