Consolidated "Renting at LHR; What Kind of Cars to Expect?" Thread
#31
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Gloucestershire
Programs: BA Gold (ex-GGL, maybe future Silver), Hilton Diamond
Posts: 6,196
I agree... best not to think of it as "Gold Choice" because both the training and the implementation are woeful.
A shame, becasue the staff at LHR are generally very good and helpful.
A shame, becasue the staff at LHR are generally very good and helpful.
#32
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: NYC
Programs: DL PM, Marriott Gold, Hertz PC, National Exec
Posts: 6,736
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
#33
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Programs: United 1K, Hilton Diamond, National Executive Elite, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 690
Gold Choice has been around in Europe for many many many many years and this is the way it works. If you see a car in Gold Choice that you like, you can ask to swap with one of those vehicles. If its the same class, theyll give it to you free and clear. If its an upgrade, they give you an upgrade price.
It is NOT Ultimate Choice like the US. Im not quite sure why you would think it was the same, especially with different namings.
Either way, Ive found that most European locations will provide you with an upgrade if you politely ask for FOC. Sorry you didnt have a better experience. Were you nice once you learned about the upgrade charge and that it was in fact a different program than Ultimate Choice, or were you upset and condescending? This would easily affect the way they treated you going forward and their willingness to support you.
It is NOT Ultimate Choice like the US. Im not quite sure why you would think it was the same, especially with different namings.
Either way, Ive found that most European locations will provide you with an upgrade if you politely ask for FOC. Sorry you didnt have a better experience. Were you nice once you learned about the upgrade charge and that it was in fact a different program than Ultimate Choice, or were you upset and condescending? This would easily affect the way they treated you going forward and their willingness to support you.
#34
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: NYC
Programs: DL PM, Marriott Gold, Hertz PC, National Exec
Posts: 6,736
Gold Choice has been around in Europe for many many many many years and this is the way it works. If you see a car in Gold Choice that you like, you can ask to swap with one of those vehicles. If its the same class, theyll give it to you free and clear. If its an upgrade, they give you an upgrade price.
It is NOT Ultimate Choice like the US. Im not quite sure why you would think it was the same, especially with different namings.
Either way, Ive found that most European locations will provide you with an upgrade if you politely ask for FOC. Sorry you didnt have a better experience. Were you nice once you learned about the upgrade charge and that it was in fact a different program than Ultimate Choice, or were you upset and condescending? This would easily affect the way they treated you going forward and their willingness to support you.
It is NOT Ultimate Choice like the US. Im not quite sure why you would think it was the same, especially with different namings.
Either way, Ive found that most European locations will provide you with an upgrade if you politely ask for FOC. Sorry you didnt have a better experience. Were you nice once you learned about the upgrade charge and that it was in fact a different program than Ultimate Choice, or were you upset and condescending? This would easily affect the way they treated you going forward and their willingness to support you.
Last edited by cestmoi123; Oct 27, 2018 at 5:21 am
#35
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: London
Posts: 1,542
Gold Choice does work in the UK with a compact reservation. In theory....
In practice it has never worked at Heathrow, and the gold choice bays are either empty or full of vehicles that they won't let you have. I did once manage to get a very top-end Audi by insisting that the manager come out and explain to me why cars were in the gold choice bays if they weren't available - the counter staff decided they'd make life easier for themselves by just giving me the Audi.
There is an enormous gulf at Heathrow between what marketing staff proclaim and what actually happens.
In practice it has never worked at Heathrow, and the gold choice bays are either empty or full of vehicles that they won't let you have. I did once manage to get a very top-end Audi by insisting that the manager come out and explain to me why cars were in the gold choice bays if they weren't available - the counter staff decided they'd make life easier for themselves by just giving me the Audi.
There is an enormous gulf at Heathrow between what marketing staff proclaim and what actually happens.
#37
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: All over
Programs: AA-LTP, HH-DIA, Marriott-LT+AMB, Hyatt-Globalist, Hertz-PC, UA-GS
Posts: 6,823
As a PC and booking a C class car, shouldn't you have been given at least a D car upgrade?
What did you end up getting? I usually have pretty good luck with upgrades there, but I do rent alot from LHR.
