Hi all, I hope someone can help. My friend and I want to rent an automatic car while in England. Whenever I go to the web sites of the car rental agencies, I am never given the option to ask for an automatice but I know they have them for extra money. Has anyone successfully done this and if so, how? Thanks in advance.
Posted by
Bloomington, IL, USA
9371 posts
Sorry, I'm a little confused by your post. I have rented lots of times and have never seen a rental company site that DOESN'T give you that option. You have to read the description of the various cars, though. There isn't a box to click to choose automatic, just read down the list. It depends, of course, on whether the location you intend to rent from has any automatics available when you want to rent one. You don't say when you plan to travel or where you will want to pick up the car, so I don't know if you are looking during peak tourist season or not.
Posted by
Atlanta, Georgia
565 posts
I always go to kayak.com first. It's the only one I know of that you can select automatic as a requirement. Hopefully some others can fill the rest of us in if there are other sites that offer this filter. Don't just show up if you can avoid it. I spent a small fortune last month on a rental in the UK as it was the only automatic on the lot. Good luck!
Posted by
Southern California
443 posts
We rented a car from Enterprise when we were in Bath in September and they let you choose automatic or manual on the same page where you choose your rental dates. I just looked at Hertz in London, and though you can't choose automatic upfront, once you select the size/type car you want the transmission information is in the car description. There were about 3 manuals to 1 automatic, but they are out there.
Posted by
Chicagoland
279 posts
I just rented an automatic from Avis (the only company that has drop off in Orkney), but I had to do the reservation on the phone due to the drop off not being on their online list. The agent said that it was good I was reserving the car so early (trip is in July) since I was asking for an automatic. For ten days, we're paying $700 after the conversion rate.
Posted by
Arlington, WA
993 posts
I often use Kemwell. Of course there is an option for automatic and they can provide a GPS.
Posted by
San Diego, CA, United States
219 posts
We rented one last summer, no problem. I just check autoeurope.com and when you put in your location and dates and the choices come up you can un "manual" and it gives you only the automatics. There were lots to choose from.
Posted by
Los Angeles, California
1986 posts
I have never had a problem reserving an automatic. Obvuiosly the larger the company the more chance they have automatics. (Obviously Bob's biclycle and rental car may have a limited choice). However, be sure to reserve ahead. Just pitching up without a rservation you may have a problem