Your Europcar Car Hire Questions Answered

Who is Cape Spirit?

Who is Europcar Car Hire?

What makes Cape Spirit and Europcar 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 and 24 hour free roadside assistance are just a few of the reasons why you should book your Car at Cape Spirit.

Europcar is part of Imperial Holdings, the largest Car Hire group in South Africa. They lead the car hire industry by providing fair rates and unmatched customer services.

What do your past Customers say about the Cape Spirit / Europcar Car Hire Service?

To view some of our Customer feedback click here

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

Yes ! We do not request your Credit Card number when booking over the Internet, and you will be billed directly by Europcar on collection of your car.

You book directly onto Europcar's live system - the largest Car Hire group in South Africa. Europcar operates an impressive fleet of over 220 000 vehicles at 2650 locations in 118 countries in the world.

Cape Spirit is a proud Member of Cape Town Tourism and one of South Africa's most popular Car Rental websites to book your unlimited mileage car.

I have never hired a Car from Cape Spirit / Europcar 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 Europcar Car Hire Page and on this Questions and Answers page to get a clear understanding of our service
2. Read and accept the Europcar Terms and Conditions as you will hire the Vehicle from Europcar
3. Book your car online at our Europcar Car Hire 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 / Europcar ?

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

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

The Driver MUST be present during the collection of the Car

Vehicles are only rented to drivers over the age of 23

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. 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 Europcar Car Hire 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 Europcar Car Rental Office and your car will be ready for you. You do not have to confirm your booking before arrival.

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 Europcar Car Hire 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 Europcar 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 Europcar 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 Europcar Branch at your selected location. You will receive directions and contact details for the specific Europcar Branch on your booking confirmation that will be emailed to you. You are also welcome to contact Cape Spirit for more info.

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, Drivers License, Rental Voucher / Booking Confirmation and ID / Passport. Your Excess amount, 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)

What rates options are on offer?

Cape Spirit and Europcar offer the following rate option:

Unlimited KM Classic Plus Super Cover

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

What is included and excluded in your Unlimited KM rates?

Included:
Unlimited mileage
VAT at 14%
9 % Airport Surcharge
1 % Tourism Levy
Theft and Collision Damage Waiver (see excess for South African citizens below)
Personal Accident Insurance
Travellers' Companion

Excluded:
Refundable fuel deposit of R 1000
Contract fee of R 35
Water and under-carriage damage to vehicles
Tyre and rim damage, hubcaps
Windscreen damage
Additional driver R 130 per rental, per driver
Young Driver surcharge of R120 per day, per driver
Baby seats - R150 per rental
One way charges
Delivery and Collection fees
Traffic Fine Handling Fee of R175
Claim Handling Fee of R450
Second spare wheel (on request) R 550 per rental

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

South African Citizens (SA Passport / ID): There is a small excess for all South African citizens. The excess amounts for SA Citizens are some of the lowest in the SA car hire industry.

International Visitors (non SA Passport): We offer a NO EXCESS for all Visitors (holding a non South African passport)

South African Citizens ONLY:
A South African Citizen is liable for the excess amount in the event of theft / accident if you have not acted recklessly. The excess is authorised (reserved) over your credit card as a deposit when collecting the Car and released (refunded) back to you when returning the Car in the same condition. The excess for South Africans is as follows:
Group J, A, T - R 1300 (South African Citizens only)
Group B, C, D - R 1500 (South African Citizens only)
Group I, F - R 2000 (South African Citizens only)
Group H, O, S, V, W, E - R 2500 (South African Citizens only)

There is a ZERO excess for all the above groups for anyone with a non SA passport.

A cross border excess of R 6500 is applicable to cross border into Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, Swaziland and Mozambique for local and international travellers.

Is there a Fuel deposit and how does it work ?

There is a R1000 Petrol Deposit with Europcar. The Petrol 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)

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 Europcar through Cape Spirit ?

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

Rental amount for UNLIMITED KM Classic Plus Super Cover:

The rental amount (that you see just before you finalise your booking)
PLUS
R 35 contact fee

Deposit for UNLIMITED KM Classic Plus Super Cover:

The following total amount will be authorised over your Credit Card when collecting your Car:

R 1000 Fuel deposit (refundable) PLUS Refundable Excess Deposit* (SA Citizens Only) PLUS the Rental Amount

When returning the Car the R 1000 Fuel deposit and Excess Deposit (SA Citizens Only) will be refunded back onto your Credit Card, and you end up paying the Rental Amount only.

*The excess for South Africans is as follows:
Group J, A, T - R 1300 (South African Citizens only)
Group B, C, D - R 1500 (South African Citizens only)
Group I, F - R 2000 (South African Citizens only)
Group H, O, S, V, W, E - R 2500 (South African Citizens only)

There is a ZERO excess for all the above groups for anyone with a non SA passport.

A cross border excess of R 6500 is applicable to cross border into Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, Swaziland and Mozambique for local and international travellers.

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.

Click here to view Europcar One Way Fees

Where can I view the contract that I need to sign with Europcar when collecting the car?

Cape Spirit purely acts as an Agent for Europcar and you will have to read, understand and accept Europcar's Booking Terms & Conditions before booking. You can view the Europcar Terms & Conditions here. Ensure that you understand the heading FACTORS THAT COULD NEGATE COVER !

How do I amend or cancel a booking ?

Please remember to amend or cancel your booking if your travel arrangements have changed!

You can amend or cancel your booking here

You can also contact Cape Spirit to amend or cancel the booking on your behalf.

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 extras” menu when booking your Car online (final stage of booking). A baby seat costs R150 for the total rental period.

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

Please contact us for more details

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

Yes, Europcar can deliver or collect a Car at the following delivery / collection rates:

OFFICE HOURS
25 kilometres or less, R150
26 kilometres or more, R5 per kilometre

AFTER HOURS, WEEKENDS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
25 kilometres or less, R280
26 kilometres or more, R5 per kilometre

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

Can I take the Car into another country ?

PLEASE CONTACT US IF YOU PLAN TO TRAVEL OUTSIDE OF SOUTH AFRICA!

A letter of authorisation must be requested at the time of reservation for all cross border travelling. Specific cross border information may be obtained from Europcar’s Central Reservations Office.

Europcar will not be held responsible if a renter is refused entry into another country.

All vehicles entering Namibia will have to pay a Cross Border charge. A Cross Border Certificate will be issued by the Namibian authorities. All Cross Border documentation is to be left in the glove compartment or handed to a Europcar representative. A penalty/fee of up to ZAR 5 000 may be levied if the documentation is not produced/found.

From South Africa vehicles are allowed into Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, Swaziland and Mozambique. Vehicles are not allowed into Angola or Zimbabwe. The following exceptions do apply –
South Africa to Botswana, Swaziland, Lesotho and Namibia – No restriction on vehicle groups.
South Africa to Mozambique and Zambia – Only car groups J, A, T, B, C, D & F are allowed. International passport holders are permitted across with groups W, V, S & E.

A non-refundable fee of ZAR 1 000 will be levied for all vehicles crossing into Mozambique and Zambia. For Botswana, Swaziland, Namibia and Lesotho a ZAR 450 cross border charge will be levied.

Responsibilities/Excesses of the country in which the accident/theft occurs will apply regardless of the country in which the rental commenced. An excess of R 6500 (which will be reserved as a refundable deposit on your credit card) is applicable to cross border into Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, Swaziland and Mozambique.

Additional Excess (limited liability) applies on all rentals (regardless of which rate applies to the rental) where the accident occurs in Mozambique or Zambia.

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