Last Minute Car Rental
Finding a great deal on a last minute car rental isn’t too difficult if you’ve done your research. And by reading this very page, you’re well on your way!
Last minute travel deals abound online - from last minute airfare to last minute cruises to last minute hotels, you can find it all, including a last minute car rental. The people who sell those things are better off giving you a steep last minute discount than they are letting those things go unused and unpaid for. In order to maximize your money-saving potential, however, there are some things you can do:
- Bundle Your Purchases - If you’re looking into purchasing more than one travel item, say a hotel room or airline ticket in addition to your car rental, see if booking as a package deal will save you money. They won’t always be money-savers, but they can be - and it’s worth looking into. Compare what each item would cost separately against what they cost as a package. With sites like Orbitz, Expedia and Travelocity you’ll have plenty of packages to choose from, so if the first flight or hotel doesn’t suit you, keep looking.
- Maintain Flexibility - The fewer rules you have for your trip, the more money you stand to save. If, for instance, you’ve simply got to have an SUV and you’ve simply got to leave this Friday, you’ll be able to get a last minute car rental - but you might not get a great deal. If, on the other hand, you’ll take anything with four wheels and you can leave anytime in the next two weeks, your money-saving options have just opened up immensely. In general, traveling in the off-season or during a slower part of the week can save you money as well.
- Be a Gambler - On sites like Hotwire and Priceline you can take control by opening the bidding with a price you’re willing to pay for that last minute car rental. If those sites can match your bid up with someone who’s willing to rent you a car at that price, the deal is sealed - so the only caveat is that you’ve got to do your research in advance. Find out elsewhere what that car would go for so you know what your ceiling is in terms of price. Again, a rental agency is better off letting the car off the lot at a drastically reduced rate than letting it sit idle while it earns no money at all, so you could save quite a bit if you’re willing to take the risk by make the opening offer.
- Hesitation is the Enemy - You’re already dealing with last minute travel, so it’s unlikely you’re prone to too much hesitation, but just in case… You should know that prices in the travel industry (on things like airfare, hotels and even car rentals) can fluctuate from day to day, even minute to minute. If you find a great deal on a last minute car rental today, it might not be there when you return tomorrow after weighing your other options. The moral of the story in this case is that it’s best to think through your options and make your pro/con lists in advance so you can book that fantastic deal right when you see it.
Find out more about how to save money on last minute travel, and then begin searching for last minute travel deals using the booking tool right on this page. You can also find last minute deals at sites like Site59, Booking Buddy and Kayak.