Leveraging airline status for rental cars

[simongr]

Ok - here's the deal, just to recap I am AA EXP and QF SG. I have two what I would call substantial hire car events coming up.

I need a car for 1 week (maybe 6 days) to drive around the UK originating in LHR and returning to LHR or to Mayfair (I am staying at the Waldorf the night before I fly so unsure whether it is cheaper to keep the car an extra night and drive to LHR or return it to the city somewhere). This is happening in July. In december I will need to rent a people carrier for two weeks to accommodate 5 adults and 1 x 2 1/2 yo child (with child seat).

I am just trying to think of the best if any way to leverage my status with the airlines to either reduce cost or improve the enjoyment.

I think I can status match somehow and that would guess I could book a cheaper car in the UK and if was statused would get an upgrade? I am guessing I am just semi screwed re December in that it will be availablity of a bus that will be key rather than picking or choosing.

Any suggestions on how to make this cost-effective? I have only done odd rentals in the past so have a little history with Avis but nothing elsewhere.

WOuld one option be to search for the cheapest hires for July, book them and then call to status match?

The car in UK is a reuqirement as we will be going - lhr-bath-birmingham-wigan-yor-beverly-waldrof-lhr

Cheers

S

 

[Mr_Gimlet]

The car in UK is a reuqirement as we will be going lhr-bath-birmingham-wigan-yor-beverly-waldrof-lhr

Touring minsters of northern england?

I go to the UK a fair bit for work and leisure, and I have always used a consolidator like vroomvroomvroom or holidayautos, though easycar are looking good these days. Never hired a people mover but its one of the categories when I've booked. Even with our corporate rates for Avis, they are never anywhere near the consolidator prices.

For your trip, don't use thrifty - their base is a GBP4 bus ride whereas the others are accessible inside LHR.

edit: and don't forget the congestion charge in central london when you do your mayfair calcs

 

[simongr]

Family in Wigan/Beverly and friends in York.

Thanks for the consolidator tip. For the UK trip it is only me and mrssimongr so I might even look for sports car if I could get it cheap

EDIT

I guess then with the consolidator I could book through them, get AVIS (or other) status and then see what leverage I could get from that.

Just a quick check on those prices were showing say GBP150 for a ford focus and GBP539 for a Alra Romeo Brera Coupe

 

[Mr_Gimlet]

Just a quick check on those prices were showing say GBP150 for a ford focus and GBP539 for a Alra Romeo Brera Coupe

I usually take a Focus if I want a small but not too small car. It's the auto that pushes the prices through the roof, so I get to do all the driving.

Just check you're comparing apples with apples, especially since you realistically need a low excess in the UK and the consolidators usually have a very good pool for about three to five quid a day. Thrifty direct wanted fifteen a day, so it pushed them off the scale unless you can carry a GBP1400 excess.

You could get a mini cooper. Or if you've got a bit of cash, an aston martin...