The Best Car Rental Companies For Business Travellers

When you're travelling for business you need to make sure you can get around without any hassle, or at least as little as possible. Knowing which are the best, most reliable car rental companies will help you remove some of the admin associated with business travel. A reliable car rental company can make the world of difference to a business trip. From great service to comfortable rides, the best in the business really know what they’re doing.

Choosing the right car rental company

With so many car rental companies out there today, it can be difficult to know which car rental agencies are the best to meet your travel needs. There are several factors to look out for when you’re considering which car rental company to go with. They need to be reliable and able to accommodate your travel needs. This is particularly important if you plan on driving clients and colleagues around. To ensure you get the most out of your car rental experience, there are a few things to look at before deciding which one to go with. 

Range of vehicles

Most car rental agencies will have standard sizes and models of cars that represent the type of car you’ll end up driving. If you have a specific transport need, then you have to make sure your chosen car rental company has the right vehicle for you. For example, not all agencies offer premium vehicles like Mercedes or Audis, which may be a better fit for business travel. Make sure the agency has the right type of car in its fleet.

Car rental terms

The terms of the car rental can also determine which car rental company is best to go with. Rental terms like the following should be carefully considered before signing a car rental agreement:

• Insurance coverage
• The length of time you’re able to rent a vehicle
• The maximum free mileage allowance
• Fast-track pickup and dropoff options
• Optional extras
• Their accident procedure 

These need to align with what you and your business are looking for in a rental. A car rental company also has to make the ‘fine print’ clear to you, so that you don’t end up incurring any unexpected costs that raise eyebrows back at the office. Any of the agencies that show transparency and can offer you a package that suits are among the best you can find.

Branch location

A car rental agency's location is also key in choosing which company to go with when you travel for business. When travelling for business, you ideally want to go with a company that has a branch close to an airport or has shuttle services that run between their branch and the airport terminal. If you’re hiring a vehicle from an inner-city branch that’s closer to your accommodation, make sure you are able to get to it easily and enquire about shuttle services.

Payment options

The payment options are accepted by the car rental company especially if you’re considering travelling with a corporate credit card. It’s worth double-checking which cards (i.e Visa, Mastercard, or Amex) the company is able to take payment from. It’s worth knowing that some rental agencies do not accept debit cards. 

If you’re not travelling with a card and have to expense your rental, make sure you’re able to attain the relevant documentation for claiming back the business expense. There are also companies that will set up a company account and invoice your office monthly. If this is an option, it’s worth taking advantage of as there are often exclusive benefits that come with a business account.

Pick-up and drop-off services

Some agencies’ branches have specific time slots wherein you’re allowed to collect and drop off your car rental. Airport branches usually tend to be slightly more flexible, offering ‘after-hour’ pickups and dropoffs. For more convenience, some companies allow you to return your hired vehicle to a different branch from the one you collected it at. This can be useful if you have business engagements that require you to travel between cities.

Loyalty programmes for frequent customers

It’s always important to take a look at the loyalty packages offered to corporate customers. Benefits can include: 

• Dedicated lines to exclusive account managers
• Discounted rental rates
• Free optional extras (additional drivers, glass and tyre coverage, unlimited mileage, satnav)
• 30-day payment terms
• Shuttle or taxi services
• Executive vehicle options

If your company uses a car rental company on a regular basis, it’s important to know that they value your business. Business travellers hire more vehicles than individuals and form a huge part of the car rental customer demographic.

Previous customer reviews

Google has allowed us all to become expert service critics so don’t be shy to check out the reviews of your selected branch before going ahead with your business car rental. Organisations need to know that their employees will be able to use their time efficiently while travelling for business, so good customer service from car rental companies is vital. 

Previous feedback is especially valuable if you are looking for a rental agency with whom to form a long-term business relationship. You need to know they have your best interests at heart and will not hinder company business trips.

The best car rental companies for business travellers in the UK

In most cases, renting a vehicle for business travel in the UK is more efficient and less expensive than using trains and other forms of public transport. Meetings are not always confined to the office so you need to know which car rental company has your back. These are some of the car rental companies in the UK we can recommend to those travelling for business. 

Enterprise

Enterprise is one of the top players when it comes to business car rentals. Their programme for businesses is top-notch, with companies able to rent cars on an annual basis. Enterprise’s range of vehicles also has to be commended - there’s even the option to rent supercars. Enterprise also prides itself on being the cleanest car hire company in the industry which is especially important for those travelling for business. Another perk of Enterprise car hire is that the agency has the best branch coverage in the UK, with over 400 locations nationwide.

Hertz

Hertz has made a name for itself in the customer service department with rave customer reviews. Their membership programme is well thought out, with members getting a free 4G mobile hotspot with bookings that exceed £250.00. They’re clearly geared towards business travelling and facilitating business needs. Business customers that need a van even have the option to hire one per hour, reducing daily costs.

Zipcar

Although still infiltrating the UK market, Zipcar is a good solution for businesses that have offices in major UK cities like London, Cambridge, Bristol, and Oxford. Business members can save 30% on standard rates and have the option of adding more drivers to their accounts. The annual rate for a business account with Zipcar is £99.00, or £10.00 per month. The car rental company is very much geared towards helping organisations with logistics and deliveries, offering access to more vehicles for members if necessary.

Avis

Offering long-term car hire solutions and airport pickups, Avis is one of the best car rental companies for corporates. When you sign up for an Avis account online, you receive a call back from an account manager who will draw up a package for you to suit your business needs. Their customised approach to business relationships is useful for the long-term but not necessarily for those quick and easy bookings businesses sometimes need. Their fleet includes a good range of business cars and vans. 

Sixt

Sixt is perfect for anyone who is travelling via air to their UK business destination. The agency has branches at all the major airports in the UK as well as city branch locations in cities such as London, Manchester, Belfast, Birmingham, Edinburgh, and Glasgow. Sixt offers customers a wide range of vehicles at good prices, with additional discounts for businesses. Corporates are able to rent vehicles on a monthly basis, and offer easy booking through their app.

Europcar

Europcar has branches in all the major cities in the UK and has around 300 branches throughout the country. For those needing to travel internationally for business, corporate members can still take advantage of their membership benefits at overseas branches. Europcar offers rental and accommodation packages with an option to book a chauffeur to get you to your car rental branch, not to mention discounted rental rates for corporate clients. 

Who will you go with on your next business trip?

It’s important to make sure you go with the right car rental company when travelling for business. Luckily there are plenty out there that are willing to help make the process as easy as possible. As a business traveller, you’ll be able to take advantage of the exclusive corporate benefits these car rental companies have to offer, making your business trip as easy as possible.