Car Rental versus Subscriptions in Mallorca: Which is the Better Option?

Renting cars is a common practice in Mallorca, especially during the high summer season. However, car subscriptions are gaining popularity as a viable and convenient alternative.

In this article, we will compare both options —car rental and car subscription— explaining what each one is, their differences, and why car subscriptions might be a better option, especially in light of the rising prices of car rentals in summer.

What is Car Rental?

Car rental is a traditional service where you pay a daily or weekly fee to use a vehicle for a specific period of time. This model typically includes basic insurance and the option to add additional services such as GPS or child seats for an extra fee. It is a popular option amongst tourists and locals who need a car for a short and specific period of time, such as three days.

What is Car Subscription?

Car subscription is a relatively new business model that allows users to pay a monthly fee to use a car without long-term commitment. This service includes maintenance, insurance, and even in some cases, they offer the option to change the vehicle according to the user’s needs. It is an all-in-one solution that offers more flexibility and fewer worries than traditional car rental.
These are the basic features of the car subscription model:

• All-inclusive: The monthly price includes comprehensive insurance, maintenance, MOT, taxes, and assistance.
• Costs: Monthly fee, fuel, tolls, and fines.
• Flexibility: Options for vehicle, mileage, and subscription duration.
• Payments: Monthly without down payments or final fees.
• No permanence: Flexible cancellation without being subject to permanence.

The Rising Prices of Car Rentals in Summer in Mallorca

During the summer, Mallorca experiences a significant increase in the demand for rental cars. This results in a considerable price increase, making rental a costly option for tourists and residents who need a vehicle during these months. Additionally, the availability of cars can be limited, further increasing prices and inconvenience.

On the other hand, subscription cars have a fixed monthly price. Comparing the prices of subscription cars with the prices of rental cars in high season, it is more affordable to subscribe to a vehicle on a monthly basis rather than renting for specific days. If you are going to use the car for two weeks or more, car subscription is much more cost-effective than renting, even if you only use it for two weeks.

For example, renting a Seat Arona for the first two weeks of July in Mallorca from Sixt, a popular renting company, costs €641.81 in total, which comes to €45.93 per day. On the other hand, the same car with a one-month subscription from Cality is €518, which, if used for 30 days, is €17.26 per day, and if used for only two weeks, is €37 per day. As you can see, subscribing to a vehicle is more cost-effective than renting, even when used for less time than requested. The price difference is even more notable with longer periods, as the more months you book in a subscription, the cheaper the daily rate, while the car rental system has a fixed daily usage price, so the more days you rent, the higher the price.

Benefits of Car Subscription

1. Cost-Effective: Unlike rental, which can be expensive during high seasons, subscriptions maintain a fixed monthly cost, making financial planning easier.
2. Maintenance and Insurance Included: Subscriptions cover all maintenance and insurance costs, eliminating the administrative and financial burden for the user.
3. Vehicle Change: The ability to change cars according to personal needs is a great benefit, offering more flexibility than traditional rentals.
4. Constant Availability: No need to worry about car availability during the high season as the vehicle is secured for the subscriber throughout the subscription period.

In conclusion, which is better: renting a car or subscribing to a car in Mallorca?

While car rental has been the norm in Mallorca, especially for tourists, car subscription is emerging as a more convenient and economical alternative. If you need a car for two weeks or more, it is much more cost-effective to subscribe to a car than to rent it, even if you do not use it for the entire month. It is also important to remember that the subscription allows cancellation before the subscription period ends. With fixed costs, included maintenance, and the possibility to change the vehicle, subscriptions offer a flexibility and peace of mind that rental simply cannot match. Instead of facing inflated prices and limited availability in summer, opting for a car subscription could be the ideal solution for both residents and tourists alike.