Renting a car can be a grueling process, even when everything goes perfectly. Here are the top five hints to remember when using an airport car rental at Heathrow to help make your life easier.

First, plan ahead. When you plan your trip in advance you will have plenty of time to test the waters and be sure that you are getting what you want out of a company.

Second, stick to your budget. While this may seem like common sense, you will likely exceed your expectations if you don’t include things like food, fuel, insurance, parking and other minor expenses.

Third, allow for some delay when planning your pick up and drop off times. Generally, an hour after your expected arrival and roughly the time you are expected to depart is good enough to eliminate unwanted penalties.

Fourth, plan your trips well. This may require a GPS navigation system, but it will save you a lot of time and fuel in the long run.

Finally, shop around. If you allow yourself enough time to research the companies that offer you service, you will have enough time to find one that meets your expectations and will fit your budget. The easiest way to do this is by using the tool on this site as you can compare several companies and their cars in one easy place.