Consolidated "Renting at LHR; What Kind of Cars to Expect?" Thread
Oct 10, 2017, 10:03 am
#16
Join Date: Oct 2012
Programs: Dynasty Frequent Flyer (Elite Plus),Accor Platinum
Posts: 1,866
If the Skoda was an Octavia, I'd be surprised to see that in Group X - it's usually a D or an F. Maybe a higher trim level might be in X...
If it was a Superb, then they are quite rare in the fleet but they are absolutely huge inside, and, while not any kind of upgrade, I'd take one over an X-Trail without hesitation. Technically, X-W might be an upgrade, but sometimes you've got to know when you're winning...
If it was a Superb, then they are quite rare in the fleet but they are absolutely huge inside, and, while not any kind of upgrade, I'd take one over an X-Trail without hesitation. Technically, X-W might be an upgrade, but sometimes you've got to know when you're winning...
When I dropped the car off at LHR I asked if they had any Skoda Octavia. I asked what type of Skoda I was offered and they said probably an Octavia. So I am glad I went with the X trail even if it was still not much of an upgrade for what I paid for.
Feb 5, 2018, 6:15 am
#18
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Gloucestershire
Programs: BA Gold (ex-GGL, maybe future Silver), Hilton Diamond
Posts: 6,201
LHR
PC
Booked: C (Renault Captur)
Received: X (Skoda Superb). Only the 1.4 S base model (no cruise, no parking sensors) and it drives just like a Golf, but so much space for the money.
LHR
PC
Booked: B (Vauxhall Corsa)
Received: E (Audi A1 1.4 S Line Black Auto). Over £22k for a car that's smaller than a Fiesta. Harsh ride, not that quick, quite noisy, awkward sat nav interface. Not really enamoured with it but at £54 for a week, how on earth can I complain?
PC
Booked: C (Renault Captur)
Received: X (Skoda Superb). Only the 1.4 S base model (no cruise, no parking sensors) and it drives just like a Golf, but so much space for the money.
LHR
PC
Booked: B (Vauxhall Corsa)
Received: E (Audi A1 1.4 S Line Black Auto). Over £22k for a car that's smaller than a Fiesta. Harsh ride, not that quick, quite noisy, awkward sat nav interface. Not really enamoured with it but at £54 for a week, how on earth can I complain?
Jun 29, 2018, 7:19 am
#20
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: London
Posts: 1,546
Hertz at LHR - Heathrow - Fleet + Gold Plus?
Hertz at LHR was utter chaos yesterday. No pre assignments for PC / Gold customers, join the queue at the Gold office - it took me 50 minutes to get to the front. Queue for non status customers was from here to eternity.
I did get a car (a very high mileage Civic) when I got to the front of the queue, but zero possibility of the supposedly guaranteed upgrade. Customers who needed an automatic were in deep trouble as they appeared to have no automatics left anywhere in the depot, they were waiting for customers to return anything automatic and rushing then through the wash. Lord knows how long the customers who can only drive automatic had to wait.
I realise that inventory management will never be perfect, but the mismatch yesterday between the number of customers with confirmed bookings versus the number of cars available was ludicrously out of balance.
(An aside. While I wasn't pleased to be assigned a Civic, it is much better than I expected, very comfortable, fast and frugal. Shame about the dreadful rear visibility - stupid split rear window)
I did get a car (a very high mileage Civic) when I got to the front of the queue, but zero possibility of the supposedly guaranteed upgrade. Customers who needed an automatic were in deep trouble as they appeared to have no automatics left anywhere in the depot, they were waiting for customers to return anything automatic and rushing then through the wash. Lord knows how long the customers who can only drive automatic had to wait.
I realise that inventory management will never be perfect, but the mismatch yesterday between the number of customers with confirmed bookings versus the number of cars available was ludicrously out of balance.
(An aside. While I wasn't pleased to be assigned a Civic, it is much better than I expected, very comfortable, fast and frugal. Shame about the dreadful rear visibility - stupid split rear window)
Jun 29, 2018, 12:49 pm
#21
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Philadelphia
Programs: AA Ex-Plat, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 670
I'm renting at T-3 tomorrow, they better have the automatic that I reserved.
As a gold member, flying in from the US, do I have to stop at the desk or can I go right to my car?
Thanks.
Rich
As a gold member, flying in from the US, do I have to stop at the desk or can I go right to my car?
Thanks.
