How to find the best car rental prices during peak holiday seasons
During peak holiday seasons, the demand for car rentals surges, causing car rental prices to rise sharply. Cars near popular tourist destinations and airports are in short supply, and prices are often much higher than usual. In addition, during peak seasons, cars are in short supply, and late bookings may result in the dilemma of no cars available for rental. Therefore, it is crucial to find affordable car rental prices during peak holiday seasons, which not only saves travel expenses, but also ensures that the trip goes smoothly and avoids the inconvenience caused by car rental problems.
Plan and book in advance
• Book early: Booking as early as possible usually gets you a better price. It is recommended to book 1-2 months before the holiday to avoid price increases.
• Choose the right car rental company: Compare car rental prices and services from different companies, and choose a reputable and reasonably priced company.
• Take advantage of early booking discounts: Many car rental companies offer early bird discounts, and locking in these discounts in advance can effectively reduce costs.
• Plan flexible rental dates: If possible, avoid renting a car on the first or last day of the peak season, and choosing a mid-term date usually has a lower price.
Leverage tools and platforms
• Use price comparison sites and apps: Use platforms such as Kayak, Expedia, and Zuzuche to compare quotes from multiple car rental companies and find the lowest price.
• Follow car rental company promotions: Keep an eye out for special promotions during holidays or specific periods, and get the latest discount information by subscribing to newsletters or social media.
• Use coupons and discount codes: Search for car rental coupons or discount codes online, or further reduce costs through combination offers (such as hotel + car rental packages).
Be flexible in choosing pick-up and drop-off locations and dates
• Choose non-popular locations: Avoid picking up cars at popular locations such as airports or city centers. Choosing locations farther away usually saves money.
• Avoid peak times: Renting cars on non-popular dates or weekdays usually costs less.
Price advantages of long-term and short-term rentals
• Price advantages of long-term rentals: The longer the rental period, the lower the average daily rental cost, and you may enjoy additional discounts and convenient services.
• Price advantages of short-term rentals: Short-term rentals are paid on demand, suitable for temporary or emergency car needs, and sometimes you can get lower prices through discounts during specific periods.
Insurance purchase considerations
• Insurance provided by the rental company: usually includes collision damage waiver (CDW), liability insurance, and personal accident insurance, etc.
• Bring your own insurance: Your credit card or personal auto insurance may already cover damage or liability during the rental period. Check the coverage of the existing insurance.
• Decisions on purchasing additional insurance: Based on the coverage of the existing insurance, decide whether to purchase additional insurance for more comprehensive protection.
User case
Li Hua and his family planned to go to Yellowstone Park for vacation this summer. They started planning before the Spring Festival and made a rental car reservation two months before the vacation. Li Hua found that booking directly through the rental car company website was cheaper than other platforms through price comparison websites such as Kayak, and the company offered a 10% advance booking discount. They chose a pick-up location slightly away from the airport to avoid the high airport surcharge. Li Hua also took advantage of the credit card's car rental insurance service to save the cost of purchasing additional insurance. Through these strategies, they not only saved about 15% of the rental fee, but also avoided the price increase during the peak holiday period and successfully enjoyed a pleasant family trip.
Conclusion
During the peak holiday season, you can significantly reduce your rental costs by planning ahead, using tools, and being flexible. Book in advance to lock in a good price, use price comparison sites and apps to help you find the lowest quote, and be flexible in choosing your pick-up and drop-off locations and dates to avoid extra fees during peak seasons. In addition, paying attention to rental company promotions and taking advantage of membership benefits are effective ways to save money. In this way, you can enjoy a smooth rental experience during the busy holiday season in the most economical way.