When we redeveloped our websites, we tried to meet the highest possible standards of credit card security available anywhere in the world. Essentially, we had two choices

In-house credit card processing, or
Direct Banking Connection

No matter how higher security level you apply on a web server, there are many inherent risks from receiving, processing and transmitting credit card information over the internet. We have opted for Direct Banking Connection. This means that, although you can shop on-line with all the ease our customers have learned to expect, there comes a moment in the shopping process where you will be transferred to our bankers, Banco Santander Central Hispano, Spain’s largest bank (now the World’s 10th largest bank). Put in simple terms, having shopped in our stores you are taken to the bank to complete payment directly to the Bank on our behalf. Rather like being escorted by a security guard from the check-out desk in your favourite supermarket and being taken down the road to the bank to pay, before returning to collect your goods!

Real Security
Working this way, we can offer you the highest possible level of security since, in addition to secure servers with 128 bit encryption, your financial details are processed inside a controlled banking environment in real-time with Visa/Mastercard’s own servers. Once payment has been processed, you’ll be returned by to our web site to print out receipts and car rental vouchers connected to your reservation.

No credit card details are kept on file
There is one more issue connected with credit card security which is the misuse of your credit card by a retailler or by some employee with access to your payment details : Direct banking connection eliminates these issues at a stroke, since we never even receive your credit card number or expiry date from our bankers (we just exchange “ticket” numbers). There is no safer way to pay on-line anywhere in the world!