Car Hire - Clarification

[yanzui]

Sorry put this on the 'sticky'

Hi, Can someone help with answers on the following please.

Travelling to Florida in May.

Looking to hire a SUV but would prefer to get LWB 8 seater. This doesn't appear to be an option on USCARHIRE.

Will I be safe in going for a 7 seater SUV considering there are 7 of us to include a 7YO a 5YO and 2YO. Just a tad worried about luggage.


Also will I get hassle regarding child seats? The plan is to avoid renting car seats and more or less drive to the nearest Walmart and buy them.

Any advice appreciated.

[roger]

We used to offer the 8 seater SUV from Budget and in theory still can. However a very high percentage of customers would arrive (after having availability confirmed by Budget) to find they were allocated a smaller car (typically a 5 seater SUV), or 2 smaller cars if all 8 seats were required.

We feel that this really lets down our clients as well as reflecting badly on us, so we do not offer this car on that basis.

Some other agents do offer the 8 seater SUV with Budget but they are risking your transport arrangements just so they can get your booking.

On several occasions Budget assured us they had resolved this issue and we did at one point start to offer these cars again, but soon realized the situation was still just as bad.

If you go for a 7 seater SUV, we can offer this through Alamo and Dollar, with the Dollar car typically having more luggage space than the Alamo car.

[yanzui]

Thanks for the quick reply.


When I use your link, it only gives an option for Budget or Alamo. No sign of 'Dollar'. Our dates are 21st May 2010 until the 4th June.

Do I need to e-mail to get rates for Dollar, or do I wait? I read on another thread you were waiting to publish Dollar prices for 2010.


Thanks in advance for letting me know.


PS What about child seats? Will I get any hassle?

[roger]

As yet we do not have rates for Dollar for your dates. Hopefully any time now.

Regarding the child seats, you wont get hassle from the car rental company so much, but there is the risk that if you are stopped by the police then they could pick up on the fact your 2 year old does not have a seat (the 5 and 7 year olds are fine).

Personally I would recommend taking a booster seat for your 2 year old then they will be safe and you are not leaving yourself open to a fine, even if it is only for the initial time before you get to Walmart.

[yanzui]

I'll wait until the Dollar prices are available. They seem to get the best reviews and I like the idea of using Dollar Express.


Appreciate the quick replies.


Thanks.

[Laurel Oak]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by roger
We used to offer the 8 seater SUV from Budget and in theory still can. However a very high percentage of customers would arrive (after having availability confirmed by Budget) to find they were allocated a smaller car (typically a 5 seater SUV), or 2 smaller cars if all 8 seats were required.

We feel that this really lets down our clients as well as reflecting badly on us, so we do not offer this car on that basis.

Some other agents do offer the 8 seater SUV with Budget but they are risking your transport arrangements just so they can get your booking.

On several occasions Budget assured us they had resolved this issue and we did at one point start to offer these cars again, but soon realized the situation was still just as bad.

If you go for a 7 seater SUV, we can offer this through Alamo and Dollar, with the Dollar car typically having more luggage space than the Alamo car.
[/quote]

Roger,

I've booked a 7 Seater SUV with Budget through USCarHire but feel I may need an 8 Seater for the luggage space. I've been informed the situation with Budget and had decided to stay with the 7 seater. Incidently, generally what vehicle do Budget provide ?

Are you able to book an 8 Seater SUV with Alamo/Dollar (Surburban or Expedition) and if so would I lose my £25.00 deposit if I switched from Budget to Alamo or Dollar.

[roger]

Dollar and Alamo only offer 8 seater minivans (not SUVs) but you can switch to one of those and you would not lose your £25 deposit.

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Laurel Oak
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by roger
We used to offer the 8 seater SUV from Budget and in theory still can. However a very high percentage of customers would arrive (after having availability confirmed by Budget) to find they were allocated a smaller car (typically a 5 seater SUV), or 2 smaller cars if all 8 seats were required.

We feel that this really lets down our clients as well as reflecting badly on us, so we do not offer this car on that basis.

Some other agents do offer the 8 seater SUV with Budget but they are risking your transport arrangements just so they can get your booking.

On several occasions Budget assured us they had resolved this issue and we did at one point start to offer these cars again, but soon realized the situation was still just as bad.

If you go for a 7 seater SUV, we can offer this through Alamo and Dollar, with the Dollar car typically having more luggage space than the Alamo car.
[/quote]

Roger,

I've booked a 7 Seater SUV with Budget through USCarHire but feel I may need an 8 Seater for the luggage space. I've been informed the situation with Budget and had decided to stay with the 7 seater. Incidently, generally what vehicle do Budget provide ?

Are you able to book an 8 Seater SUV with Alamo/Dollar (Surburban or Expedition) and if so would I lose my £25.00 deposit if I switched from Budget to Alamo or Dollar.

[/quote]

[Laurel Oak]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by roger
Dollar and Alamo only offer 8 seater minivans (not SUVs) but you can switch to one of those and you would not lose your £25 deposit.[/quote]

Alamo offered me an 8 Seater as an upgrade this month so I guess they only offer the 8 seaters when you pick up the booked car.

I may consider switching to Alamo for the 7 Seater SUV.

[steph_goodrum]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by yanzui
Thanks for the quick reply.


When I use your link, it only gives an option for Budget or Alamo. No sign of 'Dollar'. Our dates are 21st May 2010 until the 4th June.

Do I need to e-mail to get rates for Dollar, or do I wait? I read on another thread you were waiting to publish Dollar prices for 2010.


Thanks in advance for letting me know.


PS What about child seats? Will I get any hassle?
[/quote]

Regardless of hassle isn't your childrens safety the most important thing. We arrived on Friday and on Sunday got shunted from the rear when the pick up behind us (towing a trailer failed to stop). Fortunately there was no traffic in the 2 other lanes and slip (near Celebration Hospital) that we got pushed over into and the guy in the pick up, got 3 citations including not having a child restraint for for 1 of the 2 children he had in the truck. The force he hit us he was lucky she wasn't thrown through th ewindscreen.

Not trying to frighten you but accidents happen and it wont necessarily be anything you have done.

You can take your own car seats and check them in so you know their hhistory and they are appropriate for your children and weight and be safe all round.