Car hire, who do you use and why?

[Cinderella2006]

Looking for car hire for our upcoming trip in May for two weeks 19th may - 2nd June. Nothing fancy just big enough for two adults, two children and a disabled buggy (slighty bigger than a standard buggy). What companies do you use? We went with alamo last time but booked through another company and cant find them on google
Has to be onsite

 

[Twinkly-Tink]

I'm interested to see the responses to this as we've just decided to hire a car this year (after 6 trips without one!!!!!) and I am getting myself completely bamboozled with all of the info out there!! We don't go until 26th august so not exactly sure when is best to book either?!

 

[cliveywolves]

I do a search on all the main car hire companies, I try to go direct instead of via 3rd party websites. Like you say I decide on best value for money, now this we differ for everyone so prefer big cars, others like to have a 2nd driver etc etc. Id expect to pay for 2 weeks for a good size car or small suv around £240.00

 

[orangetiggs]

We use usrentacar for a few years now, used hertz direct last year and had trouble with them so will be back to usrentacar this year and 50 disposit too

 

[Elise79]

Who ever is cheapest!

They are all pretty much the same. If booking a while out unless it's a really good deal I will only book if it has free cancellation.

Our favourite is hertz as we have gold and can be on the road without waiting.

Used Alamo, Dollar and have Avis booked as part of a BA fly drive for July.

 

[PJB71]

We have used www.floridatransport.com for the last few years

I cannot recommend there service enough they offer a service were basically they collect you from the airport help with all your luggage etc and take you to your accommodation stopping off en route for a supermarket shop. Next morning at an agreed time they collect the driver and take you to the car rental garage and wait with you whilst you collect your car and makesure your happy.

At the end of your holiday they meet you at your accommodation load all your luggage into there vehicle and follow the driver whilst you drop off the rental car. Once that's been returned, you jump in there vehicle and they drop you off at the airport door

It take ALL the hassle out of the airport pickup/hard sell and they also have car seats and trailers for there airport pickup vehicles if you need them. It means your not tired/cranky trying to find your accommodation in the dark, plus it means DH can also have a little tipple as well as he's not driving until the next day

There car hire prices usually can't be beaten also

Can't recommend them enough

 

[WiganTony]

Our favourite is hertz as we have gold and can be on the road without waiting.

We generally use Hertz for the same reason - as a Gold Club member, we can bypass any queues and our car is usually waiting for us at the Gold Canopy. It also allows my wife to be a driver at no extra charge, plus none of this return the car empty nonsense - we find it much easier to fill up on the way back to the airport. We also tend to get at least one level of upgrade, so can usually book a smaller car and have always had something larger.

We always book through Quidco, so usually have 10% cashback, which combined with the Gold Club benefits usually brings the cost on a level with other rental companies/agents.

 

[married2mm]

We've used quite a few different companies-but now stick with Alamo or Alamo/brits.

This is predominantly due to the fact we are mainly at wdw-and had a problem once-which was fixed within 5 minutes at mk car site.
New car and off we went.

 

[wayneg]

Whoever is the cheapest usually although Hertz are by far my favourite so I will pay a small premium to use them, unfortunately they are about £100 more than Alamo just now for our next trip, waiting for a sale.

 

[Portugal1000]

Whoever is the cheapest usually although Hertz are by far my favourite so I will pay a small premium to use them, unfortunately they are about £100 more than Alamo just now for our next trip, waiting for a sale.

Hope they have similar sale to last year as we got a great deal, less than £400 for 4x4 for 22 nights. I think the sale was actually specific to Florida so fingers crossed.

 

[wayneg]

We use usrentacar for a few years now, used hertz direct last year and had trouble with them so will be back to usrentacar this year and 50 disposit too

Just can't get USrentacar anywhere near, must be 3 years since they were competative for me now.
Just checked our dates in July, like for like car with Alamo £341.75, ebookers £270.33 less 6% Quidco = £254.11, Almost £90 difference.

 

[Woodview]

Here are some car hire co. who give good value

Most Times you pay a Deposit on Booking & 30 days approx before

Departure The Balance is taken from Credit Card


PRE Paid Voucher is then issued.

Pre Paid Voucher saves a lot of messing at Kiosk on Arrival

( Yes they will swipe your CC )



Holidayautos .com , tripwheels.com, rentalcars.com

All of the above give quotes in £ or € or $

All use the MAIN Car Rental Co.

 

[UKDEB]

It really is a case of shopping around, and playing the waiting game until you hit upon something. Car hire is always the last thing we worry about booking. I am looking at the moment, though! ebookers is coming in high for me for May.

 

[scoobydooby]

I have always had very good service from Alamo and Alamo Brits. However, their prices go up and down and all over the place so you need to keep clearing your cookies on your PC and log on daily to finally find a decent rate. I am personally prepared to pay a bit more to book directly with a vendor rather than go through a third party, but that's just me.

 

[Cinderella2006]

We have booked via Alamo Brits at a price of £241.99 for intermediate, two weeks which i am happy with. My cash isa is full and i didnt want the money hanging around or i would of spent it

 

[pickers1982]

Booked through alamo brits due to price. Did the pre check in from the uk and was a joy. Walked past long line at alamo straight to car lot. Picked my car from the relevant section(loads of diff suvs to choose from). Drove out of car park an the scanned my orint out gave me some paper and drove off. Really simple stress free process

 

[Cinderella2006]

Booked through alamo brits due to price. Did the pre check in from the uk and was a joy. Walked past long line at alamo straight to car lot. Picked my car from the relevant section(loads of diff suvs to choose from). Drove out of car park an the scanned my orint out gave me some paper and drove off. Really simple stress free process

Thanks, that is really good to know. How did you go about pre check in? Sounds perfect especially as we will have two tired boys in tow. We have been with Alamo twice now and very happy with both cars

 

[pickers1982]

Thanks, that is really good to know. How did you go about pre check in? Sounds perfect especially as we will have two tired boys in tow. We have been with Alamo twice now and very happy with both cars

After I booked on the alamo reservation there was something called 'save time' where you pre fill licence info etc. I was dubious but gave it ago. Literally went and picked the car and was off. Did find it a little surreal to be honest but at uk time 1 am with a two year old it was hugely valuable!

 

[pickers1982]

Thanks, that is really good to know. How did you go about pre check in? Sounds perfect especially as we will have two tired boys in tow. We have been with Alamo twice now and very happy with both cars

On my booking was a link to "save time". Filled in license details etc and printed off a voucher. Picked my car (and a car seat) drove to the booth at the exit, they gave me my paperwork and that was it. Saved a huge amount of time and with a two year old that is invaluable!

 

[cliveywolves]

Just booked our car hire for August, it seemed to good a price to miss out on.. Booked with Sixt via there .com website as they issue voucher codes to use on there and not on there .co.uk site. We paid about $318.00 for 12 days for a SUV fully inclusive rate, we never use a car the first two days as we use DME from the airport and just settle in at resort. I'm happy with that don't normally book this far in advance but made up with that price