Road tripping is becoming the new norm in the U.S. There has been a notable surge in road trips in the country, surpassing the pre-pandemic levels. As the demand for road trips increases, so does the demand for rental cars. High demand for car rentals translates to low supply. Not surprisingly, the prices of car rentals have hit sky-high levels.
The cost of renting a car in the U.S., on average, has risen by 48% since May 2019. That means a rental car that cost $100/day four years ago costs $148 today. The prices have dropped recently, but they are still higher than they were before the pandemic.
Charlotte, North Carolina, Orlando, Florida, and Dallas-Fort Worth are ranked as the cheapest metro areas for renting a car. Weekly rental prices, on average, range between $490 and $545 in these places. In contrast, Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Chicago are the most expensive metro areas when it comes to renting a car. You will have to pay anywhere between $588 and $671.
Shelling out exorbitant sums only on car rentals on your corporate trip can take a toll on your travel budget. The good news is that you can save money on car rentals in several ways. In this article, we’ll discuss a few tips to help you score a good deal on car rentals on your next corporate trip.
1. Compare Rates of Different Companies
Car rental rates vary from company to company. Some offer a rental car at exorbitant prices, whereas others charge relatively low. That is why you mustn’t settle for the first quote you receive. Take time to shop around. Ask different car rental companies for their rates and compare them.
Over 17,000 car rental companies were operating in the U.S. in 2022. California boasted the maximum number of car rental businesses in the country. A total of 1,355 companies offered car rentals in the state. Florida, with 1,050 businesses, ranked second. With 960 car rental companies, Texas occupied the third position.
As per the latest reports, even Illinois, an average-sized state, had 535 car rental businesses in 2023.
If you’re setting out on a business trip to Chicago, it would be wise to reach out to multiple car rental companies. Looking up on Google can help you find the best car services in Chicago, Illinois. You can contact a few of them, explain your needs, and get quotes. Some companies even try to price match or go lower than those who have already given you quotes.
While car rental companies offer different packages, Eminent Limo explains that you can expect to pay anywhere between $60 and $150/hour for car service in Chicago.
Likewise, if you’re traveling to New York, California, or Florida, search for the best car services in that area. Take quotes, compare them, and choose the one that fits the bill.
2. Book Off-Airport
Renting a car at the airport costs more than in a downtown area. It’s a secret car rental companies don’t want travelers to know. Airport rental cars are about 26% more expensive than off-airport rental cars. NerdWallet’s latest analysis of 360 rental car prices across the 20 largest airports in the U.S. disclosed this.
Beat car rental agencies at their game by booking a car off-airport. That’s one smart way to save some bucks on your corporate trip. NerdWallet disclosed that weekly car rentals for downtown locations were, on average, $126 cheaper than airport sites.
The only minor inconvenience, however, is that you will have to get to the downtown location. Take a shuttle to reach downtown.
If multiple flights land at the same time, shuttle services might be limited. You can hail a cab. You will reach the central location of the city way quicker than you would by a shuttle.
3. Forgo the Extras
Car rental companies often offer customers a host of extras and add-ons when they book a car. All of that, of course, costs money. Forgo all those upgrades. You will save a good amount of money.
Rent-a-car companies offer a GPS unit at about $15 or more per day. Don’t opt for it because you’ve already got a GPS unit in your pocket– your mobile phone. Use Google Maps or Waze, so you can read the map while you’re driving.
Just be sure to carry a charger or a power bank so that your phone doesn’t run out of battery. If you’re traveling overseas, chalk out your route and download the directions well in advance.
Vehicles in areas with lots of highway tolls are outfitted with passes that are read at toll booths automatically. Even rental cars have these. However, the daily fees that accompany toll passes are steep. Consider paying in cash or card or bring your own transponder. You’ll be surprised at the amount you save.
To wrap things up, renting a car costs a lot, but there are several ways you can save on rental cars. Be sure to follow these tips when booking a rental car for your corporate trip. You will cut down a significant sum on your car rental bill. However, read the fine print carefully before booking a rental car to ensure all costs are covered out of pocket at the time of booking. That way, you won’t have to deal with surprises later on.
