When is the Best Time to Reserve a Rental Car?
Rental cars are the cheapest during the off-travel seasons. This specifically includes months – January, February, and October. Even though these months are the best time to rent a car, one can also book early to secure the lowest prices.
In addition, certain days of the week are considered the best for unlocking the finest deals for maximum savings. These are Tuesdays and Wednesdays, as mid-week rentals have lower rental fees due to less demand.
What is the Best Time to Rent a Car?
If travel plans allow, it is suggested to book a car rental in the off-season. This offers the opportunity to get the best prices. Due to low demand, the prices tend to be more affordable. The best thing about booking during this time is that more car options will be available.
Here are the months one should aim to book a car rental at the lowest prices:
March to May (Spring Season): Since holidays do not start during these months, the demand for car rentals is quite low. As a result, you can expect to have better prices, along with more vehicle options. All these make the spring season the cheapest time to rent a car.
September to November (Fall Season): The number of travelers comes down once the summer holidays are finished. Thus, tourist destinations are not crowded. This leads to a great price drop. If your trip includes sightseeing or nature walks, you can save more on car rentals by booking during the fall.
Is It Possible to Save More on Early Car Rentals Booking?
Definitely yes. Most car rental companies in Dallas and other regions of the United States offer early booking benefits to renters. Some of them have been discussed below:
More Options: With early booking, one will have more car options to choose from. Since popular tourist spots have higher demand, the chances are higher that your preferred vehicle run out quickly. So, booking early will offer more desirable options and give you peace of mind.
Lower Rental Fees: When booking close to the pick-up date, the rental fees tend to be higher. Early bookings, on the other hand, will come with special and discounted rates. This gives an opportunity to renters to save some extra bucks.
Assured Vehicle: With early bookings, affordable rental fees are not the only benefit. Instead, it ensures the availability of your desired car model. Whether you need a sprinter van or an economical car, you can keep last-minutes hassles by booking in advance.
Do Car Rental Rates Fluctuate?
Yes, the rates of car rentals fluctuate significantly when demand is higher, i.e., peak travel season. Besides, there are some other factors that affect the car rental fees. These include the following:
Travel and Holiday Seasons: In the United States, June to August are considered peak-travel months. This means the demand is always high. Along with this, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day also add to the rise in car rental prices.
Dynamic Pricing Policy: Just like airlines, car rental agencies also change their prices daily according to the demand and number of un-booked vehicles. This means the prices will skyrocket when the vehicles are about to sell out.
Location of Booking: This is yet another reason why car rentals may have different prices for different locations. For instance, airport car rentals are expensive due to higher demand. At the same time, rural and not-so-popular spots will have economical rates.
Availability of the Vehicle: The rates depend on the availability of the vehicle type. Remember the prices of SUVs, specialized vans, luxury cars, etc., fluctuate more than the economy cars.
Conclusion,
Along with the season and the best time to rent a car, one should also consider other modes to save more on the bookings. They can opt for company-specific loyalty programs and holiday deals to book at the lowest prices. Lastly, review the cancellation policy and long-term booking discounts to acquire better deals.
