|
For a cheap car hire company
try...
UK Car Hire company survey
Have you got travel insurance yet? Try this
UK Holiday Insurance company
survey at HappyTravelInsurance.com
General Car Rental Information
You can book from three sources - the large multi-nationals, local companies at
your destination or brokers sometimes called consolidators.
1/ Multi-nationals. Realise that most do not run all their car rental services
themselves, they often franchise out to local companies. Also many do not have
a central UK emergency helpline number to contact, so in many countries if you
have a problem you will be forced to deal with the office where you collected
the car. They do have advantages if you are driving long distances because in
case of trouble you can usually obtain a replacement car from a different office.
2/ Local Car Hire. Can be cheaper but cars may not be as reliable and you are
on your own if you hit problems. Can be good for just local driving and if you
only need a car for only a few days.
3/ Consolidators. These brokers use their bulk purchasing power to negotiate deals
with the market place. They do not own any cars themselves nor do they have local
offices - for instance at airports. A good place to start when you are shopping
around. Holiday Autos or Leisurecars often offer good value - see links below.
Car Hire UK is
a website to help you find contract hire car .
|
With Children
Some car rental companies require children, below a certain age or weight, to
be secured in a car seat. They will usually have such seats available to rent,
and unless you need a similar restraining device for travel elsewhere (eg. on
the plane), it may be easier to borrow rather than bring your own. Consider that
the transport of the seat could result in damage to it.
Make sure you have the following questions answered to your satisfaction though
before relying on renting a seat with your car:
Do they have the type of seat appropriate to your child's age and weight available
(eg. backward- facing, forward-facing)? Is the seat of the non-shielded variety?
How many of this type of seat do they have available - what happens of another
family rent it out?
Does the car you intend to rent have the correct fittings for this seat? If
the car you originally planned to rent is unavailable, will there be other cars
that also have the appropriate fittings, that you can use?
One of the most important points to consider, is that you won't really know
the seat's crash history - despite any assurances you may receive from the rental
company. You will have to decide which is the lesser of two evils - risking
damage to your own seat (if it won't be in use during the journey) or chancing
the rental seat.
General Car Rental Information
You can book from three sources - the large multi-nationals, local companies
at your destination or brokers sometimes called consolidators.
1/ Multi-nationals. Realise that most do not run all their car rental services
themselves, they often franchise out to local companies. Also many do not have
a central UK emergency helpline number to contact, so in many countries if you
have a problem you will be forced to deal with the office where you collected
the car. They do have advantages if you are driving long distances because in
case of trouble you can usually obtain a replacement car from a different office.
2/ Local Car Hire. Can be cheaper but cars may not be as reliable and you are
on your own if you hit problems. Can be good for just local driving and if you
only need a car for only a few days.
3/ Consolidators. These brokers use their bulk purchasing power to negotiate
deals with the market place. They do not own any cars themselves nor do they
have local offices - for instance at airports. A good place to start when you
are shopping around. Holiday Autos or Leisurecars often offer good value - see
links below.
For a cheap contract hire car in
U.K. ,
the Car Hire UK
survey gives you most of the sites you need for budget contract hire car .
Before you go
Price. Shopping around is essential because prices are always changing and a
company that is cheapest in one destination maybe the most expensive in another.
Don't be afraid to negotiate (for tips on this go to our money saving tips page).
Make sure you carefully state your required specifications to ensure that you
are comparing like for like quotations. For instance do quotes include unlimited
mileage, and adequate CDW (collision damage waiver)? Are the insurance excesses
comparable?
Identity. You will need a valid driving licence and at least one type of other
ID for each driver. Check to see if you also require an International Driving
Licence - countries such as India, Japan and Egypt. The RAC and AA can supply
them - cost around £4. Age limits vary, in some countries (including the
USA) under 25 year old's cannot hire a car. Most car hire companies also have
an upper age limit.
Paperwork. Check the documents from the car rental company very carefully, reading
the small print is absolutely essential. Some companies do not have the best
of reputations and have been known to cut corners on the agreement you think
you have already made. For instance if you asked for air conditioning and is
not specified in writing by them you probably will not get it.
Local driving laws. It is worthwhile doing some research before you go, for
instance speed limits, warning triangles you must carry, child seat requirements
for both babies and toddlers, instant fines etc.
More Advice. Check out our Travel Planning page
WHEN YOU ARRIVE
Picking up - avoid the queues. Sometimes the queues at the collection desks
are horrific. However if there are two or more of you, get one (who knows about
car hire) to head straight for the hire desk whilst the other/s wait at the
carousel for the luggage.
Booking in. Take your time as you need to thoroughly understand and agree the
contract you are signing up to. Sorry - small print checking again.
Rules. Understand the rules for returning the car. E.g. you may pick up the
car with a full tank of fuel and if you do not return it full you will be charged
a fortune for the fuel and also them driving it to a garage to top it up.
Kids. Is the car child friendly - seating, childproof locks etc.
Comfort. You will need air conditioning that works in hot countries.
Contact. Ensure that you have effective contact telephone numbers for the car
rental company, including out of hour's numbers. Do you know how to use local
public phones?
Checking. Check the car thoroughly and make sure any damages, scratches etc.
are noted in their documents. A test drive is nice if you can arrange it but
in any case at the first possible opportunity thoroughly check that everything
works properly before you drive too far away from the depot. It is much easier
to obtain a replacement car at this stage. Also make sure you also know where
all the controls are - lights, windscreen wipers etc.
Alarms. You had better know how the car alarm or immobiliser works.
Doors. A useful security precaution is to keep the doors locked at all times.
Security. Don't advertise that you are a tourist by leaving tell tale signs
when you park. Never leave valuables in the car. All luggages need to be in
the boot if you leave the car for an instant.
Drop Off. You may pick up the car at the airport terminal but perhaps you will
have to return to a depot that is off airport. It is worthwhile knowing where
the depot is and how long it takes to return to the terminal. Many people lose
flights because they do not know where the depot is and how long it takes.
Luggage. If you have passenger/s drop them off at the terminal with the luggage
first before returning the car to the depot
If you are looking for contract hire car ,
Car Hire UK
gives you most of the sites you would probably want to visit for budget sites
for car hire .
The cheapest contract hire car can
be had if you look around.
 For the cheap
contract hire car
visit:
|
|