Go Back  FlyerTalk Forums > Destinations > Europe > U.K. and Ireland
Reload this Page >

2018 LHR Christmas Week Car Hire

2018 LHR Christmas Week Car Hire

Old Dec 2, 2018, 7:59 pm
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: SJC
Programs: AAdvantage 2MM+ Lifetime PLT; BA, CO, UA, US; SPG; HHonors Gold
Posts: 755
2018 LHR Christmas Week Car Hire

I've rented cars many times at LHR but never at Christmas. The rates are sky high, is this because of a large volume of Londoners leaving town for the holiday?
rj123456 is offline  
Old Dec 2, 2018, 8:32 pm
  #2  
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,566
Always the same, seems huge demand for cars from visitors to the UK (especially ex-pats like me returning home!) as well as Londoners renting a car to head out (also me in a previous life)

I try to book well in advance on a cancellable rate. In the past I used to get pretty good rates from Watford (can't remember which company ) - might be worth checking if taking a taxi out there or similar locations to collect would work out better value (watch out for opening hours though)
sammyg901 is offline  
Old Dec 2, 2018, 8:52 pm
  #3  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: SJC
Programs: AAdvantage 2MM+ Lifetime PLT; BA, CO, UA, US; SPG; HHonors Gold
Posts: 755
Last year in April I paid ~GBP 100 for a week from Easirent. Of course it took an hour to have them not force me to take their insurance because I wanted to rent with the CSR.
rj123456 is offline  
Old Dec 2, 2018, 10:12 pm
  #4  
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: PEK
Programs: CA Gold, EY Silver HHons Diamond
Posts: 373
Have definitely noticed the rates being very high this year. Often booked with Easirent in the past but they are astronomical. Have taken the Watford route myself, Enterprise about half the price there than anything around LHR.
LOUDNOISES is offline  
Old Dec 2, 2018, 10:23 pm
  #5  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: SJC
Programs: AAdvantage 2MM+ Lifetime PLT; BA, CO, UA, US; SPG; HHonors Gold
Posts: 755
Originally Posted by LOUDNOISES
Have definitely noticed the rates being very high this year. Often booked with Easirent in the past but they are astronomical. Have taken the Watford route myself, Enterprise about half the price there than anything around LHR.
On most weeklong trips (like this one) the motivation to rent to and from LHR is that after I account for the taxi to and from the airport (typically 30 quid each way) the car is practically peanuts for the rest of the week.
rj123456 is offline  
Old Dec 2, 2018, 10:33 pm
  #6  
 
Join Date: Nov 2018
Programs: CX, BA
Posts: 91
Hillingdon

Originally Posted by LOUDNOISES
Have definitely noticed the rates being very high this year. Often booked with Easirent in the past but they are astronomical. Have taken the Watford route myself, Enterprise about half the price there than anything around LHR.
I always rent from Enterprise in Hillingdon. ⅓ cost of Heathrow at peak times. 20 taxi, or 2.50 local bus if you know the area.
For me - best benefit is open later on Saturdays than other 'off' airport rental companies.
If arriving at LHR early morning - have plenty of time for coffee and breakfast....
EMIC is offline  
Old Dec 2, 2018, 11:17 pm
  #7  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: SJC
Programs: AAdvantage 2MM+ Lifetime PLT; BA, CO, UA, US; SPG; HHonors Gold
Posts: 755
Originally Posted by EMIC
I always rent from Enterprise in Hillingdon. ⅓ cost of Heathrow at peak times. 20 taxi, or 2.50 local bus if you know the area.
For me - best benefit is open later on Saturdays than other 'off' airport rental companies.
If arriving at LHR early morning - have plenty of time for coffee and breakfast....
I could not find a Hillingdon location on Enterprise's website. The closest location to Heathrow is Bath Road Hounslow.
Unfortunately I'm returning on a Sunday and virtually all the "local" locations near LHR are closed.

If I choose the Hounslow location and select a Monday return the rate is indeed almost half (USD 350 vs USD 650). I think on this trip I'll forgo the car and spend the pounds on Uber.
rj123456 is offline  
Old Dec 3, 2018, 1:00 am
  #8  
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: MCI
Programs: UA MileagePlus
Posts: 748
Yep... over $100/day for a small car. Definitely a lot more than I am used to paying... And Hertz is only showing availability of vans and other unusual vehicles. I’m flying a day earlier than I wanted so I can use the train before they close down for the holidays, and not pay $500 for what is usually a $100 rental.
hangpilot is offline  
Old Dec 3, 2018, 2:24 am
  #9  
Moderator: UK and Ireland & Europe
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Biggleswade
Programs: SK*G, Lots of Blue Elsewhere
Posts: 13,611
Are you looking for automatic transmission? This is always a limiting factor, as automatics are in the minority here.
stut is offline  
Old Dec 3, 2018, 2:40 am
  #10  
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Programs: M&M, BA Silver, Accor LeClub Gold
Posts: 490
@AutoSlash were able to help me yesterday with a very competitive quote for a car from LCY - collecting Saturday 22nd and returning on the evening of the 26th. Their prices are in USD but even with the fx fees on my credit card it'll be a considerable saving over what I could have got elsewhere.
AutoSlash likes this.
ptr120 is offline  
Old Dec 6, 2018, 12:46 pm
  #11  
 
Join Date: May 2017
Location: ORD
Posts: 369
Similar question: Are rates normally higher in May than other times of the year, or is it just too early to book? I'm seeing rates for May 2019 about 2x what they would be in January.
TribalistMeathead is offline  
Old Dec 6, 2018, 1:09 pm
  #12  
Moderator: UK and Ireland & Europe
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Biggleswade
Programs: SK*G, Lots of Blue Elsewhere
Posts: 13,611
There are two public holidays in May, along with the school holidays (the very end of the month this year). If you're looking around then, it's going to be busy.
stut is offline  
Old Dec 6, 2018, 6:23 pm
  #13  
 
Join Date: Nov 2018
Programs: CX, BA
Posts: 91
Smile

Originally Posted by rj123456
I could not find a Hillingdon location on Enterprise's website. The closest location to Heathrow is Bath Road Hounslow.
Unfortunately I'm returning on a Sunday and virtually all the "local" locations near LHR are closed.

If I choose the Hounslow location and select a Monday return the rate is indeed almost half (USD 350 vs USD 650). I think on this trip I'll forgo the car and spend the pounds on Uber.

The Enterprise branch is listed under 'Uxbridge', but is located at the top of Hillingdon Hill - apologies for confusion.
EMIC is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.