Had a recent rental experience at Newcastle airport in the UK.

Had booked a Ford Focus or equivalent on a pre-paid rate for 3 days at £75.

Whilst booking, I looked at higher levels of car, which were rather out of my budget, and the larger automatic cars such as Audi and Mercedes ranging into the £350-400 for the same rental period, so just stuck with the Ford.

On arrival, I approached the desk and the chap behind smiled and said he would be with me in a second... He was discussing with his colleague another customer who was not happy with the car she had and that she had just called to say she was bringing it back and was a demanding it to be changed. The conversation drifted along and he said something along the lines of "It is only because we did not give her the BMW, which is not what she reserved or paid for..."

So, I chipped in and said "Well, give me the BMW and problem solved...!"
He looked up and me and paused for a second... "£10 a day and it's yours!"

"Deal! Thank you very much!"

So, I had an amazing black BMW 318 automatic which moved like poop off a shovel and was an absolute dream to drive. It was my dad's 60th birthday, the reasoning for being home, and as part of my son duties, I was to be running errands and driving him to his big party so he could have a drink etc... So, turning up in a lovely BMW instead of a Ford Focus made it a bit more special... And, for the price of £105 for 3 days instead of a minimum of £350 for 3 days...

The service was brilliant, the staff wonderful and car outstanding.

Really top marks for the NCL station.

My wheels for the weekend!