Why are car rental prices so high?

[#1disneyfan]

We are getting ready to book our flights and car rental, and the price of a car rental is higher than my flight!!!! Does anyone have any insight as to why rates are so high for this summer and if they may come back down? We are in need of a car rental because we are going to my mom's to visit in South Florida when our Disney portion is over. So bypassing a car is out of the question, but seriously over $600 for a intermediate size car?????

Help!!!

[Reedy Creek Buccaneer]

How long are you vacationing for?

Are you flying in and out of the same airport? If not, that could be the reason.

Give us a few more details, and I bet we can find you a better price.

[Fangorn]

Does anyone have any insight as to why rates are so high for this summer and if they may come back down?

Car rental rates went up drastically last summer and have remained high ever since. Honestly, I don't expect them to improve overall anytime soon, but anything's possible.

The reason for the high rates is basic economics - specifically supply and demand. When the economy started to go south and the banks began cutting everyone's line's of credit, the car rental companies had little choice but to reduce the size of their rental fleets since they didn't have the financing available to maintain what they had. While there may be positive aspects of a reduction for the rental companies (fewer cars means less cost to maintain them all), it greatly reduced the supply of available vehicles. The demand for rental cars was probably reduced some, but not nearly as drastically as the supply was reduced. Consequently, higher prices for a less available product.

As long as the supply of the product is constrained, the cost will remain high. In Orlando, the costs are very high compared to say a couple of years ago (2-3 times higher). But at least cars are usually available. I've been at other airports in the country where rates are even higher - but it didn't really matter because there were no cars available at any price from any company. More than a few times in the past year someone on my staff has been stranded somewhere due to a last minute schedule change and they've been unable to get a rental car for a day or two.

The only tip I can give you is to make sure you explore all possible coupon and discount options you might have. Costco has some really good coupons as do the Entertainment books. See if your company has any discount agreement as these are normally usable by employees for personal use as well.

Also, keep checking the rates. They may well change (not always in your favor, but...) as you get closer to your dates. You may get lucky.

I hope this gives you some insight into the "why".

Have a great trip.

Steve

[#1disneyfan]

We are vacationing for 10 days and we are intending on returning the car at a different airport. We have done this on many occasions before and never have prices been so high!

I never put together the economy and the fleet of rental cars. Thanks for that insight!

[In my dreams]

I was going to post the very same question.
I have to seriously consider going back to using the WDW transportation. Not that that's a bad thing, but when you have a car there isn't time 'lost". But there sure would be $$$ lost
We'll need a car to go to Universal for the day but right now I can't justify +$800 for nine day rental.
Feeling a little bummed!

[tazlikesrobots]

I was going to post the very same question.
I have to seriously consider going back to using the WDW transportation. Not that that's a bad thing, but when you have a car there isn't time 'lost". But there sure would be $$$ lost
We'll need a car to go to Universal for the day but right now I can't justify +$800 for nine day rental.
Feeling a little bummed!

There are some car rental loations within th WDW resort property. Have you thought about just renting a car for a day or two? Also some of the hotels in the DTD disney area have onsite car rental....

[In my dreams]

There are some car rental loations within th WDW resort property. Have you thought about just renting a car for a day or two? Also some of the hotels in the DTD disney area have onsite car rental....

Thanks,
Im looking into a 4/5 day rental right now. I have a $$ set in my mind and I'll see how many days I can get for that. Right now, looking at going to the Dolphin to rent. Does anyone have experience getting to the Car Care Center? Would I have to cab it over there?

[DisneyBunch5]

We've rented from Alamo at the Car Care Center. You call them to arrange pick up right at your hotel. And they also provide shuttle service back to your hotel after returning the car. It's very convenient.

[peemagg]

I have a convertible rented from National at the Car Care Center for January. For 8 days it is $162 total. I found that trying to rent from the airports themselves tend to be higher than renting elsewhere. Check many places other than just the airport for prices. You might be pleasantly surprised. Most give you rides for free to and from their rental locations.

[mudpuppysmom]

Keep checking.....DAILY. I usually book a car when I know we are going....sometimes that is 9 months out, but I do it anyway so we have something set in stone. I keep checking every few days until about 5 months out then I start checking daily, like checking email I swear! I've been lucky for several trips, but our trip last October was the highest we have ever paid; we used National's Emerald Aisle and while we did get a brand new minivan we paid for an intermediate car and paid just under $200 for a week -- which I didn't think was bad at all. We have in the past gotten SUV's for under $100 for a week, but you have to be vigilant about checking!

[Fastpasssteve]

Ahhhh! You're returning the car at a location different from where you picked it up. That's a big reason why the rate is higher. It might be worth your while to return the car to the original location. Check out the rate online or call to find out the price differential.

If you've already made your flight plans, you probably can't change your reservations now without a penalty.

It would be worth checking this all out BEFORE you make your reservations next time. You might consider having your relatives visit you at Disney next time. An extra room would almost be cheaper at this point.

[Ed]

I found that trying to rent from the airports themselves tend to be higher than renting elsewhere.

Absolutely right. In addition to the actual rental charges, at the airports you're paying all sorts of additional fees and taxes to cover the rental company's costs of doing business at a convenient location.

As for Orlando, over the past few months, all the major companies have moved from their remote locations onto the airport property - - the good news is no more bus rides from the airport to facilities a few miles away. The bad news is that you are paying for the move.