Rich
Jun 29, 2018, 1:07 pm
#22
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,624
If it is out of cars , as per the report in 1st post, then there will be no bay indicated
Jun 30, 2018, 1:23 am
#24
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: London
Posts: 1,546
If the system is working correctly, you'll get two emails about an hour before the rental starts. The first one is details if the car and what bay it is in - paperwork week be in the car. The bay number will also be shown on the video display screen on the shuttle bus.
The second email is the damage report, and if there is any existing damage, photos of that damage will be included in that email. Reminder that UK (all rental companies) are extremely strict on damage control. My high mileage Civic, the email included fifteen photos of small scrapes and dings.
Got luck with your pick up - this isn't the first time I've known Heathrow be hopelessly out of balance between number of bookings versus number of cars - though it was easily the worst example.
The second email is the damage report, and if there is any existing damage, photos of that damage will be included in that email. Reminder that UK (all rental companies) are extremely strict on damage control. My high mileage Civic, the email included fifteen photos of small scrapes and dings.
Got luck with your pick up - this isn't the first time I've known Heathrow be hopelessly out of balance between number of bookings versus number of cars - though it was easily the worst example.
Aug 30, 2018, 3:58 am
#25
Join Date: May 2010
Location: YLMQ
Programs: QF Gold, WY Gold
Posts: 682
Hertz at LHR - Heathrow - Fleet + Gold Plus?
Does anyone know what are the most common Group C vehicles at Heathrow? The website suggests Focus, Astra or Golf. Would any of these small cars fit two medium sized suitcases in the boot? Or even one medium sized and a couple of small hand carry cases? Is Apple CarPlay standard on most vehicles in this range now?
Is Hertz Gold Plus recognised?
Is Hertz Gold Plus recognised?
Last edited by Yachtman; Aug 30, 2018 at 4:05 am
Aug 30, 2018, 10:28 am
#27
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Gloucestershire
Programs: BA Gold (ex-GGL, maybe future Silver), Hilton Diamond
Posts: 6,201
Most common vehicles in C include plenty of hatchbacks and a couple of small SUVs:
Renault Captur - dreadful; noisy, gutless, cheap,
Vauxhall Mokka X - absolute pile of poo.
If these are your only options, the diesels are at least economical and quieter. Neither is especially refined or fast of course.
The proper cars are OK.
Vauxhall Astra - decent, can be a little slow depending on engine, mostly very good
SEAT Leon - excellent to drive, a little small in the boot. There are no Golfs, but this is the closest equivalent.
Ford Focus - reasonable but meh. No parking sensors.
Kia Cee'd - also reasonable.
Honda Civic - by far the best all-rounder in terms of equipment, space, performance, etc.
Most of those will have CarPlay - older Leons and Cee'ds may not, the Captur definitely won't. All Astras, Civics and Focuses will. If not, a UK SIM card and a mobile mount are cheap.
Some odd Toyotas (rare Aurises and C-HRs) and the competent but dated Skoda Rapid round out the fleet.
Two medium sized suitcases should be fine, but will be getting close to the limit (depends what you mean by medium sized). Hand luggage may need to go inside the car with you.
Gold Plus is recognised, but Gold Choice is not (despite the Gold Choice sign). So, as a gold member your car will be waiting in a numbered space, but you won't be able to swap it and upgrades are usually fairly limited. (You probably will get upgraded but into whatever is lying around - most often that means a fairly crappy small SUV).
Renault Captur - dreadful; noisy, gutless, cheap,
Vauxhall Mokka X - absolute pile of poo.
If these are your only options, the diesels are at least economical and quieter. Neither is especially refined or fast of course.
The proper cars are OK.
Vauxhall Astra - decent, can be a little slow depending on engine, mostly very good
SEAT Leon - excellent to drive, a little small in the boot. There are no Golfs, but this is the closest equivalent.
Ford Focus - reasonable but meh. No parking sensors.
Kia Cee'd - also reasonable.
Honda Civic - by far the best all-rounder in terms of equipment, space, performance, etc.
Most of those will have CarPlay - older Leons and Cee'ds may not, the Captur definitely won't. All Astras, Civics and Focuses will. If not, a UK SIM card and a mobile mount are cheap.
Some odd Toyotas (rare Aurises and C-HRs) and the competent but dated Skoda Rapid round out the fleet.
Two medium sized suitcases should be fine, but will be getting close to the limit (depends what you mean by medium sized). Hand luggage may need to go inside the car with you.
Gold Plus is recognised, but Gold Choice is not (despite the Gold Choice sign). So, as a gold member your car will be waiting in a numbered space, but you won't be able to swap it and upgrades are usually fairly limited. (You probably will get upgraded but into whatever is lying around - most often that means a fairly crappy small SUV).
