Sachin Walls
Renting a car at the airport is a convenient option for travellers, but is it better to prebook or wait until you arrive? Conventional wisdom suggests that booking travel reservations in advance will get you the best deal, but this isn't always the case with rental cars. While booking in advance can provide peace of mind and guarantee availability, data shows that last-minute rental cars tend to be cheaper. However, this strategy comes with its own risks, as you might encounter limited availability or higher prices in popular vacation destinations. Pre-booking can also bring special discounts and allow you to choose the best vehicles. Additionally, fees charged to rental companies by airports are often passed on to consumers, making on-site rentals pricier. To save money, some travellers opt for downtown rental locations or car-sharing services. Ultimately, the decision to prebook or wait depends on factors such as availability, pricing, and personal preferences.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Pre-booking a rental car at an airport | Recommended to ensure availability and peace of mind |
| Booking in advance vs. last minute | Last-minute bookings tend to be cheaper, but there is a risk of limited availability or higher costs in popular destinations |
| Online vs. airport booking | Online advanced bookings can offer savings and a wider selection, while airport rentals may have higher fees and longer wait times |
| Airport rental convenience | Some airports have rental car counters and vehicles on-site, while others require shuttle rides to off-site rental locations |
| Additional considerations | Include insurance, vehicle damage checks, and potential for extension |
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What You'll Learn
Pros and cons of pre-booking
Pre-booking a rental car at an airport has its advantages and disadvantages.
Pros of Pre-Booking
One of the main advantages of pre-booking is the potential for cost savings. While conventional wisdom suggests that booking in advance can get you a better deal, data from NerdWallet suggests that last-minute rental cars tend to be cheaper. However, this is not always the case, and there are instances where booking in advance can result in significant savings. For example, a NerdWallet analysis found that renting a car three days before your reservation start date can lead to substantial savings, with the difference being most stark at Thrifty, where booking seven days out resulted in average savings of 28.02% compared to booking three months in advance. Pre-booking can also provide peace of mind, as you are guaranteed to have a car reserved for your trip, avoiding the risk of limited availability or sold-out cars, especially in popular vacation destinations. Additionally, pre-booking can offer special discounts and financial incentives provided by rental companies to secure your business. Online reservation services allow customers to compare prices and find the best deals, and many also offer the flexibility to cancel and change bookings if a better deal arises.
Cons of Pre-Booking
One of the biggest disadvantages of pre-booking a rental car at an airport is the potential for additional fees and taxes. Airports often charge concession fees to rental car companies, which are then passed on to customers in the form of higher rental rates. Airport pick-up or drop-off fees may also apply, further increasing the overall cost. Another drawback is the possibility of long wait times at the rental counter, as many people choose to rent cars at the airport, resulting in long lines and potential delays, especially if you are in a hurry to catch a flight.
In conclusion, whether to pre-book a rental car at an airport depends on various factors, including cost, availability, convenience, and personal preference. While pre-booking can offer savings and peace of mind, it may also result in higher costs due to additional fees and taxes associated with airport rentals.
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Last-minute rental savings
While conventional wisdom suggests that booking travel reservations in advance will get you the best deal, this is not always the case with rental cars. According to a NerdWallet analysis from June 2024, which examined over 480 rental car prices from eight major US rental companies, booking a rental car at the last minute can save you money. The analysis found that customers paid, on average, $74 more to book a weekly rental car three months in advance compared to booking the same rental just a week in advance. In fact, the data showed that even booking a rental car three days in advance can lead to significant savings.
However, while last-minute rental cars tend to be cheaper, there are risks associated with waiting until the last minute to book. There is a chance that there will be no availability, especially in popular vacation destinations, leaving you without a rental car in a city with limited transportation options. Therefore, it is recommended to book your rental car in advance, even if it is just a few days before your trip, to ensure availability and lock in a rate that you are comfortable with.
To save money on your rental car, consider booking with companies like Budget Rent a Car, which offers last-minute travel deals and discounts of up to 35% off when selecting the "Pay Now" option. Additionally, look into non-traditional rental car options, leverage memberships like Costco or AAA, commit to a single driver to avoid extra fees, and use a credit card that offers rental car insurance coverage.
Another way to save on rental cars is to avoid renting directly at the airport. Airport rentals often come with additional surcharges, such as "Customer Facility Charges," which can add up to a significant amount over the length of your trip. Instead, consider renting from a downtown location and using a taxi or ridesharing service to get to and from the airport. By comparing prices and taking advantage of discounts and alternative rental options, you can maximize your savings on last-minute rental cars.
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Rental car availability
While booking a rental car in advance is encouraged in the travel industry, it is not always cheaper to do so. In fact, a NerdWallet analysis found that renting a car three days to a week in advance can yield significant savings, with customers paying on average $74 more to book a weeklong rental car three months ahead of time compared to just a week in advance. The savings were observed across multiple destinations and car rental brands, including Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, and Thrifty.
However, booking in advance can provide peace of mind and guarantee availability. It is especially recommended when travelling to popular vacation destinations, where there are reports of renters incurring extra costs of over a thousand dollars for last-minute bookings. By booking in advance, you can also take advantage of special discounts offered by rental companies to secure your business. Additionally, booking online before your trip can save you time when picking up your rental car upon arrival at the airport.
