What Is With Rental Car Prices These Days? The NYT Investigates

June 29, 2009 at 11:32 AM | by kjb | Comment (1)

Just when we finally thought it safe to book an affordable flight, hotel, and rental car, a New York Times story gets us all disappointed over rates. Apparently, despite the deals elsewhere, rental car costs are going up. One consulting group notes that in May, the average weekly rate for a car booked seven days in advance went up almost 75% from the previous year.

Although the demand for rental cars is down, the car companies are responding by not ordering new cars and selling off the really old ones. In the past, drivers were greeted with a low-mile cream puff, often with a new car scent, but now they are usually stuck in something with many more miles on the odometer. Unfortunately, it�s just simple supply and demand, and less rental cars mean we�re stuck paying more for the dogs that are left.

The article suggests some ways to beat the high rates, and we agree with most of the suggestions. The best way to avoid getting ripped off is to do book your car as soon as possible. Last-minute hotel and airline deals can be had if you wait, but not so for your car. Remember to exhaust—no pun intended—all options before settling on a rate you don�t consider a deal. Check local car agencies rather than just the big guys, and consider taking public transit to an off-airport rental car location where taxes and fees are less. We almost did this in Phoenix, where the airport's luxurious rental car facility comes at a cost to renters.

If all else fails, head to Priceline's Negotiator; he's never let us down in the past.

[Photo: LFL16]

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