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.
Finding a car to suit the trip
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.
Preparing for a Work Trip
What does the journey involve, and who is travelling for it? Start by writing down the dates and times you need the car, the addresses you will visit in order, and any colleague who will ride along. If the trip includes carrying samples, equipment or display materials, note each item and its rough size so you can describe the load when you ask about estates, SUVs or people carriers. Record the name and number of the contact at each meeting, in case timings shift. Questions for the team might include whether an automatic is available for the dates, what the delivery or collection options are, and what the price covers. Keeping the itinerary and item list together makes the enquiry straightforward to answer.
Packing for a Short Break
A short break brings its own list of things to note before the hire begins. Consider how many bags each traveller is bringing, whether any case is oversized, and whether items such as pushchairs, golf bags or cool boxes will come along; write down each one with its approximate dimensions. If you are staying somewhere with a reception, note the address and a contact number for the recipient end of the trip. You can then ask whether an estate or SUV suits the luggage you have listed, what the driver requirements are, and how the return handover works at the end of the break. Any item you are unsure how to describe is worth measuring before you contact the team.
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What to confirm on the phone
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.