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.
Planning the Return Leg of Your Trip
One decision worth making early is how the return leg will work. Decide whether you will bring the car back to the same point or finish somewhere different, and note both addresses. Record the dates and rough times for each direction of the journey, plus the driver details for anyone taking a turn at the wheel. If the trip involves waiting at an appointment or event, jot down how long you expect to be there so the hire period can be matched to the plan. Ask the team whether a different collection or drop-off arrangement is possible for your dates and whether the vehicle group you want covers both legs of the journey.
Keeping Passenger Details in One Place
Several passengers means several sets of details, so gather them before you ask for a quote. List each person's name and a phone number, and note who is travelling on which leg if not everyone goes both ways. Count the bags, including hand luggage, and measure or describe anything awkward such as a folded wheelchair or a large musical instrument. Put together a draft itinerary showing pick-up points and timings, and add the contact details of anyone you are visiting so they can be reached if timings slip. You could also ask which estates, SUVs or people carriers are offered for your dates in Cubbington and how the boot capacity compares between them.
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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.