Need a rental car at reasonable prices? Here’s where to look
What is a reasonable rental rate?
Rental car prices can vary from city to city, so the only real way to determine a sustainable rate is your own budget. However, to help you understand rental car prices and put “reasonable” into context, we reviewed rental prices for compact and economy cars for two days in New York, both at John F. Kennedy (JFK) airport parking and off-airport locations in New York. We found that the cheapest rentals for two days were from airport parking through travel sites. The lowest prices off the airport came from a car-sharing site, but they required pickup in New Jersey. Zipcar, one of the three car-sharing services we researched, offered hourly rentals starting at $13 per hour in New York.
It’s also important to note that New York tends to be a more expensive area, so you might be able to find cheaper rental cars in other states.
Car-sharing services
Car-sharing services function similarly to traditional car rental companies, with one significant difference: the cars you rent are typically owned by an individual who has signed up for the rental service rather than by a rental company. All you have to do is choose the car you want, pick it up from the specified location, and return it.
There are several car-sharing services available in the market today, including:
- Zipcar
- Getaround
- Turo
Turo offered the cheapest two-day rental at around $83 for the car, but it was in New Jersey. Zipcar was the only service that provided hourly rates, starting at $13.
Although Zipcar had the lowest hourly rate, it’s important to know that the service requires additional fees that may vary depending on your location and driving condition. These fees may include application fees, monthly or annual membership fees, young driver fees, and mileage fees if you exceed the daily limit. Be sure to consider all the fees associated with renting a car.
Advantages of car-sharing services
- Ability to rent cars by the hour
- A wide variety of car types
Disadvantages of car-sharing services
- The cost of frequent use can become expensive
- Availability is not guaranteed
- May require additional travel
- May incur extra fees
Note: If you can, don’t wait until the last minute to book your car. The earlier you book, the more affordable rental options you’ll have available to you.
Travel sites
Travel sites are designed to help you find numerous car rental options for your upcoming trip, and they often offer discounts if you bundle your rental with a flight ticket and/or hotel stay. To get a rental car, enter your trip details and wait for the site or app to provide a list of options and prices. Then compare the prices and proceed with the car that fits your budget and needs.
Some examples of travel sites that offer rental cars include:
- Orbitz
- Expedia
- Priceline
- Travelocity
Orbitz, Expedia, and Priceline offered two-day rentals through rental car providers at John F. Kennedy (JFK) airport for $150 (Travelocity was $161). All four sites offered rentals off the airport between $347 and $348.
Advantages of travel sites
- Ease of comparing prices
- Convenience
- Allow last-minute bookings
- No mileage limits
Disadvantages of travel sites
- Rental car providers may be hidden
- You may miss out on some customer perks
Note: Use the travel site to compare car rental prices side by side. Once you have an idea of the prices that the travel site offers, visit the rental car companies’ websites to see if you can find better deals.
Companies
Car Rentals
Car rental companies focus exclusively on renting cars to their customers. You can book a car online or over the phone, and then visit the rental location to pick it up and return it to the same location (or another location in a different city or state).
Here are some of the most popular car rental companies:
- Avis
- Budget
- Enterprise Rent-a-Car
- Hertz
Thrifty offered the cheapest rental for two days at the airport at about $161, while Hertz had the lowest rental rate off-airport at about $347.
Advantages of Car Rental Companies
- Customer loyalty programs
- Newer models
- Diverse locations
Disadvantages of Car Rental Companies
- Additional costly fees
- You may need to return the car during business hours
- Deposit may be required
Note: If you are a frequent traveler and find a car rental company you like, staying loyal to them can save you money in the long run. Car rental companies should also be on your radar if you like the idea of renting newer models.
Key Takeaways
Affordable rental cars will vary depending on your location and situation. You may be able to find a cheap rental car through a car-sharing service, travel site, or car rental company. Car-sharing services are a wise option if you live in an urban area or near a campus and need a car occasionally, but beware of additional fees. If you want to bundle your trip and pay for the flight, hotel, and rental car all at once, a travel site may be the perfect place to get a cheap rental car. And if you want to rent a car directly from a rental company, you might have the opportunity to snag great deals through customer loyalty programs while enjoying access to newer models.
Source: https://www.thebalancemoney.com/where-to-find-an-affordable-rental-car-5081348
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