Holiday hire car 'classes' BS
Discussion
After a terrible experience in Portugal where my 'intermediate' car with a picture of a Skoda Octavia estate turned out to be a 1 series with not enough space for our luggage... but apparently 'in the same class'... I'm now trying to book one for the next trip.
After going through the usual suspects, it seems impossible to hire a car based in boot space, as they all use daft definitions like 'intermediate' and 'standard'. I know it's always been like this but only now I have two young children has it become a big issue.
My question - is it possible to guarantee enough boot space without simply paying for the biggest class they all have which seems to be 'full size'?
It's driving me round the bend - a 1 series or an A3 hatch isn't the same as a 1 series...
After going through the usual suspects, it seems impossible to hire a car based in boot space, as they all use daft definitions like 'intermediate' and 'standard'. I know it's always been like this but only now I have two young children has it become a big issue.
My question - is it possible to guarantee enough boot space without simply paying for the biggest class they all have which seems to be 'full size'?
It's driving me round the bend - a 1 series or an A3 hatch isn't the same as a 1 series...
Baldchap said:
There's usually an Estate class too.
Usually see this class on the sites I look at.Also as above worth looking at the vans with windows as they’re often cheaper, plus I used to find at Malaga that they were rarely available so often got a free upgrade back up to the estate level.
JD82 said:
Baldchap said:
Contact them and ask to reserve a specific car. The bigger companies do this.
Do they? Never knew that. Presume you mean speak to the local hiring office where I'll pick it up from? thanksJQ said:
JD82 said:
Baldchap said:
Contact them and ask to reserve a specific car. The bigger companies do this.
Do they? Never knew that. Presume you mean speak to the local hiring office where I'll pick it up from? thanksJD82 said:
JQ said:
JD82 said:
Baldchap said:
Contact them and ask to reserve a specific car. The bigger companies do this.
Do they? Never knew that. Presume you mean speak to the local hiring office where I'll pick it up from? thanksIn some markets Europcar offers guaranteed models but these are usually premium/prestige cars. In the OP’s case I’d have just booked the car size above to be sure. Assume always you are getting a hatchback below ‘Standard’
Finally, I’ve stopped using brokers a long time ago as they are rarely cheaper (total bill) than going direct. Like the airlines you will be better looked after when something goes wrong.
Finally, I’ve stopped using brokers a long time ago as they are rarely cheaper (total bill) than going direct. Like the airlines you will be better looked after when something goes wrong.
We hire in Portugal a lot and use Zest. There’s usually several cars listed that are ‘this specific model’ rather than Group d1 or whatever, so theoretically you should get the one in the photo.
I think they’re usually priced slightly higher to get a specific model but if that Aston branded fitted luggage simply won’t fit another car…
I think they’re usually priced slightly higher to get a specific model but if that Aston branded fitted luggage simply won’t fit another car…
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