Aug 31, 2018, 12:40 am
#28
Join Date: May 2010
Location: YLMQ
Programs: QF Gold, WY Gold
Posts: 682
Most common vehicles in C include plenty of hatchbacks and a couple of small SUVs:
Renault Captur - dreadful; noisy, gutless, cheap,
Vauxhall Mokka X - absolute pile of poo.
If these are your only options, the diesels are at least economical and quieter. Neither is especially refined or fast of course.
The proper cars are OK.
Vauxhall Astra - decent, can be a little slow depending on engine, mostly very good
SEAT Leon - excellent to drive, a little small in the boot. There are no Golfs, but this is the closest equivalent.
Ford Focus - reasonable but meh. No parking sensors.
Kia Cee'd - also reasonable.
Honda Civic - by far the best all-rounder in terms of equipment, space, performance, etc.
Most of those will have CarPlay - older Leons and Cee'ds may not, the Captur definitely won't. All Astras, Civics and Focuses will. If not, a UK SIM card and a mobile mount are cheap.
Some odd Toyotas (rare Aurises and C-HRs) and the competent but dated Skoda Rapid round out the fleet.
Two medium sized suitcases should be fine, but will be getting close to the limit (depends what you mean by medium sized). Hand luggage may need to go inside the car with you.
Gold Plus is recognised, but Gold Choice is not (despite the Gold Choice sign). So, as a gold member your car will be waiting in a numbered space, but you won't be able to swap it and upgrades are usually fairly limited. (You probably will get upgraded but into whatever is lying around - most often that means a fairly crappy small SUV).
Renault Captur - dreadful; noisy, gutless, cheap,
Vauxhall Mokka X - absolute pile of poo.
If these are your only options, the diesels are at least economical and quieter. Neither is especially refined or fast of course.
The proper cars are OK.
Vauxhall Astra - decent, can be a little slow depending on engine, mostly very good
SEAT Leon - excellent to drive, a little small in the boot. There are no Golfs, but this is the closest equivalent.
Ford Focus - reasonable but meh. No parking sensors.
Kia Cee'd - also reasonable.
Honda Civic - by far the best all-rounder in terms of equipment, space, performance, etc.
Most of those will have CarPlay - older Leons and Cee'ds may not, the Captur definitely won't. All Astras, Civics and Focuses will. If not, a UK SIM card and a mobile mount are cheap.
Some odd Toyotas (rare Aurises and C-HRs) and the competent but dated Skoda Rapid round out the fleet.
Two medium sized suitcases should be fine, but will be getting close to the limit (depends what you mean by medium sized). Hand luggage may need to go inside the car with you.
Gold Plus is recognised, but Gold Choice is not (despite the Gold Choice sign). So, as a gold member your car will be waiting in a numbered space, but you won't be able to swap it and upgrades are usually fairly limited. (You probably will get upgraded but into whatever is lying around - most often that means a fairly crappy small SUV).
Aug 31, 2018, 12:53 am
#29
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,624
At Heathrow, assuming your name and bay are displayed, you can go straight to the car and deal with licence check at the exit barrier
The worst thing about Heathrow is having to take a bus from the airport terminal to the Hertz office and that there is no cars at the terminals themselves
The worst thing about Heathrow is having to take a bus from the airport terminal to the Hertz office and that there is no cars at the terminals themselves
Oct 26, 2018, 2:24 am
#30
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Effectively grounded
Programs: BA GGL for a little while longer
Posts: 844
Gold Choice at LHR... what a pathetic offering !
As a PC having recently had a couple of excellent experiences with Ultimate Choice in the USA, and with a compact booked for pick-up at LHR, I thought I would check our the Gold Choice section there this morning. And, wow!, there was a Maserati parked in one of the bays ! Surely it couldn't possibly be available ?
Nope, that dream died the second I toddled into the Gold Office: "it doesn't work the same here as in America - you can swap to another car in the same class but if you want anything better you'll have to pay..." So basically, it's the same offer as it's always been ?
I know they are 2 different markets but really, using the word "Choice" in the UK version is bordering on false advertising :O
Nope, that dream died the second I toddled into the Gold Office: "it doesn't work the same here as in America - you can swap to another car in the same class but if you want anything better you'll have to pay..." So basically, it's the same offer as it's always been ?
I know they are 2 different markets but really, using the word "Choice" in the UK version is bordering on false advertising :O