LHR rentals

[BD1959]

Hi All,

Traditionally (for my two-yearly family visit) I've used Hertz at LHR. I've found booking through the QF site has afforded me a better rate than the Hertz UK website and my preferred car (Golf Bluemotion) has been available each of the last few times. I've found their pick-up and drop-off efficient and their shuttle service frequent. I have no Car Hire Loyalty affiliations.

Looking at Qantas Cars for a quote for later this year and I find:

- Hertz Golf has "N - VW Golf 1.6 S or Audi A3 Sport - GREEN" for £23.34 Per Day
- Avis has "Group P - VW Golf (or similar)" for £17.82 Per Day

However, looking at the Hertz UK website, I can't find the Golf listed.

Am I doomed to switching to Avis - for both the Golf and the price?? - Any suggestions? What are Avis like at LHR?

Regards,

BD

 

[Colin 2905]

Any suggestions? What are Avis like at LHR?

On our previous UK trips, I'd only ever hired a car in one place (Hartlepool, where most of Mrs 2905's relatives are), and travelled by train for the rest of it. This time around (currently in Zurich as I type this) we hired at at car at LHR. For what we needed, I was surprised to find that doing it via my Qantas booking gave me the best price (and 700 QFF points, already credited). It was with Budget, but they use the same shuttle bus, office (and staff, it would seem) as Avis.

It all went smoothly, and I'd happily book it that way again if needed.

Let me know if you have any other questions.


Colin

 

[BD1959]

On our previous UK trips, I'd only ever hired a car in one place (Hartlepool, where most of Mrs 2905's relatives are)

Do they come with a free piece of rope?? Gee, I love this story and recall it each time Hartlepool (or monkeys) are mentioned!!

It all went smoothly, and I'd happily book it that way again if needed.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

Thanks Colin.

What car did you book and was this actually available on collection? How quick was the pick-up/drop-off process? What are Avis's excess limits?

Regards,

BD

 

[RooFlyer]

I've found with Avis at LHR that you don't so much book a car, but a rate.

I stopped using them, when three times in a row (but over an 18 months period) my selected car wasn't available. They always cheerfully say they have upgraded me to a bigger car. I say "Thanks for the offer, but no thanks. Its more expensive to run and harder to park." I always have to take the larger car of course but if I can swap it at another depot the next day I will, and in any case I get them to agree to re-imburse me the difference between my cost of fuel using km driven x the stated consumption for the car I wanted Vs the stated consumption of the larger car I got.

 

[andye]

On our previous UK trips, I'd only ever hired a car in one place (Hartlepool, where most of Mrs 2905's relatives are), and travelled by train for the rest of it. This time around (currently in Zurich as I type this) we hired at at car at LHR. For what we needed, I was surprised to find that doing it via my Qantas booking gave me the best price (and 700 QFF points, already credited). It was with Budget, but they use the same shuttle bus, office (and staff, it would seem) as Avis.

It all went smoothly, and I'd happily book it that way again if needed.

Let me know if you have any other questions.


Colin

I visited Hartlepool for the first time on my last visit back to UK. It was where my father spent his childhood before the family moved down to London.

Bitter wind. Both my father and grandmother's houses are now municipal car parks

The museum wasn't a bad place to while away an hour

 

[Colin 2905]

What car did you book and was this actually available on collection? How quick was the pick-up/drop-off process? What are Avis's excess limits?

I booked an Astra, "or similar", for £14.15 per day (for 13 days), and was given a Fiat 500L. By the time we got to LHR I was too tired to question it and just went with the flow. The see-through roof was novel, though.

We just missed the courtesy bus from T3 to the Budget / Avis office, but didn't have wait for too long before it came around again. There were a couple of people ahead of us at the counter, but that didn't take too long either. Drop-off was quick and painless.

Budget's excess is £1000; I assume that Avis' would be the same. I paid for our flights with my Citibank Signature card, so the travel insurance that it comes with covered that (AUD $2750).

One thing to watch, though. When they did a pre-authorisation on my credit card (Bankwest Zero Platinum - no conversion fees ) it was in AUD; ie; they'd done a DCC without even asking me. I got them to change it so that I'd be billed in GBP when I returned the vehicle.

 

[lovestotravel]

I don't bother with Hertz anymore as their fleet is too old

Currently renting from Europcar in the UK, E220 for $75AUD a day with all insurances

 

[BD1959]

Currently renting from Europcar in the UK, E220 for $75AUD a day with all insurances

Care to share how?

Regards,
BD