Matching a hire car to your passengers and luggage
Tell the team how many people will travel and how many cases, buggies or bulky bags you expect. Seating and boot space are separate questions. Say whether you need an automatic or are happy with a manual, and mention any child seat request early so it can be checked before you are quoted. Include details for every driver who may take the wheel.
How the right vehicle is confirmed
Start with the journey and pick the car to match it. Smaller cars are suited to city driving and short stays, automatics make local driving easier, estates and SUVs give more room for luggage, and people carriers are a better choice for families or small groups. The range available includes the Fiat 500, VW Golf, Ford Focus Estate, Ford Focus Automatic and Hyundai i10 Automatic, subject to dates, driver details and availability. The precise make, model, transmission, seating, payload and licence position are confirmed when you are quoted, so treat the vehicles listed as a guide to the kind of hire on offer rather than a guaranteed reservation of a particular model.
Putting Together an Arrival-Day Plan
What should the first few hours after collection look like? If the car is needed on the day a flight lands, it helps to write down the expected arrival time, the number of people meeting the car and the address where everyone is heading. A short list of that day's stops, each with a rough time and a contact number, can be drafted before requesting a quote. Where a pickup from a station or an airport is involved, noting which terminal or exit is expected gives the team one more detail to work with. If plans might change, asking how flexible the collection time is can be included in the initial enquiry.
Getting Ready for a Work Trip
For business travel, the starting point is usually the schedule. Note the departure date, any meetings or site visits booked, and the expected return day, then decide who will be driving and whether an automatic or a specific vehicle group is preferred. Recording the number of colleagues travelling, plus any bags, samples or equipment, gives a clearer picture when discussing options. If clients or colleagues need collecting, their names and mobile numbers can be kept to hand. Questions worth asking include whether the vehicle can be collected the evening before, and who to contact if the trip extends beyond the original dates.
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Things to check before booking
Before you confirm the hire, check the key details: vehicle availability, driver requirements, mileage, insurance, delivery or collection arrangements and any extras you have asked for, along with driver age, licence history, the deposit, the insurance excess and any travel abroad. A clear request gives the date, the length of hire, the rough route, the delivery or pickup address, the expected passengers or load, and any particular requirements that might affect which vehicle is suitable.