Car rental ".....or equivalent* issue

tillster

Hope this is the right forum for this question. I'm coming back to the UK next week and have booked a car with Thrifty though a scraper (momondo or argus, I forget)

Question is this: when a hire car company says (as it is in this case) a BMW 3 series or equivalent, how obliged are they to provide someting similar, which to my mind is an Audi,. Merc, Lexus etc?

Put another way, how far can they stretch 'equivalent'? I don't really wanna get a Hyundai after paying extra for the (admittedly on argus and not thrifty's site) luxury category

Anyone wiser than I (not saying much) on the buyers rights / realistic expectations?

Many thanks in advance

Tilt

Equipment means similar specification I would of thought. If you have booked (and paid for) a BMW 3 series and for some reason on the day, they havn't got one available, then you should expect either a similar spec car (Audi, Merc, Lexus etc), a free upgrade or a downgrade with the appropriate discount.

epninety

You know where you're picking it up from, give them a ring and ask what's in their fleet in that bracket at the moment.

I hired a 'Freelander or equivalent' and got a VW Tiguan. :rotfl:Not impressed, they don't get my money anymore.

Hintza

Why not have a look on the thrifty website like I just did and it will give you a list in each category.

Are you concerned about your image?

InsideInsurance

You need to look at what is actually specified (eg engine size, a/c, seats etc) -v- what is only illustrative.

The problem with "prestige" or "luxury" then it is very subjective as to if a particular brand/ model would fit. For example would you be happy with a VW Phaeton given its a £50k car?

spiro

Is the booking for the Premium range? For that group they list VW Passat CC, BMW 320D, they also have a Prestige and Luxury group.

tillster

epninety wrote: »

You know where you're picking it up from, give them a ring and ask what's in their fleet in that bracket at the moment.

I hired a 'Freelander or equivalent' and got a VW Tiguan. :rotfl:Not impressed, they don't get my money anymore.

Called them and am suitably reassured. options are VW CC / BMW 320d / BMW X320d

Simple solutions: they're usually the best

tillster

spiro wrote: »

Is the booking for the Premium range? For that group they list VW Passat CC, BMW 320D, they also have a Prestige and Luxury group.

You posted at the same time as i called them;) Thanks

I did not see anywhere on their site to see that.

tillster

Hintza wrote: »

Why not have a look on the thrifty website like I just did and it will give you a list in each category.

Are you concerned about your image?

Hadn't noticed the section down the bottom of the site. Thanks.

Not at all concerned about the image. I'm only seeing my folks, and they know me well enough by now I think

tillster

Thanks very much for all the swift replies - you're a lovely bunch

albionrovers

Book a small car and join the back of the hire queue. They soon run out of small cars and then you get a bigger one FOC.