CAEL Rent a Car Reviews 50

We were given erroneous instructions on our car. They were to "fill up from green pumps". These are not universal in Portugal as it turns out - and we ended up putting the wrong gas in the tank - despite using a green pump. (There were 3 greens and 1 black). Despite buying the full insurance package for additional $900 and being told "it covers everything", the subsequent repair was NOT covered. Additional charge of $300.
No one answers business phone before 10 or after 7.
Voicemail is in Portuguese so we needed a lot of help conveying the breakdown through after hours messaging.
They will NOT deliver a replacement car. We had to taxi to the airport for a new car - half-day used. There, the only language the attendant could input the new GPS was Dutch. We finally found our native tongue on our own and the GPS was out of date.
You will NOT get a refund if you return the car (10 days) early - even if you alert them beforehand to the change. They are NOT open after regular business hours so you must return the car between 10 and 7.
All in all, a very sad and expensive experience.

When I arrived in Oporto on September 26, 22 after a full night without sleeping, I was given my rental without a problem. I didn't know that it was my responsibility to check for every single scratch. In 2 weeks I put 750 kilometers in the car, less than 460 miles.
When delivering the car, the agent Vania stated that there was a scratch on the front bumper and that it was fresh. I used the car only to visit my mother at a convalescent center and back home where the car was very well protected. Indeed, being a driving instructor myself, I very well know how to take care of a car.
When I arrived, She came out of the office to inspect the car and "boom" - went straight to the front bumper, as if she knew the scratch was there. You could barely see it... actually, you had to bend to see it. The more I insisted that nothing happened to me, the more she insisted that the scratch was fresh... I am sure, if it was there, the other girl probably missed it...
She was rude and unapologetic! Well...they charged me 150 Euros plus the IVA 23%. 183.68 Euros...
Also... I was supposed to deliver the car on Monday morning at 4:00 am but I was told by the first agent that at that time they would be closed, so I had to deliver it the previous day before 7:00 pm, and had to sleep sitting on a very uncomfortable chair at the airport... Not the most convenient situation for a lady that recently had heart surgery. Sorry... but the experience with Cael was not positive.

BE AWARE. I’ve used this company many times before, and it has gone downhill the in the last few years. Hidden fees on every little thing and THEY WILL TRICK YOU into spending HUNDREDS. Do a proper inspection before hand take HI-RES photos before you sign any contracts!! I’ve just got charged over €100+vat on a extremely faded small mark (less than 2mm) on the door that could be easily be mistaken by a rain drop. It would be impossible to be caught on our first inspection as the car was sitting outside without cover, completely exposed to the weather. We’ve barely used the car, was parked on a safe place most of the time, (a private garage) so there’s no way that was done during our rental. The lady was extremely rude and unapologetic, making us feel it was our fault!
This is not the first time. CHECK OTHER BAD REVIEWS. THEY USE THE SAME TRICKS ALL THE TIME, AND THOSE ARE GUARANTEED TO BE 100% REAL! BE CAREFUL!
Rent somewhere else if you want to save some money and stress.

Due to a medical emergency our 4-week holiday in Portugal last year turned into a 4-month stay, which required extending our car rental several times.

When I contacted Cael to explain the situation they were compassionate and helpful. Cael could have charged us over-the-odds for the extensions (we were in a relatively remote part of the country with little choice of other rental companies), but they didn’t. Their rates were very reasonable. (Thank you André for your help.)

Rented a car for 8 days from CAEL on Braamcamp in Lisbon. Greeted warmly, small queue of only 1 other family (July 22), process was really quick, was given a brand new car, process to return was even faster, no hitches, no queue. Amazing company, will definitely use again. Don't know if they were more expensive than others but didn't care, got top service and nothing dodgy. Got a via vendor which was great for driving through tolls. Highly recommended car rental

Used twice already and for first time in 2022. So far very impressed. Had 2 nearly new Seat Ibizas. Pick up at Faro car park 4 straight forward. Returning smooth. Second time had 2 return with half a tank of petrol. Booked for December 22 also.
Would recommend. Not the cheapest or most expensive. Felt confident with Cael.

Don't trust the negative reviews. They're trolls. We've rented a new Peugeot 308 this year in May and it was a car I would want as a rental car. It had just been cleaned. We had to arrange a toll road apparatus which was no problem. The only thing was that we've arrived late on the airport and.it took some time to be picked up. But after that the employee told us about the car and how to use it. When we brought it back another employee looked at the car, filled in the form (no damages) and off we were. Perfect.

one of the worse car rental i have found till now.
they are fraud , i had fill the tank with worth of 48 euro when it was on reserve but when i return car its has almost 75%-80% oil and they charge me 50 euro just to fill tank of 20-25% which i was hoping maximum of 15-22 euro thats way too much to cheat people,
as tourist we don't mind paying little bit extra but that was not acceptable at all

Best ever car hire experience. Will not go with any other car rental company

Azienda seria e professionale, prezzi trasparenti e senza sorprese, personale professionale e gentile, davvero un’ottimo servizio