Rental terms

Rental terms may change without notice. The terms shown by the rental supplier for your selected booking apply; review them before confirming.

These booking terms are supplied by the rental supplier. They apply to bookings made through its booking engine and are shown here within Mellieħa Car Hire for convenience. View the supplier’s original terms.

Rental terms, prices, fees and conditions may change without notice. The supplier’s terms in force when your booking is confirmed, together with your rental agreement, will apply to your reservation. Please review the current terms before booking.

Booking terms

Operating hours

The airport office is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. An out-of-office charge of €17.70 plus VAT applies to bookings collected outside standard operating hours. Standard hours are Monday to Friday, 09:00–18:00, and Saturday and Sunday, 09:00–11:00. The supplier states that the out-of-office fee applies to collection; vehicle return may be made at any time without charge.

Rates include and exclude

Rates include VAT, comprehensive and third-party insurance, unlimited mileage, 24-hour roadside assistance and breakdown service, road licensing fees, and vehicle maintenance.

Rates exclude excess-waiver options, fuel supplied with the car, baby seats, satellite navigation systems, and special cleaning.

Fuel policy

Cars are supplied with half a tank or a full tank of fuel under a prepaid fuel policy. No refund is given for unused fuel. The supplier charges more per litre than normal pump prices to cover refuelling logistics.

Late returns and vehicle condition

Vehicles returned later than the time or place on the rental agreement have a one-hour grace period. After that, a full additional day’s rental may be charged. Additional collection, administration, and out-of-hours charges may apply when a vehicle is returned late without prior notice. The same clause applies when a rental ends at a location different from the one on the contract.

Return the vehicle in the same condition, allowing for expected dust, dirt, and wear. Charges apply for wet upholstery or excessive dirt and stains requiring special cleaning. The supplier lists a minimum special-cleaning fee of €50 plus VAT.

Public holidays

A €25 fee applies to vehicle collections on public holidays.

Payment cards and deposits

A credit card is required to formalize the contract and cover extras such as an excess deposit, damage or loss of keys, or additional rental days. Visa and Mastercard are accepted. Maestro and Electron cards are not accepted as a guarantee. American Express and cash are not accepted.

Payment and deposit must be made using one card and cannot be split across two cards, even if both cards belong to the same cardholder. Debit cards are accepted for payment but not for an excess deposit unless the renter purchases the supplier’s Full Damage Waiver (FDW) insurance. The supplier requires a chip-and-PIN card and the card PIN to process a transaction.

At collection, the renter must present a valid driving licence and a credit or debit card in the renter’s name. If the renter does not have a card, a third-party card may be used when its holder is present and the renter purchases FDW insurance. Deposits are pre-authorized on the renter’s credit card for up to one month from the start of the rental; the issuing card company releases the authorization.

Driver requirements and additional drivers

The standard policy covers drivers aged 23 and over with at least two years of driving experience. The supplier lists a €10 per day charge for drivers aged 21–22, drivers aged 23–24, and drivers over 70 up to age 75. One main driver is included; up to three additional drivers may be added for a daily charge.

Insurance and excess

The renter may purchase Full Damage Waiver insurance to reduce 80–100% of the standard excess liability in cases such as damage, accident, theft, or vandalism. The supplier lists excess deposits of €1,000–€4,100 depending on vehicle value, €3,500 for 7-seat vehicles, €3,800 for 9-seat vehicles, and €3,500–€4,100 for convertible vehicles. Excess deposits exclude VAT.

After an accident or damage, however minor, contact the supplier as soon as possible and follow its instructions. The renter may need to file a police or traffic-warden report and complete an insurance claim. Applicable excess, claim-administration fees, or repair costs may be payable immediately. Failure to complete the required formalities may void insurance cover and make the renter liable for repair costs, third-party costs, and loss of use.

FDW does not cover damage to items including antennas, trays, keys and locks, personal belongings, GPS devices, wipers, glass, mirrors, wheels, rims, tyres, spare keys, jacks, hubcaps, lights, fuel caps, warning triangles, upholstery, damage from extreme dirt, underside damage, negligence, punctures, burst tyres, incorrect fuel, child seats, or a flat battery caused by negligence.

Staff record existing vehicle damage before rental. Check the vehicle at collection and return, and report damage not listed on the report. Insurance or an excess-waiver option may be voided if damage is not reported as required. Personal belongings left in the vehicle are the renter’s responsibility. The rental company determines renter excess amounts.

Child seats and late arrival

Child, newborn, and booster seats are available for a daily charge. The renter is responsible for fitting the seat.

Reservations are held for one hour after the scheduled pickup time unless the renter contacts the reservation centre to change the arrival time. After that, the vehicle may be made available to other customers. Availability cannot be guaranteed for later arrivals, and paid deposits or rentals are not refunded.

Roadside assistance and tyres

24-hour roadside assistance is provided through a contracted company. Basic assistance is included, but the supplier excludes damage caused intentionally or through negligence, incorrect fuel, breach of the rental agreement, windscreen damage, and tyre damage. Assistance applies in Malta and excludes Gozo. Where assistance is not covered, the supplier lists fees of €45–€75 in Malta and €50–€170 in Gozo. The contact number is provided on the vehicle key tag.

The roadside contractor may help replace a flat tyre with the spare wheel for a service fee. Tyres, wheels, and rims are not covered by rental or FDW insurance; damage during the rental is the renter’s responsibility.

Fines, keys, and early returns

The renter is responsible for paying traffic fines before departure. If the supplier pays a fine, it lists a €50 administration fee including VAT. No refund is offered for early returns, rentals ended early, late collections, no-shows, or cancellations made after the rental start date.

Car keys are not covered by vehicle insurance. The renter is responsible for lost or damaged keys, replacement and recoding costs, any spare-key delivery, and possible loss-of-use charges. A €28 additional charge applies to Valletta Ferry Terminal collections.

Cancellations and no-shows

Bookings may be cancelled by email, not by phone, for a full refund up to 72 hours before the rental starts. Cancellations during collection or within 72 hours of pickup incur a fee equal to the full rental amount. Purchased insurance and extras are not refunded.

Failure to collect the vehicle at the scheduled date and time is a no-show. The supplier states that 100% of the booking amount is charged and is non-refundable.

Flight information and vehicle models

Flight details are required for airport rentals. The supplier states it is not responsible if the vehicle is not ready on arrival when correct flight information was not supplied. Vehicle photos are samples; the exact make or model is not guaranteed.

Jurisdiction and bookings made on the supplier’s website

The supplier states that the agreement is governed by the law of the country where it is signed and that disputes fall within the jurisdiction of the courts for the leasing company’s registered office.

To make a booking, complete the supplier’s booking form. Subject to availability, the supplier confirms the booking by email with a confirmation voucher and invoice.

Do not carry more passengers than the vehicle is legally registered to carry. The vehicle supplier may refuse a rental if a person is considered unfit to drive or does not meet eligibility requirements. The renter is responsible for choosing a journey within their capabilities.

Terms source: Rental supplier booking terms. The supplier’s current rental agreement and confirmation take precedence if terms change.