Best car rental from Gatwick Airport

[brewsterbudgen]

Any recommendations for renting a car from Gatwick Airport for a 12 day visit.  Nothing fancy, just a 4-door automatic, petrol 'compact' or 'small' car.  Are the big companies like Avis and Hertz always the best?

 

I will have my 10-year-old son with me, so presumably I will have to rent a child's booster seat as well (by law)?

 

I plan on using my 5-year Thai driving licence.  

Does everyone splash out for Excess Protection?  

 

I guess I can reserve the car and pay online from Thailand.

[brewsterbudgen]

Anyone used Green Motion or Drivalia car rental??  

[oxo1947]

23 hours ago, brewsterbudgen said:

I plan on using my 5-year Thai driving licence.  

 

Have you asked them that question---last time I rented in Oz they advised that I just grabbed an international License. 

[Centigrade32]

2 hours ago, brewsterbudgen said:

Anyone used Green Motion or Drivalia car rental??  

 

Don't. Green Motion have such a bad reputation, that many car hire excess insurance companies refuse to cover them. be warned.

[Centigrade32]

On 1/28/2025 at 4:04 AM, brewsterbudgen said:

Any recommendations for renting a car from Gatwick Airport for a 12 day visit.  Nothing fancy, just a 4-door automatic, petrol 'compact' or 'small' car.  Are the big companies like Avis and Hertz always the best?

 

I will have my 10-year-old son with me, so presumably I will have to rent a child's booster seat as well (by law)?

 

I plan on using my 5-year Thai driving licence.  

Does everyone splash out for Excess Protection?  

 

I guess I can reserve the car and pay online from Thailand.

 

What are you being quoted and for which dates?

 

Quote

If your licence is in non-roman alphabet (e.g. Japanese), you will need in addition an International Driving Permit.

 

Quote

Children must normally use a child car seat until they're 12 years old or 135 centimetres tall, whichever comes first. Children over 12 or more than 135cm tall must wear a seat belt.

 

But don't bother paying the hire company for a car seat, just buy a booster cushion to bring him to a safe height. You won't have any legal issues with that.

You can get one for around a tenner via Lazada/Shopee etc Example: https://www.lazada.co.th/products/car-booster-seat-safe-sturdy-kids-children-child-baby-increased-seat-pad-fits-6-12-years-old-multi-color-i4931718585-s20745230402.html

 

Excess Protection is not something sold by UK car hire companies. Sounds like it's a standalone product sold separately by the broker that you have chosen. You'll still have to pay out of your own pocket in the event of an accident and then claim back afterwards.

Not an issue, as long as you know what you are buying.

 

Watch out when booking via brokers, to make sure that you read the details and T&C carefully. You'll find things like Limited Mileage that make the price look cheaper than booking direct and other requirements that might bamboozle you when you arrive at the counter.

Or finding out that your Excess Protection policy is worthless as you are resident in Thailand and not in the U.K. Everything needs to be checked and double checked. 

 

 

 

[Centigrade32]

https://childcarseats.org.uk/types-of-seat/booster-cushions/

 

[treetops]

21 hours ago, brewsterbudgen said:

Anyone used Green Motion or Drivalia car rental??  

 

I'm back in the UK shortly and have been looking at car hire.  These two companies top the list of those on offer when sorted by price, but reading the reviews I wouldn't touch them with a bargepole.

[Centigrade32]

Always impressive when people start a thread to get help and then don't bother to reply or acknowledge any of it 

[brewsterbudgen]

3 minutes ago, Centigrade32 said:

Always impressive when people start a thread to get help and then don't bother to reply or acknowledge any of it 

 

I'm glad you're so easily impressed!  The responses are much appreciated.

I have already discounted Green Motion and Drivalia.  

The Excess Protection was for National Car Rental.  I'm not using a broker; it is an online booking.  This is what they say:

"Excess Protection (EP) is an optional coverage available only if Damage Waiver (DW) is included in the rate or purchased. EP reduces the applicable Damage Waiver excess amount. If EP is not included in the reservation, it is available for purchase.

For all Cars and SUVs of the categories Mini, Economy and Compact the excess can be reduced to 100 GBP. For all other vehicles the excess can be reduced to 250 GBP. Excess will be charged every time a vehicle is damaged, lost or stolen."

It's an extra £20 a day, but probably worth it.

Buying a booster cushion is a great idea, as getting it through the rental company is £15 a day+

 

They have confirmed I can use my Thai DL - not need for an IDP.

 

 

 

[Andrew Dwyer]

Have used Green Motion several times ( from Mncr Airport ), never had any problems.

Green Motion gives a great price, their rental location is a bit further out but provide the shuttle too and from ( Mncr Airport ).

Used my Thai dl last time, a lot easier, Europcar wanted some proof of U.K. residency, a utility bill !, to go with U.K. dl.

[Centigrade32]

7 minutes ago, Andrew Dwyer said:

Have used Green Motion several times ( from Mncr Airport ), never had any problems.

Green Motion gives a great price, their rental location is a bit further out but provide the shuttle too and from ( Mncr Airport ).

Used my Thai dl last time, a lot easier, Europcar wanted some proof of U.K. residency, a utility bill !, to go with U.K. dl.

 

Lucky you. But when insurance companies refuse to cover them due to their prior antics, they only have themselves to blame when people are advised to avoid them.

[Centigrade32]

20 minutes ago, brewsterbudgen said:

 

I'm glad you're so easily impressed!  The responses are much appreciated.

I have already discounted Green Motion and Drivalia.  

The Excess Protection was for National Car Rental.  I'm not using a broker; it is an online booking.  This is what they say:

"Excess Protection (EP) is an optional coverage available only if Damage Waiver (DW) is included in the rate or purchased. EP reduces the applicable Damage Waiver excess amount. If EP is not included in the reservation, it is available for purchase.

For all Cars and SUVs of the categories Mini, Economy and Compact the excess can be reduced to 100 GBP. For all other vehicles the excess can be reduced to 250 GBP. Excess will be charged every time a vehicle is damaged, lost or stolen."

It's an extra £20 a day, but probably worth it.

Buying a booster cushion is a great idea, as getting it through the rental company is £15 a day+

 

They have confirmed I can use my Thai DL - not need for an IDP.

 

 

 

 

How much are NCR quoting you for your 12 days? I ran a dummy booking and they quoted £450 without EP(which would add another £240). Which is why I asked about your dates.

Using a broker is also an online booking. Are you using https://www.nationalcar.co.uk/en/ ?

 

[brewsterbudgen]

5 minutes ago, Centigrade32 said:

 

How much are NCR quoting you for your 12 days? I ran a dummy booking and they quoted £450 without EP(which would add another £240). Which is why I asked about your dates.

Using a broker is also an online booking. Are you using https://www.nationalcar.co.uk/en/ ?

 

My dates are mid-April.  Yes, that's around the price.

 

https://www.nationalcar.co.uk/en/home.html

[Centigrade32]

24 minutes ago, brewsterbudgen said:

My dates are mid-April.  Yes, that's around the price.

 

https://www.nationalcar.co.uk/en/home.html

 

That's too much. Did a dummy booking with mid-April dates, showing ALAMO at £319

Of course they aren't your exact dates...

 

EP with NCR(and ALAMO) would be £240 with a £100 excess. You can buy standalone insurance for the trip for less than £90 with a £75 excess or an annual multi-trip policy that covers rentals everywhere including Thailand for £129, with a £75 excess. https://www.worldwideinsure.com/car-hire-excess-insurance.php