With prices at record highs and the hesitancy to fly pushing rental car availability down, travelers are looking for unconventional options.
This includes services such as Turo, where car owners offer their personal vehicles for rent. These platforms typically offer convenient one-way rentals and a range of vehicle types.
Nontraditional Car Rental
One of the most popular ways to get around during a rental car shortage has been to use nontraditional rental companies. These operate much like Airbnb for cars and are overseen by third parties, with reservations, payment and delivery/pick-up all handled through an app.
One company that operates this way is Transfercar, which offers vehicles with a predesignated destination — such as a road trip from Las Vegas to San Francisco — at a flat price. The only extras are insurance and gas. Another similar option is a peer-to-peer service called Avail, which is backed by Allstate and has an extensive network of cars in 13 U.S. cities. Prices are generally 20 percent cheaper than traditional rental car rates. Vehicle quality and cleanliness varies since hosts are responsible for ensuring their own cars meet the company’s standards.
The other new entry into the market is Silvercar, owned by Audi and operating a fleet of luxury cars in 31 markets. Reservations and pickup are all done through an app, and the company also offers extras like child seats, ski racks and a concierge. The service is fully vetted for the presence of COVID-19, with strict cleaning and sanitization protocols. In fact, the company has partnered with some rental car agencies to offer the service through their apps.
Road Trip Car Rental
With many people opting out of air travel for this year’s vacations, rental cars are in high demand. That’s pushed rates up and often made it difficult to find vehicles, especially during popular times like summer road trips.
Road trip rentals may not be as expensive as you might think. In fact, they could save you money long term, explains Caleb Chen of The Van Life Coach. When you rent a vehicle for a road trip, you can avoid extra mileage on your own car that might impact your leasing agreement or overall resale value. You also can avoid costly repairs and maintenance that come with frequent driving, like tire wear, depreciation and oil changes.
Another advantage is the ease of roadside service should you need help. If you have a credit card that offers rental car protection, such as the OneTrip Rental Car Protector, it can cover some or all expenses related to a vehicle malfunction while you’re renting a car.
Finally, road trip rentals usually have more space for passengers and luggage than a typical personal vehicle, making it easier to get around during long drives. Plus, they’re generally well-maintained and equipped with modern features for comfort on the go. This means you can travel with your family and enjoy the journey rather than being confined to a cramped vehicle.
Private Car Rental
Several online car rental platforms allow private car owners to list their vehicles for rent. These services are similar to lodging marketplaces like Airbnb, with dich vu xe du lich xeducvinh car rental booking and payment overseen by third parties. These services can often offer cars at lower prices than traditional car rental agencies because of the reduced overhead costs associated with direct car-to-consumer car rental.
Most of these sites allow individuals to rent vehicles by the hour, day or week. If you’re a car owner, it’s important to consider how safe it is to let strangers drive your vehicle and the additional expenses that may come with it. For example, if you have an older model with expired warranty, you may have to pay extra for roadside assistance.
Another concern is whether your credit card covers any fees assessed by the rental car company for damage to the vehicle or mileage overage. Be sure to check your credit card’s policy and contact their customer service if you have any questions.
Also be aware that some rental car companies will charge for extra drivers, toll charges and even GPS usage. It’s best to plan ahead and make reservations as early as possible. This will help you avoid the disappointment of not getting the car you want.