What did you end up getting? I usually have pretty good luck with upgrades there, but I do rent alot from LHR.
#38
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: NY NJ
Programs: United 1K, EL AL Silver
Posts: 202
Does London Heathrow have the UC asile ?
I will be renting at London Heathrow next week, as a PC can I book a midsize manual car and hope that the PC aisle will have nice automatic car ?
I will be renting at London Heathrow next week, as a PC can I book a midsize manual car and hope that the PC aisle will have nice automatic car ?
Last edited by FlyinHawaiian; Apr 18, 2019 at 4:07 am Reason: moved into consolidated thread
#39
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Bavaria, Germany
Posts: 168
Anyone an idea what's available in the LDAR (H) class at LHR?
Thinking about booking at Hertz for a September vacation trip for 17 days, and my company CDP surprisingly gives me a price of 633 GBP for the whole period - including basically everything from one-way rental to EDI, CDW, TP to even Super Cover!
Wanted to book a Premium Station Wagon (FDAR) initially, but that offer is hard to beat. And it should not create any problems for 2 people with 2 suitcases :-)
Hope that I won't experience a shortage on cars, but I hope that this category won't be overbooked (it will be Sept 12, so no holiday season).
Thinking about booking at Hertz for a September vacation trip for 17 days, and my company CDP surprisingly gives me a price of 633 GBP for the whole period - including basically everything from one-way rental to EDI, CDW, TP to even Super Cover!
Wanted to book a Premium Station Wagon (FDAR) initially, but that offer is hard to beat. And it should not create any problems for 2 people with 2 suitcases :-)
Hope that I won't experience a shortage on cars, but I hope that this category won't be overbooked (it will be Sept 12, so no holiday season).
Last edited by at4behe1; Apr 29, 2019 at 7:22 am Reason: Changed PFAR > FDAR
#40
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: NYC
Programs: DL PM, Marriott Gold, Hertz PC, National Exec
Posts: 6,736
Anyone an idea what's available in the LDAR (H) class at LHR?
Thinking about booking at Hertz for a September vacation trip for 17 days, and my company CDP surprisingly gives me a price of 633 GBP for the whole period - including basically everything from one-way rental to EDI, CDW, TP to even Super Cover!
Wanted to book a Premium Station Wagon (PFAR) initially, but that offer is hard to beat. And it should not create any problems for 2 people with 2 suitcases :-)
Hope that I won't experience a shortage on cars, but I hope that this category won't be overbooked (it will be Sept 12, so no holiday season).
Thinking about booking at Hertz for a September vacation trip for 17 days, and my company CDP surprisingly gives me a price of 633 GBP for the whole period - including basically everything from one-way rental to EDI, CDW, TP to even Super Cover!
Wanted to book a Premium Station Wagon (PFAR) initially, but that offer is hard to beat. And it should not create any problems for 2 people with 2 suitcases :-)
Hope that I won't experience a shortage on cars, but I hope that this category won't be overbooked (it will be Sept 12, so no holiday season).
#41
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: London
Posts: 1,542
@solma. No, not a good strategy. Ultimate Choice isn't a thing in the UK. If you've booked a manual, you might get an upgrade to a sightly nicer manual. You can't assume you'll get an automatic without paying extra for it.
#42
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: NY NJ
Programs: United 1K, EL AL Silver
Posts: 202
#44
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: All over
Programs: AA-LTP, HH-DIA, Marriott-LT+AMB, Hyatt-Globalist, Hertz-PC, UA-GS
Posts: 6,823
Been getting quite a few nice upgrades lately at LHR, so be nice and just ask, as I do. There was a few weeks back where they were rotating alot of their staff around, so on occasion I didn't see the usual staff that I do, but they were still giving decent upgrades. I do rent with them quite often though. Last week booked a D for a week, during easter and upgraded to either a Audi A3 or A4 avant, I took the avant.
#45
Join Date: Nov 2018
Programs: FB Platinum, Hertz PC, Avis PC, Hilton Gold, Bonvoy Gold, Radisson Gold...
Posts: 21
Hi. I have a a3 or quivalent booked with PC status. What cars are in that class, and although I understand there is no upgrade on premium models, can I hope for one? Cheers