Every rental a good experience: better than owning a car (Enterprise Rent-A-Car)

Member Name: jamesontheroad

Product:	Enterprise Rent-A-Car
Date:	13/03/08 (50 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Personable service, free collection and drop-off, often upgraded

Disadvantages: No loyalty programme

I've rented from Enterprise dozens of times... initially because they were one of the few rental companies in the UK to rent vehicles to drivers aged 21 or more without a painful surcharge (although their daily rates for drivers aged 21-25 are slightly more than regular rates).

Enterprise grew rapidly and successfully by avoiding the traditional hire car firm model of operating out of expensive airport and city centre locations, and offering free collection and drop-off for renters. This has been especially convenient for me, since I don't own a car and rent from them whenever I need one for a weekend. I call the branch and they come to my workplace or home, take me to the office and then do the same when I return the car.

That said, you'll find Enterprise at airports and in city centre locations as well know, and their rates are worth comparing. The best deals are to be had over weekends, when three day Friday-Monday rentals can be as much as 50% cheaper than standard weekday rates. Beware that in some markets weekend rentals come with a mileage limit not imposed on full price weekday rentals, however I've found that my branch has been ok with me exceeding the agreed mileage on these weekend rentals for no additional charge. A typical weekend rental of an economy class car can be as little as £40 for three days.

Most Enterprise employees are recent graduates, and I've found them to be consistently friendly, personable and good people to have contact with. They appear to work in a culture of taking full responsibility for their own customers, and I'm normally collected and dropped off by the same employee who I deal with for the rental.

The fleet varies, but cars are always recent models and meticulously cleaned before rental. In the UK I've stuck to lower end classes, and driven Nissan Micras, Nissan Notes, Ford Fiestas, Toyota Yaris, Vauxhall Astras etc. Economy class weekend rentals are often upgraded a class or two, especially if the branch is busy and you're one of the last people to collect before the weekend. In the US I've had a selection of very acceptable Chevys, Buicks and Mitsubishis.

Summary: For the occasional user I find UK weekend rentals I find Enterprise better value than owning a car