Virgin Cars Query

[Mrs Doubtfire]

Just got back from a great holiday but wanted to ask as we were a little disappointed with car. We had booked an Intermediate 4 door car through virgin & pre-paid insurance. When we got there (we are also frequent flyers - just) the after a long wait the guy tried to get us to upgrade for £220 ish pounds (no thanks). When we went to get car we had a PT cruiser! Have been many times & this was the smallest car we ever got even when we have previously just stayed with the 'economy' cars.

Any recent experiences? Is the PT the standard car now?

 

[BingsingsWaltDisney]

Hi Ya,

funny you should bring this subject up, we went in august with virgin, 4 of us and they tried to give us a car that would'nt take all our suitcases. we asked for a larger car and when the next one came it was in a terrible state. bumps and dents all over the place. eventully i offered the guy a bit of a large tip and ended up with a half decent car. dollar still tried to make me upgade. Here is the crux of the matter they wanted me a copy of my credit card for the fuel i was going to use which was more that 60dollars. i refused and said that i would bring it back filled up with fuel. this cost me 35 dollars. Someone somewhere is making a load of money on the back of us pre-paying for fuel. on the other hand this was our first bad experience, and we always seem to get served really quickly.

Hope all goes well next time

 

[tashasmum]

We came home yesterday and were in the same boat as you ( frequent flyers- and have been for about 7 years) and that was the car that we had.

This is by far the smallest car we have been given, we were also offered an upgrade at £7 per day.

We never pay for the full tank of fuel as its a total rip off, we always say we will bring it back full and theres a petrol station on jetport drive just before you leave the Beeline Expressway to get to the Airport, we fill up there for around $35

Checked on Dollar website and they say its an intermediate car, we only had three in the car so was fine for space, just a very ugly looking vehicle.

 

[nibbo]

You've got me worried now. The past 2 times I've been I've had an intermediate 4 door, a Dodge Stratus, not a bad car which I've paid to upgrade with Virgin. This time will be my 3rd time with Virgin and after joining their FVC have been upgraded free of charge to an intermediate 4 door. I just hope these free upgrades don't automatically qualify you for a PT Cruiser.

Nick

 

[bobboxer]

our party in 2005 (3 adults,1 child), was allocated the pt cruiser, dollar wanted about $200 to upgrade to next level, stuck with original car, once we had got the luggage loaded (bit of a struggle), everything was fine, i loved the car, very easy to drive, good visabillity, biggest prob. we had was locating it in the parking lots, didnt realise there was so mny pt,s on the road !!, but overal a decent car for what i needed it for, and great on fuel.

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

We were a party of 4 so we also struggled with luggage - but the back seat does split & it wasn't too bad for the drive to the villa.

 

[Ware Bears]

We were given a PT Cruiser in 2004. We were 2 adults and 3 children and had plenty of room. We got all our luggage in ~ somehow but we're having a Full Size this time. I didn't drive over there but DH loved it.
It reminded me of Happy Days and American Graffiti!!!

 

[daipp]

I've learned from too many sad lessons.

As my DW insists on taking the luggage allowance to the max, I have since rented an 8 seater people-carrier or this year, I'm getting a Jeep.

However, what she will not acknowledge is that it will still have to fit into our car at Gatwick.

After our four weeks away last August and September it came VERY close to me renting another car at Gatwick to get us all home with the luggage.

She can't see the problem !!!

David

 

[Netty]

well don't get me on this!!
we were given a dodge caliber as a 4 door intermediate last august, this car is actually an economy car-as confirmed by dollar.
the car was far too small, but dollar have admited we shouldnt of been given this car.
look at this thread.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1210176&referrerid=&highlight=dollar+car+hire+

 

[sandshal]

We hired a 7 seater mini van last year and although the 6 suitcases, 1 fishing box and 2 outboard engines fitted perfectly into the people carrier, my how we struggled fitting them in a Vauxhall Astra Estate - The packaging's probably still at Gatwick Summer Parking

 

[Jules224]

The last time we went we had an intermediate 4 door, can't remember what car it was but i also take a lot of luggage much to DH disgust and we couldn't get it all in the hire car, we also had a pushchair, luckily for us BIL and his family had gone and upgraded to a 7 seater so they took our luggage to the hotel for us and the car was fine for the holiday but this time we have got a 7 seater because the other family who are coming with us have 3 kids, lots of suitcases and a pushchair so don't want any stress when we get there because we can't fit it all in, i think it's a bit expensive upgrading to just get it all to the hotel but DH said he prefers driving the 7 seater aswell.

 

[PaulaSB12]

I have gone for a car for the first time ever. I put down for the smallest because its just me going to be in it, have to admit I am a bit nervous so will be taking a tomtom with me (sense of direction comarible to a dead duck) but it should be interesting.

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

Whilst the Jeep Chrokee is OK, its not overly big in the luggage area.
We struggle with three suitcases and little uns bits, plus my camera bag, laptop bag etc..
Its also the lowest size engine and is a bit flat on performance.

I normally book the Car seperate from the flight, normally with Hertz.

 

[dee slack]

anyone know what Virgin/Dollar classes as a 'luxury' car? And what would be a FVC upgrade from it?

Sorry if anyone has a PT Cruiser but I really don't like those - they remind me of the 'Ghostbuster's' car!

 

[castanea1985]

We always book our car separately.. this year we fancy a Dodge Magnum!!
If you book the car separately, you can usually see the type of car used by certain Hire companies. You've got to shop around!
We always need plenty of luggage space as we all take a set of golf clubs each!!
T.

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

For December, our next trip, Dollar have a Chrysler 300 for £318.92 for two weeks, all inclusive, which equates to £22.78 a day, and the touring (estate) version for £349.89

Thrifty who seem to use the same booking system? have the same cars at £315.29 & £345.93 respectivly.

Hertz are doing a Ford Taurus for £244.31 all in at the same time.

Its always worth going to the major companies web sites