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.
Travelling With Children and Luggage
If children are part of your journey, a little preparation helps when describing what you need. Count the youngsters travelling and note their ages, since this affects seating arrangements you may want to organise. List everything you plan to bring, from pushchairs and car seats to travel cots and suitcases, and measure or estimate the size of the larger items so you can describe them accurately. Note how many bags each adult will add to the total. Think through your route and timings, including planned breaks, and write down anything that could change the schedule, such as a booked activity with a fixed start. Record contact details for anyone you are collecting or meeting en route. When you ask for a quote, share these lists and raise any questions about the vehicle group.
Preparing Notes for a Business Journey
A work trip usually comes with a fixed schedule, so start by writing out each commitment with its date, time and location. Decide whether you need the car for the whole trip or only certain days, and note any chance of an extension if meetings run long. Prepare a list of the items you will carry, such as a laptop bag, product samples, printed materials or presentation equipment, and note approximate dimensions for anything bulky. Record the addresses of every venue together with a named contact and phone number for each, which is useful if plans shift on the day. If a colleague will share the drive, have their details ready. When you enquire, set out the itinerary and ask any open questions before confirming.
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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.