When picking up a rental car at the airport, you will usually find the rental car counters or service desks in the arrivals area of the terminal near the baggage carousel. Some airports, such as Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Orlando International Airport (MCO), offer shuttle services that will take you to the car rental locations, which are just a short drive away from the airport. Remember to include your flight information when booking your rental car so that your vehicle will be ready for you at the correct terminal. Once you arrive, have your identification, booking details, and payment method ready.
While it may be tempting to wait for a last-minute deal, it is important to consider the risks of limited availability, especially if you absolutely need a rental car. By booking in advance, you can ensure that you have a suitable vehicle at a rate that you are comfortable with.
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Rental car discounts
Yes, you can prebook a rental car at an airport. In fact, conventional wisdom suggests that you book travel reservations in advance to get the best deal. However, this is not always the case with rental cars. According to a recent analysis by NerdWallet, renting a car last minute can often be cheaper. The analysis compared booking a car for seven nights, reserved three months in advance versus seven days in advance. It was found that customers paid, on average, $74 more to book three months in advance. This trend was observed across multiple destinations and car rental brands, including Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, and Thrifty.
That being said, there are still benefits to booking a rental car in advance. By doing so, you can lock in a rate that you are comfortable with and ensure availability. Waiting until the last minute carries the risk of limited availability or even sold-out cars, especially in popular vacation destinations like Hawaii. Therefore, it is a trade-off between potentially saving money by booking last minute and the peace of mind that comes with securing a rental car in advance.
When it comes to rental car discounts, there are several ways to save money. Many rental car companies offer discounts for various groups, such as government employees, corporate clients, or members of certain organizations. For example, Budget Car Rental mentions group discounts in their terms. Additionally, coupons and upgrade offers can help reduce the cost of renting a car. However, it is important to note that these discounts may not be applicable in conjunction with other offers or when booking through specific channels, such as package deals or wholesale websites.
Another way to obtain rental car discounts is through the use of credit card benefits. For instance, the Platinum Card from American Express offers car rental loss and damage insurance coverage of up to $75,000 when you use the card to reserve and pay for the rental car. This can provide peace of mind and potentially save you money in the event of theft or damage to the rental vehicle. It is always worth checking with your credit card company to see if they offer similar benefits or partnerships with rental car companies that can provide discounts or other perks.
In conclusion, while last-minute rental cars tend to be cheaper, there are benefits to prebooking, and you can often find rental car discounts through various means. Whether you are looking to book in advance or at the last minute, it is important to compare prices, consider different rental car companies, and take advantage of any discounts or benefits you may be eligible for to get the best deal.
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Rental car insurance
Yes, you can pre-book a rental car at an airport, and it is generally recommended to book travel reservations in advance. However, when it comes to rental cars, it is often cheaper to book last minute. A NerdWallet analysis found that customers paid, on average, $74 more to book a week-long rental car three months in advance compared to booking the same rental just a week in advance. This trend was observed across multiple destinations and car rental brands, including Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, and Thrifty.
Now, when it comes to rental car insurance, there are a few things to keep in mind. Rental car insurance is a separate coverage offered by a rental car company, and it typically includes liability coverage, loss/collision damage waiver, personal accident insurance, and personal effects coverage. Liability coverage protects you from damages or injuries you may cause while driving the rental car. A loss/collision damage waiver releases you from responsibility for damage to the rental car, including theft and vandalism. Personal accident insurance covers injuries to you and your passengers while driving the rental, and personal effects coverage protects your personal items if they are stolen from the rental car.
It's important to note that rental car insurance may overlap with your personal auto insurance policy. If you have comprehensive, collision, and liability coverage on your personal auto policy, you may already be protected against physical damage to the rental car and any liability claims. In such cases, you won't need to purchase duplicate coverage from the rental car company. However, if you don't have a personal auto policy, you will need to purchase liability coverage from the rental agency.
Additionally, credit card coverage may also provide some rental car insurance benefits, but it often has exclusions and may not be as extensive as a separate rental car insurance policy. For example, flat tires, cracked windshields, damaged headlights, lost keys, and towing may not be covered by credit card coverage. Companies like Allianz Global Assistance and RentalCover offer rental car insurance products that can provide primary coverage for collision, loss, and damage, as well as 24-hour emergency assistance. These policies can give you peace of mind and protect you from unexpected costs in the event of an accident or incident with your rental car.
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Frequently asked questions
It is generally cheaper to book a rental car last minute, according to a NerdWallet analysis of 480 rental car prices. However, booking in advance can give you peace of mind and a better selection of vehicles. Pre-booking can also bring special discounts and guarantee availability.
Prebooking a rental car at an airport ensures that you have a vehicle ready for you upon arrival. This can save you time and hassle, especially if you are travelling to a place with limited public transportation or ride-sharing services. Prebooking can also help you secure a rate that you are comfortable with.
Once you arrive at the airport, find the car rental counter, usually located near the baggage carousel or in the arrivals area. Have your identification, booking details, and payment method ready. Check the rental car for any damage and document it via video and/or photo if there are any issues. After receiving your contract, you can begin your journey.
