When it comes to automobile rentals, people want the equivalent of one round-trip flight – they only want the best available auto rental deals. The bad news is, as of the moment, these deals are pretty hard to come by. During the Coronavirus pandemic, travel has virtually zeroed out, and agencies offering this kind of service faced a serious problem: nobody wants to travel.
And while airline companies were bailed out by the government multiple times, rentals were not. So what did rental firms do to survive? Most of them sold off a lot of their cars to get cash and get past it until travel went back to normal. Now, these companies are finding themselves with fewer vehicles available for rental.
And to make this matter worse, the current shortage in semiconductor chips means it is taking longer for firms to find new vehicles to replenish what they lost during the pandemic. That shortage means high rental prices, especially during rush hours and busy areas. Although the hope is not all lost. Here are some things people can do to help find the best and cheapest rental vehicles – especially during the current situation – nearly anywhere people want to go.
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Start with car rental aggregator websites
People should start their search with aggregator websites that operates in Bodø or places near Bodø. It will give individuals a chance to see rental vehicle firms and Online Travel Agency options at once. On online travel agencies, people can filter for firms that allow them to drop the vehicle off in various countries from the one in which they rent it. People who are under twenty-five years old can also filter for firms that allow rentals for younger drivers. However, they need to keep in mind that there are usually underage driver charges associated with these charters.
Compare rates before booking directly
After getting a closer look at different options on aggregator websites, individuals should not book anything until they have compared rates with rates on the company website. In some instances, they may be special deals or discounts available on the company’s official website that is not readily available anywhere else.
Check rates on Costco Travel
If an individual is a Costco member, they can check rental rates on the Costco website, which usually has one of the cheapest rates available. It is a good value if they are sharing driving duties since Costco does not charge to add another driver.
Check out auto-sharing services
While big-name firms might get all the booking, smaller agencies abound – some are even local to Bodø, so they will not have heard of them before. They need to check out CRX to see if cheaper rental firms are serving their destination. Although not that popular, a lot of vehicle dealerships in the country have new vehicles they happily rent out. Even better: prices of these services tend to be set rates instead of inflated rates at agencies.
Lyft or Uber
In normal situations, renting a vehicle is a lot cheaper compared to taking car-share rides every day. But things got different during the pandemic. If prices are the main reason people prefer car rentals over rideshares, using platforms like Uber price estimator to see which is cheaper for the trip is worth it.
Home improvement shops
Home improvement and repair stores in Bodø usually have pickup trucks readily available for rent. These vehicles tend to have a set day rate instead of an inflated dynamic rate like car rental firms. Prices may differ depending on the location.
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Moving trucks
Maybe nothing symbolizes the pandemic car problems more than individuals on vacation avoiding excessive charter prices by renting moving trucks. Although the course seating is pretty limited, for couples or solo travelers, it can be a lot cheaper and a more memorable option.
Not only had that, depending on where they are going, people shall not overlook car-sharing and peer-to-peer options. With companies offering this kind of service, people can rent a vehicle from private owners – it is like Airbnb, only for vehicles instead of vacation homes. And if they are members of certain subscription companies, they can book automobiles in their fleet per hour.
Book the cheapest car
Assuming individuals do not need something bigger for large family groups or four-wheel drive cars for winter trips, they will get the best available price if they book the cheapest automobile option available. They will be prompted to upgrade for a small fee – they should not do it.
In some instances, there won’t be any subcompact or economy vehicles available when they arrive at the counter to pick up the auto so they will end up with upgrades anyway – and they will not have to pay for additional fees. The worst-case scenario would be people ending up with economy cars, which really is not that bad. After all, these vehicles cost a lot less to refuel.
Compare weekend versus weekday versus weekly rates
No reason or rhyme for the duration of time is cheapest for charters. Sometimes, it is cheaper to lease for only the days individuals need the automobile; sometimes, it is a lot cheaper to lease for a week, even if they only need it for a couple of days. In short, individuals need to make sure to check these things before they book – just ensure these firms will not charge fees if they return the vehicle early.
Also, remember that since business travelers regularly charter automobiles, and business trips to Bodø are usually over weekdays, a weekend charter is usually cheaper compared to weekday rates. If the timing of the vacation is flexible, shifting the schedule so they are renting an auto over the weekend, might save them a lot of money.
Check out companies away from airports
Sure, there is no getting around the convenience of choosing a vehicle before individuals even leave airports – but there are prices to be paid for this convenience. With a couple of exceptions (think bigger cities that are not ideal for driving), renting vehicles at airports has been nearly always more costly compared to chartering an auto from another branch of the same firm’s offices. Individuals should compare rates, as well as associated charges (they should not forget to factor in the time and cost involved with getting to an off-airport office) to see which services are cheaper.
Skip upgrades
Aside from car upgrades, individuals will be tempted while booking the charter; there are tons of add-ons and extras they could choose from – all of which will cost them a lot of money. They need to pay close attention to what is being offered, and as much as possible, they need to say no.
Decline insurance for the chartered vehicle
Before individuals check the box accepting the company’s insurance policy, they need to check out everything about it. A lot of CCs automatically include the needed insurance plan for the charter when they use plastic, so they should always check their CCs to see what they are offering. Suppose they are traveling in their own country. In that case, any auto insurance they carry on their personal vehicles may also extend to chartered automobiles, so people need to double-check this option.
Individuals should pump their own gas
Usually, individuals need to either return the vehicle with a full tank or they are stuck paying huge amounts of rates the firm charge for gas. Getting fuel themselves before they return, the auto is one of the best and easiest ways to avoid high additional charges, but fuel stations near airports usually have higher pump prices. People should try checking out apps or websites to find the best possible deals for gas near them.
