Howdy ,
Yes, I like planning - I enjoy doing research and finding good deals. But it's also about being prepared - I don't like surprises! Well, not negative ones that leave you helpless in the middle of nowhere!
Last year, I planned my trip to Australia. I had to book international flights and organise a rental car. Because my holiday was at Christmas time, I bought the plane tickets in the middle of the year.
I left organising the rental car until nearer the end of the year. By then, I had trouble finding something at the price I wanted, but finally I found a deal I liked.
It was with a smaller company that didn't have a desk at the airport, just an office in the city. However, they said they'd deliver the car to the airport for me.
I didn't hear anything from them in the days before my departure, which I thought was a bit strange 🤔.
So, after a long day of travelling, I got off the plane at 5 p.m. and ...... no car!
The car company I thought I had the booking with admitted (1) there was a mistake and my reservation had never been processed! And now they had nothing available 😳.
It was late in the afternoon on 26th December. My phone wasn't working (another story!). The inter-city bus company (2) was closed, and I had been told the major car rental companies either didn't have any cars available or were charging crazy, expensive prices.
Great!!
I asked at the rental car desks anyway.
The first lady said she had no car she could rent me. Then she looked at what was still available, and there was a truck. It wasn't huge; something like a workman (3) (or farmer) would drive.
The price was OK, too.
I spoke to the people from the other companies, but they didn't have anything.
So I took the truck.
It wasn't quite what I expected, but it was perfect for me and my gear.
And next time, I'll double-check my bookings!
Do you often rent cars, ? What size - super small ones, larger, family ones, or something like my truck? Hit 'Reply' if you have something to share.
Stay safe on the road (and always double-check your bookings!)
Andrea
(1) admitted - agreed something was untrue even when they didn't want to, said they had failed
(2) inter-city buses - ones that go between cities, not inside a single city
(3) workman - a man (person!) who has a job like an electrician, where they do physical work and often have lots of equipment
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