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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2009
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Why Car Rentals Are Pricey in Great Recession

Airfares, hotel rates fell, but rental rates have started back uphill

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(Newser) – Hoping for a cheap car rental in the Great Recession? Sorry, car rental fees are going up, thanks to agencies selling off chunks of their fleets and creating a false shortage, Michelle Higgins writes in the New York Times. Last month, the average weekly airport rental price jumped 73% over the previous year, from $199 to $345. “There’s a lot of sticker shock,” said one analyst. “People don’t understand."

How to get the best deal possible? 

  • Avoid airport and downtown lots, which jack prices higher; rates are usually lower in the 'burbs.
  • Book larger vehicles; most customers go for the smaller, fuel-efficient cars.
  • Avoid Avis, Hertz, and other national chains. Mom-and-pop companies have lower overhead and lower prices.
  • Try virtual coupons from sites like FatWallet.com and CouponWinner.com.
Pick up more tips by clicking on the link below.

Customer service representatives wait on customers at Enterprise rent-a-car at the Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International airport July 10, 2007 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Customer service representatives wait on customers at Enterprise rent-a-car at the Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International airport July 10, 2007 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.   (Getty Images)
Dollar car rental dispatcher Jason Ritter displays a chart that shows the mileage different rental cars get and the costs for driving a 100 miles, Sept. 12, 2008.
Dollar car rental dispatcher Jason Ritter displays a chart that shows the mileage different rental cars get and the costs for driving a 100 miles, Sept. 12, 2008.   (AP Photo/J. Pat Carter)
Scott Griffith, CEO of Zipcar, stands outside the company's office in Cambridge, Mass. in this March 8, 2007 file photo.
Scott Griffith, CEO of Zipcar, stands outside the company's office in Cambridge, Mass. in this March 8, 2007 file photo.   (AP Photo/Josh Reynolds, file)
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2 comments
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PaleRider
Jun 28, 09 2:23 PM CDT
"Book larger vehicles; most customers go for the smaller, fuel-efficient cars." But what about "Global Warming" !!! Reply
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TerrifiedCitizen
Jun 28, 09 3:07 PM CDT
Looks like another thing we can thank the GOP for is the 'trickling-down' of business acumen. If oil dips, merely create a false shortage= applies to most business. Reply
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